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/20569
But the rooms are anything but old, they are modernly furnished and I didn't have any problems using my laptop (free wi-fi in my room). The place has a small tango cafe (the whole place is decorated in a tango style) where they serve buffet breakfast - good variety. Staff are very warm and friendly. I had a problem with my TV set and someone came within 10 minutes and fixed it. Very nice bathroom. You can also get a tango lesson from the owner! I highly recommend it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20569 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20321
The decor is quirky, full of history, and the tables are an eclectic mix of old sewing desks and things which resemble small workbenches.

While my girlfriend and I were there they had a band, doing instrumental classic pop covers as an accordion and electric organ-playing duo. My personal favourite: a brilliantly catchy version of Stevie Wonder's 'Sir Duke'. Genius.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20321 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20114
I must start with the breakfast room, with its walls full of tableaux, tasteful bric-a-bric, with the whiff of a bohemian salon has more character and imagination than a thousand chain or 'specialty' hotels. They lay the table with lace cloths specially for you - none of this pile 'em high buffet nonsense - and bring fresh juice and coffee and the meats and cheeses are delectable.
If there was a failing, it was that my single room was too cramped (perhaps the old detention chambers) and the noises of early breakfast begin to echo around the building around 7am. At €61-79 per night, a jewel worth a higher price.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20114 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20093 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20093 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20011 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20011 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19413 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19413 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19383 www.apartments4u.pl is an online booking system for apartments in Polish/European cities. I recommend it as it's reliable, simple and intuitive to use and you can find plenty of really nice apartments that are often better than hotels. They offer freedom and intimacy levels I expect from places I stay at.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19383 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19326 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19326 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19287 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19287 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18724 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18724 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18723 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18723 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18531
On the other hand I didn’t miss any modern comforts - I had a modern bathroom and was checking my mail every night. Placed in the heart of the city, very near to the medieval Market square, it is also ideally located.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18531 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18529
Out of thousands of synagogues in Poland, there are only about 245 remaining. All of the unique wooden synagogues were destroyed, although some 17th century wooden Catholic churches remain to this day. The Nozyk synagogue was named for the man who founded it in 1900, Zalman ben Menasze Nozyk, and his wife Rywka bat Mosze (some guidebooks say it was founded in 1902).

Today services are held here every Friday night and every Saturday. Inside, you will see the interior of a moderately wealthy synagogue from turn-of-the-century Warsaw, with the cabinet containing the Torah scrolls and the bema (or pulpit) in the nave. The upper galleries are set aside for women.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18529 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18488
The permanent exhibition, Traces of Memory, is a contemporary look at the Jewish past in Poland. The exhibition features the work of the late photographer Chris Schwarz. Over a period of twelve years, he travelled together with Prof. Jonathan Webber (UNESCO Chair of Jewish and Interfaith Studies, University of Birmingham, UK) town by town and village by village. Their work offers a special way of looking at the Jewish past that was destroyed in Poland. I enjoyed the exhibition as very informative and thought-provoking.

Check the changing current exhibition as well!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18488 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18486 I stayed there on a Thursday and came right on time to have a piece of the usual Thursday afternoon cake. Glorious.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18486 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18483
The festival is an opportunity to get a first glance at the new season's productions. It uses the theatre in an attempt to make us aware of a problem that concerns us all from an unknown and extraordinary angle.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18483 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18482
A university was founded in medieval times, which made the former Polish capital a leading intellectual centre. There is a long list of buildings from throughout the centuries to explore. Don’t forget about the influence of Jewish life and culture. To get an idea of the amount of things to explore and the variety, start with a hike along the royal route.

But what makes Krakow so special? Its living and lively urbanity. Some grand old cities appear like a museum with inhabitants as living accessories, but not Krakow.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18482 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18442 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18442