Krakow (Poland) December 2013

Hotel: Galycia, Krakow

Having loved Krakow, although it was so cold, on our last visit, we had gathered the troops again for another visit.  With Clare, Terry, Debbie, my Ma and myself already for the temperatures again, suitcases full of fluff and enough zlotties to feed an army we ventured off.

We had chosen December time as the Christmas Markets were in full swing on the Rynek Glowny, if you want to feel a little Christmassy then I insist you visit somewhere like this.  It was magical.  Similar to the Christmas Markets that have now become very trendy all over the UK, the market on the Rynek Glowny is something else, and the price is a major difference too.  Only a few weeks before, Clare and I were in Edinburgh paying £4-5 for a Mulled wine, here we were paying just over 80p and it tasted better, probably due to it being cold and Christmassy.

We also ventured to the Castle Warwel, a huge structure that is visible from most of the city.  On our previous trip we had not fancied the high altitudes due to the freezing weather, but this time, although still frosty, we took in the sights

With the temperatures being about 20 degrees celcius hotter than the last time, only 1 and 2 degrees now, we were able to see more of the city as we could stand to be out longer in it.  We were amazed to how much more there was to see and how many little bars and restaurants there were on offer.

One little place we came across very early on was the "Vodka Shoppe".  For 4 Zlotte (about 70 pence) you could choose from Vodka, Beer, Wine, Coffee or Tea, everything was just 4 Zlotte.  The same went for food, Soup, Sausage, Cold Beef, all 4 Zlotte.  This little bar became our local and as Debbie quite rightly put it, we would go in there for our afternoon "Session".

We also found a few extra coffee shops for those afternoons were the thought of more Vodka was a little too much.  The Polish really know how to do hot drinks.  After a couple of days, Clare and I thought we would try somewhere different, a coffee shop that looked a little mainstream.  We happily stayed in there for most of the morning and dragged our parents in for more.  Hot mead, mulled wines, hot ciders, the tastes were to die for.

Every night we returned to the hotel, the cards were out in force.  After the success of Nomination Whist in Italy, this was our holiday card game and the vodka's flowed easily whilst playing.

On or last night in Krakow we had decided to flash a little cash (as we were really struggling to spend it) and have a meal in a posh bohemian restaurant with live Polish Polka Music.  The entertainment was fantastic, and I can say the meal was superb, but unfortunately it was too cheap again, and we had to go and spend more money on the Christmas Markets.

Krakow remains one of my favourite cities I have been to, and I urge people to experience what it has to offer