9/7/19- 9/8/19 Krakow Poland

The city of Krakow is the second largest city in Poland. It has a little over one million residents. It’s world famous for its beauty and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the home to several famous universities and home to Pope John Paul II. It’s quite a splendid city to visit, flat, easily walkable, and by European city standards, very affordable. Over the four days we stayed here, we walked 33 miles. Cindy’s a slavedriver. It’s a good thing we’re drinking delicious Polish beer and eating delicious Polish sausages to counterbalance that👍😎 Ok, let’s take a tour.

The city has no subway system, but the Trams are very new, smooth and affordable. They are easy to navigate and take you where you need to go safely and efficiently.

The city is broken into several areas from the tourists viewpoint, Oskar Schindlers Factory, the Jewish Ghetto and Old Town (or Stare Miasto).

First, Oskar Schindlers Factory. We followed our maps precisely and weren’t even close to his factory. To say Polish maps are accurate is an injustice to map makers world wide🧐 After several stops at businesses in the area (asking for directions), we found the factory. It’s now a museum, which it should be. If you haven’t read the book or watched the movie you should, it’s quite powerful.

Ghetto Hero’s Square, located by Mr Schindlers factory.

Next, just across the river, The Jewish Ghetto of Krakow,

Then, as it’s late Saturday afternoon we take a quick trip into the food and entertainment district, Maly Rynek, party on 👍🍺

Ok, we planned to hit Old Town bright and early on Sunday morning, no crowds, great pictures. Tour director Cindy plans a walking tour that looks fast and smooth👍😎

Not so fast adventurers, we walk down to the Tram, lots of young adults in running gear? Ok, they’re just meeting friends for a run. Off the Tram, Place Matejki, lovely.

Barbakan, Gate to Fortress Krakow in the 1400s.

Rynek Glowny , The Central Square of Old Town, is the largest medieval square in Europe. It’s unbelievably beautiful!

The square is filling with thousands of people for a huge relay race, streets are closing and people are everywhere. We do our best, but have to abandon the walking tour and do the best we can to see the beautiful city.

Ok, Tram ride home safe and sound! We had no expectations when we came to Poland. Both Warsaw and Krakow are wonderfully clean, safe and beautiful places. We had a wonderful, educational experience here. Highly recommended!

On to Prague tomorrow, five nights there👍😎🍺

P.S. It’s turning into fall here, rain and only into the 60’s.