"Best Of Eastern europe" a Krakow Travel Page by bobsreturn2004

I must be perfectly honest,i didnt expect Krakow to be a wonderful place to visit.I was expecting a place similar to Talinn where it was cold and buildings were only half finished.What i got was amazing.A clean beautiful city with a Mediterranean look about it.I have never ben to a place which looks after you as much as Krakow.
Tourist police are everywhere making sure nothing happens to you.Krakow city itself boasts a fabulous castle,A jewish quarter(more on that later)and some of the best bars and clubs i have drank in Eastern europe.the best thing about Krakow though is the prices a pint will set you back between 50p and 1 pound.A dinner will set you back between 5-10 pounds(a three course meal!).The people are friendly and warm(even though English is still not widely spoken here)and any attempts at Polish are greeted with a smile.Krakow tours organise trips to both the salt mines and Auchwitz,both are wll worth the trip for 120 zlotys.The salt mines are tunnels some 180 meters underground where you get to see statutes,a chapel,a monuments to John Paul the second and how they processed salt.Its very intresting but be fit to walk down about 600 steps(400 are at the start).Auchwitz on the other hand really hits home and i will write more about that on my other site.Finally Krakow is a very religious place the number of nuns and monks in the city is vast and it is the adopted home city of the former pope John Paul the second

Due to my limited time in Krakow i didnt get to see as much of the castle as i would have wanted.However during my time spent in Krakow i did get to see the cathedral,although not on par with Pragues Cathedral,it still is a very beautiful place inside and outside.

A hour away in the forests you get to a old town that is infamous for one of the most harrowing and evil acts of the 20th Century.Auschwitz.
There are actually more than 40 death camps in the area these are the two you will be taken of via Krakow tours.Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau.You will be given a guide who will take you round.Its not a pleasent feeling but you have to see it.