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Sybersteve

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She who must be obeyed and myself are off to Poland for a long weekend (Saturday to Wednesday) next week, and I was after some ideas of what to photograph while I am there. Any ideas would be appreciated.:thinking:
 
Its a big country Poland where are you going to be in Warsaw? you get fantastic views of all the city from the top of the cultural palace, its the very tall communist style building near the station, for a small price you can get a lift to the top and there is a gallery. I stayed in the old part of Warsaw and there are some fantastic buildings there, its also a pretty good place for hanging around to get some street candids.

If you are staying in Krakov then there are many oportunities especially Wawel Castle. Auschwitz is definatly worth a visit too.
 
As mentioned above, Poland is a big Country ;D
Where you going ?
 
Tatra Mountains are stunning,the old city is lovely,Auschwitz is.....hmmmmm.......moving.
 
Thanks for the replies so far, will go to Auschwitz, salt mines. How far are the Tatra Mountains from Krakow? Is it a possible day trip?
 
In Krakow itself - Old Town, The Town Sq, The Jewish Quarter, Wawel Castle (make sure that whilst in the Jewish Quarter, you sample the famous delicacy of 'zapikanka' - which is kind of a pizza bread)

Outside Krakow (but within easy reach): Auschwitz & Berkanau (use sensitivity when taking pictures whilst there), Salt Mines and Zakopane (for the Tatra Mountains range)

Hope you have fun and look forward to seeing some of your images after you return.
 
Sybersteve said:
Thanks for the replies so far, will go to Auschwitz, salt mines. How far are the Tatra Mountains from Krakow? Is it a possible day trip?
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Zakopane is about a 2 hour drive from Krakow and you can usually hire a car with driver for a reasonable amount (think I paid around £50 for a full day, but can't be certain)
 
Sybersteve said:
:bonk:Sorry, we are staying in Krakow
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As i said above Wawel Castle is free to walk round the grounds and then you can pay for each museum within its wall if you wish but i didn't bother with.

I went to Aushwitz for a personal journey and project and found this a very hard but good experience and i was very pleased with the shots i got. Its a full day with an hour or so drive to get there but there are regular minibus rides from the bus station. If you do go then make sure you go to Birkenau too, there is a free shuttle bus between the two camps. Birkenau is on a much grander scale and it hits home when you see this. I have a set on my Flickrif you want to see my images from there

Krakov is full of little streets with intersesting buildings so a walkabout is a must and the main square has plenty to offer.

make sure you try some Zywiec beer, i kept having to try it again and again just to make sure it was my favourite. Enjoy your trip its a great country.


There are some salt mines fairly near but i didn't experience these
 
Looks like i'm going to be busy. Good job the wife doesn't mind tagging along, and not too much nagging.:lol:
Thanks for the suggestions, will post some shots on my return. I can't wait to go, you can't beat travel.:thumbs:
 
Make sure you will take loads of warm winter clothes!!!!
Tonite is going to be one of the coldest nights...-30 degrees !!!!!for last few weeks temprature in this part of Polads is around -10 to -20 degrees!!!!
It wasnt so cold for a last few years! I dont rmember it to be so cold for such a long time...and I lived there for 25 years ;>
 
Lucky you :D I'm going in March for a few days and was there on NYE (and visited 4 times before that... I like the place..)

As have been suggested, the Old Town, Kazimierz (Jewish Q), a day trip to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines too.

What I haven't seen suggested so far:

If in Kazimierz, you must take a few hours over the southern side of the Wisla, and visit the Podgorze district. This is where the Krakow Ghetto was during WW2. If you take the eastern bridge, you arrive in Ghetto Heros Square which has a big public art work, and loads of info on the surround area, including a trail map to see different sights, including sections of the Ghetto wall.

A couple of minutes to the east of here is Schindler's Factory, which has been under going restoration, but I believe is now partly open.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can also visit the Plaszow concentration camp, which was made famous by the Schindler's List film. The actual camp doesn't exist anymore, but the area in which it was is preserved, and has various small memorials dotted around it, and a large Soviet built memorial at the top end. A large cross on the way up to this memorial marks the spot where the Nazis dug up thousands of bodies, only to then cremate them (as seen in Schindler's List too).

Myself and the Mrs spent a good couple of hours wandering around, it's a very thought provoking place - almost as much as Auschwitz, when you consider how close it is to the city.

Between Podgorze and Plaszow CC, there is also a large public mound - I forget it's name.. but you can't miss it, it gives fantastic views of Krakow in good weather.

There is a large, disused quarry next door too, which is where Schindler's List was actually filmed.

Nowa Huta is one place I haven't managed to venture yet.. but if you are interested in the Communist era, this place is it. Built by Stalin for the residents of Krakow, at the centre of which is (typically) a massive steel mill.
 
Sybersteve said:
:bonk:Sorry, we are staying in Krakow
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Bummer. Too bad Bialystok isn't on your itinerary :P

bastic said:
Make sure you will take loads of warm winter clothes!!!!
Tonite is going to be one of the coldest nights...-30 degrees !!!!!for last few weeks temprature in this part of Polads is around -10 to -20 degrees!!!!
It wasnt so cold for a last few years! I dont rmember it to be so cold for such a long time...and I lived there for 25 years ;>
Click to expand...

Yes it was cold. -35C cold to be exact. My car didn't want to start this morning. I had to walk to the hospital in the -25C that it warmed up to. Bring warm clothes. ;)
 
Wow Loads of information, thanks guys. Will definately take warm clothing -35 I've never experienced weather as cold as that. Can't wait to see the sights, will post plenty of shots on TP when I return. Hopefully some will be in focus.Lol :lol::thumbs:
 
Sybersteve said:
Wow Loads of information, thanks guys. Will definately take warm clothing -35 I've never experienced weather as cold as that. Can't wait to see the sights, will post plenty of shots on TP when I return. Hopefully some will be in focus.Lol :lol::thumbs:
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Still jealous :razz:

Have fun :)
 
purpleclouds said:
Lucky you :D I'm going in March for a few days and was there on NYE (and visited 4 times before that... I like the place..)

As have been suggested, the Old Town, Kazimierz (Jewish Q), a day trip to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines too.

What I haven't seen suggested so far:

If in Kazimierz, you must take a few hours over the southern side of the Wisla, and visit the Podgorze district. This is where the Krakow Ghetto was during WW2. If you take the eastern bridge, you arrive in Ghetto Heros Square which has a big public art work, and loads of info on the surround area, including a trail map to see different sights, including sections of the Ghetto wall.

A couple of minutes to the east of here is Schindler's Factory, which has been under going restoration, but I believe is now partly open.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can also visit the Plaszow concentration camp, which was made famous by the Schindler's List film. The actual camp doesn't exist anymore, but the area in which it was is preserved, and has various small memorials dotted around it, and a large Soviet built memorial at the top end. A large cross on the way up to this memorial marks the spot where the Nazis dug up thousands of bodies, only to then cremate them (as seen in Schindler's List too).

Myself and the Mrs spent a good couple of hours wandering around, it's a very thought provoking place - almost as much as Auschwitz, when you consider how close it is to the city.

Between Podgorze and Plaszow CC, there is also a large public mound - I forget it's name.. but you can't miss it, it gives fantastic views of Krakow in good weather.

There is a large, disused quarry next door too, which is where Schindler's List was actually filmed.

Nowa Huta is one place I haven't managed to venture yet.. but if you are interested in the Communist era, this place is it. Built by Stalin for the residents of Krakow, at the centre of which is (typically) a massive steel mill.
Click to expand...

LOL you know a LOT about Krakow ;D
[Yoda voice] Impressed I am.
L.
 
Sybersteve said:
Thanks for the replies so far, will go to Auschwitz, salt mines. How far are the Tatra Mountains from Krakow? Is it a possible day trip?
Click to expand...

Hm... Tatry....because of strong winter (up to - 25) there are problems on the road(snow) trains may be delayed as well so one day its definitely not enough, but just north west of krakow is place called Ojcow, with two castles litlle valeys and rock formations (good winter climbing)
salt mines :gag: like for me boring,( apart only from the big chamber church)
but if u going for the weekend only i think old town is just enough u may not have any free time anyway :thinking:
 
weather in poland is not getting better...snows heavily...
I would say that it is not good time for visiting ;D
but have fun hehe
 
Cheers guys, it seems I will be haveing a bit of an adventure. Going Saturday till Wednesday. Looking forward to the break. Thanks again everyone. :clap:
 
even if your not religous check out the inside of a few chapels pure gold
shopping centre galerie beside railway station is amazing.
the horoscope resturant is recommended. enjoy your experience
 
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