środa, 28 maja 2014

Top 10 things to do

1. Visit St Mary's Church


St Mary's Church on the Main Square is a place of religious worship. Inside that beautiful church you might see the most incredible 15th century altrapiece by Wit Stwosz (German sculptor).I would say that it is the largest Gothic scultpure in whole world. Furthermore the is an opportunity to climb the tower to watch views. 
Tip: May 1 until August 31 every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 9 am -11:30 am and 1 pm- 5:30 pm

2. Cross the Kładka Bernatka bridge


Kładka Bernatka is a bridge over the Vistula where lovers leave padlocks to show their connection with the city and of course strong connection with another person. In the evening footbridge shimmers in different colors lighting up the night. 

3. Walking across the Vistula Boulevards


As you know, the Vistula is regarded as the longest river in Poland. People willingly spend their spare time jogging, strolling and so on. The Vistula Boulevards offer you a possibility to take photos of Wawel Hill. Moreover, you can get easily from Podgórze to Kazimierz District walking along the Vistula. 

4. Climbing on Kopiec Kraka


Kopiec Kraka is located on the right bank of the Vistula in the Podgórze District. According to Jan Długosz (Polish Historian, chronicler) the Kopiec Kraka was erected in honor of Krak (the legendary founder of the Krakow). Enjoy views for free. The lawn below it offers a great spot for picnics.

5. Visit Plac Nowy


Plac Nowy is the central place of Kazimierz District. This part of the city is still alive during the day and at night. Aside from the lively nightlife, you can also order food. If you go there, you will be surprise, because in the building located in the middle of the square are served the best casseroles and even at night the queues are very long to buy them.

6. Performence of the Main Square


Due to the fact that the Main Square is the most popular place, during the day thousands of tourists pass through it. In consequence may important events take place there. Should be noted that the Main Square in Krakow is the largest medieval market square in Europe. Furthermore you should admire street performers who amaze their skills. 

7. Visit Czartoryski museum


The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. 
What you should learn about:
Museum is the oldest Czartoryski Museum in Poland and is connected with the name of the most promitent aristocratic family of an ancient Poland. During World War II, last lord Augustine Czartoryski was forced by the Nazis to leave the country. As regards the museum was destroyed. In 1989, thanks to the political breakthrough, Adam Karol Czartoryski regained collections and established the Princes Czartoryski Foundation.

8. Wawel Royal Castle


In Wawel Royal Castle you might see the State Art Collection. To begin with, collection is a national cultural institution. The Archives of Wawel Castle contain documents, manustripts and records. You should remember that there are a few exhibitions. Each of them has a separate entrance (you have to pay a seperate ticket too). Five of the eight permanent exhibitions are in the castle, the sixth is the youngest (the royal gardens which are opened in 2005) and is a part of the residence. In the castle are the State Rooms and the Royal Private Apartments, Crown Trasury and Armory and also Oriental Art.

Tickets for the exhibitions in the Castle are issued for specific entrance times:
1) at the ticket offices;
2) at the Tourist Service Office.

9. Try a regional cuisine


The specificity of Lesser Poland cuisine has its origins in the days of Galicia. Although the Lesser Poland was only a part of Galicia, when it comes to the culinary aspect, there are visible influence of Austrian, Hungarian, Czech, Jewish, German and Wallachian. Thanks to the influence of Austrian, we've got a brawn - snack of pork, served with mustard sauce and also Wiener schnitzel. Caraway, in itself, is an important component of Lesser Poland cuisine has become an iconic addtion to the bread - especially known Bosnian, which without caraway will not be so tasty. Specific examples are bagels and pretzels. 

10. Listen to live jazz


If you like jazz, you have to visit Kazimierz District and feel the local atmosphere. Krakow has always been famous with great interest in jazz. The aesthetics of this genre of music is perfectly suited to the local pubs, clubs and cafes. In the first place slid located in Kazimierz - Alchemia. Krakow soaks jazz, to the same extend as plays a huge role in the biggest events in the area. Jewish Culture Festival is one of them. 




Want to see those attractions? I recommend organized tours

czwartek, 22 maja 2014

How to...

To begin with, focus on leasure activities during a sunny day. As far as I am concerned the best way is to lie on the grass near the Vistula. I am convinced that you like reading books/newspapers or something similar. I suppose you have your favourite kind of books and you read them from time to time. It seems to me that some books are in your library or you will buy in the near future or borrow from someone. What if a book you need the most is unavailable? 
source: weheartit.com



Judging from the fact that in Krakow there are many schools of higher education, it is required to have many libraries. Thus you can go there and borrow a book. But what's the catch? Libraries require a student ID or library card. You can get that card if you sign library rules and pay a fee. Usually it is around 5 to 10 zloty (a one-time fee). As far as I know, if you are a student the fee is lower that usual. 

I have every reason to believe that you will manage this task. I would also say provincial public library which is located on the Rajska 1 street, have a huge assortment of books in different language, not only in polish. So it's an advantage!

With borrowed book, go to the Vistula and enjoy the weather! :) 

In the meantime you can go buy icecream on Starowiślna street. There is very popular confectionery and they have very tasty icecreams. I recommend that place of course. In the evening usually is colder than in the noon therefore you can run along the river with your friends. 

source: weheartit.com

czwartek, 15 maja 2014

Boring evenings?

It's Thursday today, my friends! Even you work a lot during a week, doesn't mean you cannot do something funny. Besides, we are going to start the weekend tomorrow! For sure I have to remind you about the Night of Museums in Krakow. We usually start at 7 p.m. but it's better to go out earlier, because interest in the event is HUGE! 

Like I wrote above, this event attracks crowds of people on the streets every year. While you are waiting for an entry to a museum, you can make new friends. The programme of the Night of  Museum contains a total of 27 museums like e.g. Schindler's Factory and Wawel Castle. Let's focuse on the most interesting places and go there quickly!That opportunity to visit most of them for free will not happen again. How to participate in the event? Just follow the programme, take your camera or smartphone and enjoy your time :)


This year, MOCAK prepares lots of surprises. 


Remember, musems will be close until midnight !

source: http://www.mhk.pl/aktualnosci/noc-muzeow-2014-w-mhk

środa, 14 maja 2014

Sleepy day

How to survive a day like this? I prefer sunny day instead of raining. But when you must wake up, there is no chance to be alive without coffee. If your apartment is not equipped with a coffee machine like mine, you will presumably buy a cup of coffee out. Some of us have to go to work/school... whatever. You will probably fight inside you to not fall asleep because the consequences might be dramatic. E.g. I cannot affort that such situation will take place therefore I could lose my job.
source: weheartit.com


Do you want to know how I deal with boring day, but not drinking coffee at all? In my veins flow energy drink, I assume, because I sleep not much. Excercises allow to feel better for the rest of the day. In Krakow you will find plenty of gyms. Sometimes, when you don't have to much time to go to the gym, you can also do jogging 3-4 times a week before your breakfast. Then you can rule the world! :)
source: weheartit.com


In case of a leak in your plan, you can always go with someone else to the cinema (Multikino, Cinema City) and watch film you interested in or go to the theatre (Bagatela or Słowackiego). Many academic circles in Krakow organised events involving meetings with famous people like actors, singers, journalists, CEOs and so on. Most of them are opened and you can join and hear what that person (or a group) wants to say. Probably after the event you may take a photo of you and celebrity/star.

Where should I eat?

I usually eat at home, but when I'm in hurry I do not really have time to make some food. Before I run for the bus, I need to buy a croissant in my favourite bakery near my place of living. It's delicious and light food therefore there is no worry that I will have some stomachake. You should be aware of marketing method. Them closer to a monument that meals prices are higher. Thus I recommend smaller bakery than bigger ones. Smaller doesn't mean worse. Of course every stick has two ends but it's my choice and frankly better for me to buy what I like.
Don't forget to buy a coffee! Vanilla Latte from Starbucks wakes you up and makes a smile on your face for long time.

During the day, when I work and cannot cook a dinner, I order a dinner to go from Northfish fast food restaurant.
They fry fresh and tasty fishes every day. In addition, on your plate are fresh vegetables. Mmm... yummi! I like this place because of its atmosphere, food and design of a place. The different between Northfish and McDonald is huge! Just taste and tell me I'm wrong ;-).


In the evening, when I'm happily after work, I often take my friends to the Market Square to the Camera Cafe on Wiślna Street. They've served amazing hot chocolate! My favourite is a white chocolate with strawberries. That place is created for lovers, I guess but for best friends too.

If you cannot eat sweets for some reasons, you should take your friends to the Cisza. Perfect place for meetings. Everyone, even abstinents will find something for themselves.

I want to go to Krakow by bus!

Okay, you are at the Bus Station in Krakow. So what? The nearest place where you probably eat something is Galeria Krakowska - a big department store with clothing stores and food too! There are fast food restaurants, but if you want to eat heathier food you should go to restaurants.

Let's focuse on an important thing! Is it your first time when you come to Krakow? Don't be afraid. People always help you to get to your place of destination. But if they refuse to help you because of language barrier, you may use a map (map is usually in every shop with souvenirs). Thanks to the technology progress, almost every person has a smartphone. There is an option to download an app 
which you write your location and a final destination. The app shows you how long it will take to get there, how much you have to pay for a ticket and where you need to change a bus and take another. 

Even you don't have this app, there is no problem, because timetables are available and described clearly. 

Attention! You have to valid your ticket inside a bus or a tram instantly you get in. How to buy a ticket? Usually buses and trams have machines so first of all, you insert coins (only coins!) and then the machine prints the ticket you have to valid. You'll be amazed due to a voice instruction in the public transport in Krakow. Frankly, it is a good solution for foreigners, IMO. :) Take a sit and look at the window. 




I almost forget to tell you that if you decide to stay longer in Krakow like I do, MPK Krakow (the institution taking care of public transport) create KKM (it's a kind of a card that allows you to buy period tickets) which saves your money in long term. KKM can have everyone. There are view information points in Krakow. If you want to have such a card, they require to bring a photo of you and another document of your identity. 

First step

Probably you are wondering how to get to here? Due to Krakow is a capital city of Lesser Poland Province, there is an international airport in Balice (NW) called John Paul II. Those are many airplanes which fly almost to every part of the world. So don't worry, please come to Poland and enjoy.
pic made by Gryffindor

When you are at the airport, you think about a transport from the airport to the centre. I assure you, you will not get lost! You can rent a car, get a taxi (and pay plenty of money), or use public transport or (there is an other option), you can use city centre bus' services. It depends on you what kind of transport you'll choose. First of all, be optimistic and focused! Think about a high quality of services. 




If you choose public transport or city centre bus you need to know how to buy a ticket. Tickets are available on websites, in ticket offices and you can buy a ticket from the driver, but in this option you have to remember that you will always pay by cash in a bus. Timetables are located on bus stop.

Enjoy your travel!