DISCOVER UNIQUE TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFT AND FOLK TRADITIONS

BOHEMIAN CRYSTAL is a decorative glass produced since the 13th century in the Czech regions of Bohemia and Silesia. The combination of potash with chalk creates a clear colourless non-lead glass with extraordinary transparency and brilliance. In the 17th century, Caspar Lehmann, gem cutter to the famous Emperor Rudolf II (supporter of creative and innovative arts, esoteric studies and alchemy), adapted to glass the technique of gem engraving with copper and bronze wheels, creating the marvelous results we can enjoy even today.

PUPPETRY is one of the most ancient form of performance: string-operated wood figures were manipulated to display rituals and ceremonies already in ancient Egypes. Italy is the early home of the modern marionette thanks to the influence of Roman puppetry, the use by the Christian church to perform morality plays, the Provençal troubadour tradition in Sicily and the humour of  "commedia dell'arte”. Even Shakespeare's plays were performed using marionettes instead of actors The Czech Marionette theatre has a very long history in entertainment, such as marionette production of Mozart's famous Don Giovanni in Prague. Nowadays the traditional Czech hand-made marionettes are appreciated worldwide thanks to their quality and variety, as collectibles and original gifts

VISIT TO TRADITIONAL PRODUCERS  and WORKSHOPS to discover the secrets of crystal, marionettes, painted eggs and many more traditional handicrafts Guided or independent tours for individuals and small groups Tours by minibus or bicycle with flexible and customised programs in combination with castles and mansions, traditional czech food & wine degustation, traditional breweries, beer spa & wellness, biking adventure , kayak in Unesco heritage towns and all other Alterna Tours packages