Help, advice and please quash or confirm a rumour about Cracow!

We're a group of 40 somethings flying to Cracow in may for a stag do,before anyone gets on their high horse we're out for a good weekend,we're not rowdy rabble rousers,we just want to sample a different culture.

Just a few questions if you could answer them,we want to see as much culture as possible in the five days we're there.We've pencilled in Auschwitz for one day but could do with pointing in the right direction regarding other sights,museums etc.

We also want to avoid the Brits abroad type pubs,so any info on smaller local bars with a good feel to them would be good.

Also on some forums there have been horror stories of people entering nightclubs for a nominal fee and being massively ripped off whilst in them or being charged exhorbitant prices to leave the nightclubs,often resulting in violent attacks if refusing to pay,is there any truth in this or is it urban myth or down right scare mongering.

Thanks in anticipation.
GINGER

where are you thinking of going besides Krakow area?

Yep, nothing says "fun, party weekend" like Auschwitz.

I thought the same thing!

Krakow is a beautiful city and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

check the travelling section, there is tons of link to choose from. Have a grat time.

i'd recommend also:

showcaves.com/english/pl/mines/Wieliczka.html

i think you might find that useful:

krakow-info/events.htm
krakow-info/sights.htm

We're staying in Kracow itself so really wanted to travel within the city really,not too much travel but visiting places of historical interest.

As for the Auschwitz jibe Ebonyandbathory,it's unfortunately a sad part of history we can't avoid,we just thought whilst we were in this area it would be of interest!!

Some people,you moan when you get drunken idiots but skit when others take in a bit of history!

I would highly reccommend Wieliczka.

Only some, not all.

Thanks polishgirltx and Miranda,i'll try these.
And could anyone confirm or quash the rumour regarding nightclubs?
Thanks.
GINGER

never heard of it happening myself.
Get a hold of a phone and a couple numbers and get someone from the hotel to assist you. Ask yourself what you'd do to confirm prices and rates in your own country and then do your best to find the closest facsimile to that action abroad.

I think one problem you may run into on here Ginger is that no one will want to publicaly share their secret haunts in Krakow. Its been a couple of years since Ive been back but Id suggest maybe staying away from the Rynek on an evening. Ive heard that a certain area named after a famous king who did some nice things for a certain group of people is still a decent,yob free area....if you can figure that one out ,enjoy :)

(although my first instinct is "stag weekend,fek no,not another one,why dont you go to prague,thats already been feked up beyond redemtion by pi ssed up fellow countrymen" )

Cheers isthatu2,our stag do includes my father who'se 78 so read what you like into it!!!As for not wanting to share secret haunts,how selfish,if you were to ask me the same question regarding England i'd be more than happy to furnish you with helpful hints,lol.

In that case Ginger(Im guessing your Ginger) you definatly dont want to be wandering around the main square on an evening.
Thing is though mate,England is already feked up with regards to drunken bums,there are still corners of Krakow that the hordes of p iss artists havnt found yet and Im darn sure no one wants that to change.

If I really wanted to be akward Id say there is no where better than Nowa Huta to go for a queit drink on a saturday afternoon/evening,just be sure to wear a Warsaw football top ;)

Sorry isthatu2,thought i'd logged in there,I fully appreciate that the tw&ts are spoiling it for the genuine people but us guys (with 78 year old dads) just wanna enjoy a weekend away with our mates,we don't wanna upset anyone just have a beer,enjoy the night life then climb into bed,how simple an life be???

GINGER

My advice would be, act how you act when you are at home and dress accordingly as for places to go, there are a few little bars on Grodzka (just off the main square) and there is a wonderful Italian restaurant on there too....Krakow is a wonderful place to explore, just get off the main square away from where the idiots seem to congregate and there is an abudance of nice little bars to have a nice cold one and while away the hours :0)

Try the Jewish district too, it has some great bars and some fantastic places to eat..

There is a little club / bar called "Crazy Bar" which plays cheesy music and can be highly entertaining, for some reason because of the kinds of music it played - it didn't really attract the same kind of crowds the P£ssed up lout tends to follow :0)