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Poland
It is a website about Krakow that has loads of useful information - restaurants, pubs, clubs, accomodation etc.
Krakow is a truly beautiful city that I am lucky enough to call home.
People often refer to it as the 'new Prague' and I'm never really sure what they mean by this. It is becoming a popular stag destination but it hasn't grown to a level that overshadows the cultural and historic atmosphere that the city has. Thankfully Krakow hasn't developed the rash and mercantile tourism enterprises found in Prague either. Only time will tell how this will all work out.
Whether you are coming to Krakow on a weekend break, business trip or backpacking adventure a good all-round guide I can recommend is www.cracow-life.com which has all the information you could need. I even find it handy as expat as it lists local news, events and weather.
I think the best time to visit Krakow is in December when the Christmas market is in full swing on the main market square. It's setting in the medieval streets, with a bit of snow thrown in, is perfect for a bit of festive magic.
The Christmas market in Krakow is wonderful and a great tonic for those suffering from the winter blues back home. I’m lucky enough to have been living in Krakow for nine months and in my opinion the old town has never looked as beautiful as it does right now.
After a week or so of preparation the market is now in full swing. Stalls selling spicy mulled wine, roasted meats and grilled mountain cheese served with cranberry sauce help keep the cold at bay long enough to get some good Christmas shopping done.
Those looking for something a bit different for the loved ones back home have plenty to choose from the huts selling festive ornaments, wooden toys, woollen clothing from the highlands and delicious soft gingerbread from Torun. The old cloth hall (Sukiennice) on the market square also has a plethora of stalls hoping to tempt you to part with your cash. Here you will find items such as amber jewellery from the Baltic coast, hand-stitched embroidery and other bits and pieces such as wooden chess sets and even swords!
Shopping aside, it is the magic and the old town and surrounding cobbled streets that make Krakow so special this time of year. I can’t recommend it enough.
Lovely small gallery selling pottery, painting and glassware at reasonable prices. Friendly staff.
ul. Józefa 26
31-046 Kraków
www.theotherway.com.pl/
You can't beat Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) when it comes to looking for souvenirs from Krakow: Amber, silver jewellery, linen table cloths, stained glass, wooden chess sets and decorative glass are among the most popular buys.
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.
In the middle of the Market Square (Rynek Glowny).
In the old city, this amazing collection of Polish poster art covers politics, theatre, films and music. The poster for Bladerunner is particularly fabulous (overseas films released in Poland have their own posters). The extremely helpful staff will ship all over the globe.
ul. Stolarska 8-10, 31-043 Krakow;
www.postergallery.art.pl/galeria2.php
Has a vast stock of superb original posters at a fraction of the price you'd pay for their equivalents in UK. Modern Polish poster design is extremely distinctive and stunningly original. Check out some of their film/theatre posters - far superior to anything you'll see in the UK. Friendly owner will enthuse in fractured English about poster design. The posters come rolled up in stiff cardboard tube.
Kramy Dominikańskie, ul. Stolarska 8-10, Krakow 31-043 (a few minutes' walk from central square);
tel: 12 421 26 40;
www.postergallery.art.pl/galeria2.php
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