http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20410 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20410 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20011 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20011 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18265
Whilst it doesn't have as an extensive menu as some of the other vegetarian places, the food there is superb - totally vegetarian (with some vegan) and really good quality. The onion soup is exceptional!

Unlike the other vegetarian cafes in Krakow the emphasis at Mlkynek is on superb food, good service and relaxing surroundings rather than simply 'healthy' food. This means you can actually get a beer or a bottle of wine with your meal (an essential part of the equation, in my book!).

What is more, like many places in Krakow, the food is unbelievably cheap (though the wine isn't that cheap).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18265 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17516 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17516 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16515
Everybody talks about Kazimierz with its young and funky atmosphere, but I hadn't heard so much about Podgorze. The river is about 20 mins walk from the main square and as soon as you cross it you're in the Ghetto Heroes Square with it's atmospheric memorial of empty chairs. Visit the Pharmacy under the Eagle which has been turned into a small museum (it's on the opposite corner of the square - keep going, it's not obvious until you're literally outside it!) to get a handle on what it used to be like. The displays are pretty meaningless without the audio tour, so spend your zlotys and get informed. When you've done that, cross the road using the underpass, follow your map, go through the foot-tunnel under the railway and find yourself at the Schindler Enamel factory. It wasn't very well signposted, or that easy to find on foot, but it's about 8-10 mins walk from the Ghetto Heroes Square. It was being renovated when we were there - looks like they're finally going to turn it into something, rather than the basic display there at the moment.

After a subdued morning we hit Kazimierz, and I can't recommend the bars and restaurants of this area highly enough. Stick to soft drinks/halves of the lethal beer/one drink per establishment, and you should be able to manage at least 10 of the fantastic bars - every one has something unique about it, and they're all within stumbling distance of each other - just keep going round and round!

I used the Cracow-Life website a lot beforehand, and you can also pick up free copies of the paper version in most bars - lots of info, especially on going out.

Get yourself to Krakow and enjoy a fabulous, accessible city with a great atmosphere and friendly locals.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16515 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12677
The decor is nothing special but the people are friendly. Don't be put off by the location as it is down a dark alley just off Rynek Glowny, which does look rather offputting.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12677 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9966 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9966 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6356
On the first floor, there's a gallery of 19th century Polish Art, housing paintings by Jan Matejko, Henryk Siemiradzki, Józef Chełmoński, Julian Fałat, and the Kossak family.

After shopping and sightseening have a rest in the Noworolski cafe, a favourite of a certain Vladimir Lenin during his stay in Krakow.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6356 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6348 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6348 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6334 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6334 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6315
Once you are in Kazimierz proceed as follows: 0- Wait for the night to fall (it’s essential you get to see the place at night - once you do it you will know what I mean). 1- Locate an alcohol shop (sklep monopolowy). 2- In the shop locate the bottles with Wodka Zoladkowa (herbal vodka-light brown colour). 3- Proceed to buy the bottle and head to a quiet location nearby to get acquainted with your new Polish friend. 4- After the brief yet pleasant (one hopes) encounter feel free to start the tour in any direction of Kazimierz. Don’t forget to keep the dialogue with the bottle going. Soon you will feel as if in Bulgakov's Master and Margarita. 5- Once you get that feeling don’t wait a second and immediately head for one of these two pubs: Alchemia or Singer. Once you are inside things will keep happening on their own if you have fulfilled the first 4 points. Enjoy!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6315 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6295 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6295 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6287 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6287 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6258 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6258 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6157 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6157 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6154 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6154 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6115 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6115 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5799 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5799 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5798 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5798 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1883
It’s a small bar with whitewashed walls, decorated by a few black and white pictures. There are a couple of tables downstairs and a few more upstairs, where you’ll also find the space-capsule like toilet. The staff are young, friendly and helpful. Ask them to recommend a vodka and they’ll be happy to do so.

You can sample various makes, flavours and types. So much so that I would try and ensure that your hotel is not too far away as you may find walking in a straight line is rather more difficult after you leave than when you went in.

If vodka is not your thing – or it’s a bit early in the afternoon – the bar also serves tea, coffee and soft drinks.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1883