Anyone on here been recently, just wondering what prices are like for a reasonable meal, or for beers. Just wondering how much to take for a couple of days. Going to visit Auschwitz on Monday, apart from that does anyone have any other recommendations. Going Sunday morning and come back on Wednesday.
i would suggest you bring some Wodka back with you if you see it, one of the finest Vodkas ive ever tasted.
also if when you go to Auschwitz if you visit any other camp in the area.Instead of taking the bus, do the walk instead and really feel the plight of the jewish people as they did that walk. Auschwitz is spine tingling chilling.
On the booze front, I would recommend Dubrowka bison grass vodka. Drink it poured over ice with apple juice. Stunning drink.
Beer is cheap as chips even in the main square (owt beteen 90p and £1.50 a pint). There are some great restaurants in the Jewish Quarter where you can get a good meal and a couple of pints of Tyskie or Zywiecz for around a tenner. Even the restaurants in the main Market Square are reasonable by British standards. Beautiful city. I'd recommend the Salt mines as well just as a balancing act if you decide to go to Auschwitz. The sight of all those little kids shoes will bring a tear to your eye, especially if you've got kids of your own. The salt mines are an unbelievable work of art.
http://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/visiting/tourist-route As recommended by a Polish former colleague who came from krakow.
Go see the Wieliczka salt mines outside Krakow. Auschwitz is of course a very moving experience, I had read a lot and studied the histories before I went but it doesn't really prepare you. If you get a chance to read Primo Levi before you go, do. If this is a Man, will be on-line somewhere. Here is a link to a recent chat on the bbs, some interesting things said. http://bbs.barnsleyfc.org.uk/showth...bout-Treblinka-last-night&highlight=treblinka It has it's tragic histories, but Krakow is a beautiful, cultured town. Just avoid the British and you'll be okay!
About 2 years when I went. As mentioned Auschwitz is something else. Don't go thinking it's a tourist attraction, it really isn't. Be prepared for a lot of questions, shock, disbelief and some dark emotions. I didn't go to Birkenau afterwards and neither my gf or I had much to say for the rest of the day after we'd visited. Beer was dirt cheap and the food is pretty decent too. The main square is an obvious place to eat and drink, but venture a bit further afield. It's a very small city and easily walkable so venture where you see students and the jewish quarter. The castle is good for a wander on the hill, the schindler factory is a bit of a walk but also interesting and fill your time talking in the sites and a beer or two. I found the food surprisingly good. The final night I had an amazing dinner. Can't recall the name of the place. its right at the top of the old town (the old town follows the lines of the old city walls) and is quite close to an old tower/ gatehouse. It was just along the top road, not busy round there at all and the restaurant was down some steps into a dark cavernous place with vaulted ceilings and lots of nooks and cranny's. Polish cuisine, and very good. A hunters stew/soup was a starter and then had wild boar which was delicious. Also some good italians surprisingly. And you really can't go wrong with the polish beer. Gf said the red wine was pretty decent too. Enjoy!
Thanks for that, the hotel is not far north of the old town and very close to the station, so sounds like we'll be close to the restaurant you mention - I'll look out for it. As for Auschwitz - I'm not thinking of it as a tourist attraction, I know it will be a tough visit but has to be done. Went to the Holocaust museum in Washington DC a few years ago and that was moving enough seeing some of the stuff and the stories, nevermind being where it happened.
Think we stayed at Andells and it was a very short walk from there. Think one of the italians we ate at was down Floriana (think thats what its called from memory!) and looked quite modern from the outside, not far from the corner of the square I think. I've looked for the tourist guide we had but it seems my gf has sent it out on loan somewhere! So sorry I couldn't be a bit more help
