{"id":3788,"date":"2015-12-20T13:28:07","date_gmt":"2015-12-20T11:28:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/?p=3788"},"modified":"2015-12-20T13:28:07","modified_gmt":"2015-12-20T11:28:07","slug":"dresden-christmas-charm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/2015\/12\/20\/dresden-christmas-charm\/","title":{"rendered":"Dresden: Christmas Charm"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dresden<\/a><\/p>\n

Wow, we were impressed with Dresden, its Christmas markets and its people. \u00a0Of course it doesn’t have the beauty and charm of Prague but we found the people exceptionally friendly and the markets were clean and very charmingly decorated and<\/span> seemed to offer better products and food.<\/p>\n

They all had a Christmas pyramid as well. These are a traditional toy or decoration only a few inches high and powered by candles. \u00a0Now they are huge and elaborate.<\/p>\n

Dresden is a pleasant train ride from Prague \"Str\u011bkov<\/a>along the Labe River that becomes the Elbe in Germany. \u00a0Near the border is the\u00a0Str\u011bkov Castle privately owned by the Lobkowicz family whose palace at Prague Castle we especially enjoyed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Striezelmarkt<\/em> in Dresden is one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets; starting as a one-day event\u00a0in 1434. \u00a0 \u00a0The word Striezelmarkt<\/em> comes from Str\u00fczel<\/em>, the name of a type of cake sold at the market. Now famous as Stollen; it\u00a0is a light airy fruitcake which is quite low in sugar and sold everywhere in town. \u00a0Of course we bought some.<\/p>\n

\"Oldest<\/a>Quote from Karin: \u00a0“Going to the Christmas Market at night is really special! \u00a0It takes on a completely different look! \u00a0The smells of the food cooking in the open air, the mulled wine, the lights, the stalls; it is all very exciting!”<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Hot<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here are a few shots of booths, pyramids and music. I especially enjoyed seeing\u00a0the flame broiled salmon because I had wild Pacific salmon cooked that way as a young man and never tasted its equal since. (Click to enlarge or to play the video.)<\/p>\n

\"flame<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\"wood<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\"figurines<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\"toy\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0