Krakow Trip Report, December 2008.

Useful Websites that I used

Market Square Pictures
29 Pictures

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This was the first time in ages that I had been abroad by myself. This time, no relying on my partner to make sure my passport was safe or ensuring that I was not late back at the airport to catch the plane back to Bristol.

Why Krakow in December?
I visited Krakow back in June 2008 and found it to be the best European City I have visited. Why? :-
    a) Fantastic local transport system – cheap, very reliable – one could get from the airport to the city centre cheaply without having to use a Taxi.
    b) Felt very safe in the City both by day and by night.
    c) Reasonably priced Accommodation.
    d) Reasonably priced Meals (but if one is on a tight budged don’t eat in the main Market Square).
    e) Very friendly inhabitants.
    f) Spectacular well preserved architecture.

The top floor of 'Galeria Krakowska

So back in early August I booked my flight to Krakow for under £60 (return). The reason I wanted to go in December was to see and photograph the Christmas Market.
The flight from Bristol to Krakow was on time. As I was only carrying hand luggage I was soon through passport control and outside the airport waiting for the free bus that takes one to the small rail station to catch the train into town. For some reason the train was not running from the airport station, so was bused to another station to catch the train into town. (Good value at just 6 PLN about £1.40).Arriving at the main railway station, I remembered that if I took the Northern subway (there are two) at the station it would take me directly into the Shopping Mall (Galeria Krakowska). The top floor of the Mall is devoted almost entirely to restaurants and fast food outlets. So it was a quick meal and then out the other side of the Mall to catch the bus to Nana Studio. I had stayed at this studio on my previous visit to Krakow back in June. (For more information about Nana Studio, please see part of my Krakow June trip report).

     From my last trip I had one single transport ticket left over – so it was just over the road from the mall to get the bus to the studio.
      In no time I was settling into Nana Studio – I can recommend the studio, it is very reasonably priced, spotlessly clean and in a quite location. The only downside is that it is about 20 minutes outside of the main centre– but with public transport being both cheap, very reliable and frequent, for me the distance out of town was no problem. Also there are two mini markets just over the road, but more importantly a small reasonably priced bar just around the corner.
      After unpacking, it was a very short walk to the kiosk on the corner to buy my ticket for Bus/Tram. Unfortunately the kiosk was out of stock of the 72hr tickets so I elected to buy the 24hr pass at 10.40PLN about £2.60. Very good value as you just validate it the on the first ride, then put it away in your wallet and one is free to travel on all the buses and trams in the centre of Krakow for 24 hours. Just remember the time the next day when the pass runs out.

By 4pm I was in the main Market Square exploring the Christmas Market. For someone interested in photography it was like being in paradise. (please see my pictures of the Christmas Market). The hot spicy sausages and mulled wine, sitting outside with the Christmas light coming on, and witnessing the comings and goings of the locals, is something one cannot describe, you just have to experience it first hand.
I wanted to find a Bar on the square that was quiet and I could class as my base to relax and warm up. I was lucky, on the first evening I found a place that suited my needs admirably, Cafe Kawiarnia Bankowa. The Cafe was warm, with an old fashioned interior and good friendly service.
I am not going to bore everyone with a blow for blow account of what I did each day, suffice to say I spent far too long exploring the Christmas Market and warming up with a vodka in Cafe Kawiarnia Bankowa, and not exploring more of beautiful Krakow.

Highlights of my trip to Krakow Christmas Market.

      Seeing Krakow in a completely different light in the winter - the Market Square looked much larger without all the outside tables and chairs.
      Obviously Market Square with the Christmas decorations and the Christmas market in full swing.
      Seeing Krakow with fewer tourists - the locals seemed more relaxed and willing to talk.
      Feeling very cold, then going into a very warm restaurant, and relaxing with a large Vodka (or two).
      Just as I thought I knew the centre of Krakow, getting lost, but finding a new part of the City.

To Sum up

      Had a great time, would consider going back to see the Christmas Market again - but then there are other places to explore.
          Set me up for the stress of Christmas.
              The biggest disappointment It did not Snow

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