PalenQ, I figure if we get bored in Krakow (probably won't), we can go to Warsaw and say we've been there.

I would LOVE to go to Gdansk, but seems too far to travel by train from Warsaw or Krakow... Interestingly though, one can get a flight from Oslo to Gdansk, one way for as little as $58. If Poland is as wonderful as I think it will be, and with Norway very high on my list for 2015, I might actually combine these 2 for my next trip.

I should have said, the Oslo to Gdansk flight was on SAS, an airline I am very impressed with.

Zakopane is a sweet resort not far from Krakow I believe.

Pal & I don't agree on much. :)

I think Krakow has lots of interesting things to see and do. I wish I could live there! I went for 3 days the first time and 5 the second and can't wait to return.

Zakopane was a pretty poor side trip with the hundreds of tacky vendors selling sub par souvenirs on one side of the street; the type of thing you win on the Seaside Heights boardwalk. The cheese vendors are on the other side of the street, all selling exactly the same cheese and not very good cheese. Probably years ago, before the tour buses stopped here, there were artisan goods to buy. But no longer.

Here's a sample of what they're selling.

https://modigliani.shutterfly.com/poland2011/368

Admittedly, the wooden architecture is very interesting but this was not worth leaving Krakow for.

Gdansk is great (where WWII started, where the tide of the Cold War turned), but it's not convenient to Krakow.

I love my Krakow! I lived here since I have decided to study in Poland. I run two blogs if you are interested in. >http://krakow-city-breaks.blogspot.com/<
>seekrakow.blogspot.com<

Follow my blogs :)

Well Zakopane is a bit touristy with the open air stalls...
but they do have interesting items. I would disagree some with adrienne inasmuch as this can be a nice side trip into the Tatra Mnts. besides the resort-type village. We had a little carriage ride besides wonderful lunch at Ziebe's Ranger House: mushroom soup, veal, potatoes, carrots, strawberries and whipped cream, plus mulled wine.

Yes I could see living for awhile in Krakow, but if you speak Polish. johnskalsky, will indeed look up your blogs.