bdokeefe

Hello- This is part of a 16 night trip; flying into Warsaw for 3 nights, train to Krakow for 4 nights, pickup rental car and explore for 6 nights, d/o car and last 3 nights in Wroclaw and the flight home.

My question has to do with places to visit over 6 nights, while we drive from Krakow to Wroclaw. My wife and I want to explore smaller towns, castles and some good scenery in lower Silesia, maybe stopping in Slovakia or Czech. We like to go for walks, not hikes. Coffee and baked goods are always a good option, we’re not in a huge rush and get along better that way. Maudie is slowing down a bit. Yarn shops along the way always get me points, as does pointing out old Singer sewing machines.

I’ve stitched together some towns that I’ve seen mentioned as worth checking out, heading from Krakow: the town of Pszczyna, Ustron, Kłodzko, maybe Štramberk or further into Czech...any other ideas? It looks as if there are many interesting places to see.

We are leaving the last week of September, and have the 3 cities booked for lodging, for the 6 nights that we’ll be driving, would we need to book lodging ahead? For the most part we like to avoid 1 night stays, 3 places for 2 nights each would be ideal. Thanks.

Christina

They don't make yarn (much) or Singer sewing machines in Poland, so I wouldn't make that a point of my vacation. YOu can buy yarn at home. They mostly import it. But there aren't yarn shops in small places, you would do better to seek that out in Krakow or Wroclaw. Here is a shop in Wroclaw
https://www.e-dziewiarka.pl/

I think they have a lot of sheep around Zakopane (POdhale) so maybe some local yarn around there. you could go that way
https://www.polandforvisitors.com/podhale-attractions

here is Chocholow
https://www.local-life.com/zakopane/...cholow-podhale


I guess you just want to drive a lot as that is only a 300 km drive in total, and neither the CR nor Slovakia is in the same direction. Here's a plan -- drive down to Zakopane/Chocolow (only a couple hours).
then drive to Moravia. I'll only stayed in Olomouc, which I really liked -- it is a university town but not huge, and that's another 3 hr or so drive. From there, head north up to Wroclaw, that's again only a 3-4 hour drive. ON that part, explore whatever you want in Lower Silesia, I don't know that area to suggest anything.

Maybe someone else could fill in some other places of interest on that route. You could stay overnight in Zakopane/Chocolow, Olomouc, and wherever you wish.

bdokeefe

Slovakia and Czech are on the way if you deviate, which I'm thinking 6 nights will allow me.

Michael

If taking the detour to Zakopane, don't miss the wooden chapels on the way.

https://flic.kr/p/cBLVFE
or Chocholow east of Zakopane

https://flic.kr/p/cBN1SL

cdnyul

Not yarn but there is a lace museum in Koniaków
istebna.eu - Istebna Community WebServis :: Istebna, Jaworzynka, Koniaków :: The Triple Village ::

There is a museum of technology in Chlewiska which is located in an old steel mill.
The official name is Museum of Metallurgy and Engineering Industry in Chlewiska.
They are a branch of the Warsaw museum which is now closed to visitors, however, the Chlewiska location is supposed to be open.
They have a large collection of sawing machines.
https://photos-of-poland.com/pl/maszyny-do-szycia

I just chatted with my Polish cousin who returned from a short Silesian trip.
She highly recommends the Museum of Silesia in Katowice.
https://muzeumslaskie.pl/en/

Ojcowski Park Narodowy is one of the smallest and prettiest national parks in Poland.
http://www.ojcowskiparknarodowy.pl/
http://www.ojcowskiparknarodowy.pl/m..._the_park.html

Kowary, Poland.
http://www.park-miniatur.com/en/

I have eaten here on two occasions:
https://hotelazyl.wroclaw.pl/pl

bdokeefe

Thanks, some of these suggestions line up well with what I was thinking. By dipping south, then heading west looks to be a pretty drive and have enough to see to occupy us. We like to explore some of the less traveled spots.

So early October not having lodging pre-booked shouldn't be a problem for those 6 nights?

The yarn is just a bonus find...wool sock yarn is expensive, and we've found it on some of our travels. Arnhem has a store we've stopped at a few times now! And Ireland, which is crawling with sheep, the yarn is more expensive than in the US. I can report back that I've asked, so thanks again. About the sewing machine: Singer's largest plant was in Scotland, and we've seen them all over used as decorations. My wife has a 1930's model that she still uses daily as they are so good at what quilters like. Any old treadle type machine warrants a photograph to her, just as a pretty, old BMW motorcycle does for me. If it has a sidecar, bonus. We're pretty easy to please when traveling.

cdnyul

Don't know about Bimmers, but this one is known for having the largest collection of Bentleys' and RRs' in Poland.
and cross section of Polish motor industry as well,

Muzeum | Muzeum Topacz

No need to pre-book.

spiral

I also like to find souvenir yarn while travelling - and good sock yarn is to be treasured. I always find that the travel forum on Ravelry is the best place to ask about yarn shops and producers.

cdnyul

Włóczka is the Polish word for yarn.

Włókna is the Polish term for textiles.

To see what yarn cost in Poland try fastryga.pl

https://www.fastryga.pl/