For this guide, the best time to visit the capitals of Eastern Europe is in early December. The reasons are many, but what I like most about Berlin, Vienna, Munich, Budapest, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Strasbourg and Nuremburg is the holiday festivities.
Each town has its own traditions and markets. And larger cities like Vienna have multiple markets with each Christmas market offering a different ambiance. The old market in front of the university of Vienna seems to get a lot of families and feels a bit more like a classy theme park, while the Christmas markets in the city center are low key and have a more tranquil atmosphere.
You can wander from market to market (which are open until around 9pm) visiting different stalls, sampling Christmas cookies, local cheeses, local cuisine and best of all, hot spiced wine and cidar.
Music lovers will feel like they have died and gone to heaven when they see all of the concerts that are available on any given night. In Prague, Vienna and Salzburg it's not uncommon to see a half dozen offerings. From Chamber Music Concerts in 14th century cathedrals to world class symphonies and operas. In fact, it is not uncommon for music enthusiasts to attend two concerts a day.
Each December, Earthbound Expeditions offers two different trips to Central Europe. Each trip highlights the musical and holiday traditions of the towns visited. A Winter Waltz One visits Vienna, Salzburg and Prague. A Winter Waltz (with a French Twist) visits Munich, Innsbruck, Lucerne and Strasbourg! For more information on Earthbound Expeditions small group journeys to the Christmas markets of Central Europe visit Earthbound Expeditions
Archive for March of 2009
Christmas Markets of Central Europe
March 23, 2009Frederic Chopin's Birthday bash and Prague Spring, 2010
March 21, 2009
Frédéric Chopin
It’s hard to believe, but Chopin is turning two hundred in 2010.
Given that Frederic is rightfully many classical music lovers favorite composer it seems only fitting that Earthbound throw a birthday bash for him in his home country, Poland.
The journey is set to begin in Warsaw at Frédéric Chopin airport. From there we’ll retrace Chopin’s life in detail by exploring the very places where the great composer lived, loved and worked.
Naturally, we’ll visit the village of Zelazowa Wola where Chopin was born to a Polish mother and French-expatriate father. While in Warsaw we’ll also visit the University which Chopin attended and a delightful museum which contains original manuscripts, letters and a piano which belonged to Frederic.
Warsaw’s old town is an intriguing place and participants will spend a full morning exploring the old Jewish ghetto where they will learn of the heroic and famous uprising which took place here during World War Two.
Just five hours drive south is Poland’s cultural capital city, Krakow! This city of Pope John Paul, Oscar Schindler and Copernicus was Poland’s capital city during the Middle Ages. Never destroyed, the city possesses one of Europe’s prettiest and largest medieval squares, a gorgeous opera house and a stunning perfectly preserved old town.
After three glorious nights in Krakow and Warsaw the focus of our musical journey will move westward to the Czech Republic. Here, guests will be treated to one of Europe’s premier classical music festivals, Prague Spring.
Classical music aficionados will truly love this one-of-a-kind classical music adventure.
Highlights include visits to the homes, opera houses, schools and symphony halls where
Chopin, Smetana, Dvorak and Mozart performed. Concerts, private lectures and backstage tours are also included in this package.
A post tour to Dresden, Leipzig and Berlin will be offered where guests will walk in the historic footsteps of Wagner and Bach!
Learn more at Earthbound Expeditions
It’s hard to believe, but Chopin is turning two hundred in 2010.
Given that Frederic is rightfully many classical music lovers favorite composer it seems only fitting that Earthbound throw a birthday bash for him in his home country, Poland.
The journey is set to begin in Warsaw at Frédéric Chopin airport. From there we’ll retrace Chopin’s life in detail by exploring the very places where the great composer lived, loved and worked.
Naturally, we’ll visit the village of Zelazowa Wola where Chopin was born to a Polish mother and French-expatriate father. While in Warsaw we’ll also visit the University which Chopin attended and a delightful museum which contains original manuscripts, letters and a piano which belonged to Frederic.
Warsaw’s old town is an intriguing place and participants will spend a full morning exploring the old Jewish ghetto where they will learn of the heroic and famous uprising which took place here during World War Two.
Just five hours drive south is Poland’s cultural capital city, Krakow! This city of Pope John Paul, Oscar Schindler and Copernicus was Poland’s capital city during the Middle Ages. Never destroyed, the city possesses one of Europe’s prettiest and largest medieval squares, a gorgeous opera house and a stunning perfectly preserved old town.
After three glorious nights in Krakow and Warsaw the focus of our musical journey will move westward to the Czech Republic. Here, guests will be treated to one of Europe’s premier classical music festivals, Prague Spring.
Classical music aficionados will truly love this one-of-a-kind classical music adventure.
Highlights include visits to the homes, opera houses, schools and symphony halls where
Chopin, Smetana, Dvorak and Mozart performed. Concerts, private lectures and backstage tours are also included in this package.
A post tour to Dresden, Leipzig and Berlin will be offered where guests will walk in the historic footsteps of Wagner and Bach!
Learn more at Earthbound Expeditions