July 1, 2015: European Rail Trip: Day 7: Krakow

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: KRAKOW

What a Glorious Day!

Hi!

*See below for the Top 15 Fun Facts about Krakow 

Now - Let me give you a quick update about last night...
Elisa and I took a short walk for dinner to a little vegetarian cafe that I had researched and boy oh boy was I glad that I chose to try this one out! 
The food was scrumptious! 
This place will definitely be featured in a future FOODIE FRIDAY!
*I enjoyed it so much, that I think we are going back there for dinner again tonight!

After dinner, we strolled back to the hotel, stopping at one of the gift shops where Elisa found several souvenirs to return home with!

One last stop before returning to The Bonerowski Palace was for lovely night shots in the Old Town Square. 

*The Bonerowski Palace is situated in the heart of Krakow, on the corner of Św. Jana Street and the Old Market Square. It is seated in a meticulously restored and richly refurbished UNESCO edifice of the Middle Ages. The elegant interior of the palace contains both unique polychromes and beams, gothic column, antique stone safe, as well as modern forms and technologies, serving to the safety of the guests. The palace also prides itself on the Europe longest, 22-meter long chandelier. The palace windows face an incredible sight of St. Mary Basilica, Drapers Hall (Sukiennice), St.Wojciech’s Church and the statue of Adam Mickiewicz.
Credit: Five Star Alliance

And now for today...
What an absolutely FABULOUS DAY! It was just magnificent! 
I thought I had fun yesterday and then today was just WOW - I loved it. FANTASTICO!

I hate to brag about the greatness, because my poor dear cousin was again out of sorts and under the weather. Staying in bed and continuing to rest in hopes of not calling out in the cities to come.

While yesterday was filled with tours and education about the sights in this very historic city. Today was about getting out there and immersing myself along side the locals.

It had seemed as though it was going to be an average day, and don't get me wrong the average days are wonderful. 

But as I walked past the crowds and tourists and beyond the Old Town Square, clicking away at my camera, I had stopped to admire the sculptures of apostles that line the gates of Saints Peter & Paul Church. 

There was a brilliant Violinist, Nadir Aliyev playing. His sweet music had filled the air in such harmony. That along with the clip-pity clop of the horse carriages as they pranced down the cobble stoned street. 
I had to take it all in, even before entering the Polish Baroque church. I saw a nearby bench and took a seat. 
These were my favorite moments in Krakow thus far. I had to be in the moment, capturing the essence and storing it in a place that I will hold dear to my heart, a place that I'm certain to revisit in memory quite often I am sure!

After a while I had walked into the church and crypt while continuing to snap away, and listen to the very informative audio tour.

Once I exited the church I continued to walk down Grodzka street, finding myself being drawn into a clothing store by the lovely 2 piece jumper that I saw on the window mannequin. I tried it on and had to have it! 
Continuing my stroll (which was eventually taking me to a vegetarian B&B cafe, and a natural foods market) I found myself being attracted to this beautiful little store that was filled with local artists work - so many adorable and beautiful items. 

I started by picking out one thing and then I couldn't help myself and picked out several items as gifts for my loving family back home! 

While I had mapped out my destination, I had trouble finding the market and walked into a hotel to ask for directions - which were given, however I think this market might have closed. But I did happen to find a cute little vegetarian restaurant (which knew nothing about the said market) and saw a brownie that had my name on it!

Onward to the cafe for lunch...
Walking through the Kazimierz district and eating al fresco in the Plac Nowy - the heart of the Kazimierz.
What a lovely time that I was blessed with! 

After lunch, I went to the Corpus Christi Church and grounds, before heading back to St Mary's and in hopes of meeting up with Elisa!

I entered the 14th century Cathedral for the second time (I went in yesterday, but only briefly), and this time I really took it all in. It was stunning! 
I paid for a photographers pass and just couldn't stop taking pictures. 
What a spectacular work of art. This cathedral will definitely go on my list of favorite churches/cathedrals!

When it was almost time for my reserved entrance of Rynek Underground is when I finally left the church and walked across the square to Cloth Hall. Not seen Elisa yet, but receiving a text that she was on her way to St. Mary's. I inquired at the ticket desk if they had extra tickets, and found out that they did! I had asked Elisa if she's like to join me and yes she did! 

While the museum was full of interactive exhibits, it wasn't quite what I had expected. But then once we thought we were exiting, we had really only just begun and were now in the section of the ruins that were unveiled by the excavation - this was super cool! Read more about this in Elisa's column.

And now we are sitting in the Milano Ristorante in our hotel finishing up the Daily and about ready to go out for dinner, before heading to the train station and Budapest - my forth city on this awesome European tour!

See ya from Hungary!
-T

Top 15 Fun Facts about Krakow

1. Krakow is in the Southern Region of Poland, it is the second largest city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Poland.
2. Poland has, throughout history, had many different capital cities, and Krakow was the capital of Poland for over 500 years from 1038 to 1596.
3. According to Polish legend, the city is protected by a mighty dragon.
4. The University of Krakow is the second oldest university in central Europe, founded in 1364 by King Casimir II the Great.
5. In 2013 Lonely planet voted Krakow square the best market square in the world.
6. The city of Krakow has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.  Within Krakow are about 6,000 historic sites and 2 million art works, it was one of the few cities that escaped the carnage during the wars.
7. Pope John Paul II was the first Slavic pope ever, and the first non-Italian pope in 455 years! He became pope in 1978.
8. Krakow has area of 326.8 square kilometers that constitute 0.1 percent of the territory of Poland.
9. In 1989 Poland became the first of the eastern European countries to overthrow Communist rule.
10. Poland's currency is zloty (PLN)
11. Population: 755,000
12. Krakow follows Central European Time, which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
13. On the Krakow tables the former usually materializes in red meat, eggs, cheese, and sausages, whereas the latter as bread, potatoes, and various noodles, pies and dumplings.
14. Krakow holds a dachshund festival, where everybody brings their dachshund to the main square. Many of them are dressed in costumes!
15. Poland has 120,562 square miles (312,255 km2) of area, which makes the country slightly smaller than New Mexico.

Elisa's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: KRAKOW

Goodbye Krakow - Hello Budapest

HOWDY FOLKS!! 

This is our third and last day in Krakow, Poland.  What a beautiful city - so much history, so much pain and sorrow and such nice, friendly people!!

I will definitely be returning to see more of Poland in the future!!

With statue of Pope John Paul II

I love the above picture of me with the statue of Pope John Paul II.  I took it the day before yesterday across the street from the Weiliszka Salt Mine in honor of my mom who loved this man so much.  Hey Mom - this photo is for you!!

Today we will be enjoying a few things together and a few things separately.  Since I was under the weather yesterday, I did not go on the walking tour with Tanya.  I had all intentions of doing it today, but I'm still feeling pretty awful.  

I don't want to be a CRY BABY, but, I actually feel a little worse (jeesh!!!).  
 
And while my dear cousin was out and about this morning, seeing the sights of Krakow, I was nursing a cold most of the day - Hot, steamy shower to break up congestion; tons of hot tea.

After check out, I went down to the Milano Ristorante in our hotel (Bonerowski Palace) with my laptop phone, camera and an unending supply of hot water with lemon and honey.  

I sat by a window with a lovely view of the square...bummed; but grateful to be in such a lovely city on such an awesome trip! It is what it is.

Had a delicious bowl of asparagus soup, talking to you - what could be better!!

Spending my afternoon in the Bonerowski Hotel cafe nursing my cold

Hot water with lemon and honey - kept it coming

A few words about last night --Tanya and I walked to a great restaurant: Glonojad We had a yummy vegan dinner - lentil perogies, samosas and a tomato and cucumber salad respectively. 

As I perused the menu, I saw just what I needed for this cold I have going:
"Soothing Cough Tea" which was Earl Gray Tea with honey, lemon and fresh ginger root.  It was so good, I had too huge cups!!

Also, we couldn't believe how inexpensive dinner was - 2 huge cups of tea, 1 smoothie, 1 main courses, and a giant cookie - $13!!!

It was a great find and we'll be writing about Glonojad on a future Foodie Friday segment...and we even plan to return there tonight!

"Soothing Cough Tea"

Glonojad Restaurant

We took a nice leisurely walk to and from dinner, taking some great pictures (both before and after) of this wonderful city.  Here is a photo recap...

Juliusz Slowacki Theatre

Our Hotel - Bonerowski Palace in Old Town Square

Medieval City Gate Entrance

Horse and Carriages lined up in the Old Town Square

St. Mary's Basilica in Old Town Square

After relaxing for a while today...
I headed out into the Square and walked through Cloth Hall and did some shopping.  I purchased a few gifts for the family back home and even managed to get myself a little trinket :-)

Next I made my way over to St Mary's Basilica, and sat in there for a while. It is such a beautiful church - bright red and turquoise colors.  I must have sat there for over 25 minutes just looking around at the architecture and the craftsmanship of the interior of this edifice with its colorful stained glass window behind the alter.

It was a nice reflective time for me in this gorgeous church, quiet, with my thoughts and with others doing the same thing.

Tanya texted me and reminded me that she was scheduled to go to the Rynek Underground Museum and did I want to join her.  I certainly did since I was out and about!

This museum is located four metres under the surface of the market square where visitors can explore the recently excavated medieval merchant stalls that predate today’s Cloth Hall.  

It is interactive, filled with artifacts and films of Krakow's history from its first settlers up until the time of the death of Pope John Paul II

With 6000 meters to see, Tanya and I enjoyed the film history and excavation exhibits the best. 

Cloth Hall Today

Cloth Hall Escavation in 2005 (credit: Rynek Museum)

Skull found during the excavation

Well, folks, I can hardly believe a week has gone by since I left New York for Prague and now, today, we are off to our third city - Budapest on another overnight train.Talk to you tomorrow from Budapest!!

Truly loved my time in Krakow - I know I'll be back again!!

-E
xoxo