Kraków - What the guide books don't tell you?

[goldenecitrone]

It's ages since I've been to Krakow. Went while I was living in Slovakia back in 1994. Loved the little underground jazz bars and the market place. Again, didn't really fancy a coach trip to Auschwitz. Didn't really seem appropriate at the time.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

Have you been during the snow? I was there in January one year and it was absolutely magical (though bloody cold!)

Yes we have - last year we went in January then went back again in December for the Christmas market.

January was freezing but snowy and beautiful. The Christmas market is great - especially the food stalls selling various cooked meaty products including "piglet"! Didn't partake myself as I don't eat meat but the first thing my husband did on our day of arrival was dump the bags at the hotel, march to the Market Square, bought the biggest, fleshiest sausage he could find, ate it then belched contendedly. I meanwhile was more than happy with a large cup of hot wine!

 

[Callie]

Hmm I went there about 8 years ago? loved it but was on a college trip so didnt get to wander aounrd and see much/do much on my own


we did go to the students union bar which was an undergroundish bar off the main square iirc - there was a band playing - supposedly a regular occurance.

We asked the band what their name was, they were called breasts! at least i think thats what the guy was saying

i want to go back but have recently discovered going on holiday alone sucks and i dont like it and i dont think i can convinvce any of my mates to go somewhere unsunny

 

[Gromit]

The Christmas market is great - especially the food stalls selling various cooked meaty products

Yeah the chrimbo market is fab. I wanted to try EVERYTHING.

 

[CyberRose]

i dont think i can convinvce any of my mates to go somewhere unsunny

Heh, that was my problem! I'd originally intended to go with my mates but one by one they kept dropping out (tho they did actually quite like the idea of going to Krakow) so now I'm going with my girlfriend instead (which to be fair I think I'd prefer anyway as we've not been away together and don't think she's been to many places full stop so she should enjoy it!)

 

[CyberRose]

Loved the little underground jazz bars and the market place.

Undergroud jazz bars sound cool! Anyone have any suggestions??

 

[Xanadu]

Hmm I went there about 8 years ago? loved it but was on a college trip so didnt get to wander aounrd and see much/do much on my own


we did go to the students union bar which was an undergroundish bar off the main square iirc - there was a band playing - supposedly a regular occurance.

We asked the band what their name was, they were called breasts! at least i think thats what the guy was saying

i want to go back but have recently discovered going on holiday alone sucks and i dont like it and i dont think i can convinvce any of my mates to go somewhere unsunny

I went on holiday on my own to New York. I had a blast! I suppose I did meet up with a few people in the evenings though.

 

[slowth]

http://krakow.zaprasza.net/puby/budda/

I recommend the buddha bar,on the main square,set back in a precinct.Cozy,chilled and a decent cocktail menu which was rather cheap for the location.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

http://krakow.zaprasza.net/puby/budda/

I recommend the buddha bar,on the main square,set back in a precinct.Cozy,chilled and a decent cocktail menu which was rather cheap for the location.

Oh yes - very nice place. Spent a couple of drunken evenings in there!

 

[slowth]

I've dug out a pic taken at the Buddha bar.Happy faces tell the story (except for me in the middle who had clearly moved on to squinting to stay upright)

[img=http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/7297/img141xi8.th.jpg]

And a pic from Chopskie Jadlo,the restaurant chain mentioned earlier.Plenty of food for your money but pretty basic (it is traditional peasant food after all).Fatty meat,cheese and red cabbage on a wooden platter.My mates missus is modelling the cup of pig fat you get to dunk your bread in

[img=http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/1047/img140ge4.th.jpg]

 

[moose]

Hi, I'm off to Kraków for 5 nights at the start of October

Please report back after your trip - I'm considering Eastern Euro places to go in February.

 

[Belushi]

Please report back after your trip - I'm considering Eastern Euro places to go in February.

Krakow should definately be on your list.

 

[Gromit]

Krakow should definately be on your list.

I agree.

If you do go there I recommend staying in apartments with the guys in the link below.

Cheaper than a hotel and well the apartment I stayed in was nicer and bigger than my house. The kitchen had implements I didn't even have.
I would have bought the place if I could, it was gorgeous.

http://www.warsawshotel.com/krakow-hotels.htm

This was the one I stayed in: http://www.warsawshotel.com/Europe/Poland/Krakow/Apartments/Detail/127

 

[CyberRose]

Well I'm off tomorrow so should have some photos/reports next week.

My girlfriend is pissed off tho, but it's not my fault there's a pub in Krakow that's actually advertising on their website that they'll be showing the Sheffield United match on Sky on saturday night! What am I supposed to do?!

 

[Belushi]

Have a top time mate, looking forward to seeing the photos.

 

[CyberRose]

Ok well I'm back! Had a great time!

I'll go into a bit more detail in a bit, but in the meantime does anyone know a good site to make a (free) photo album for me to put some of my snaps in??