Krawkow, Poland. An eastern european treasure

A few weeks ago, family and friends (19 of us in all!) embarked upon a Polish adventure to meet my son-in-law Marian's family and celebrate their family reunion.
 
Our first stop was in the beautiful city of Krakow - also known as the cultural capital of Poland.  We loved it.  A stunningly beautiful city, filled with culture, history and gorgeous architecture - what's not to love?  Additionally, the city is not yet fully on the tourism circuit so we didn't have crowds to contend with.  I'm sure that will be changing soon as in addition to the beauty of the city, prices are extremely reasonable.
 
Krakow is very easy to get in and out of.  There are non-stop flights on LOT Polish airlines out of Chicago.  We toured the famous Salt Mine, the Oscar Schindler factory and then some went to Auschwitz - a very sobering day.  We also enjoyed the market square and checked out the church where Pope John Paul served before he became Pope. 
 
To a person, my family would highly recommend Krakow. We enjoyed the food and  loved the friendliness of the locals  Off the beaten path - but not for long - we'll definitely be back!
- Cindy -

Destination of the week
Krakow, Poland

Kraków, a southern Poland city near the border of the Czech Republic, is known for its well-preserved medieval core and Jewish quarter. Its old town – ringed by Planty Park and remnants of the city’s medieval walls – is centered on the stately, expansive Rynek Glówny (market square). This plaza is the site of the Cloth Hall, a Renaissance-era trading outpost, and St. Mary’s Basilica, a 14th-century Gothic church. 
 
Much more than the sum of its parts, Kraków is one of those cities you have to explore a little before its true charm becomes apparent. Although Warsaw is the political capital, many consider this southern city the true cultural capital of Poland. When you first walk into the medieval Main Market Square, a smile plays across your face as you realize a large part of your trip will be spent here. Lively restaurants, shops, cafes and bars lie along the perimeter and in the surrounding areas.
The best way to orient yourself in Kraków is to break the city into three main sections. The Main Market Square is at the center of Old Town (Stare Miasto), which itself is at the center of Kraków. Most of the major tourist draws are clustered near the Old Town and just south in Kazimierz. Notable excursions further afield include the "Wieliczka" Salt Mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
 
Many visitors come to Kraków to learn about its World War II and Cold War roots, but what you may not expect to find are flourishing nightlife, art and music scenes. In fact, the city is rumored to have the highest concentration of bars in the world, with the Old Town and Kazimierz neighborhoods being considered the best regions for drinking, live music and clubbing.
 
The best times to visit Kraków are from March to May and between September and November. The weather is pleasant and the summer's throngs of tourists are nowhere to be found. July and August's weather often climbs into the mid-70s, while the average low in January is in the low 20s. However, there really is no bad time to visit Kraków. The summer features some of its most lively festivals. And while the winters can get quite cold, the city compensates with its surprising beauty and affordable rates.
 
https://www.48hoursineurope.com/aweekendinkrakow

Travel tip of the week
Remember that Kraków’s Churches are not Museums

The majority of Poles (over 75%) are Catholic. 
For many, Catholicism has long been a source of national and social unity and provided solace during Communist times, when religious practices were driven underground. So if you visit one of Kraków’s many churches, remember that they are revered places of worship.​

Virtual vacation of the week

​Here are ideas for what to see in Krakow.
Video found on YouTube by TrailBlaze Travels

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