Wednesday November 4, 2009
You don't have to be in Prague on December 25th to celebrate Christmas in the Czech capital city. Enjoy holiday-related exhibitions and events if you travel before or after Christmas Day. Old Town Square, besides being the site for the Prague Christmas Market, also enjoys a visit from St. Nicholas on December 5th and is a major location for New Year's celebrations. Nativity scenes - both art masterpieces and live scenes - can be seen, and one near the Prague Loreto is the culmination point of the Three Kings Procession on January 5th.
More about Christmas in Prague:
Nativity Scene in Prague photo credit: iStockphoto/petrzurek
Tuesday November 3, 2009
Going to be in the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, France, New York, Italy, or Eastern Europe in the weeks leading up to Christmas? If so, you'll want to take advantage of a seasonal treat for travelers: Christmas markets! Whether you're looking for a special decoration for your Christmas tree back home, are seeking a gift for a friend or relative, or love sampling traditional winter-weather foods, Christmas markets are the place to do it. Many Christmas markets are also visited by the local version of Santa or act as venues for Christmas-themed performances. Fern Arfin, About.com's Guide to United Kingdom Travel, has more:
Monday November 2, 2009
Russian traditional felt boots are called valenki (singular: valenok). Though they may seem like a knockoff of the popular sheepskin boots from Australia, valenki are, in fact, as much a part of Russian culture as samovars, vodka, and nesting dolls. They have been used for centuries to protect feet from the freezing temperatures and deep snow typical of Russian winters, and they have yet to disappear from Russian wardrobes as an element of cold weather wear. Utilitarian, and now stylish, valenki can be purchased at souvenirs shops, at designer boutiques, and online.
Because valenki are made of wool felt, they can shrink if they get wet. Galoshes that fit over valenki protect the boots from melting snow or rain. Besides being used for trekking about in the snow, valenki also make great shoes to wear around the house, especially after they're broken in.
Read more about valenki, valenki history, and shopping for valenki:
More Russian Culture Monday
Valenki photo credit: iStockphoto/zoom-zoom
Saturday October 31, 2009
October 31st is the perfect day to pay homage to Romania's famous "vampire," Vlad Tepes. Vlad, a medieval Wallachian prince famous for his practice of impaling those who opposed him, is associated with sites in Romania significant to his reign. Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler, was a very real person who is famous both for his cruelty and his opposition to outside forces who wanted control over the region.
The legend of Vlad the Impaler morphed, through Bram Stoker's literary inspiration, into the legend of Count Dracula, whose pale features, bloody fangs, and cape have come to represent the most famous of all vampires. While Vlad Tepes was not a vampire, Romania has a strong vampire folklore tradition that refuses to die.
Explore the history and legend of Dracula and Romania:
