What started as a spontaneous three-day dash to Disney Paris quickly morphed into an unforgettable six-day deep dive into the enchanting Christmas markets of Prague—and beyond. For an experience this magical, we knew we needed a base that offered tranquility and authentic charm.

Day 1: Arriving in the Foggy, Festive City

We arrived on a Sunday night, perfectly timed for the grand opening weekend of the Prague Christmas markets. The air was thick with a beautiful, cinematic fog—the kind you’d see in a classic spy movie. Getting into our accommodation late, we quickly realized most local restaurants were closed.

Our first glimpse of the Old Town Square Christmas Market and the world-famous Astrological Clock was breathtaking, but we were unprepared without the local currency (Czech Crowns)! Next time, starting our trip at the Golden Mermaid Villa means we can plan for a seamless arrival, perhaps enjoying a welcoming glass of local Becherovka in the Villa’s stunning private courtyard before our first market visit.

Day 2: Baroque Beauty and Czech Feasts

Waking up early, we made our pilgrimage to the magnificent Charles Bridge. This 14th-century stone pedestrian bridge, lined with 30 Baroque statues, truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most romantic bridges in all of Europe. A tip for first-timers: be sure to have your Czech Koruna (CZK) ready—the Euro is rarely accepted!

We spent the day exploring stunning churches and synagogues before indulging in a classic Czech roast duck dinner (pečená kachna) at Restaurant Svejk, which is based on the book The Good Soldier, which is almost as famous as Franz Kafka. Czech dumping are more like bread.

Day 3: A Cross-Border Fairytale to Dresden

This day was pure adventure. We took a van tour to Sachsische Schweiz National Park on the German border. The highlight was the Bastei Bridge, a sandstone marvel that looks like a forgotten set piece from a Lord of the Rings movie. After a unique lunch at Babicka Restaurant (where Napoleon once slept!). They had a robot serve food.

The main event was the magnificent Dresdner Christmas Market.

I was completely captivated by the Fürstenzug (Procession of Princes) at the Royal Palace—a 101-meter-long mural, originally painted in 1871 and recreated with 23,000 Meissen porcelain tiles in 1904. This level of craftsmanship and history is the very essence of why you travel.

Day 4: The Grandeur of Prague Castle

I went to the Petschek Palace and Petrin Tower, which I will cover in the next blog.  When we went on a Prague Castle Tour from the YouTube video – realpragueguides.  We watched dozens of videos with Valery, who is quite funny and educational.  Our guide was her camera man and husband.

Our day started with a fascinating video tour to get us oriented for our main event: the Prague Castle. As the largest castle complex in the world (though it now feels more like a stunning collection of palaces and churches), it’s still the official home of the Czech President.

Inside, the St. Vitus Cathedral is a must-see, featuring a brilliant, hand-painted window by the famous Czech artist Alfons Mucha.

After all that history, we celebrated like medieval commoners at one of the city’s three Medieval Taverns, Pub U Krále Brabantskeho—a blast of old-world fun, complete with a ceiling lined with (fake) skulls!

Day 5: The Painted Castle of Český Krumlov

A cold, foggy morning began our tour to Český Krumlov, Czech’s second most famous town. While the castle complex—with its Renaissance-era painted walls designed to look 3D—was fascinating, the true joy was walking through the horseshoe-shaped Renaissance town itself and its small, charming Christmas market.

We even got to see the famous bears that live under the bridge leading to the castle! While the castle interiors were closed, the picturesque town more than made up for it.

Day 6: Art, History, and Sweet Treats

Our final day was dedicated to culture and tradition. We visited the specialized bell makers museum, a truly niche experience! Then, we immersed ourselves in the beauty of Art Nouveau at the Mucha Museum, celebrating the genius of Alfons Mucha.

The Czech National Museum was a delightful surprise, with wonderful displays of sea creatures and historic weapons.

We capped off the trip at the Christmas market in Wenceslas Square on St. Nick’s Day, where children are greeted by St. Nicholas, the Angel, and the Devil—a unique, heart-warming Czech tradition. And yes, I finally had the iconic chimney cake (trdelník) with ice cream!

Prague at Christmas is pure magic—historic, festive, and truly unforgettable.