Where to go in Warsaw and Krakow?
Apr 25th, 1998, 07:14 AM
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Where to go in Warsaw and Krakow?
Since finding this site, I haven't seen much on Eastern Europe. We'll be visiting Poland this summer. Has anyone ever been to Warsaw & Krakow, do you have any advice and can you recommend must-see places? Also, someone told me there is a lack of toiletries there, that we should bring a supply, is this true and what type of things would this exactly mean? Thanks!
Apr 27th, 1998, 03:27 PM
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First of all, there are plenty of "toiletries" in Poland. It is really a very civilized country and you don't need to drag anything there that you would not bring on a trip in western Europe.
I lived in Krakow for 1 year and loved it. You will not have any problem there figuring out what to see. My recommendations would include, however, the salt mines and a day or overnight trip to Zakopane -- a mountain town 2 hours south of Krakow.
In Warsaw,I always regretted not visiting the Museum of the City of Warsaw which shows what a magnificent place it was before the Germans blew it up. Get a good Lonely Planet Guide before going.
I lived in Krakow for 1 year and loved it. You will not have any problem there figuring out what to see. My recommendations would include, however, the salt mines and a day or overnight trip to Zakopane -- a mountain town 2 hours south of Krakow.
In Warsaw,I always regretted not visiting the Museum of the City of Warsaw which shows what a magnificent place it was before the Germans blew it up. Get a good Lonely Planet Guide before going.
Apr 28th, 1998, 07:09 PM
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I have been to Krakow and it is very civilized. The prices for accomodation are cheap and the food is great( cheap too!) . I recommend a two day stay at Zakopane, two hours south of Krakow. It is a beautiful resort, visited by the more affluent Polish. Accomodation and meals are very cheap( 2 years ago when I was there) and the beatiful mountains look like you are in Austria( without the high prices)
Apr 28th, 1998, 08:50 PM
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Michael and George, I certainly didn't mean to imply that Poland was uncivilized, after all I am of Polish heritage and still have distant relatives there. It's just that a source told me there was a lack of certain items, with the fall of communism and adaptation to new economies, etc., I have heard of a shortage of certain products and needed to verify this before going there on my first visit. This trip is a lifetime dream, and from what you have said I hope we have a chance to visit the Zakopane area too. Since you have been to (and lived) in Krakow, can either of you or anyone recommend good restaurants and/or any other bits of advice to aid in the planning of what I hope will be a fabulous trip. Dziekuje bardzo!
May 2nd, 1998, 02:14 PM
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We visited Karkow and Warsaw last Oct. We loved Krakow! It is very civilized with beautiful architecture and great food at reasonable prices. Do make sure to see the salt mines although if you're clausterphobic like me, you will probably find it a bit unnerving. I'm glad I did it though. We also visited Auschwitz--make sure to take the guided tour if you go. Although it certainly was depressing, in my opinion, it is something not to be missed. We stayed at a small hotel called the Pod Rozner. It is in the old town on a street of the same name. It was quite comfortable, had a great location, served an excellent breakfast, all for about $85. You will find beautiful handmade jewelry to buy, leather goods and reasonable prices and lovely folk art. Have fun!
May 2nd, 1998, 02:15 PM
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We visited Karkow and Warsaw last Oct. We loved Krakow! It is very civilized with beautiful architecture and great food at reasonable prices. Do make sure to see the salt mines although if you're clausterphobic like me, you will probably find it a bit unnerving. I'm glad I did it though. We also visited Auschwitz--make sure to take the guided tour if you go. Although it certainly was depressing, in my opinion, it is something not to be missed. We stayed at a small hotel called the Pod Rozner. It is in the old town on a street of the same name. It was quite comfortable, had a great location, served an excellent breakfast, all for about $85. You will find beautiful handmade jewelry to buy, leather goods and reasonable prices and lovely folk art. Have fun!
Jun 1st, 1998, 03:07 AM
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It is no hotel Pod Rezner in Krakow! Mayby you think about hotel Pod Roza at Florianska Street beetween St Mary's Church and Florianska Gate?
About restaurants: Try Chlopskie Jadlo at Glogoczow near Krakow, Wierzynek and Hawelka on Market Square and Ariel on Kazimierz (old Jewish partof Cracow). In Warsaw:
try Restauracja Polska at Nowy Swiat 21, Fukier at 27 Old Town Square and Gessler's Old Polish Eating House on Ols Town Square 21.
Hotels in Warszawa? Try Bristol at Krakowskie Przedmiescie 42, Jan III Sobieski at Plac Zawiszy or Orbis Victoria on Krolewska Street (with overlooks the Saxon Gardens and Tomb of Unknown Soldier). In Warszawa you must see park and palace in Lazienki, built by King Stanislaw Poniatowski (one of the most beutiful historical complexes in the world) and Wilanow, the residence of King Jan III Sobieski, victor in the battle of Vienna. I also recommend Old Town and a visit to The Royal Castle. There are several unusually valuable historical places near Warszawa, including the Baroque magnate's palace's in Nieborow, the romantic park in Arcadia and the manor in Zelazowa Wola where Frederic Chopin was born...In Krakow: Wawel Castle, St.Mary's Church, the Draper's Hall and Florianska Gate...I also recommend Pieniny - small but exceptionally beautiful mountains on the border with Slovakia, near the city of Nowy Targ. They are made up of limestone rock and overgrown with wild forests. The highest peak Trzy Korony (three Crowns) is easily accessible (an uphill hike of about 2,5 hours). Local highlanders offer a great tourist attraction: a raft trip down the river. Depending on the water level and the time of year the trip lasts 2 to 3 hours On your way from Krakow to Zakopane or Pieniny do not miss Nazi camps Auschwitz and Auschwitz- Birkenau... Have a great time!
About restaurants: Try Chlopskie Jadlo at Glogoczow near Krakow, Wierzynek and Hawelka on Market Square and Ariel on Kazimierz (old Jewish partof Cracow). In Warsaw:
try Restauracja Polska at Nowy Swiat 21, Fukier at 27 Old Town Square and Gessler's Old Polish Eating House on Ols Town Square 21.
Hotels in Warszawa? Try Bristol at Krakowskie Przedmiescie 42, Jan III Sobieski at Plac Zawiszy or Orbis Victoria on Krolewska Street (with overlooks the Saxon Gardens and Tomb of Unknown Soldier). In Warszawa you must see park and palace in Lazienki, built by King Stanislaw Poniatowski (one of the most beutiful historical complexes in the world) and Wilanow, the residence of King Jan III Sobieski, victor in the battle of Vienna. I also recommend Old Town and a visit to The Royal Castle. There are several unusually valuable historical places near Warszawa, including the Baroque magnate's palace's in Nieborow, the romantic park in Arcadia and the manor in Zelazowa Wola where Frederic Chopin was born...In Krakow: Wawel Castle, St.Mary's Church, the Draper's Hall and Florianska Gate...I also recommend Pieniny - small but exceptionally beautiful mountains on the border with Slovakia, near the city of Nowy Targ. They are made up of limestone rock and overgrown with wild forests. The highest peak Trzy Korony (three Crowns) is easily accessible (an uphill hike of about 2,5 hours). Local highlanders offer a great tourist attraction: a raft trip down the river. Depending on the water level and the time of year the trip lasts 2 to 3 hours On your way from Krakow to Zakopane or Pieniny do not miss Nazi camps Auschwitz and Auschwitz- Birkenau... Have a great time!
Jun 1st, 1998, 03:58 PM
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Jo--I was in Zakopane last week and it was HOT! It was about 75 degrees F (24C) in the mountains (and even hotter in Krakow - about 82F/28C). Definitely have a look at the Old Parish Church and cemetary. The wood carvings in the church and the wooden tombstones are beautiful. You should also take the cable car (or the funicular if you want a shorter trip) up the mountain - the views are spectacular. We did not have time to get to Morskie Oko, a lake that is supposed to be gorgeous, but I would go there also if you have the time.
Feb 16th, 2017, 11:37 PM
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I went to Krakow last summer and it was great. Beautiful place with many historic palces to see and visit. Last month I visited Poland again and this time I went to Warsaw. It is completely different, much more busy and modern, but also very nice. In Warsaw I loved the Old Town as it is one of the most beautiful places there. I also like the restaurant there - New Orleans. Very classy and exclusive place, definitely worth its price. The food was delicious and I have never seen such a huge choice of drinks! Great place for a quiet dinner or drink.
Mar 1st, 2017, 03:03 AM
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While visiting Warsaw I definitely recommend visiting the Old Town, Lazienki (Royal Baths) and the BUW Garden (the garden on the roof of the University Library). Warsaw is an amazing and beautiful city. There are many places to see and everybody would find something interesting. As it comes to the nightlife I recommend going to the New Orleans Club. It is an amzing, very elegant and classy place, with delicious drinks and beautiful dancers. It's not overcrowded, so it is a perfect place for a meeting or a smaller party.
Mar 1st, 2017, 07:31 AM
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I spent time last year in both these cities, and you find all goods incl. "toiletries" at every corner, I forget the name of the chain but it's like Walgreens here...
The strange thing is that their cash register automatically applies US dollars when you pay with our US credit card - there is nothing you can do about it, and the checkout person certainly doesn't know what you're talking about when you want to protest. This is called DCC - dynamic currency conversion, and it is against Visa's own rules, but it's becoming more and more common - the Polish Railways do it also. It means that the conversion rate their system applies is not as favorable as if the charge went through as Zlotys and the bank that processes the Visa transaction would apply the international rate which is certain to be better.
Now with small purchases it can be argued that it makes only a few pennies of difference, but there you are.
So getting Zlotys from ATMs (where you get the best possible rate, and if you have a debit card from Schwab for example you get reimbursed for the ATM fee) and paying in cash is the way to go.
As far as what to see - most has been stated already.
In Krakow make sure to take the train to the salt mines (no need for a "tour" that they want to sell you all over the place), it's a slow local train, the ticket costs next to nothing, and when you get off in Wieliczka, the mine is only a short walk up the road.
You stand in line with everybody else to buy the ticket, you tell the agent which language group you wish to join, you stand under that flag (I forget if it is Brit or US) and soon a guide will let a whole bunch of you in and down down down, about 500 steps to begin with. Eventually you come back up by lift. Awesome underground scenario! http://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com
If music and cultural history interests you, in Warsaw visit the Chopin museum. Well done with multimedia displays, and listening stations with headphones.
The strange thing is that their cash register automatically applies US dollars when you pay with our US credit card - there is nothing you can do about it, and the checkout person certainly doesn't know what you're talking about when you want to protest. This is called DCC - dynamic currency conversion, and it is against Visa's own rules, but it's becoming more and more common - the Polish Railways do it also. It means that the conversion rate their system applies is not as favorable as if the charge went through as Zlotys and the bank that processes the Visa transaction would apply the international rate which is certain to be better.
Now with small purchases it can be argued that it makes only a few pennies of difference, but there you are.
So getting Zlotys from ATMs (where you get the best possible rate, and if you have a debit card from Schwab for example you get reimbursed for the ATM fee) and paying in cash is the way to go.
As far as what to see - most has been stated already.
In Krakow make sure to take the train to the salt mines (no need for a "tour" that they want to sell you all over the place), it's a slow local train, the ticket costs next to nothing, and when you get off in Wieliczka, the mine is only a short walk up the road.
You stand in line with everybody else to buy the ticket, you tell the agent which language group you wish to join, you stand under that flag (I forget if it is Brit or US) and soon a guide will let a whole bunch of you in and down down down, about 500 steps to begin with. Eventually you come back up by lift. Awesome underground scenario! http://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com
If music and cultural history interests you, in Warsaw visit the Chopin museum. Well done with multimedia displays, and listening stations with headphones.
Mar 1st, 2017, 04:58 PM
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While in Krakow, consider making time for the <i>Lady with an Ermine</i> -- she is very special!
And please consider getting a good guidebook or two. The cost will be nugatory in comparison to the cost of your trip.
And please consider getting a good guidebook or two. The cost will be nugatory in comparison to the cost of your trip.
