- Sky, plane, New Year
- Preparation for celebrations
- How New Year is celebrated in the Czech Republic
- Medieval surroundings
If you have ever been to the Czech Republic on Christmas Eve, you do not need to tell how its inhabitants know how to celebrate everyone's favorite winter holidays. Prague and other cities look like fabulous illustrations from a good old book, the smell of cinnamon and mulled wine hovers in the air, and noisy fairs, like jewelry shops, offer to buy gifts for the nearest and dearest. If you dream of celebrating the New Year in the Czech Republic, try to fly there on the eve of Catholic Christmas. The main festive events take place before December 25, although on New Year's Eve Prague remains beautiful and lavishly decorated with thousands of lights, garlands, lanterns and snowflakes.
Sky, plane, New Year
The easiest and fastest way to find yourself in the Czech Republic during the winter holidays is to use the services of airlines that make regular flights from Moscow to Prague:
- Direct flights between the capitals are operated by Aeroflot. Passenger airliners take to the skies from the capital's Sheremetyevo airport and in 2.5 hours land in Prague. Ticket prices start at โฌ 280 with early bookings.
- A direct flight with the Czech low-cost airline Smart Wings will cost a little less. The aircraft also take off from Sheremetyevo and the flight lasts a little more than 2.5 hours. You will have to pay 240 euros for round trip tickets.
- The cheapest way to get to the Czech Republic for the New Year is a flight with connections in European capitals. For example, German airlines charge 190 euros for their services. Lufthansa aircraft fly from the capital's Domodedovo airport, and the travel time, excluding the transfer in Munich, takes 4 hours.
- About 200 euros will have to pay for a ticket on board Austrian airlines. The docking will take place in Vienna; passengers spend almost 4 hours in the sky.
Czech airlines fly directly from St. Petersburg to Prague. CSA Czech Airlines' prices are quite solid, and St. Petersburg residents will have to pay 600 euros for a round trip even if they book tickets 7-8 months in advance. However, other European carriers also offer their services to residents of the northern capital. With Air Baltic, they can fly to Prague for the New Year for 180 euros (connecting in Riga), with Lufthansa - for 220 euros (connecting in Munich), with Finnair - for 230 euros (connecting in Helsinki).
Another popular winter destination in the Czech Republic is the famous spa resort Karlovy Vary. Direct regular flights from Moscow there are operated by Czech airlines. The price of round-trip tickets is approximately 350 euros if booked in advance. Travel time is just over 2, 5 hours. The flight schedule should be checked on the carrier's website - www.czechairlines.com, because the aircraft do not fly every day.
Preparation for celebrations
Festive decorations on the streets of Czech cities appear long before Christmas and New Years. Already at the end of November, residents are trying to decorate their homes, and municipalities - streets and squares. In the center of Prague, the country's main Christmas tree is installed, which is solemnly lit every evening with musical accompaniment.
The Czechs are the first to celebrate the Day of St. Nicholas. On December 6, he comes to the streets of cities and distributes gifts to obedient children. He is replaced by Saint Lucia, who is honored by girls in white robes.
The Christmas holidays are gaining momentum and Christmas markets are starting to open across the country. In Prague, the main bazaar is held on the Old Town Square. Small fairy houses offer sweets and souvenirs, garlands and handmade gifts. Live carp are sold everywhere, which Czech housewives prefer to cook as the main dish on the Christmas table.
Christmas is celebrated with the family, and on December 25 they go to church services.
If you happen to be in the Czech Republic on winter holidays and are planning to shop, do not forget that:
- On December 25, the vast majority of stores in the country were closed.
- Trade springs to life by lunchtime the next day, and shops are starting to sell the winter collection at deep discounts. A few days after the sale opens, you can save up to 70% off the original prices.
How New Year is celebrated in the Czech Republic
Most Czech residents celebrate New Year's holiday at ski resorts. The Czechs try to use their long vacations with health benefits, especially since Prague is flooded with crowds of tourists these days. The townspeople who remained at home gather in companies with friends and celebrate the holiday in nightclubs, cafes and restaurants.
Owners of river ships offer a nice option for celebrating the New Year. On them you can go on an evening cruise along the Vltava and meet the coming year, admiring the gorgeous views of the night city through the panoramic windows and enjoying the New Year's fireworks. The program includes a dinner with champagne and dancing.
The Prague Opera offers its own scenario of the holiday. Usually the theater's repertoire this evening is Strauss's The Bat, and the theatrical buffet's menu includes champagne and many delicious snacks. Ticket prices start at 200 euros, but the money spent is repeatedly offset by an unforgettable experience.
Do not forget about the popularity of the Czech Republic on the eve of the New Year. It is important to book seats in the theater, restaurant or nightclub for the first night of the year in advance! Even high prices do not stop those wishing to celebrate their favorite holiday in Prague, Karlovy Vary and other cities of the country
In order to prolong the fun, Czechs arrange New Year's fireworks only on January 1. In the evening, the audience gathers on the bridges over the Vltava and the river embankments to enjoy the light show, which lasts about 10 minutes. Usually the fireworks start at 18.00, but it is better to check the exact time at information kiosks for tourists.
Medieval surroundings
Travel agencies in the Czech Republic offer their own scenario for celebrating the New Year. Old castles act as a stage, which are opened for Christmas so that guests of the country can immerse themselves in the history of the Middle Ages.
The most popular among tourists are the castles of Sykhrov in the north of the country, Kลivoklat, famous for the hall of the artist Alfred Mucha, and Detenice, which once served as a haven for the Knights of the Order of Malta. For the opportunity to participate in a festive party, you will have to pay from 130 to 250 euros. The price includes dinner with festive drinks, entertainment with costume and dance performances, fire shows and fireworks. You can stay in the castles overnight, paying extra for hotel services.
All prices in the material are approximate and given as of April 2017. It is better to check the exact cost on the official websites of service providers and carriers.
