Cross-country Skiing with Rampušák The Orlické Mountains and the Podorlicko, Visit the “Skiing Paradise” in the Krkonoše Mountains and the Podkrkonoší Foothills, Martin Riding a White Horse Opens the Winter Tourist Season in the Hradecko Region, Enjoy the Advent Period in Kladské pomezí, Advent in Czech Paradise.

Cross-country Skiing with Rampušák The Orlické Mountains and the Podorlicko
Foothills offer very good conditions for cross-country skiing. The skiing season starts around the beginning of December and ends in mid April. The main ridge is usually covered with a 1.5 – 2 m deep snow blanket and in the lower areas it is approximately a half of this depth.

Where can I join the cross-country skiing track?

• The car park at Šerlich (the highest located point)
• Deštné v Orlických horách – behind the Area Hotel
• Deštné v Orlických horách – opposite the petrol station
• Šerlišský mlýn Hotel
• Rokytnice v Orlických horách – above the piste
• Panské Pole – car park
• Říčky v Orlických horách – in the ski centre
• At the beginning of winter it is also possible to drive to Mezivrší and to the car park in Luisino Údolí.

Where can I get some refreshments?
On the ridge it is possible to visit one of the 3 refreshment points – Masaryk Chalet at Šerlich or during weekends and the main skiing season the log cabins of the Mountain Rescue Service under Velká Deštná and at Peticestí. Moreover, on your way you will encounter the Šerlišský mlýn Hotel and a kiosk in the Říčky Ski Resort. www.orlickehory-cz.info

Visit the “Skiing Paradise” in the Krkonoše Mountains and the Podkrkonoší Foothills
Accept our invitation to snow-white Krkonoše. Apart from down-hill skiing centres with modern facilities, a cross country skiing paradise awaits you every year. The 72 km long Krkonoše Arterial Line leads through the whole of Krkonoše from Harrachov to as far as Žaclér. It is interconnected with another almost 600 km of local skiing tracks and circuits. These paths commanding magnificent views of the Krkonoše panorama can be found not only in the central mountains but also in the foothill area. They will take you to beautiful, magical and often less frequented places.

The Traditional Kuks Christmas Markets are held in Podkrkonoší (Nov.14–15, and Nov. 21–22) in the beautiful environs of a Baroque site with a rich cultural programme (www.hospital-kuks.cz). In the town of stone beauty - Hořice – you may visit the Advent Market on Saturday Dec. 5, with an ample accompanying programme. Enjoy the varied collection of nativity scenes in Trebihošt. The ZOO in Dvur Králové n/L is festively decorated from Dec. 1 to Jan. 31 and open until 7 p.m.
www.zoodk.cz, www.krkonose.eu, www.podzvicinsko.cz

Martin Riding a White Horse Opens the Winter Tourist Season in the Hradecko Region
Traditionally, on Nov. 11 Martin on a white horse comes to the White Tower in Hradec Králové and welcomes tourists to Hradecko for the winter season. The tourist season does not end here when the snow comes; in fact it really gets going! Heated theatres and concert halls are venues of numerous concerts and performances, sports fans will undoubtedly relish the offer provided by AQUAPARK and the 50 metre swimming pool or take a walk along the dense network of tourist paths in Hradec woods, where it is also possible to don in-line skates or cross-country skis.
The Advent period is virtually created for gift shopping and absorbing the atmosphere of the fast approaching Christmas – how about visiting the Advent Markets in the Museum of Eastern Bohemia on Nov. 27–29 or set off for a trip to Hrádek u Nechanic Chateau, where from Nov. 28 to Dec. 13, you can taste real Christmas punch and listen to beautiful music. This and many more attractions await you if you visit the Hradecko Region during the Advent season! www.ic-hk.cz, www.hradecko-info.cz

Enjoy the Advent Period in Kladské pomezí
Aren’t you very keen on Christmas cleaning, present hunting and cooking all those goodies? Why not spend your pre-Christmas time differently? Come and see the beautiful scenery with its snow-capped rocks. Amidst the ravines you will marvel at the bizarre shapes of rocks dressed in snowy coats and at once you will be in a different world. The maintained path circuit through Adršpašské Rocks is open every day; other rock terrain may be entered only at one’s own risk. Do you fancy stretching your body a little? The well maintained cross-country skiing tracks will take you to the most beautiful areas of winter scenery. On Dec. 4-6, Broumov Rocks will be the venue for the 46th year of Winter Camping at Hvězda. On Dec. 3-6, don’t miss the Ratibořice Advent. Festively decorated interiors and people in period costume will invoke the atmosphere of the era of Božena Nemcová, an outstanding female Czech writer. Superb entertainment, refreshments and a wide choice of hand-crafted products can be found in Christmas markets of other towns located in Kladské pomezí. www.kladskepomezi.cz.

Advent in Czech Paradise
Set out for a trip to Czech Paradise in the Advent period. You will be able to visit Christmas markets and fairs with a genuine Christmas atmosphere. The most popular of these are the annual Advent Markets held at Sychrov Castle, organised by the Bohém association which has prepared for you a varied cultural program, sale of traditional goods and a demonstration of trades and crafts (Dec. 5–6). In Železný Brod, Christmas Markets are traditionally held in the “biggest timber cottage in the town” – i.e. Na Bělišti Museum (Dec. 1–6). Visitors to the castle in Mnichovo Hradiště will be able to experience the atmosphere of a Baroque Waldstein Christmas on Saturday, December 19. Traditional Christmas fairs will be staged in Mladá Boleslav (Dec.12), where every year the Viewing Tower of the old Town Hall is open to the public, and furthermore in Jičín (Dec. 28, ) and in Turnov (Dec. 11–13).www.cesky-raj.info

www.kralovehradeckyregion.cz