Tip: New Prague Hot Spots
Prague's Lucerna Palace is a historic building on Wenceslas Square, but its rooftop bar is recently renovated and newly open to the public. With
gorgeous views, a laid-back vibe, and a ride on a quirky paternoster elevator to get there, this summertime destination is an up-and-coming
experience for 2020. See more at www.strechalucerny.cz/en.

Keep an eye on the team from Manifesto Market (www.manifestomarket.com). In 2018, they debuted a collection of food stalls housed in shipping containers at their Florenc location. In 2019, this expanded to a pop up beer garden with a swimming pool in the Smichov neighborhood. This winter, igloos and holiday festivities are slated for both locations, with more fun sure to come in 2020.

Did you know …
… that fairy tales are an essential part of Czech culture? Royal characters across Bohemia, Moravia, and both the Austro-Hungarian and Holy Roman Empires are ingrained in local history. Beyond the true stories, Christmas festivities also include a healthy dose of fantastical tales. Every year, a new story involving princes, princesses, and witches debuts on Czech television. The local lineup on December 24th traditionally includes fairy tale films
streaming from morning to night.

… that the Astronomical Clack isn't the only significant timepiece in the center of Prague? Head to the Josefov neighborhood of Old Town to find a the Jewish Town Hall, which includes one clock face with roman numerals and a second with Hebrew numbers. While you're there, stop by the Old Jewish Cemetery and Pinkas Synagogue for a deeper look at the Jewish community's integral stories woven through local history.

… that the Czech Republic gained two new UNESCO World Heritage sights in 2019? Horse enthusiasts should check out the National Stud Farm in Kladruby nad Labem, which has bred Kladruber horses for 500 years. Fans of engineering and technical developments might be more interested in the Krušnohoří Mining Region, which extracted and processed silver, tin, cobalt, copper, iron, and uranium from the
12th century to the end of the 20th.

 … that January 1st is more than just New Year's Day in the Czech Republic. The first day of the year also commemorates the peaceful split between the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, often referred to as the “Velvet Divorce” (which followed the “Velvet Revolution” of 1989). Fun fact: while Czechoslovakia no longer exists, its foundation on October 28th is still a national holiday. Why celebrate just one Independence Day when you can have two?

2020: Stories to explore
Czech Castles and Chateaux …
… as a whimsical wedding destination. A royal atmosphere immediately ups the romance factor for couples looking to tie the knot against a stunning backdrop. Many of the castles and chateaux across the country work with soon-to-be newlyweds to help plan their ceremony and reception, or to add some magic to an engagement photo shoot. After the big day, a honeymoon night spent in a castle or chateau could make for an unforgettable experience.

…as an unexpected cycling route. Previous royal residents may have been bound by corsets and courts, but your castle itinerary can combine both aristocracy and adrenaline. The castles and chateaux sprinkled across the Czech countryside are well connected by a network of cycling paths that combine physical endurance with an itinerary of architectural elegance.

… as a family experience. To keep the kids entertained, look for night tours filled with ghost stories, chateaux packages focused on young princes and princesses, and sites connected with exciting historical battles. Try a family carriage ride in Pardubice, visit the family friendly Christmas or Easter markets at Sychrov, or take a tactile tour of the Chateaux on the Orlice River. These historical landmarks have something to offer for visitors of all ages.

The 75th Anniversary of Pilsen Liberation
The city of Pilsen has a special connection to the United States. At the end of WWII, the Soviet army helped most of then-Czechoslovakia defeat Nazi forces, but US troops helped to liberate one sliver of the country. in May of 1945, General George Patton led US troops to fight alongside Czech soldiers in West Bohemia, but their contribution remained unrecognized for decades under the subsequent Soviet occupation. Since regaining independence in 1989, Pilsen has belatedly expressed their gratitude with memorials, a museum, and an annual Pilsen Liberation Festival that draws US veterans each year. 2020 will mark the 75th anniversary of this joint fight for freedom.

2020: Press trips:
Beginning of May 2020: The Liberation of Pilsen. The annual celebration of the end of World War II and the liberation of Pilsen by the United States Army.

Summer 2020: Explore the Czech Republic with your family. Take
a step outside Prague on your next trip to see what kind of secrets are hidden behind the castle walls and enjoy holidays full of sport and exercise.

Individual press trip: Upgrade Your Romantic Honeymoon. Choose a magical wedding venue or spend your honeymoon night surrounded by regal romance in the many castles and chateaux.

2020: Topics to explore
Sustainability: The Czech Republic made the top 10 list in the United Nations' 2019 report of sustainable development goals. One look at the natural beauty surrounding this country explains why its citizens are committed to enjoying the outdoors for generations to come. From the little things – like switching to reusable cups at Brno's Christmas markets or the Letná beer garden – to the larger infrastructure of public transport, eco-friendly hotels, and outdoor activities, there are innovative environmental stories all across the country.

Traditional Czech Gastronomy: How do you find a restaurant that serves authentic Czech cuisine? Look for the new stamp of approval from
CzechSpecials (www.czechspecials.cz) based on local input from the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants and the Czech Association
of Cooks and Confectioners. With plenty of lighter bites and comfort food recipes, plus the world-renowned tradition of brewing beer and an
undiscovered wine region (download the Czech Republic Wine Trails app), it's easy to eat like a king or a queen throughout your stay.

Annual events
Jan – Feb
New Year's Day Celebrations
Jizerská 50 Cross Country Ski Race https://jiz50.cz/en
Queer Ball in Prague & Brno www.queerball.cz/en

March-April
Febiofest International Film Festival www.febiofest.cz/en
Masopust (the Czech version of Carnivale)
Easter Markets
Travelcon Conference České Budějovice www.travelcon.cz

May-June
Pilsen Liberation Festival www.slavnostisvobody.cz/en
Prague Spring Classical Music Festival www.festival.cz/en
The Royal Silvering of Kutná Hora
www.stribreni.cz/the-royal-silvering-of-kutna-hora
Volkswagen Marathon Weekend in Prague www.runczech.com/en

July-August
Smetana's Litomyšl Festival www.smetanovalitomysl.cz/en
Bohemia Jazz Festival www.bohemiajazzfest.cz/en
Colours of Ostrava Music Festival www.colours.cz
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival www.kviff.com/en/homepage
Prague Pride www.praguepride.cz/en

Sept-Oct
Historical Znojmo Grape Harvest www.znojemskevinobrani.cz/en
Prague Signal Festival www.signalfestival.com/en
Designblok & Prague Fashion Week www.designblok.cz/en
Velká Pardubická Horse Races http://zavodistepardubice.cz/en

Nov-Dec
St. Martin's Day and Wine Harvest
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day
Mezipatra Queer Film Festival www.mezipatra.cz/en