Krakow

Return flights from Bristol using Easyjet
(I travelled From Berlin using Easyjet).

Date Travelled: 17-20 November 2004

Tucked away in South East Poland, near the Slovakian border, is its second city, Krakow. Krakow is slowly getting used to live within the European Union, whilst still keeping the charms of its medieval past.

From the airport, take bus 192 to the centre (tickets 4ZL, about 50p). I stayed at the Hotel Orient, which is a short tram ride from the centre.

Once in the centre, the rest of the city is easily accessible by foot. As soon as you get off the tram, you arrive at Krakow's medieval square, the biggest in Europe.


Krakow Square.

You will be amazed as the vast size of this square, roughly 10 acres. The main landmark on this square is St. Mary's Basilica, which was once the seat of Bishop Karol Wojtyla, better known as Pope John Paul II.


St. Marys Basilica.

Once you have had a good walk around the square, and perhaps had a spot to eat in one of the cafes, head down Grodzka Street, which is Krakow's equivalent of Oxford Street, until you get to a little hill, known as Wawel Hill, which contains Krakow's castle.


Wawel Hill and Krakow Castle.

Once you've made the walk up the hill, you can go into certain parts of the castle, to view all sorts of medieval artifacts. You will also notice a cross on its own in the courtyard, meant to symbolise the thousands of jews that suffered during World War II.


The memorial cross.

Once you've finished your wonder around Wawel Hill, head back to the main square, and try some of Poland's excellent beer, Zywiec or Okochim, for roughly 9ZL (or £1), but be careful, it's strong stuff!

Within 90 minutes of Krakow, is the former concentration camp of Auschwitz, which is now a museum.


The entrance to Auschwitz.

Note the phrase "Arbeit Macht Frei", or in English "Work makes you free". This is a sign of things to come, as your guide takes you through the camp, finishing in the gas chambers.


The gas chamber.

You suddenly get a feeling of emptiness, and even nausia, as you can smell the sulphur still staining the walls. You will also notice there is no birds making noise outside, and the eerey feeling grows. The tour then continues to Birkenhau, Auschwitz' bigger brother.


The entrance to Birkenhau camp.

You can still see the railway tracks, and the platforms, where jews thinking they were on holiday, actually came to work or be killed. It's an experience I will never forget.

Now that Easyjet has return flights from Bristol, its never been easier to visit Krakow and South East Poland.