`
Travelin' Cousins
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Media Kit
    • Press >
      • October 2018 Press
    • Contact
  • The "Almost" Daily Scoop
  • Travel Articles
    • Travel Adventures Articles
    • Throwback Thursdays >
      • Elisa's Throwback China Trip Adventure
    • Foodie Fridays
    • Travelin' The NYC Outer Boroughs with Elisa
    • Walt Disney World Wednesdays
  • Things To Do
    • Entertainment Reviews
    • New York Area
    • Southern California Area
  • Where to Stay and Things to Do
  • Where to Dine Vegan
  • Fun Fact & Travel Trivia Articles
    • Fun Facts List Directory
  • Tanya's Photo Gallery
    • Pictures from Auschwitz/Birkenau - WARNING: Mature Content/Depressing Images
  • Elisa's Photo Gallery
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before ya Go

June 30, 2015: European Rail Trip: Day 6: Krakow

6/30/2015

0 Comments

 

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: KRAKOW

Travelin' on Travelin' Tuesday!

Hi there! Welcome back to Krakow!

First I would like to apologize to our subscribers for yesterday... 
We did not make it out of the Weiliszka Salt Mine in time to make our deadline for the Daily email. 
So in case you didn't get to read the updated version that we posted later on in the day (USA time zones) here is the link - CLICK HERE

But the one thing that you've got to remember is that in order to have a blog like ours - we actually need the time to experience all of these wonderful and occasionally not so wonderful things. 
So please bear with us on those rare occasions that we miss our deadline.

Upon our return from the Mine, we had quickly settled in, started charging up "dead" electronic devices, and then took a few short steps until we were in Old Town Square looking for dinner.
Picture
Picture
Picture
After we were done eating, we made out way back up to the room and started adding editing our blog and adding the photos - which for some reason was taking me forever...
Elisa who was in the bedroom was getting a better signal and had finished and went to bed waaaay earlier than I did (I was working on the couch in the living room). I finally added the last photo at after 3:30am and climbed into bed shortly there after. 

Waking up this morning after perhaps less than 4hrs sleep. Ugh.
And then poor Elisa who had started to feel under the weather last night was still not feeling better and had opted not to do the walking tour that we had planned on doing. 
So off I went... 
Picture
Picture
It was so much fun and so colorful to check out the sights of the square, I briefly went into St Mary's - but decided that I would tour this cathedral more completely tomorrow - btw it is beeeeautiful inside of this cathedral! 
Look for pictures tomorrow - I'll be there for the unveiling daily public view of the Veit Stoss's masterful High Altar.  

Before the 3+hour walking tour, I had strolled and shopped in and around the main square, and since it was still early enough - the mass crowds hadn't invaded and it was just lovely!

The tour started at 10:30am and we had a very knowledgeable local leading us throughout Old Town and to the Wawel Castle. 
With several stops along the way we were given much information and anecdotes about the history here in Krakow!

I'm not a tour guide and without being here it is simply not the same. So instead of going into all of the facts and details; 
I will show you Krakow Old Town through my eyes:

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
After the tour had completed, I was rather warm and headed back to the hotel. 
I had snacked, chillaxed, and chatted with Elisa  for about an hour before we headed out for our next tour (I'm sure glad that Elisa was feeling well enough to come along!) - read more about this tour on Elisa's side.
Picture
Picture
At this point after I've been waiting forever and a year for my pictures to upload, neither of us have had dinner yet.

So I'll will wish you a wonderful day and hope to see you back here tomorrow for another day here in Krakow!


Do Widzenia (Good Bye in Polish),

-T
Picture

Elisa's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: KRAKOW

DZIEŃ DOBRY!! (Good day in Polish)
Picture
View from our table at dinner last night in Krakow Town Square
I awoke this morning to the sunshine coming through the window of our lovely hotel room here in Krakow.  That's the good news. 

The bad news is, I started getting a scratchy throat yesterday and unfortunately, it was much worse this morning.  I really did not feel well this morning.  Stuffy nose, scratchy throat, itchy eyes - you get the idea.  Cold symptoms.  

Much to my disappointment, I decided to pass on the morning plans -- a walk to St. Mary's right in the square, to pick up a free walking tour which we were told about by our new found friend, Marta, who we met on our Auschwitz-Birkenau tour yesterday.
Picture
My first night in the Old Town of Krakow
I know that Tanya is extremely independent and doesn't mind doing the touristy thing by herself, but I have to tell you, I felt awful that I was breaking our sight-seeing streak together (insert sad face).  Ok, maybe a felt really bad for me, to have to miss the morning FREE walking tour.

I thought if I rested a bit in bed, I would be up for the tour we had planned for the Oscar Schindler Factory, later this afternoon. 

So, with that in mind, I bid my farewell to Tanya as she headed off into the Town Square for a morning of exploring Krakow.  
I was soooo sad, but I really felt that a little extra rest for my body would go a long way towards feeling better and not messing up the rest of my trip. 

I loaded up on anti-oxidants, probiotics and kept a cup of hot tea full at all times, thanks to a handy hot pot in our room.

Last night, after we settled into our room after our day tour, we headed into the Town Square, outside our hotel for a bit to eat. 

We had a great view of the lovely buildings lit up and the horse drawn carriages clippity clopping around the Square.  There was even some light entertainment with a bunch of "break dancers" going at it to James Brown music!

I had a Pizza Verde, with all kinds of veggies and Tanya had grilled vegetables, which had such a wonderful aroma!
(insert food pictures)
Picture
My DEElish Pizza Verde last night in the Old Town
Picture
Tanya returned to the room at 2pm and was full of excitement about her morning. She was also extremely warm from the hot weather ourside and walking around in the sun.
PLEASE read her side to hear all about the Town Square and everything she saw and experienced today while her under-the-weather cousin rested.
Picture
Picture
Picture
In front of Oscar Schindler Enamel Factory Museum
Picture
Photographs of the many Jewish employees that Oscar Schindler saved
Picture
Picture
Let me tell you about our tour this afternoon... The good news is, I managed to make it out for our scheduled driving tour to the Jewish Quarter and The Oscar Schindler Museum.

We had a knowledgeable and fun tour guide named Martin, who imparted us with a great deal of knowledge about Krakow's history dating back to Prince Krak more than 20 Centuries ago, to the King Kazimierz up through the World War II and NAZI era and the persecution of the Jews.
Picture
One (of four) remaining gate to the Jewish Ghetto during the German occupation beginning in 1941
Picture
Picture
King Casimir III of Poland (Kazimierz Wielki), declared the two western suburbs of Kraków to be a new town named after him, Kazimierz, on March 27, 1335. 

Kazimierz was an independent town, a royal city of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom, located south of Kraków Old Town and separated by a branch of the Vistula river. 

For centuries, Kazimierz was a place of coexistence and interpenetration of Christian and Jewish cultures.  Then came the NAZI's and the German occupation, and in 1941, Jews were forcibly relocated into the Krakow ghetto in Podgorze.

We toured through the former ghetto, and saw one of the remaining walls that enclosed Jewish citizens in a prison-like fashion. From 65,000 Jews before the German occupation, today, Krakow is home to only about 2000 Jews, as a result of the mass extermination.  Another very sad part of Poland's history.
Picture
Remnants of the wall of the ghetto
Picture
Another important location is the Tadeusz Pankiewicz's Pharmacy in the Krakow Ghetto.

Tadeusz Pankiewicz was a Polish Roman Catholic pharmacist, operating in the Kraków Ghetto during the Nazi German occupation of Poland. He is credited with saving countless Jews from the Holocaust.

Why?? When Podgórze district was closed off in March 1941 as a Jewish ghetto, there existed 4 pre-war pharmacies owned by non-Jews. Pankiewicz was the only proprietor to decline the German offer of relocating to the aryan side of the city and was granted permission to continue operating his business as the only pharmacy in the Ghetto, and reside on the premises. (NAZIs were afraid of a possible outbreak of typhus).

In any case, the pharmacy became a meeting place for the ghetto's intelligentsia, and a hub of underground activity. 

Pankiewicz and his staff, Irena Drozdzikowska, Helena Krywaniuk, and Aurelia Danek, risked their lives to undertake numerous clandestine operations: smuggling food and information, and offering shelter on the premises for Jews facing deportation to the camps.

I love that we got to see some of the heroic efforts during the war, with the visit to the Oscar Schindler factory and then here at the Pharmacy - in light of the remnants of cruelty we witnessed yesterday at Auschwitz.
 
Picture
Picture
Last on our list of touring with Martin was a visit to "The Mound of Prince Crac." This "Mound" was built in honor of the legendary founder of Cracow and according the medieval chroniclers, which Cracovians still believe today. 

It is estimated by archaeologists that the "Krak Mound" was built in the eighth century. We climbed up old steps to get to the top of the hill and then traversed up and around the "Mound" to the very top, where we had some awesome views of the city.
Picture
The steps leading up to The Mound
Picture
Martin was so helpful and used my camera for "close ups" of the many buildings encircling the city, pointing them all out to me and Tanya.  It was a tad bit hot at the top and Tanya and I were wilting a bit!
Picture
Views from "The Mound"
Picture
Picture
At the top of "The Mound"
I was still feeling very under the weather, but pushed myself for our tour with Martin.  

Tomorrow, I will take the morning to go on the free walking tour, while Tanya heads over to the Rynek Undergound.  Then we'll both meet up at Wawel Castle to tour the inside.

I'm hoping to relax and baby myself tonight, so I feel better tomorrow.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

-E
xoxo
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Our Blog 

    Travel around the world
    ​and the NYC outer boroughs everyday!

    Subscribe

    * indicates required
    /* real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

    Intuit Mailchimp

    Categories

    All
    15-cool-facts-about-lititz
    15-cool-facts-about-maui
    15-fabulous-facts-about-kauai
    15-facts-about-boca-raton
    15-facts-about-boston
    15-facts-about-bratislava
    15 Facts About Friday The 13th
    15-facts-about-luna-park
    15-facts-about-niagara-falls
    15-facts-about-norway
    15-facts-about-prague
    15-facts-about-sea-turtles
    15factsaboutstpatrick
    15-facts-about-st-patrick
    15-facts-about-st-thomas-usvi
    15-facts-about-st-valentines-day
    15-facts-about-the-grand-tetons
    15-facts-about-yellowstone-national-park
    15-fun-facts-about-horses
    15-fun-facts-about-lancaster
    15 Fun Facts About Pancakes
    15-fun-facts-about-paris
    15-fun-facts-about-potatoes
    15 Fun Facts For April Fools Day Around The World
    15-longest-running-broadway-shows
    15 Most Interesting Facts About Las Vegas
    15-things-to-do-in-mendocino
    15-top-facts-about-doughnuts
    15-top-unsafe-cities-in-the-world-for-female-travelers
    15-valentines-day-facts
    16-cool-facts-about-breckenridge
    16factsaboutmonterey
    16-fun-facts-about-death-valley-national-park
    16-fun-facts-about-moab
    16-nutty-facts-about-pistachios
    16-of-the-most-interesting-facts-about-montreal
    16-of-the-most-interesting-facts-about-quebec
    17-mile-drive
    1st-blog-post
    2016-in-review
    40-cities-in-2015
    52-places-to-go-in-2015
    5traveljournalingtips
    Adventureland-long-island
    African-american-museum
    Afternoon-tea
    Ahwahnee-hotel
    A-la-carte-cooking-school-long-island
    Alanis Morissette
    Alaska-national-parks
    Albany
    Albuquerque
    Albuquerque-balloon-fiesta
    Algarve
    Altitude-sickness
    Andorra
    Angelas-house
    Animal-kingdom
    Antelope-canyon
    Aquarium-of-the-pacific
    Arbor-day
    Arches-national-park
    Arizona
    Arroyo Seco
    Arthur-avenue-bronx
    Auschwitz
    Austria
    A-vegan-thanksgiving
    Azores
    Balloon-festival
    Barbados
    Barcelona
    Beach-day
    Being-happy
    Belgium
    Best-ski-resorts-for-families
    Bethenny-frankel
    Bethpage-air-show
    Beverly-hills
    Beverly-hills-hotel
    Big-apple-circus
    Big-sur
    Bike-nyc
    Bike-the-bay
    Biking
    Bilbao
    Birthdays
    Black-history-month
    Blog-anniversary
    Boston
    Boticas
    Bratislava
    Breckenridge
    Bridges-around-the-world
    Brontosaurus-roadside-attraction
    Brugge
    Bryce-canyon-np
    Budapest
    Butterfly-wonderland
    CA
    Canada
    Canoe-races
    Car-free-townsvillages
    Caribbean
    Carlsbad-caverns-np
    Carnac
    Catalina-island
    Chamonix
    Chateau-marmont
    Chaves
    Cheap-airfare
    Cherry-crest-adventure-farm
    Chicago
    Chicago-cubs
    China-cruises
    Chinese-new-year
    Christmas-in-florida
    Christmas-prep
    Christmas-time-in-nyc
    Christmastime-in-san-diego
    Christmasy-fun-things-to-do
    Christopher-byrne
    Cincinnati
    Cinnaholic
    Clearwater
    Co
    Colorado
    Colorado-bbs
    Colorado-state-capitol
    Community-service
    Coney-island
    Cortinadampezzo
    Cortina-dampezzo
    Cotswolds
    Crater-lake
    Crestline
    Croatia
    Crossroads-kitchen
    Cruises
    Cyber-monday-sales
    Cycling
    Death-valley
    Denver
    Dinosaur-ridge
    Disneyland
    Disney-world
    Disney-world-attractions
    Dog-sledding
    Dutch-wonderland
    Earth-day
    Easter
    Eastern-europe
    Eastern-europe-rail-trip
    Eclipse-2017
    Edinburgh
    Eiffel-tower
    Elisas-2014-christmas-card
    El-matador-state-beach
    England
    Eventsfestivals
    Expo-west
    Facts-about-halloween
    Facts-and-festivals-all-about-beer
    Fall-festivals
    Fao-schwarz
    Fire-cracker-ride
    Fis-alpine-world-ski-competition
    Fis-snowboard-world-cup
    Fitness-challenge
    Fl
    Flowers
    Foodiefriday
    Foodie-friday
    Fort-bragg
    Four-corners
    Fourth-of-july-celebrations
    France
    Friends-or-soul-mates
    Fun-stuff-to-do
    Galway
    Game-capture-adventure-in-the-s-african-bush-part-1
    Geneva
    Gladiator-rock-n-run
    Going-to-the-azores
    Goleta-butterfly-grove
    Grand-canyon
    Grand-cayman
    Grand-tetons-national-park
    Granfondo
    Great-salt-lake
    Great-views
    Groundhog-day
    Guadix
    Guest-blogger-jason-biondo
    Guest-blogger-kaye-perron
    Guest-blogger-oscar-waterworth
    Hallockvillemuseumfarm
    Halloween
    Harry-potter
    Hawaii
    Hawaii-national-parks
    Hempstead
    High-roller
    Hiking
    Holy-door
    Honduras
    Horses
    Horse-shoe-bend
    Hot-air-balloon-ride
    Hotel-travel-tips
    Hsi-lai-temple
    Huntington-gardens
    Iceland
    Idaho-falls
    Inca-trail
    Innsbruck
    Inspiration
    International-snow-sculpture-championships
    Ireland
    Irvine-global-festival
    Italy
    Jersey-boys-the-movie
    Jones-beach-holiday-light-spectacular
    Jones-beach-ny
    Joshua-tree-national-park
    Julius-sturgis-pretzel-factory
    Kakawa-chocolate-house
    Kalalau-trail
    Katy-perry
    Kauai
    Keystone-ski-resort
    Killarney
    Kings-canyon-sequioa-national-park
    Kings Of Leon
    Kirkwood
    Kitzbuhel
    Krakow
    Labor-day-weekend
    La-fair
    Lake-dillon
    Lake-tahoe
    Lancaster-county
    Las-vegas
    Lipsense
    Little-italy-bronx
    Little-italy-festa
    Locks-of-love
    London
    Long-beach-marathon
    Long-flight-tips
    Long-island
    Long-island-museums
    Loretto-chapel
    Los-angeles
    Los-angeles-county-fair
    Love-letters-broadway
    Love-or-fear
    Luau
    Luna-park
    Luxembourg
    Macaron-crawl-nyc
    Macaron-crawl-vlogs
    Macys-thanksgiving-day-parade
    Makeawish-foundation
    Making-a-difference
    Manzanar
    Maritime-museum
    Maritime-museum-of-san-diego
    Maui
    Memorial-day-wkd
    Mendocino
    Mendocino-ca
    Mesquite
    Michele-16-lemon-drop-cookies
    Michele-16-you-tube
    Midway
    Milwaukee
    Mlb
    Mlb-all-star-game
    MLB Spring Training
    Moab
    Moby
    Mono Lake
    Monterey
    Montmorency-falls
    Montreal
    Mont-st-michel
    Monttremblant
    Monument-valley
    Morro Rock
    Mothers-day
    Mountain Biking
    Mount-rainier-national-park
    Multnomah-falls
    Museum-of-the-city-of-new-york
    Muzeo
    National-balloon-festival
    National-empanada-day
    National-ice-cream-sunday
    National-parks-grand-tetons
    National-parks-week
    National-pretzel-day
    Neon-museum
    New Hampshire
    New-jersey-state-capital
    New-mexico
    Newport-beach-boat-parade
    Niagara-falls
    Nv
    Nv-to-anaheim
    Ny
    Nyc
    Nyc-columbus-day-parade
    Nyc-food-wine-festival
    Oahu
    Oakland
    Ojai
    Oldest-grocery-store-in-north-america
    Olympic-national-park
    Olympic-training-park
    Once-upon-a-time
    One-republic
    One-world-observatory
    Online-card-retailers
    Oregon
    Oregon-state-capitol
    Oslo
    Outer-hebrides
    Pa
    Packing
    Paris
    Park City
    Pasadena-rose-parade
    Pasadena-rose-parade
    Passports
    Patriot-day
    Philly
    Piazza-novona
    Pittsburgh
    Plunge-at-ganesvoort-meatpacking-nyc
    Poland
    Portland
    Portugal
    Prague
    Presidents-day-facts
    Puerto-rico
    Pumpkins
    Quebec-city
    Quebec-winter-carnaval
    Queens
    Quogue-wildlife-refuge
    Radio-city-christmas-spectacular
    Ramblewild
    Raynham-hall-museum
    Recap-of-2015
    Red-bull-air-races
    Reno
    Ring-of-kerry
    Rise-of-the-jackolanterns
    Road-trip
    Road-trip-reno
    Robert Plant
    Rock-center-cafe
    Rock-climbing
    Rocky-mountain-national-park
    Romance
    Rome
    Ronalds-donuts
    Roosevelt-field
    Route-66
    Rustic-wedding
    Sacred-sites
    Sad-sam-and-honey
    Saguaro-national-park
    Saint-malo
    Saks-fifth-avenue-holiday-window-display
    Salt-lake-city
    San Diego
    San Francisco
    San-marino
    Santa-barbara
    Santa-fe
    Sao-miguel
    Sapelos
    Scotland
    Scottsdale
    Sea-otter-classic
    Sea-otter-classic
    Sedona
    Seven-magic-mountains
    Seville
    Shark-attacks
    Silly-stuff
    Sixth-street-bridge
    Skellig-michael
    Skiing
    Skiing-on-a-budget
    Ski-resorts
    Small-business-saturday
    Snugharborinn
    Solvang
    Spain
    Stanford-inn
    St-augustine
    Staying-fit-while-traveling-is-easy
    St-kitts
    St-lucia
    St-maartenst-martin
    St-moritz
    St-moritz1c7c0e8bc8
    St-nicholas-day
    Stonehenge
    St-patricks-cathedral
    St-patricks-day
    St-thomas
    St-thomasc3d62a8e96
    Surprises
    Switzerland
    Tanyas-photo-shoots
    Taos
    Tbt
    Tbt-october
    Terceira
    The-audience
    The-butchers-son
    The-cyclone
    The-oscars
    The-press-at-ink-48
    Things-to-do-in-nyc
    Things-to-do-on-valentines-day
    Thomas-edison-memorial-tower
    Throwback-thursday
    Tiny-prints
    Top-15-facts-about-barbados
    Top-15-facts-about-puerto-rico
    Top-15-facts-about-san-diego
    Top-15-facts-about-st-kitts
    Top-15-facts-about-st-lucia
    Top-15-facts-about-st-martin
    Top-15-fun-facts-about-oregon
    Top-15-fun-facts-about-san-diego
    Top15placestovisitinireland
    Top-15-tips-for-disney-world-travel
    Top-6-activities-in-maui
    Toronto
    Traveling-with-kids
    Travelin-traditions
    Travelin-tuesday
    Travis-barker
    Trekking
    Tucson
    Turkey-hill-experience
    Turtle-bay
    Unesco
    Universal-studios
    Us-open
    Uss-iowa
    Ut
    Utah
    Vail
    Val-disere
    Vanderbilt-museum-long-island
    Vegan
    Vegan-airline-food
    Vegan Bakeries
    Vegan-beer-food-festival
    Vegan-festival
    Vegan-food-tour
    Vegan-food-tour
    Veganism
    Vegan Luau
    Vegan Road Trip
    Vegan-street-fest
    Vegan Treats
    Vegan-trip-planning
    Venice
    Veterans-day
    Vienna
    Voodoo-doughnuts
    W2gw
    W2gw-april
    W2gw-aprild35aa9cb07
    W2gw-august
    W2gw-december
    W2gw-january
    W2gw-july
    W2gw-june
    W2gw-november
    W2gw-november85b7ba28ba
    W2gw-october
    W2gw-september
    WCOPA
    Weddings
    Wengen
    West-coast-trail
    Where-to-go-wednesdays
    Where-to-go-wednesdays-june
    Where-to-go-wednesdays-september
    White-sands-national-monument
    Wild-horses
    Winnie-the-pooh
    Wondercon
    World-best-shopping-cities
    Worst-tour-companies
    Wynn
    Yellowstone-national-park
    York
    Yosemite-national-park
    Zermatt

    Archives

    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Blog Directory & Business Pages - OnToplist.com
The Scoop Blog
Travel Adventure Articles
Travelin' the NYC Outer Boroughs with Elisa
Walt Disney World Wednesdays
Travel Resource Guide
Vegan Dining Guide

                                                      
Fun Fact and Travel Trivia Articles
Elisa and Tanya's Favorites
Travel Tips - Know Before You Go
​
About
​Contact Us 
​Media Kit 
​
All of the photos on Travelin Cousins are taken by the Travelin’ Cousins Photographers unless otherwise noted. If you wish to use any content from Travelin Cousins please credit and link to the source or request permission by email.
(c) Travelin' Cousins 2020 -2024 All Rights Reserved