Walking through Krakow

A new week, another opportunity to think about a new trip.

This time we arrive in Krakow, Poland.

This was an adventure, another road trip that we`ve enjoyed a lot.

We have spent two days on the road because we stopped for one night to rest in a very nice place, near the border, in Satu Mare, Romania.

We really felt the winter on our way. The snow in Slovakia was wonderful. We had the privilege to see some amazing landscapes which we stored in our souls for eternity.

Why did we choose Krakow?

It was very hard to choose between Warsaw and Krakow. But we chose Krakow for its historical importance, because we wanted to visit Auschwitz and also we thought that it will be less crowded.

What we did / saw and we liked:

1. If you are going in the winter holidays you’ll find a very beautiful Christmas Market in the main Market square.The beautiful medieval architecture is completed by the presence of many street artists. In this area I felt like I was inside a fortress, the walls are really impressive. In this area you have a lot of options. You can enjoy The Christmas Market and its decorations including a big Christmas tree, all surrounded by lots of food small places. You can also have fun on a horse ride or you can get warm in an elegant restaurant or a rustic pub. There is a variety of museums including wax museums, torture museums.                                                       If we are talking about food, the Christmas market was full of meat, sausages and a lot of craziness for the meat lovers, or root soup, potatoes soup, beans soup for the vegetarians. You can’t miss the mulled wine that instantly heats you up. At the restaurants, I felt in love with the mushroom soup served in bread. We were so lucky to find a very nice restaurant were the food was great that we decided to eat in the same place, the next day. Everything was so delicious! The restaurant is called: “Stodola 47”.
2. Wawel Castle and the Cathedral. This is located on a picturesque hill with the same name. The old town of Krakow starts from this hill on. This was built in the gothic style in the XIVth century. You can visit the castle for 30 euros and you have the opportunity to admire the crown treasury. The Cathedral can also be visited. The entrance ticket costs almost 5 euros.
3. Auschwitz- Birkenau Museum

I advise you to go early in the morning because it is very crowded.

The entrance in the museum is free. You have to make a reservation on their website because they have a                    limited number of visitors per day. We were deceived by an agency from the middle of the town who sold us              the tickets. When we arrived at the museum, we realized that we only paid for the bus ticket because if you                 choose to visit the museum without a guide, the entrance is free of charge. So, if you have your own car it is                 very easy to go there.

About this place I could say so many things, even though I was speechless when I was there. I felt so sad about           this tragedy that happened in Auschwitz. But in the same time I think it is so important to go there and see for           yourself what really happened and how cruel can the people actually be.

It is frightening and revolting when you think that this happened less than 100 years ago. I can`t believe how             limited and easy to manipulate people are.

I arrived there and I saw worst thinks than the ones I saw in the movies: the gas chambers, the stoves where              they were burnt, the rooms were they lived, impossible to be called rooms, because not even the animals can              live there. I saw their hair, their shoes, the faces of all the dead people. Terrifying. People from all over the                  world died there.

Something that shouldn’t be allowed to happen, not even in someone’s imagination.

4. You can also visit The Schindler’s Factory. The brave man that saved so many people. As they say:” Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.”

We spent the New Year’s Eve in the main Market. We`ve enjoyed the fireworks, the good music and the crowd and we had a lot of fun. Krakow was a wonderful place for the winter holidays, a city where you feel comfortable, relaxed and perfectly included in the celebration atmosphere.

Photo credits: Gabriel Cotet, Andra Munteanu and me.