Autumn has arrived and I'm still remembering our summer trip to Poland. I wish I could be more consistent with my blog updates, but, as the lyrics in one song go, life is life (na-na na-na-na...). However, this time I prepared a post not only about Krakow (as I promised in the post before), but also what you can see around this magnificent city of kings and queens.
I liked Krakow a lot. And by a lot I mean so much, that I would like to return there shortly. I just adore those cozy old towns and little cafes, museums and city squares full of pigeons. And Krakow has all of that.
I recommend a slow walk around the old town in the evening - you get to see how this city gets filled with even more people. Also, we witnessed a magnificent summer sunset in this city, so keep your eyes open for the life in the streets and the skies too!
Wawel Castle is a mandatory object to visit while staying in Krakow. I recommend you to spend a whole day in it (including having lunch in the restaurant) and immerse yourself into the life of glorious palace.
If you are traveling with a car or feel like using local trains/buses, there's the Eagle's Nest Trail with beautiful castles, both in ruins and reconstructed. The first one we visited was in Bobolice and, according to our guide book, should have been in ruins. The reality is quite different and now the castle is a hotel.
The second one was in Mirow and was still in ruins, though there were signs of ongoing rebuilding. I really liked both the castle and the cliffs that are situated a little bit further.
The third castle (yes, we're kind of castle maniacs :) ) we visited was in Ogrodzieniec and it was the most grand castle on this trail. It is left in ruins but is looked after and there's a charge for entrance.
The next object that you should or, in this case, could visit is... Oswęcim, perhaps more widely known as Auschwitz. If you want to see the area where inhuman cruelty took place, you should arrive much earlier than they start selling tickets and stand in the line. In summer, you can get guided tours and walk around the barracks in both camps of Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau. I should warn you, though, there are some objects and places in this death camp, that are quite shocking and disturbing...
To end my post on a higher note (kchem-kchem) I suggest to visit Wieliczka Salt Mine, famous for it's sculptures from salt rock. It's very near Krakow, but I also suggest to come there early, because this object is immensely popular with tourists. The Salt Mines are interesting and beautiful at the same time. It's stunning to see how people seek beauty and aesthetics in every work they do.
That's all for now! In my next post you'll see what makes Lublin and its surroundings a place worth a closer look! Stay tuned for more updates!
Photos © Vincas Razma and Asta Skujytė-Razmienė
Comments