Christmas in Prague

Dec25 – light snow flurries fluttered around the air while we had our stockings in the hotel room – hung out – caught the train to Prague at 4.30 – arrived in Prague at 9pm – staying at a great hotel Metamorphis right behind the Church of Tyn!

Dec26 – after breakfast walked back to Old Town Square to get some money and happened upon at 11am to watch the Astronomical Clock do it’s thing on top of the hour! Then went on a bus tour of the city at 11.15. Went through Lesser Town, over a bridge parallel to Charles Bridge and up to the Prague Palace. Here we were dropped off to wonder for an hour – we saw the changing of the guards, St. Vitus’ Cathedral – which had spectacular stained glass windows and had a quick but yummy hot chocolate near Lobkowitz Palace – however not enough time to wander. Caught the tour bus and headed back to the other side of the Vlata River.

After the tour, we walked up in Josefov area – the Jewish area – with the Synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetary. Then had lunch at Les Moules – a Belgian restaurant – had a great Trappe beer and garlic mussels.

Don Giovanni's opera



Went to see Don Giovanni’s opera with marionettes – the stage and the backdrops made the marionettes look life size until a puppeteer came out and looked like a giant! It was an interesting way to hear an 0pera and see a marionette puppet show.

Dec27 – walked to the other side of the river and then went up to the Prague Castle via a tram. Toured the Prague Castle and then Lobkowicz Palace – a great palace – where the ancestors of the Lobkowicz family still own it today. For 300 years, the Palace was passed down to each ruling Prince – in WWII the Nazis invaded it and confiscated the Palace along with the Lobkowicz family properteries. The items owned by the family were returned in 1945 – however they were all seized again three years later by the Communists. In 2002, the Lobkowicz family once again became the owners. As the narrator on the audio tourguide was a Lobkowicz person himself, you felt a real connection to his family and the long generations of his family tree. Very interesting.  We then attended a midday concert in the old chapel of this palace. There was a pianist, a violinist and a flutist – they played many popular classical music pieces for an hour.

Dad went home (due to feeling under the weather) and mom and I ventured back up to the St. George’s Basillica. Once leaving the church I ran smack into Erik Kunik and his son Atticus and Phaedra then caught up (they came to Greece the same time I did to teach at ACS)– unbelieveable I run into someone I know in Prague!

Mom and I then walk down the hill to Charles Bridge and then back home to a sleeping dad.

Dec28 - Walked down to Wencales Square and then back up to Charles Bridge, then did some last minute shopping.  For dinner we went to a traditional Czech restaurant - actually the restaurant was about 2 stories below ground with a medieval theme to it.  Since we hadn't had much of the Czech food we order a traditional combo platter filled with Czech food - it was so much food, but was delicious! 

It was great to see both cities again (it was 15 years ago and in the summer when I was last there).  It was even better to see them through the eyes of my parents as they had never been to either city.

It is unbelieveable how much history lies in both cities - and how connected they used to be.  There was definitely much more grandeur, wealth and power a couple of centuries ago.  We all noted on how Prague was more "Christmassy" than Vienna was even though 65% of Czech's are atheists. 

As we get older, I feel enriching ourselves with new cultures and experiences fulfills our lives much better than with unwanted/ unneeded materialist items.

on the Charles Bridge

Christmas in Vienna

Dec21 - Arrived in Vienna – found out Mom and Dad’s flight which was arriving in 3 hours was cancelled due to snow in Frankfurt decided to take a taxi to the hotel – Marriott – wise choice as they didn’t arrive for another 6 hours – however without luggage.

Had dinner at a traditional Viennese restaurant and then to bed.

Dec22- Went on the On and Off Tour Bus – first went on the ring around the center – seeing the outside of the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, City Hall, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, - catching a few Christmas Markets – trying different acholic and non-alcoholic punches – they serve them in mugs – you pay for the drink and the mug and then if you return the mug you get money back! Then went to Schonbrumm Palace – they had the best Xmas Market. Toured 22 rooms in the palace – Franz Josef and Elizabeth lived – parents of Marie Antonette….that evening went to a Brahms Concert with a choir. Afterwards we went to the famous Sacher Hotel to have the famous Sacher-Torte – a chocolate cake. The Viennese definitely love their cakes!

Dec23 – Went to the Hofburg Palace to watch the famous Spanish Horses – Lippanzzer – Europe’s oldest breed of horses – most of them are white – actually they are born grey and turn white as they grow/mature. We watched for about an hour as about 7 riders did morning exercises with their horses – everything from walking backwards to sideways to having the horses practice picking up their feet in a ballet like fashion – it was like these horses were pointing their toes/hooves. Some horses looked like they were prancing and dancing. One rider had his horse stand on his back two legs only. The long rectangular room had two balconies in which watchers like us could view the practice ring (though it was not a ring it was a rectangle). The room was grandeur with carving ceilings and glass chandliers – unfortunately we were strictly forbidden to take photos.

That evening we went to a restaurant called Vincent’s in a neighborhood – unique food – about 7 courses over 3 hours.

Still no luggage. Dad dropped his camera and it doesn’t work anymore and mom’s boot sole came right off!


in front of Schobrumm's Palace

However on this day, Mom forced Dad to go to the airport and plea and beg to search and retrieve their luggage. Grudigling dad took a taxi to the airport and while finally being allowed to enter baggage area and search for their luggague he found the two pieces completely on two ends of the room which was filled with about 1000 suitcases! At the rate the baggage handlers were moving they would have never gotten their luggage back.


St. Stephen's Church

Dec.24 – We thought we didn’t have anything to do today but boy were we busy. We began the day by going back to the Hofburg Palace to visit the Treasuries Museum – this is where we saw many jewels and royal clothing worn by the Hapsbergs (Franz Josef and Elizabeth). We saw the largest emerald in the world about 2700 karats and beautiful crowns. We then went to another famous restaurant – famous for its cakes – called Demel’s – I had a lovely apple strudel. After a little rest we went to St. Stephen’s Cathedral for the 4.30 Vesper services in which the Cardinal Kristofer… was attending. Although it was all in German and no real Christmas hymns, it was great to spend Christmas Eve in such a splendor church. There were not enough seats for everyone so people just stood beside the pews!

After church we hurried down to Kurgberg Palace – a small palace in the Stadt Park in front of our hotel to attend a Strauss concert. It was one of those tourist attractions, however, it was good lively music with soprano and bartone singers, 2 ballet dancers and a small yet effective orchestra.

After the concert, we then again hurried up the street to an Italian restaurant called Danielli’s for some pizza.

Aside notes....– mandatory to check your coats at concerts and some restaurants, however, you also have to pay to do it – random!

Tons of people with dogs – dogs are welcome in stores and restaurants!

  

A White Christmas

I will be having a white Christmas this year!  I am very excited to spend Christmas in two countries.   I flew to Vienna, Austria today.  I was to meet Mom and Dad a few hours after I flew in but their flight was cancelled from Frankfurt to Vienna.  However, they will be now arriving in about 2 hours!  Frankfurt and London have really been hit hard this winter with snow.

We will be wondering the streets of Vienna - going to the Christmas Markets, drinking mulled wine and I am sure watching some more snow fall!  As well as attending some operas and concerts.  We will be here until December 25.  In the afternoon of Christmas Day, we will be taking the train to Prague.  We will be there until Dec. 29, then we will depart back to our countries of residence. 

These two countries will mark the 8th and 9th countries of travel this year (2010).

Merry Christmas everyone!