Recommendations for Krakow and Myślenice
Part 1Krakow.
Krakow is a beautiful example of a medieval city.
There is a castle (Wawel) on a hill standing guard over the city (Wawel castle Wikipedia)
There was a mote around the castle and city limits, encompassing the massive market square.
The mote is filled in with soil now and has trees growing on it. It is the green bit on the map.
The river (Wisła) used to go round the castle on three sides for defensive purposes.
Krakow was the Capital of Poland and has retained its grandeur even through all the wars Poland has seen.
Currency = Zloty.
Poland is set to join the Euro in 2012 (we'll see about that).
Krakow's population was 756,336 in 2007.
There are many huge Universities, so during the academic year, there are many third level education students about.
Average temperature in Summer is 30.(Celsius) and usually lasts 6 months.
Average temperature in Winter is minus 15 (Celsius) and usually last for 3 months.
It should be noted that it is a very dry cold and very little wind, so it is not as uncomfortable as Ireland during winter (clothes dry out of the washing machine in a matter of hours) ;)
If you are flying in to Krakow (Balice Airport).
I recommend you take the free bus that will bring you to the express light train.
The train will take to the train station in the centre of Krakow (cost 6 Zloty).
It leaves you in the top right of the map above.
Have a pair of walking shoes and walk all over, the market square and go down the winding streets, around the Wawel castle and along the Wisla river back up to the old Jewish quarters (Kazimierz).Go into the various Churches, Museums and cafes. There are lots of wonderful things to see and do.
There are floating bars and restaurants on boats anchored on the river behind the Wawel castle but be careful Polish beer is stronger than the stuff you get in Ireland and you can drink it like water. It should cost about 6/7 PLN for a half litre, this price is considered expensive but what you get you could not put a price on.
For night life I am a bit out of practice and I always go to "Alchemia" (ENG: The alchemist) in the Jewish quarters, all taxi drivers will know the place, it is around a small Jewish market square and the place is hopping with bars, a very cool area and a very cool bar with music downstairs. alchemia.com.pl/eng/index.html
There are a load of places, each better than the next.
Krakow has lots of Jazz in the cellar bars with their vaulted brick ceilings.
I recommend going on the Crazy tours
crazyguides.com
This tour offers a wacky animated look at the day to day life during communism.
I went recently and it is not to be missed.
It is the communist tour of Nowa huta, a communist built (steal works) city beside Krakow.
It is near impossible for someone outside of communism to get a feel for what it was like but there is no harm in trying.
It is a laugh.
There are no stripe clubs that i know of but there are several casinos.
Also worth mentioning
Auschwitz the German concentration camp used during World War 2
auschwitz.org.pl
I recommend seeing this on your way out of the country, it is depressing of course and Poland has so much more to offer :)
And Wieliczka Salt Mine
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine
There is a full Cathedral carved out of salt that the salt miners used to use.
Complete with statues and engravings, even the chandlers are made of salt.
If anyone has any questions or comments please feel free to add to this thread.
This thread is going to be in three parts, Krakow, Myślenice .
I am not a tour operator, I am Irish and live here in Poland. I enjoy it here very much and wish simply to share whay I have found.
Myślenice, Poland
35 Km south of Krakow, is Myślenice Myślenice Wikipedia
Here's a site with Photos of Myślenice
foto.myslenice.pl/myslenice.htm
In the centre is a beautiful old Market square, just a short walk from the bus stop.
Surrounding the town are mountains, forest, rivers and lakes.
Population 20,261 in 2007.
This place is for the out doors adventurous types.
Or for people who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
It costs 4:50 Zloty by bus from Krakow to Myślenice
Buses leave all day everyday, fewer on Sunday though.
But I would recommend cycling to all these places.
This is in Polish but you'll be able to figure it out from the images, I am sure.
Kraków - Myślenice - Zarabie - Strefa Wolnego Czasu
Paint balling at Face 2 Face (will be in English soon)
paintballmyslenice.pl
Motor biking Down hill contest Myślenice
vimeo.com/965757
Summer and Autumn
lato.zarabiesport.pl
Skiing facilities in Winter
zima.zarabiesport.pl
Skate park (they are building a new one with a half pipe),
Fishing in the Raba river (you need a licence or camouflage),
Beach volleyball, Swimming in the river, swimming pool (indoor and out),
Tennis courts,
Quads,
Football s Concert in Zarabie, stadium (not the biggest at a guess max 10,000 people),
Bowls,
Big concerts
Hikes with 100's of walking treks and bicycling paths through forest and mountains,
Walks up the Beskid mountains
I would also recommend this place for people with children, there are tiny bumper cars for very small children and play grounds.
There are lots of bars and a few night clubs (if you like deafening music).
There is also one very good bar in the centre of Myślenice,
just off the picturesque Market square,
outside of Krakow the beer cost 5 Zloty,
if you are around and you're sound I'll meet up for an old pint.
Myślenice has a hell of a history too.
There is a museum I recently discovered that shows the Nazis driving down the road burning the houses.
They are always finding guns, shells and kind of tanks (I did not understand that bit).
Private accommodation (noc legi)
Costs about 60 Zloty for a three bed room with on-suite and a shared kitchen.
Most of these are newly renovated to a good standard.
Price is per room not per person there are also hotels.
You'd swear I work for the tourist board ha ha ha,
One more thing the people here are great, very friendly and if you know Irish people they are very similar to them.
Part 1Krakow.
Krakow is a beautiful example of a medieval city.
There is a castle (Wawel) on a hill standing guard over the city (Wawel castle Wikipedia)
There was a mote around the castle and city limits, encompassing the massive market square.
The mote is filled in with soil now and has trees growing on it. It is the green bit on the map.
The river (Wisła) used to go round the castle on three sides for defensive purposes.
Krakow was the Capital of Poland and has retained its grandeur even through all the wars Poland has seen.
Currency = Zloty.
Poland is set to join the Euro in 2012 (we'll see about that).
Krakow's population was 756,336 in 2007.
There are many huge Universities, so during the academic year, there are many third level education students about.
Average temperature in Summer is 30.(Celsius) and usually lasts 6 months.
Average temperature in Winter is minus 15 (Celsius) and usually last for 3 months.
It should be noted that it is a very dry cold and very little wind, so it is not as uncomfortable as Ireland during winter (clothes dry out of the washing machine in a matter of hours) ;)
If you are flying in to Krakow (Balice Airport).
I recommend you take the free bus that will bring you to the express light train.
The train will take to the train station in the centre of Krakow (cost 6 Zloty).
It leaves you in the top right of the map above.
Have a pair of walking shoes and walk all over, the market square and go down the winding streets, around the Wawel castle and along the Wisla river back up to the old Jewish quarters (Kazimierz).Go into the various Churches, Museums and cafes. There are lots of wonderful things to see and do.
There are floating bars and restaurants on boats anchored on the river behind the Wawel castle but be careful Polish beer is stronger than the stuff you get in Ireland and you can drink it like water. It should cost about 6/7 PLN for a half litre, this price is considered expensive but what you get you could not put a price on.
For night life I am a bit out of practice and I always go to "Alchemia" (ENG: The alchemist) in the Jewish quarters, all taxi drivers will know the place, it is around a small Jewish market square and the place is hopping with bars, a very cool area and a very cool bar with music downstairs. alchemia.com.pl/eng/index.html
There are a load of places, each better than the next.
Krakow has lots of Jazz in the cellar bars with their vaulted brick ceilings.
I recommend going on the Crazy tours
crazyguides.com
This tour offers a wacky animated look at the day to day life during communism.
I went recently and it is not to be missed.
It is the communist tour of Nowa huta, a communist built (steal works) city beside Krakow.
It is near impossible for someone outside of communism to get a feel for what it was like but there is no harm in trying.
It is a laugh.
There are no stripe clubs that i know of but there are several casinos.
Also worth mentioning
Auschwitz the German concentration camp used during World War 2
auschwitz.org.pl
I recommend seeing this on your way out of the country, it is depressing of course and Poland has so much more to offer :)
And Wieliczka Salt Mine
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine
There is a full Cathedral carved out of salt that the salt miners used to use.
Complete with statues and engravings, even the chandlers are made of salt.
If anyone has any questions or comments please feel free to add to this thread.
This thread is going to be in three parts, Krakow, Myślenice .
I am not a tour operator, I am Irish and live here in Poland. I enjoy it here very much and wish simply to share whay I have found.
Myślenice, Poland
35 Km south of Krakow, is Myślenice Myślenice Wikipedia
Here's a site with Photos of Myślenice
foto.myslenice.pl/myslenice.htm
In the centre is a beautiful old Market square, just a short walk from the bus stop.
Surrounding the town are mountains, forest, rivers and lakes.
Population 20,261 in 2007.
This place is for the out doors adventurous types.
Or for people who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
It costs 4:50 Zloty by bus from Krakow to Myślenice
Buses leave all day everyday, fewer on Sunday though.
But I would recommend cycling to all these places.
This is in Polish but you'll be able to figure it out from the images, I am sure.
Kraków - Myślenice - Zarabie - Strefa Wolnego Czasu
Paint balling at Face 2 Face (will be in English soon)
paintballmyslenice.pl
Motor biking Down hill contest Myślenice
vimeo.com/965757
Summer and Autumn
lato.zarabiesport.pl
Skiing facilities in Winter
zima.zarabiesport.pl
Skate park (they are building a new one with a half pipe),
Fishing in the Raba river (you need a licence or camouflage),
Beach volleyball, Swimming in the river, swimming pool (indoor and out),
Tennis courts,
Quads,
Football s Concert in Zarabie, stadium (not the biggest at a guess max 10,000 people),
Bowls,
Big concerts
Hikes with 100's of walking treks and bicycling paths through forest and mountains,
Walks up the Beskid mountains
I would also recommend this place for people with children, there are tiny bumper cars for very small children and play grounds.
There are lots of bars and a few night clubs (if you like deafening music).
There is also one very good bar in the centre of Myślenice,
just off the picturesque Market square,
outside of Krakow the beer cost 5 Zloty,
if you are around and you're sound I'll meet up for an old pint.
Myślenice has a hell of a history too.
There is a museum I recently discovered that shows the Nazis driving down the road burning the houses.
They are always finding guns, shells and kind of tanks (I did not understand that bit).
Private accommodation (noc legi)
Costs about 60 Zloty for a three bed room with on-suite and a shared kitchen.
Most of these are newly renovated to a good standard.
Price is per room not per person there are also hotels.
You'd swear I work for the tourist board ha ha ha,
One more thing the people here are great, very friendly and if you know Irish people they are very similar to them.
