Krakow, Early February 2010.
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		Right from the start, my apologies for taking so long to post this trip report to the net (over six months!!!). This was my fourth visit to beautiful Krakow. I must be either mad or a "Krakow Anorak". I booked with EasyJet, early November 2009 for just £43 47 return, this included Insurance. This time to see what Krakow could offer in early February (Flight out 31^stJanuary returning 3^rd February 2010). As usual no problems with the EasyJet flight. As I was only carrying hand luggage, I was soon through passport control etc. I always catch the train from the Airport into town. The train costs just 7pln if you get the ticket from the vending machine in the main terminal building (or still only 8pln from the conductor on the train). There was snow lying on the ground but nearly all the roads and pavements were clear.

The temperature did not rise above freezing point all over the four days (it was down to -11F most nights). I was hoping and praying for a fresh fall of snow during my visit (I love photographing wintery scenes). Unfortunately it did not snow until just before I was leaving, (more about that later in this trip report). I have now visited Krakow twice in the winter period, and I can honestly say I didn't feel that cold. I'm sure it's because in the UK in the cold weather we also get wind, that makes it feel colder.

I stayed in the same Studio Apartment as my last visit back in September (the Wenus Studio ). So it was a short walk from the railway station to ul. Zamenhofa. By half past two I had unpacked, freshened up and was ready to explore more of the delights of Krakow. My first call, as always, was the Main Market Sq. I was very surprised to see the Christmas decorations still up, indeed most of the restaurants and Cafes were decorated festively. I began to feel hungry, so it was into *Cafe Kawiarnia Bankowa* 47 Rynek Glowny, my favourite Cafe in Krakow.

Cafe Kawiarnia Bankowa is a very small Cafe located just by St Mary's Church on the main Market square. Its total seating capacity is only about twenty, it reminds me of a typical French cafe, with very good service and mouth watering omelettes.

		As with all my trip reports I will not give a blow by blow account, but just the highlights. As the old saying goes 'A picture is worth a thousand words' So please see my pictures in my picture gallery To date as I have said, I have visited Krakow four times, twice in the summer and now twice in the winter. I'm still unsure which I prefer most. In the summer one can sit outside in the Main Square and watch the world go by. In the Winter the Square looks so much larger, and the Cafes and bars are warm and very inviting. In fact so inviting I spent far too long over a Vodka (or two or three).

I have read comments, (on the *trip adviser* Forum) that to eat and drink on the Market Square is expensive. I agree that off the square one can find cheaper prices, but compared with the price of eating out in the UK I found it very cheap. (just try eating out in Cornwall! )

I spent most of my time just roaming around and taking pictures with my Canon D350, stopping off at bar or two, then back to the studio to download the pictures to my laptop. I took over 400 pictures. ( It's taken ages for me to choose the 30 pictures for this trip report) As I always I felt very safe even late at night crossing the Planty (the park that surrounds the old town).

All too soon it was time to say goodbye to the Market Square and make my way back to the Airport. As I previously said it did not snow (a big disappointment). But as I arrived at the small train halt that serves John Paul Airport it started to snow, and when I say snow I mean snow. I watched, from the departure lounge as the snow ploughs struggled to clear the runway.

As soon as we boarded the plane we were informed that because of the snow the plane had to be de-iced then the runway had to cleared of snow , so we had a 30 minute delay, then the aircraft had to yet again be de-iced. By then we had missed our slot, so we sat on the runway for a further 30 minutes. I was hoping by this time that the airport would be closed for the day so that I could have the excuse to stay longer in Krakow. But no all to soon, even being delayed by about three hours I was back at Bristol Airport.

But I will return
Booked again for Krakow in November

Ps to my trip report: If had to choose just one picture to remember my February trip to Krakow, It would have to be this one looking out onto Market Sq from the cosy interior of Cafe Kawiarnia Bankowa.

Please note all links in Italics open in a new window, to return to this page just close the window. also all the pictures on this page can be viewed in a larger version: just click on the picture. All pictures are Copyright, but can be copied freely for personal and educational use.

Dave Price Email dave@djmp.co.uk