Krakow Anyone Been

Just Dave

Just Dave

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We going to Krakow in a couple of weeks for 4 nights, 5 days, has anyone been and what are the must sees whilst there, I was going to put this in the talk locations but its just for UK

TIA

Dave
 
I went to Krakow in 2008, it is a lovely city. :)

The main square is very good, quite busy all the time, good for pics of people and stalls. There are sometimes street performers in the square at night doing various things. The city centre is still quite busy at night.

The Jewish part of the city is nice to walk around. I got a bit obsessed with the architecture and in particularly the door numbers, which are like little lanterns, and the street signs which bulge out of the walls. I've made it sound more odd than it is, but it'll make sense when you see them. ;)

The salt mines are worth a visit. There is an amazing wooden staircase down to the lower levels. Be sure to look down the centre. ;)

The castle is nice and gives good views over the river.

This a large mound on the outskirts which gives nice views over the city. The square around the mound is, surprisingly, called Paul McCartney Square. :eek: :lol: I think there are a couple of mounds around the city, though I only visited one.

Take some tram and bus journeys around the city. I found a large local market by doing that. :) Lets you see the old and the new Krakow too.

There is also Auschwitz quite close. I couldn't bring myself to visit. :shake:

You should have a nice time. :)
 
:thumbs: I love Krakow! Been to a lot of European cities and it is in my top 3. It's a clean and compact city, so very walkable. My favourite spots are the Jewish Quarter (there happened to be a walking music festival there when we walked through it), the Main square (especially at night when the Bell Tower is lit up... some lovely restaurants dotted around the square too) and Wawel Castle. They have horse drawn carriages around the castle area. We stayed here http://www.hotelpodwawelem.pl/en/location.html just at the base of the castle and the rooftop terrace bar had a great view over the river... especially with a cold beer! If you want a really great view of the city from above then they have one of those tethered balloons here http://www.hiflyer.pl/image. Accross the river isn't much I don't think other than Schindler's (List) factory which I believe may have been made in to a museum now.

Further afield is Auschwitz and Berkenau - about 1-1/2hr away. Our hotel booked us on this and the pick up point was right by our hotel. The trip takes in both areas and being a very warm May day with a deep blue sky and hearing the birds singing, it was very surreal. I P&P my images from there into black and white. Not long after our visit, the infamous Auschwitz sign Arbeit Macht Frei was stolen but was later recovered. The Salt Mines is another trip you can do (about an hour away) and were worth the visit.

Enjoy. I'd go back in a shot!
 
A quick thanks for your replies I havent read them yet as Ive just taken the dog for a walk and just got back, so will have a read and get back to you thanks for your help :clap: will reply again when Ive read them
 
Thanks Redhead,

Were staying at the Secret Garden Apartments in a studio, its in the old city square area, http://www.thesecretgarden.pl/en/ & http://SPAM/bmcnxc6

We plan to get the roaming ticket Not sure about going to Auschwitz, Julie asked me did I want to go after reading the replies, I need to think about it. I will definitely watch out for the street furniture, thanks for the heads up on that :thumbs: salt mines sound interesting I will do some further reading about what you have said :thumbs:

Thank you Sarah, we also have been to many cities around the world, but never to Krakow

I think the apartment is in the Jewish Quarter, the Castle sounds interesting to visit, like the sound of the tethered balloon for some Ariel shots, look forward to seeing your images please feel free to PM me with the thread or link to them :thumbs: as you mention restaurants what sort of food is there I dont eat fish but Julie does, so mixed restaurants rather than dedicated fish if you get what I mean

Thanks again both of you for your fab and informative replies, we are really looking forward to it now, we have download some street map Apps to help us find our way around, we have now checked in online with Ryanair and printed our boarding passes, The Secret Garden are going to pick us up from the airport, and also take us back to the airport for our flights back to UK

Thanks again for your replies if you think of anything else please let us Know

Cheers Dave N Julie :thumbs:
 
Yip I agree lovely city, the Salt Mines were awesome especially the 'church' and statues. The castle and the square are lovely. I will try and find my info and see what else there was. I did 22 countries in 20 months some years ago now though so all a bit muddled :lol:
 
I would ABSOLUTELY go to Auschwitz if your so close, if you don't I'm sure you'll regret it.
 
VJS Photography said:
Yip I agree lovely city, the Salt Mines were awesome especially the 'church' and statues. The castle and the square are lovely. I will try and find my info and see what else there was. I did 22 countries in 20 months some years ago now though so all a bit muddled :lol:
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Great thanks a lot. were well behind you then weve been to 58 countries Poland will be 59 :D mind you its took us last 20yrs
 
acetone said:
I would ABSOLUTELY go to Auschwitz if your so close, if you don't I'm sure you'll regret it.
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I don't regret not visiting. :shake:

Seeing it on TV is emotional enough for me. I didn't want to see the evidence of Man's inhumanity to Man first hand. I can understand why people would want to see it, but something like that, which could have a huge effect on a person, can't be unseen. It is something to consider carefully imho.


On a lighter note, :) definitely go to the Salt Mines. The size and scale is amazing. You have to pay a bit extra to take pictures down there, but for some of the sights it's worth it. Some of the carvings are brilliant and have a real depth to them. :)

According to Wikipedia 'A wooden staircase with 378 steps provides access to the 64 metres (210 ft) level of the mine.' Take your time taking pics on the staircase, as it was awe inspiring thinking of how much wood they used to make the staircase, and I wished would have spent a few minutes taking pics as I descended.
 
hi krakow is an amazing place to visit lots of history & culture mixed with modernism - (i've been lots of times as my stepmums polish ) there's lots of fantastic architecture, St Marys basilica in the main square - Wawel castle down by the river- the old town are just a few examples as others have said
- krakow is a place you can just wander wherever so many opportunities,the people/food are fantastic, a visit to Auschwitz is a personal thing but very poignant just the same.
at night the centre comes alive fantastic - i'm sure you'll love your visit :thumbs:
 
dexter35yrs said:
hi krakow is an amazing place to visit lots of history & culture mixed with modernism - (i've been lots of times as my stepmums polish ) there's lots of fantastic architecture, St Marys basilica in the main square - Wawel castle down by the river- the old town are just a few examples as others have said
- krakow is a place you can just wander wherever so many opportunities,the people/food are fantastic, a visit to Auschwitz is a personal thing but very poignant just the same.
at night the centre comes alive fantastic - i'm sure you'll love your visit :thumbs:
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Thanks very much Derek you have brought it to life, we are really looking forward to going :thumbs: still not made decision on Auschwitz yet
 
Thanks redhead

I was talking to someone yesterday who said the queues for the salt mines are about 2hrs, just wondering how long you folks that have been had to wait?
 
From memory, and it was 2008, I think it was half an hour to three quarter of an hour from memory. It may have got more popular since then. :shrug:

If you want inspiration for the trip to the mines, and a possible wait in a queue, Google some pics of the mines. ;)

I think it would be worth the wait, but on a short holiday, time is precious I know. ;)
 
another good trip out would be 'Częstochowa' where the famous black madonna is held - have a look on google - but a word of caution dave the further you travel away from main towns the harder the language barrier as i found out haha - although i'm sure you're aware of that :)
 
dexter35yrs said:
another good trip out would be 'Częstochowa' where the famous black madonna is held - have a look on google - but a word of caution dave the further you travel away from main towns the harder the language barrier as i found out haha - although i'm sure you're aware of that :)
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Thanks again Derek for the pm and reply, we can usually make ourselves understood, Julie has a big bat :D they dont call her Ma Barker for nowt :lol: Ill do a bit of googling thanks :thumbs:
 
Haven't been but this is a place that is definitely on my 'to do' list, reading all the replies.
 
Hi Dave,

What did you think of the apartments?.. Am hoping to go back for a visit next year, we stayed at the Royal near Wawel Castle last time, good location but gone a bit pricey since it was renovated.. Apartments sound a good idea..

Did you end up going to Auschwitz? I found it really moving, will go again but try and make our own way there as was a little rushed on our organised tour.. no time to spend a quiet moment to take it all in..

My camera broke whilst there, will make sure i'm prepared for that next time!.. Look forward to seeing your photos :)
 
Very nice city, visited very recently. No need to take public transport, you can walk absolutely everywhere! Pound goes very far as well (unlike other places in the region, surprisingly).

Auschwitz is worth going to, but the organised tour of Auschwitz I was incredibly rushed and we were in a huge traffic jam of groups - our tour leader was very good, but evidently missed out parts to ensure we kept moving. Auschwitz-Birkenau is a bit better for the tour because it is more spread out.
 
Only just seen this Dave. Superb city and I hope you enjoyed it.Look forward to seeing some pics.
 
thanks we had a fab time only went to the salt mines, which was fabulous, we didnt go to Auschwitz, we met some who had just been they said they couldnt watch the video on the coach and were harrowed by their visit, and wow for a city its well cheap to eat out we went to Chata http://SPAM/8dyympv one day we both had Goulash in a loaf, I had traditional pork, Julie had Chicken with garlic sauce both had potatoes carrot and sauerkraut, 1 apple pie cream and chocolate sauce, and we both had a large beer, and Julie also had a Coffee, I had a mulled red wine (wow large) total bill £18,
 
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Shame you did not go to the camp Dave, it is a very moving experience.

Lovely city and glad to see that it is still cheap as chips.
 
fracster said:
Shame you did not go to the camp Dave, it is a very moving experience.

Lovely city and glad to see that it is still cheap as chips.
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We said we would go back so I will go next time, heres a couple of shots http://SPAM/8wphjjd and http://SPAM/9xbnv4n
 
Not wishing to hijack your thread, however:

080805AuswichBerkanau111.jpg


This is why a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is a must. In my opinion a visit to any of the death camps should form part of every childs education. Yes, it can be harrowing to visit; but also valuable beyond price.

Perhaps one day humans will begin to live together in peace.
 
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