September 25, 2007 at 10:32 pm (Krakow, Poland, Tourism)
Golden Polish Autumn, Złota Polska Jesień – that’s the phrase commonly used to describe this season which is especially picturesque in Poland. The summer is gone, the winter is approaching but in slow steps, and so we have a long period of time where polish weather is pleasing us all with golden and rusty colours. Many years ago in Poland people would say that the autumn in Poland is golden as it used to be much longer than nowadays and much more beautiful as well. Still it’s a good time to visit our country. If you decide to come to Krakow, many possibilities are open. We have nice parks – Park Jordana, Planty, slowly turning from green to all shades of golden rust. The weather in Poland is still better good, the temperature remains around 15-20 degrees Centigrade, balmy but not windy and wet as it is in the Uk, for that instance. The autumn opens university as well so there are many young people in the city and Krakow becomes vivid again after the summer when it is overwhelmed by tourists. Also famous for tourism places such as Zakopane offer better pricing.
So again – come and visit us.
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August 6, 2007 at 8:30 am (Culture, Poland, Tourism)
Hot polish weather is nothing compared to hot polish politics. Anyone who has been watching tv or read papers have the idea that Poland is going seriously downhill. Never mind – you should say to yourself, if you were planning to come here. Poland and Krakow in particular is still beautiful, people are friendly, and despite of new interpretations of our history – there is still a lot to see, learn and enjoy. So – don’t be bothered by anything and come to Poland, and enjoy!
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June 19, 2007 at 6:28 am (Culture, Events, Krakow, Poland, Tourism)
Krakow seems to be a typical university city where most of what is happening is connected to student life. That is basically true. But, fortunately summer time brings lots of attractions for general public and for local people as well. That is why the city, unlike other university cities, don’t die in the summer time.
There is nothing as nice and soothing as walking by the Vistula boulevard in the summer time. One thing to remember is that public drinking if strictly forbidden, so in opposition to other countries you can not enjoy a beer under a clear blue sky.
Another thing to do is to attain cultural events. There are any of them – Street Theatre Festival, famous The Jewish Culture Festival, European Jazz Night, Summer Jazz Festival, 5th Dumplings Festival, and many others.
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June 11, 2007 at 8:08 pm (Culture, Krakow, Poland, Tourism)
Galicia Jewish Museum is an institution one in it’s kind. Founded and run by an English photographer Chris Schwarz in 2005 serves both as a cultural institution and a gallery of photographs. Permanent exhibition presents a selection of over 80 photographs taken by Schwarz in his 10 years photo research in Galicia, a part of pre-war Poland which now belongs partly to Poland and partly to Ukraina. All the pictures have academic captions written by Oxford professor and jewish cultue specialist Jonathan Webber.
Temporary exhibitions feature jewish culture, polish photographs and art in general. Also the Museum provides wide range of events, from lectures and meetings with prominent people to dance classes and language courses. Very often one can attend a truly unique concert or cultural event. Vital and always helpful staff consists of young poles who speak English and always try to help as much as they can.
To put it simple – a must see to all the foreigners visiting Krakow. A drawback is poor advertising, so sometimes it’s hard to get information of what exactly is going on in the Museum, even if it’s something really worth seeing.
Map of Krakow with Galicia Jewish Museum on it can be found here.
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June 3, 2007 at 9:17 pm (Krakow, Krakow - the city, Restaurants, Tourism)
With this post i begin a series of recommendation of Krakow’s restaurants. To come clean – I will not recommend ‘good’, or ‘best, rather interesting for somebody coming to Krakow.
First one would be a Chinese restaurant. There are many Chinese restaurants in Krakow nowadays. They started with the beginning of ’90s and develop into cheap and reliable food source. One of my favourite is located in Starowislna Street. Food has always been fresh there, and prices are so incredible low that even a student can afford eating there from time to time. I strongly recommend all poultry dishes and delicious fish in Chinese sauce.
Do you agree? Disagree? Want to sue me? Well … start with commenting this post.
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June 1, 2007 at 5:56 pm (Events, Krakow, Krakow - the city, Poland, Tourism)
Gatherings of thousands of people on the banks of the Vistula on Midsummer Night for a festival called Wianki have become a tradition and a yearly event in the programme of cultural events in Krakow. Wianek is a ring of flowers, garland to wear on your head. Also having it is a symbolic expression of being ‘untouched’, being a virgin. According to a rural tradition on 23rd of July in the night time young virgins would put wianek with a lit candle on a river. If fished out by a guy, it would be a prediction of getting married soon.
Not the whole tradition remained untouched. You don’t have to be a virgin nowadays to get married. The wianek, along with other traditions, stayed though as a festival and a good opportunity for gatherings, laughs and dancing. Each year, thousands of Kracovians and visitors from around the world gather at the foot of Wawel to participate in remains of this old Polish tradition of garland-throwing. The atmosphere of Midsummer Night is unique, and there is no other night like it. The city council organize concerts and other events. Last year’s star was Marillion, coldly receipted by Krakovians.
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May 23, 2007 at 8:51 pm (Krakow, Poland, Tourism)
There is large number of tourism companies in Krakow. Form the ones who doesn`t do anything for you to professional people trying to make sure that you will enjoy your trip and possibly come back soon. Let me give some examples. Largest offer can be found with Cool tour company. They have over 10 different and very developed trips. Some would be scary and very unique like Krakow Ghost Tour, some more traditional but very cool like Krakow City Walking Tour, or even sentimental Silesia Time Trip or Jewish District – following Oscar Schindler story so vividly pictured by Steve Spielberg. Also active tourism is possible – take a look at Eccentric Bikes – they offer Krakow Bike Tours, and Bikes Rental. Not only the prices are more than decent, but also you can choose between five types of bikes – including double bikes, tandems and penny farthing cycles. Take a tour and enjoy. I did.
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May 23, 2007 at 7:57 pm (Events, Krakow, Poland)
Summer in Krakow doesn`t have to be boring. Even though the students left tp have some time off before the semester, lots of places are being rebuild or simplz closed. There are options! The International Festival of Street Theatre in Krakow has a well-established tradition as it is one of the oldest events of this type organized annually in Central Europe. Performances take place at the largest old town market square. For the couple of days you can see amazing performances and get in touch with a unique theatre-alike style and exprience something really big.
For other events taking place in Krakow click here.
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May 16, 2007 at 8:46 pm (Events, Krakow, Poland)
2007-05-31 – 2007-06-05
47th Krakow Film Festival will take place between 30th May and 4th June, in Krakow as the name itself indicates. Festival is the oldest film festival in Poland and it’s organised every year since 1961 as the national short film competition, later also an international one and finally only international.
Krakow Film Festival is mainly aimed in polish public. But, if you’re in te city at that time it may be an interesting to go there and find out how polish filming industry develops. Especially that most of the films have english subtitles.
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May 14, 2007 at 7:58 pm (Krakow, Poland, Tourism)
Some time ago an article was published in a local press. It introduced a view on Krakow according to which the city has been dominated within couple last years by drunken tourism. Krakow has been introduced as a perfect city to have your stag party. A city with lots of beautiful woman, where the booze is cheep as chips and available everywhere and girls are easy and straight forward. Web sites like http://www.madkrakow.com – stag parties in Krakow were presented as offering cheap pleasure services to literally anyone. Despite of big number of mistakes in the article the question has been reised. Is Krakow a city of drunken tourists, pubs cheep booze, easy girls?
Tell us what you think.
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