Over the past two weeks, in honour of this annual stock-taking, we’ve shared some of the fourth-quarter stirrings from a few places around the world: Sikh pilgrimages in Pakistan, Orthodox Christmas in Athens, Eid in the Maldives and a little bit of everything in multicultural Tanzania. We’ve offered our top five picks of other places where you can tap into a mystical vibe to help bring out your own if you’re not already adept at just finding the spiritual experience in all travel.

Free Christmas expression at its best during SantaCon, here celebrated in New York City. Photo courtesy of Flickr/ÐIÐËO

Even after all that, we still had a few items on our list that we wanted to share.

Funny Edge

Some of what we learned about simply caught our silly fancy, like SantaCon, “where guys and girls of legal age dress up like Santa and go cavorting around town for no better reason than that it’s huge fun.” What better way to get ho-ho-ho jolly?!

Others had a hilarious edge of tradition gone amiss, as in when you’re sure that a present-day custom is based on some slight misunderstanding of past acts. Take, for instance, the Norwegian tradition of hiding brooms on Christmas Eve night (thus denying marauding evil spirits their means of transport).

Or ponder the practice in the Czech Republic of single women throwing a shoe over a shoulder on December 24 to determine if they will marry in the coming year. If you’re a single handsome prince, it might be the best time for a stroll and welcome risk of getting knocked unconscious by flying footwear (only to be awakened by a beautiful, penitent and eligible princess).

And how about the Christmas pastime in Latvia of ‘mumming’? This involves parading around in animal or corpse masks and costumes, and then visiting houses to help drive away evil spirits. There’s song and dance involved and an invitation to snack – a good gig for hungry bellies on Christmas Eve.

At a Posada in Mexico, blindfolded children and adults line up to hit the piñata with a wooden stick in an attempt to release the traditional candies hidden within

A Mixture of Mirth and Meaning

There was also some mirthful stuff underpinned by religion.

If you’re visiting Los Cabos, Mexico, during December, you are likely to hear a traditional song connected to the celebration of ‘Las Posadas,’ which lasts for nine days (December 16-24). ‘Posadas’ are reminders of the journey of Joseph and Mary just before the birth of Jesus as they moved from place to place in search of somewhere to stay. The practice today is for guests to gather in the main entrance of selected house (uniting family and friends), light small candles and then sing the traditional song (Entren santos peregrinos, peregrinos/Reciban este rincón/Que aunque es pobre la morada, la morada/Os la doy de corazón). When the song is over, the host opens the door and all the guests enter while singing the last part of the song. Guests then kneel and pray at the house’s nativity scene, after which a piñata filled with traditional candies makes its appearance. There are also public Posadas held usually on the main plaza of every town and open to visitors.

In Estonia, where pre-Christian traditions are still observed and the cycle of nature treated with due reverence, celebration of the winter solstice, called jõulud, is arguably just as important as commemoration of Christ’s birth. Different people give different weights to secular and religious significance, but many first celebrate nature in ways that involve water (a sauna) or a fire in a forest (see the video below), followed by conventional holiday meals taken in a family circle.

Getting Serious

Of course, the season also comes with a serious message, one taken to heart in many places across the planet.

In the Seychelles, for over 200 year a British colony, most of the year-end practices follow British custom, although the local Seychellois place a greater emphasis on the New Year festivities than Yuletide pomp. Perhaps it has to do with the ritual significance of Christmas, a time for midnight mass, gift exchanges and family togetherness. By contrast, starting on the evening of December 31, everyone is out for street parties in Victoria, the capital. After midnight, everybody hits the discos until late in the morning of January 1st. January 2nd is then a time of family reunion, an occasion for brothers and sisters to gather at their parents’ house and get reacquainted. Note that fire crackers are illegal in the Seychelles.

Finally, in places around the world, like Medjugorje, Bosnia & Herzegovina, people gather to remember miracles and apparitions. In Medjugorje, in the summer of 1981, six children saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Since then, regardless of age, nationality, color, education and even religious belief, millions of people have made the pilgrimage to this visit this small village to find peace and renewed sense of purpose in life. Each year, a special call goes out to young people to make the journey to Medjugorje on December 31. This year (2010), beginning at 7pm, children from the Cenacolo Community (former drug addicts) turn the area around the Church of St James into Bethlehem for a few hours. This is followed by prayer and Holy Mass.

At a zabíjačka in rural Czech Republic, a pig is led out to meet its maker. Witnessing its final moments requires a heart of steel and a cast-iron stomach.

A shrill yell in Czech incited one of the henchmen waiting by the door to seize the victim, tie a noose around his neck and bring him to the shed. A fierce struggle ensued, as the prisoner kicked, jumped, rolled over and tried anything to escape the group of murderous characters coming ever closer.

Soon the other henchmen and the executioner were upon the victim. They pinned it down with all of their weight and the leader coolly pulled out his rudimentary killing tool. As the bloody end drew near, the most nightmarish high-pitched squeal emerged, and repeated, again and again, like a siren. The weapon was placed over his temple and for just one moment before his death he and I met eyes. A second later blood was spurting from his neck into a yellow bucket held by one of the laughing young boys at the side of the corpse.

As the whole traumatic, unforgettable event had come to a climax, only one solitary thought arose in my mind: “I don’t think I’ll ever look at a pork chop quite the same way again.”

The Real Deal

I didn’t realise what I was getting myself into months earlier when I accepted my friend’s invitation to a “very special family event in the countryside.” Her devilish grin should have tipped me off, but instead it intrigued me.

I had an idea of what a traditional pig-killing feast, or zabíjačka, was as I had attended something like it in Bratislava the year before. But that was a very different affair; the pig was already dead when we arrived, so we simply cut the meat up and did fun stuff like make sausage, drink homemade slivovica (plum alcohol) and eat delicious food hot off the grill overseen by my friend, a famous chef at a fancy restaurant in town. I guess that was the “city-fied” version of what a real zabíjačka should be.

The event I attended in Czech Republic was certainly more traditional. I should have known what to expect when Katka told me the night before to bring a pair of shoes that I wouldn’t mind throwing out after our work was done. Unpleasant images raced through my mind at the sound of those instructions.

With celebratory beers, the author (middle left) and friends pose in front of their zabíjačka handiwork

On the day of the killing, I had more than a little anxiety. It didn’t help that Katka asked me whether I might faint due to the excessive bleeding. We drove about 90 minutes outside of Prague through what can only be described as seriously rural Czech Republic. Forests dominated the landscape, only to be interrupted by the occasional tiny farming village. Katka explained that this was one of the poorest regions in all of Czech Republic and that I could expect her relatives’ home to be less than glamorous. She said that they lived humbly, in a manner not so different from the way generations past had lived, and that they made a living from the manufacture of balkánský sýr (feta cheese) and honey.

Village Hospitality

I knew from past experience that people from villages such as these were typically the most welcoming, gracious, kind-hearted people you could hope to encounter, especially when meeting them as a guest in their home. And so it was. As we walked through the doors, we were met by the family, all smiles, seated around a table and ready with a bottle of Fernet herbal alcohol and a bottle of beer for each of us.

One sign on the table read “American guest” with an empty glass on top of it; another sign was written in Czech for all of us – “None shall pass without first paying the toll of one drink.” We all laughed together and paid our toll.

The property was decidedly humble, as Katka had described it. The dirt courtyard was strewn with rusted appliances and towering stacks of firewood; a flock of chickens ran around aimlessly.

Beyond the farm life and the state of the courtyard, what immediately caught my attention was a large, dangling pig sliced perfectly in half from head to belly, with its insides displayed like an anatomy exhibit. This had been the first slaughter of the day. Pools of blood mixed with dirt in certain areas to create dark reddish mud. Two of the younger men there were working in a large wooden shed, their arms and shirt speckled with blood. I took a large drink of my beer and tried to relax.

The author (bottom left) gets stuck into his new role as local butcher, scraping the hair from the freshly slaughtered pig at the zabíjačka

Not for the Faint-Hearted

The ‘event’ happened and it was undeniably traumatic. The squeal of the pig was so loud and horrible that it was nearly unbearable for more than a few seconds. In fact, for Katka and her five-year-old cousin, it was too much to take and they had to run inside to get away from it. But putting the animal to death itself was almost effortless. A pop to the head with an air-powered nail gun kills nearly instantaneously. After that, the men make a hole in the throat and drain the blood.

The killing was so simple for these guys that my paranoia got the better of me for a minute. The setting really was perfect for a horror movie: An impressionable American tourist gets invited to a feast deep in the Czech countryside only to realise that he is about to be the main course, hanging up next to the pigs. How well did I know Katka, anyway? Fortunately the sweet little grandmother walked up to me at this moment and offered me a huge piece of the most delicious rum cake I’ve ever had. That shifted my mind to a happier place.

Getting My Hands Dirty

At Katka’s urging, the men agreed to include me in on the carving process. The dead pig was lying on a handcart and being doused in boiling water. A tool was placed in my hand and I was instructed to start shaving the hair off of the pig. It came off in big chunks with simple strokes. I had lots of pictures taken of me doing my duty as part of this brutal event. How cool I’d look to all of my friends on Facebook. Only later, when telling my story, did my Slovak friend tell me that this is usually a job reserved for women. So much for my newly inflated sense of pride.

I won’t go into the details of slicing the pig open and separating the organs, but let’s just say that I never realised that bloody guts could be such a wonderful prop for comedy. The young guys there tossed the guts around and made funny faces while posing for pictures with vile strands of offal.

The event was an entirely unforgettable experience. If anyone has the opportunity to attend a zabíjačka they’ll leave with some nice memories and a decidedly greater appreciation for the meat they buy at the supermarket. At the cost of a pair of old shoes and a bit of nausea, I’d say it’s definitely worth it.

L&T is a fresh twist on the travel industry that is breaking new ground. It’s a GroupOn-style ‘collective-buying’ site with a TripAdvisor-style traveller-rated destination guide. See how it works here:

Going Global

The first L&T destination launched was Prague, but there are around 30 more city sites scheduled to go live by the end of the year.

This is exciting news for anyone with an adventurous spirit (locals and independent travellers!), as, without having to be part of a large group, it provides the sorts of discounts to buyers that big companies like TUI, Thomas Cook, Qantas or Flight Centre get from their suppliers.

Better yet, L&T special deals are chosen based on tips and recommendations collected directly from locals and travellers! And, after a deal is done, these products remain on the L&T site top-50 list, with each product rated by those who have used it. So even if buyers miss the initial special deal, the products identified and promoted through L&T will be available to book throughout the year, albeit not at the same big discounted promotional rate.

Keeping Things Local… and Charitable

As with all WHL Group businesses, L&T is built around a franchise model that empowers local partners who own and operate the business. In Prague the local partner is the team from Prague.tv, no less than Prague’s most popular city guide. Other local partners in other cities are equally well enmeshed in the vibes of their destinations.

Also in keeping with the WHL Group ethos of supporting local communities, L&T works with local charities and nongovernmental organisations. Local community groups are always struggling to come up with new ideas to raise money for their projects, so Lime&Tonic has found a great way to help. In each destination, L&T selects four partner charity organisations for the year. On a rotating basis, one of these charity partners is featured each week along with the weekly deal… and 10% of whatever is raised goes to that charity. In return, the charity partner helps promote the weekly deal by pushing out notice to its members. A perfect win-win scenario that builds audience and income for both the charity and L&T. Check out the Prague Charities Page and see the great organisations that L&T supports.

Cool, Caring, Collective… and Digital

L&T is currently finalising an iPhone app that will include a host of features, like an up-to-date, geo-located great-things-to-see-and-do feature. See the L&T iPhone details here.

There are also always a host of other viral activities, such as giving ‘hiptips‘ and ‘tidbits‘, through which travellers and locals can earn points and freebies.

For inspiration, we turned to the Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI), a ranking system designed to spotlight and encourage adventure travel markets that are sensitive to the needs of communities and the environment. The admirable result of the combined efforts of our friends at the Adventure Travel Trade Association and Xola Consulting, as well as The George Washington University’s International Institute of Tourism Studies, the ATDI emphasises what most mainstream ranking systems overlook; it awards high marks for community and environmental development as much as hard infrastructure, all in keeping with 10 pillars of adventure tourism market competitiveness based on principles of sustainable adventure tourism.

From the popular resort town of Nida, Lithuania, hikers can access some of Europe's tallest moving sand dunes – some reaching up to 60 metres in height – on the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO-ranked Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/Lee Fenner

Given the WHL Group’s commitment to working in off-the-beaten-path destinations, we were most interested in the 10 developing countries ranked highest for adventure travel competitiveness. The ATDI recommendations may surprise you, but we believe you should keep the winners on your radar.

#10 – Lithuania

Numerous conservation areas and abundant hiking trails make Lithuania an excellent choice for nature lovers. One particularly unique site is the Curonian Spit, a long thin peninsula stretching south from Klaipeda in western Lithuania to Russia and separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Curonian Spit is renowned for its white-sand beaches, picturesque dunes and secluded pine forests. Near the Russian border, the quaint settlement of Nida has attracted artists and creative types for centuries. With onshore and offshore sports opportunities made possible by The Beautiful Land of Nevermind, the whl.travel local connection, the area makes a great retreat from hectic city life.

#9 – Botswana

The vast sands of the Kalahari cover roughly 85 percent of Botswana, and the country’s wildlife reserves are some of the world’s premier safari destinations. To the north, at the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve is best toured during dry season, with game watching at its peak from July through October. Nearby Chobe National Park has superb birding in the Savuti Marsh. In the east, the Tuli Game Reserve promises abundant wildlife, plus ruins of ancient Rhodesian settlements. Cube Safaris, a local tourism service based in Botswana, offers a range of tours to wilderness areas, including mokoro boat rides through the flood plains of the Okavango, elephant-back safaris and more.

The white storks of Latvia are also known as Svetelis, which signifies the thought of stork as the saints. Locals believe that farmsteads or meadows frequented by storks are blessed.

#8 – Latvia

Dynamic Latvia is rich in natural wonders, with forests covering more than 40 percent of the country. Just north of the capital, Riga, hikers can explore the caves, rivers and dense woodlands within Gauja National Park. Elsewhere, the sprawling Kemeri National Park contains 427 square kilometres of preserved forests, bogs and lakes, in addition to a well-maintained network of nature trails. The whl.travel local connection in Riga, Blueberry Travel, offers guided excursions to historic towns and medieval castles and other longer trips exploring the scenic beauty of the countryside, the local culture and many other extraordinary architectural gems and palaces.

#7 – Bulgaria

Beyond the stunning landmarks and red army monuments of Sofia, the wide open terrain of mountainous Bulgaria will give even the most avid hikers a serious run for their money. In the heart of the country, Central Balkan National Park has excellent hiking trails and native residents that include bears, wild goats, wolves and over 200 species of birds. The popular ski area of Bankso makes a great base for outdoor pursuits in summer as well for hiking, cycling, horseback riding and even fishing in Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At night, head out to the local mehanas (traditional taverns) for live folk music and good local wine.

Located in southern Chilean Patagonia, the spectacular 181,000-hectare Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO-rated Biosphere Reserve and an unequalled destination for nature lovers, backpackers and mountaineers. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/ground.zero

#6 – Chile

Chile has long been regarded as a must-see destination for adventure travellers. It’s no wonder why. From pristine Patagonia to the unearthly Valley of the Moon and harsh environment of the Atacama, this 4,300-kilometre-long country covers an extraordinary variety of climates and ecosystems. Torres del Paine is a solid choice for hikers and trekkers, while Pucón in the scenic Lakes District has both great winter skiing on Volcán Villarrica and an endless range of warm-weather activities like hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing and white-water rafting. Meanwhile, Chiloé Island is renowned for its birding, paddling and wildlife like Magellanic penguins, Chilote fox and rare pudú miniature deer.

#5 – Slovenia

From lush vineyards to remote forests and alpine peaks, the landscape of Slovenia is tailor-made for nature lovers and outdoor entusiasts of all abilities. For a serious trek, the 30-day Slovenian Mountain Trail is the oldest traverse in the country, crossing directly over the Julian Alps and ascending Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak (2,864 metres). You can also catch a glimpse of the traditional herdsman’s life on a two-day countryside trek to the Alpine dairy settlement of Velika Planina or tour the Pokljuka plateau. After a long hike, unwind while sampling local vintages on a wine-tasting tour in cosmopolitan Ljubljana.

In Estonia's Soomaa National Park, when there are no raised paths, special bogshoes aid with trekking through a watery fairytale landscapes. Here, travellers study plant species.

#4 – Estonia

It’s easy to escape the crowds in Estonia, with just 1.3 million people one of the least populous countries in the European Union. Natural wetlands cover more than one fifth of the country – and the parks are prime territory for canoeing, kayaking and bog-shoeing. For glorious outdoor indulgence, head to Soomaa National Park – its name translates literally to “land of the bogs.” From a base nearby, on the banks of the River Navesti, at Ritsu Talu Farm (cosy camping huts, saunas and rental canoes), explore the park on your own or venture off on a nighttime beaver safari for close encounters with the area’s infamous flat-tailed inhabitants.

#3 – Czech Republic

The culture-filled capital of Prague is reason alone to travel to the Czech Republic, but we strongly suggest veering off into the wilds of Bohemia’s natural forests, historic villages and scenic national parks. From the medieval town of Český Krumlov opportunities abound for kayaking along the Vltava – the upper reaches of the river near the Lipno Dam are best suited to white-water rafting. For heart-pounding downhill winter action, head to the snowcapped peaks of Rokytnice nad Jizerou, an ancient mining town in the western part of the Krkonoše – also known as the “Giant Mountains.” In summer, gorgeous waterfalls, caves, and forests make the area heaven for hikers.

Dominated by a castle built during the 13th Century, the medieval town of Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic has maintained its historic character and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/Midweekpost

#2 – Israel

Despite its small size, Israel boasts a spectacularly varied landscape that includes arid desert, towering cliffs and stunning coastline – terrain perfect for all sorts of outdoor pursuits. Underwater enthusiasts should head straight to Eilat on the Red Sea, where dives feature shallow coral gardens, wrecks and abundant fish life. By the Dead Sea, the 2,500-hectare Ein Gedi Nature Reserve has posted hiking trails and animals like ibex, hyrax and Egyptian vultures. Further north, Metzoke Dragot makes a great base for rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking. The village has guides for desert excursions – canyon hikes, abseiling courses, camel rides and more – just one hour’s drive east of Jerusalem.

#1 – Slovak Republic

Long viewed as a junior partner to the Czech Republic, Slovakia has emerged as a leading destination for adventure travellers, complete with plenty of well-marked mountain trails, challenging cycling routes, and numerous glacial lakes and rivers well suited to canoeing, rafting and fishing. Although prices have gone up slightly since the euro was adopted, the Tatras Mountains along the border with Poland still boast plenty of affordable hotels and quaint mountain huts. One popular trek is the Tatranska Magistrala, a red-blazed trail crossing the Tatras from east to west between Velke Biele pleso to the town of Podbanske. The hike takes about 16 hours, although trailside huts are available for multi-day undertakings.

Found just off Prague's Charles Bridge, this typical souvenir shop is chock-a-block full of football jerseys, T-shirts, tacky trinkets and Russian memorabilia galore

As one of the most popular mini-break destinations in Europe, Prague is weighed down with an abundance of souvenir shops and markets offering goods of varying qualities and authenticity. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the knickknack hawkers crammed around the hot spots of Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are mafia-run money-laundering operations and should therefore be given wide berth. Still, even elsewhere, sifting through the cheap imitations and tourist tat to uncover that bona fide little piece of Prague can be a daunting prospect. Fortunately, there are several gifts that do not fit into the kitsch category and are worthy of your hard-earned cash.

My [insert name here] went to Prague and all I got was this lousy [insert any of the following here]

If authenticity is not an issue and kitsch is what you’re after, here are some of the worst offenders:

Matryoshka dolls: That they are called Russian Nesting Dolls should be a bit of a giveaway that they do not hail from the Czech Republic. This does not seem to deter the hordes that gaily procure one believing it’s a national treasure. Other Russian mementos include ushankas (furry hats), military apparel and memorabilia, and amber.

Absinthe: This version has had all of the fun stuff taken out and a lot of migraine-inducing colours and additives put in. If it’s those much-hyped hallucinations you’re after, make sure you hold your breath for a couple of minutes after downing your shot.

The drink of choice for many famous artists, writers and intellectuals in the 1800s, the 'Green Fairy' was made illegal in several countries on account of its supposed hallucinogenic properties. In the Czech Republic, the traditional 'Bohemian Method' of drinking absinthe involves placing a spirit-soaked sugar cube on a slotted spoon over a glass containing one shot of absinthe. The sugar is then set ablaze and the flaming cube is dropped into the glass, so igniting the liquor.

T-Shirts and sweatshirts (made in China, naturally) emblazoned with the following logos:

• Prague drinking team
• Czech me out / Czech mate

Oscar Wilde said that “Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit,” but he’d obviously forgotten about punning…

The Real Deal

Just to show that it’s not all bad, here are the souvenirs that should make your shopping list:

Handmade wooden marionettes and toys: Puppet theatre is a long-established custom in the Czech Republic, harking back to the morality plays enacted in town squares in the Middle Ages. This is a strong artisanal tradition handed down through the generations and involves a high level of craftsmanship, which means you can feel suitably smug that you are supporting a vibrant local trade and preserving the country’s cultural heritage.

We recommend you check out these shops: Galerie Marionette (U Lužického semináře 7) and Marionety (Nerudova 51), both in Malá Strana near Prague Castle. Old Town’s Havelský trh (market) is also a great place to find items like wooden toys and marionettes. Manufaktura (see below) also produces some fabulous handicrafts.

Bohemian garnet (granat): This gem is mined in the hills near Turnov in the north of the country and is famed for its particularly vivid shade of red. If you’re short on space (but not on cash), then some bespoke jewellery makes an ideal gift.

Puppetry has a long history in the Czech Republic and puppet theatre is still popular. Visitors keen to learn more about this fascinating tradition can even sign themselves up for a puppet-making course, where they are taught how to carve and operate a marionette and put on a performance.

Popular retailers include Cesky Granat (Celetna 4) and Granat Turnov (Dlouha 30), both not far from the Old Town Square. Remember that unless you’re buying an antique (or a fake!) you should always receive a certificate of authenticity with your purchase.

Becherovka: This traditional Czech spirit is made from a blend of herbs and spices and renowned for its restorative properties (in moderation, of course). Drunk on its own or with tonic – a refreshing concoction called Beton – this is one alcoholic beverage that you can claim with conviction is good for your health without sounding like a prime candidate for the 12-step program. As with all alcohol, Becherovka can be purchased in any supermarket or local shop (potraviny) and there’s always Duty Free if you’ve left it to the last minute.

Other handicrafts: For some great smellies and natural skincare and cosmetic products, head over to Botanicus, one of the first bio stores in Prague. They have a great range of locally sourced and produced eco-goods (food, toiletries, aromatherapy oils, herbal tinctures and household products). Botanicus has a number of outlets across Prague, but their flagship store is in Ungelt, just off Old Town Square.

Another local favourite to have a nose around is Manufaktura, which has an extensive collection of natural beauty products and traditional handmade gifts. The Olga Havel Foundation (a human rights organisation set up in the 1990s) has a shop at number 19, Zlatá ulička (Golden Lane), in Malá Strana, where you can buy a range of gifts and handicrafts all created by people with mental and physical disabilities.

Mucha Memorabilia: The Art Nouveau painter Alfons Mucha (1860-1939) continues to be one of the Czech Republic’s most famous artistic talents. He was thrown into the limelight when he designed a poster for the play Gismonda starring Sandra Bernhard – Paris’s leading lady in the late 1800s. You can pick up reproductions, postcards, posters, photos, calendars, glass, jewellery, hand-painted silk scarves, books, mugs, lamps and handmade notepaper at the museum gift shop on Old Town Square.

Risky Business

Bohemian cut glass and crystal: Although quintessentially Czech and undeniably beautiful, its fragility makes it a risky souvenir to take home; nobody wants to lug a beautiful vase thousands for miles only to have it turned to dust by the sausage-fingered airport baggage handlers’ gentle touch.

If you’re willing to take the plunge, check out Moser glass on the famous shopping street Na Příkopě (just off Wenceslas Square), Erpet Bohemia Crystal (Old Town Square) or Celetna Crystal (Celetna street, just off Old Town Square).

The origins of the famous blue onion pattern on some of the porcelain made in the Czech Republic actually stem from the mistaken interpretation of a pomegranate motif from East Asian styles, which were then adapted to suit European tastes.

A lot more practical way to get your mitts on some crystal is by purchasing jewellery that incorporates crystal beads. The town of Jablonec has been one of the largest producers of beads worldwide since the 17th century and the international Jablonex brand has a fantastic selection of crystal and glass costume jewellery from fashionable and funky to elegant evening wear. Jablonex has a store on Wenceslas Square and in the Palác Flóra shopping mall in Vinohrady. The Korálkárna bead shop on Újezd also sells individual beads for the dexterous and artsy-craftsy inspired to string together a more personal bracelet or necklace.

Czech Porcelain: Either the blue onion motif (affectionately known as the cibulák) or the Thun-brand porcelain have the stamp of authenticity, as they have been produced in the country since the late 1700s. Dům porcelánu, in between IP Pavlova and Náměstí Míru, has an extensive selection of quality porcelain from which to choose.

A stunning sunset view of Prague and the Vltava River

Mozart was not alone in his praise for Europe’s cultural capital either. Other great composers such as Beethoven, Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Liszt and Schumann also extolled its virtues and loved to play the city’s opulent concert halls. Needless to say, the musical heritage of the country once described as the conservatory of Europe does not begin and end with Mozart; it has also produced some much vaunted home-grown talent in the form of Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák and Leoš Janáček. These maestros are credited with catapulting Czech music into the international arena and helping to redefine Prague as a beacon for classical music aficionados.

Gotta Cantata

As you are walking the cobbled streets of the city, it is impossible to ignore the mellifluous strains of music wafting from doors and windows across the Old Town and environs of Prague Castle. The melodies serve as a perfect complement to the exquisite architecture and old-world charm of Prague and it is this irresistible marriage of pitch-perfect music and picture-perfect scenery that adds to the city’s allure and ensures it retains its mantle of Europe’s honeymoon hotspot. Yet even if Cupid’s arrow seems to have passed you by and you don’t know your cantata from your cavatina, you would be foolish not to soak up at least one classical performance while you’re here.

There are year-round performances often daily and nightly in the many concert halls and churches dotted throughout town, but it’s the balmy summer months when trade is briskest. Prague’s premier classical music venues are all celebrated centres of cultural and architectural significance and should be on everyone’s must-see list when visiting Prague.

One of the most impressive Neo-Renaissance buildings in Prague, the Rudolfinum is also home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

The Rudolfinum

The Rudolfinum, on the banks of the Vltava River in the Old Town is a neo-Renaissance masterpiece and home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Its main hall – named in honour of Dvořák – is famed for its incredible acoustics and regularly hosts the most prestigious musical events on the classical calendar.

Key shows to look out for include the Prague Spring International Music Festival (the Big Kahuna of Prague’s classical festival circuit), which draws not only top soloists and orchestras from around the world, but huge crowds as well. It was founded in 1946 to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the end of World War II and the 50th birthday of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and, since its inception, has been a breeding ground for new talent as well as a gathering of the foremost names in the field of classical music. For its 64th year, the opening date in 2010 has been set for May 12th, but the closing date is yet to be confirmed.

If you’re arriving outside the spring months, fear not; with Dvořák’s Prague Festival in August and September, the Prague Autumn International Music Festival in September and October and the Prague Winter International Music Festival in January, you’ll still have plenty of opportunity to sample some classical culture. Running from 2 to 7 January, the Winter Festival, with the best of opera, ballet and classical music, is held in some of the most beautiful venues in the city, including the Prague State Opera, the National Theatre and the Rudolfinum. The year 2010 will be the festival’s 38th anniversary and music lovers can look forward to compositions from Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Tchaikovsky, Lehar, Strauss, Smetana and Shostakovich.

Municipal House

The stunningly ornate Municipal House (Obecní dům) on Náměstí Republiky is the other mainstay of Prague’s classical music scene. This Art Nouveau building houses the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, which regularly plays in the awe-inspiring Smetana Hall.

Picturesque Prague Castle Gardens

Other Venues

Other venues of note that host regular performances include the Klementinum, Lobkowicz Palace, National Museum and Bertramka, the latter having been Mozart’s former residence and now a museum.

Don’t forget to check out the churches too, as these also hold regular concerts: St Nicholas Church in Old Town Square, St George’s Basilica in the Prague Castle complex, Bethlehem Chapel, St Jilji Church and St Martin in the Wall Church in Old Town are all great places to catch a classical performance. Remember to bring some warm clothing with you though, as it can get a little chilly even in summer!

Getting Tickets

Tickets for any of the key festivals or concerts sell like hot cakes, so booking in advance is always advisable. You can check availability and purchase tickets online easily and securely through www.ticketstream.cz and www.ticketpro.com.

So even if you’re usually more at home pogoing at a Skinny Puppy gig and you wouldn’t know Dvořák’s New World Symphony if it poked you with a conductor’s baton, give your Doc Marten boots the night off and go discover for yourself the lifeblood running through Prague’s veins – not its beer, but its music!

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