Christmas in Europe
For Christmas Break this year, Michael and I will once again be traveling through Central Europe.
Last year we drove all around Switzerland with trips into Italy & France.
This year we land in Prague, and start our trip driving through the surrounding countries of Germany and Netherlands with the last week of our holidays – Christmas – in Prague!
Vinohrady District, Prague 2
We booked a charming apartment in the Vinohrady District, Prague 2.
I’ve read this is a trendy, residential area know for its ranking among the top in Prague for the quality and quantity of its restaurants.
I’ll talk about food, one of my favourite topics, in a bit.
According to Google Maps, our rented Airbnb apartment in the Vinohrady District is:
- A five minute walk from Peace Square and the neo-Gothic Roman Catholic Church of St. Ludmilla.
- A 30 minute walk to the Prague Astronomical Clock located in southern wall of the Old Town Square with Wenceslas Square a five minute walk away from.
- A 20 minute metro ride to Charles Bridge.
- A 20 minute metro ride to Prague Castle.
Christmas Markets
I’m really excited about the Christmas Markets in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square! I can’t wait to be surrounded by the magic of Christmas in such a historical and beautiful city!
Now lets talk about food!
Traditional Czech Dishes
There are many traditional Czech dishes I am excited to try!
- Palacinky – a thin pancake that is similar to a French crepe that is rolled and filled with sweet jams, fruit or chocolate or savory meat and cheeses! Yum!!
- Svickova – beef sirloin in cream sauce served with bread dumplings!! Oh yeah!!!!
- Vepro-knedlo-zelo – roast pork, bread dumplings and stewed cabbage!! Feel good food!!!!
- Gulas/Goulash – this beef stew, from what I’ve read, is basically chunks of beef in a thick gravy served with bread dumplings!!! I can’t wait to taste the gravy!!!!
- Trdelnik – this is a poplar street vendor treat that I’m SO excited about! Dough is wrapped on a spit, grilled on an open flame, then topped with a sugar and walnut mix!!
- Czech Hot Dog – another street food where a boiled or steamed sausage is dipped in mustard and served in a roll with a hole made inside!! Bring it!!!!
- Apple Strudel – this yumminess is rolled up in a pastry!!
- Smazeny Syr – deep fried cheese!!!!!!!!! Need I say more……
Well….I’m starting to get really hungry!!!!
Memories of Switzerland
This is me last Christmas in Kandersteg, Switzerland devouring a delicious German sausage wrapped in a pastry, dipped in mustard…
Speaking of Kandersteg… 🇨🇭
Last year we were in Kandersteg on Christmas Eve.
Tucked in at the base of the Swiss Alps, we celebrated that evening in a traditional Swiss-German way.
It was an evening of fine dining and extraordinary food.
Father Christmas stopped by for a visit, and read the story of Christmas.
Next, he passed out gifts to everyone in the restaurant.
After dinner, we walked a short distance to a small, stone Catholic church for Christmas Eve mass, spoken in Swiss German.
The night was truly magical. Unforgettable.
I wonder what restaurant we will eat in this Christmas Eve?
What Czech Christmas traditions will we be a part of?
Oh! As mentioned the Church of St Ludmila is a five minute walk away from where we are staying, so hopefully this beautiful cathedral has a Christmas Eve mass!!!
I’m SO excited for another magical Christmas in Central Europe!!!!!!
S, 🇨🇿