Weekend in Prague & Christmas

Every Christmas for the last several years we have traveled to different cities to discover the local holiday customs and traditions.  You might remember, that last year we went to Budapest and Vienna.  Well, the Christmas Market that we visited this year was in Prague.  It wasn't our first trip to the Bohemian capital, but that didn't take away from it's splendor.  

Our apartment for the weekend was just a few steps to Old Town Square and the owner checking us in quickly pointed out our close proximity to a "Beer Spa."  We questioned what a "Beer Spa" was and she went on to explain it as an oasis of Czech traditional, where barley and hops are added to a hot tub of water that patrons can soak in while drinking unlimited amounts of beer. After about an hour soak you are transferred to a quite room with a bed that has a mattress of hay.  We decided to part take in this tradition and found ourselves completely rejuvenated and ready for an evening exploring the markets.   

Old Town Square was bustling with activity.  A local band was playing Czech Christmas tunes on a stage covered in lights while the large christmas trees decorated to the max served as a back drop along side the old gothic "Church of our Lady."

The City Hall clock tower stood high above the market stalls and the smell of fire roasted pork was in the air.

You know we had to try some of the local food: a generous portion of fire roasted pork and bread.

And later we popped into a pub to warm up and try a stein of Czech beer.

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing the ballet, Swan Lake.  We scoped out the theatre in the afternoon to make sure we knew how to get there and returned later that evening to watch all the Swan's dance in sync.  

To keep warm and to fully engage our cultural senses, we decided to check out the Alfons Mucha Museum.  He was a Bohemian artist who traveled to Paris in the early 1920's to create posters adverts for theatre and champagne.  His work is quickly recognizable.  Jesse and I were both taken back by all his fabulous works of art plus the work he did in his own community as a philanthropist.  Here's some of our favorite pieces.  

Prague really was so much fun.  However, on Sunday evening, after a cold and snowy couple of days, it was time for us to catch the train to Nuremberg.  

We always love the Christmas markets in the heart of Bavaria but what really makes visiting Nuremberg special is seeing our German family.  Of course, Jesse and Patrick are like brothers so they have a unique banter which continues as they follow me through the markets from stall to stall.

On Christmas Eve we had Fondue at Maureen and Rene's house.  It was so delicious and this is a tradition that I always look forward to!

This year cheese fondue was added to the menu. Nom Nom NOM!

On Christmas day we had Goose at Petra and Dieter's house.  So so yummy!  

We had given everyone PJ's on Christmas eve so we spent Christmas day having a pajama party while working on our christmas puzzle.  Maybe you recognize the artwork on the puzzle?  It's a Mucha we picked up at the museum.

Another fantastic holiday with our German family came and went.  As always, it was einen Wunderbar  Schoenen Weihnachten!