Krakow Experience

Dumplings and Dragons

Advantages: Something for everyone, possibly Poland's most welcoming, attractive city.
Disadvantages: Bargains aren't quite what they were.

...capital from 1038 to 1596, Krakow (or Cracow, anglicised) shows off proudly all the remnants of its days as a seat of royalty. The Old Town (Stare Miasto) at the centre of the city, surrounded by a ring of greenery, contains these most picture-perfect attractions, from St Florian's Gate at its northernmost end to the lair of the fearsome Smok Wawelski, the dragon of Kraków (who was vanquished by Krakus, the supposed founder of the city) at the southern ...
...the Wisla (Vistula) river, which winds south-north through Poland, cutting through Kraków, Warsaw and Torun, amongst others, en route to the Baltic Sea. More recent events have of course been a darker, bleaker part of the history and the city and the surrounding area. The remains of Oswiecim Detention Camp, better known by its German name, Auschwitz, lie not far to the west, and visits to the site feature on many Kraków itineraries. The scars inflicted ...

Puggers 15.06.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Krakow (Poland)

Nowa Huta - an alternative view of Krakow

Advantages: Fascinating history, the Arka Pana, less busy than the Old Town
Disadvantages: None at all

...like myself, the suburb of Nowa Huta is far more interesting. Nowa Huta was basically a present from Stalin to the working people, those involved in industry and agriculture, from the area around the city. Krakow had always been associated with the intelligentsia, the bourgeoisie, and the first uprisings against Communism in Poland sprang from Krakow. the new city was not to be for people from Krakow but only the surrounding areas. Much of this part ...
...to be an enormous steelworks; Nowa Huta translates as "The New Steel Mill". Of course, Nowa Huta was in reality a mammoth work of propaganda; look how happy these Polish people are living in their new apartments around tree-filled courtyards, look at the men climb on board the trams on their way to work in the steel factory, how wonderful life is under Communism! Work started in 1949; in 1952 Nowa Huta was joined by tramline with Krakow. The "Lenin ...

fizzytom 31.10.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Nowa Huta, Krakow, Poland

Visiting Auschwitz Take a Taxi!

Advantages: Personalised service at a time which suits you
Disadvantages: Not a lot cheaper than a tour bus and more expensive than the train

...2008) We were staying in Krakow and originally intended to travel by train. At the station we found a taxi driver who agreed to take us there and back for 240 zlotys about £60. We are mature ladies and this proved a great decision as the station is some distance from the camp. His English was reasonable and he pointed out places of interest on the journey even avoiding the motorways some of the time and taking us through the countryside. At the ...
...knew where loo, coffee shop and cinema was, was waiting for us when we came out 2 hours later, drove us to Birkeneau though we were too emotionally drained to actually go visit there, drove us to the railway track where two of the original cattle trucks, used to transport the prisoners are preserved and took us back to the city. It's not a lot cheaper than going by coach and quite a bit more expensive than by train but it's personalised and unhurried ...

maggiedip 16.07.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Krakow (Poland)

A Beautiful City

Advantages: Historical, reasonable prices
Disadvantages: None

Krakow is located in Southern Poland and was the capital city 1038-1598. It is currently the capital of Malopolskie (Lesser Poland or Little Poland), a province in South Poland. It's Poland's third largest city and in 2007 had a population of over 750,000 people. Our visit I visited Krakow for the weekend in February, with my parents, auntie and uncle to celebrate my uncle's 50th birthday. We went on the Friday evening and returned on the ...
...We didn't land in Krakow until about 9pm on the Friday so we didn't see much. The taxi driver that drove us from the airport to our hotel told us about the tours they do, e.g. Auschwitz and Birkenhau, and the Salt mines so we found out a bit about the area even though we didn't see much. I'm going to talk about day 1 as the Saturday. Day 1 We got up quite early so we could start exploring the city straight after breakfast. The Holiday Inn, ...

bluejules 03.05.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Krakow (Poland)

Krakow-a city of hidden gems.

Advantages: Lots to do, close to Auschwitz, cheap, ideal for a city break
Disadvantages: None that spring to mind

...that changed my mind completely, Krakow was chosen as the starting point of an Inter-railing adventure for myself and 2 mates this summer. Budget airlines fly to Krakow-Balice airport, just a short train journey from the centre of the city, making it very accessible. Being well into Eastern Europe, it’s also very cheap, paying a pound a pint (or half litre if you want to be pedantic) is only for the most expensive cafes on the edge of the Rynek ...
... Our main reason for visiting Krakow was its proximity to Auschwitz, and our second day was taken up by a day trip there. The main camp, Auschwitz has the museum, and lots of information about what each building was for and the horrific purpose of the camp, and entire rooms holding the tonnes of human hair kept for textiles, and other artefacts such as shoes and brushes taken from the prisoners. After this, about a mile’s walk away is the second ...

Timor123 24.04.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Krakow (Poland)