Krakow

[EL TORO]

Just got back last night from Krakow, What a beautiful city. It didnt get damaged during the war because a German General decided he would set up his gaff in a big castle in the city and it became a no bombzone for the Luftwaffe, Although i suppose they pretty much emptied the city of most inhabitants another way. Anyway its really cheap to eat and drink, the locals are really friendly and welcoming. I was explaining to a bus driver that we have a lot of Poles in Cork now, and his main concern was whether or not they were behaving themselves etc. I was over there with work for the UEFA game so I didnt have a chance to do too much touristy stuff, but there is so much to do and see in a cheeky weekend away. To do it on the cheap get a ryanair to Liverpool and then Easyjet liverpool to Krakow.

[jungle]

Alternatively, Centralwings (http://www.centralwings.com/) will be starting direct a Cork-Krakow flight (2x weekly) at the end of this month.

[exileonpatrickstreet]

krakow is beautiful alright, and the people are good craic. a lot of young people have a bit of english there now.

check out wawel castle and its dragon cave, the jewish ghetto kazmierz (got smashed on brilliant, ice-cold polish vodka there) and the wieliczka salt mine (huge decorative chambers, including a church, carved out of salt deposits). auschwitz is nearby if you're having too good a time.

if you've got a couple of extra days, visit zakopane a few miles south in the tatra mountains, the 'alps of the east'.

[docaoimh]

Alternatively, Centralwings (http://www.centralwings.com/) will be starting direct a Cork-Krakow flight (2x weekly) at the end of this month.

Excellent. Was there November last year. Bloody cold but it's a beautiful city. At the time, we flew to Warsaw, not a nice city in comparison. I wouldn't really bother with it. Loads of cool pubs/restaurants in Krakow although it was a bit quiet in November. I have a set of photos here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/docaoimh/sets/1412280/) on Flickr if you wanna take a look.

[Dwyer On Fire]

Nice photos. Can you fly direct from Cork? If so it sounds like a great place to hang out for a weekend. How's the booze by the way?

[EL TORO]

Nice photos. Can you fly direct from Cork? If so it sounds like a great place to hang out for a weekend. How's the booze by the way?

Less than the cost of half a pint at home. Went for a meal last week there, Two main courses, 4 pints .... less than £10 STERLING... Bargain.

[trasnanadtonnta]

I'm hoping to go to Krakow this coming summer. I've been to Warsaw and I actually really enjoyed it there, but I'd like to see Krakow this time.

I'm a bit worried about Auschwitz. I really want to go but I'm nervous about the misery tourism/assuaging middle class guilt aspect, also I might get the giggles, I'm a bit fucked up that way. Anyone been? What's it like there? Is everyone freaking out and rending their garments or is it quietly respectful or what?

[Proinsias]

I'm hoping to go to Krakow this coming summer. I've been to Warsaw and I actually really enjoyed it there, but I'd like to see Krakow this time.

I'm a bit worried about Auschwitz. I really want to go but I'm nervous about the misery tourism/assuaging middle class guilt aspect, also I might get the giggles, I'm a bit fucked up that way. Anyone been? What's it like there? Is everyone freaking out and rending their garments or is it quietly respectful or what?
Auschwitz itself is a bit touristy.

Birkenau is close by, but it's a 10 minute trip away, certainly it wasn't all that well signposted to walk it. I think there's a shuttle bus, but I didn't have the patience for it.

That was really something. I'm not a particuarly emotional person, but that was a bit of a tough one. Pretty untouristy, but far, far more important IMO. Birkenau was the purpose built second site. The efficiency of it was stunning.
It's huge. Basically an industrial killing factory. Because it's so big and it's away from Auschwitz, it's much quieter and far harder hitting.

Highly recommended.


Also, if you're going to recommend Zakopane, I'd say Stary Smokovec on the Slovakia side of the Tatras is far better. Absolutely spectacular mountains there. Apparently the winter ski is good and very cheap there (I got a massive apartment there for 3 days for €50). I went in summer, so all I can recommend is the climbing which is very good for the beginner/intermediate
i've a load of pictures of the area, but they're at home, must post them.

[Happnin]

Just got back last night from Krakow, What a beautiful city. It didnt get damaged during the war because a German General decided he would set up his gaff in a big castle in the city and it became a no bombzone for the Luftwaffe, Although i suppose they pretty much emptied the city of most inhabitants another way. Anyway its really cheap to eat and drink, the locals are really friendly and welcoming. I was explaining to a bus driver that we have a lot of Poles in Cork now, and his main concern was whether or not they were behaving themselves etc. I was over there with work for the UEFA game so I didnt have a chance to do too much touristy stuff, but there is so much to do and see in a cheeky weekend away. To do it on the cheap get a ryanair to Liverpool and then Easyjet liverpool to Krakow.
I work with a few fellas from there, they're fucking nuts for vodka, and fucking nuts from vodka!

[xvis]

shall be heading there tomorrow for the weekend, ..haven't done much research, ...have read through some of the tips above and have heard some other first hand accounts.

..but we'll see what happens.