Supper In The Main Square
The Poles are proud of their food in much the same way as country people in the UK. Every chicken, animal, potato or leek you see, seems to have been brought up as a labour of love and I’ve never seen what you might call bad food in Poland.
If like me you’re coeliac, usually in a restaurant there is someone, who understands your needs and if that fails, I take a Polish Gluten-Free Card. But usually, only the top line gets read and the waiter or often the chef will say, have the duck or we can do the fish, in perfect English.
I took these pictures as I had supper.
I only had a main course, as I inevitably do, as I’d had an ice cream earlier.
Getting My Bearings In Krakow
After settling in to the hotel, I decided that I had better get a travel ticket, so I walked back to the station and had a general look around.
In some ways, I should have queued up for the ticket, when I passed through the bus station the first time. But I was able to buy a 48-hour ticket for the trams and buses, which would suit my purposes in Krakow almost to the hour.
But if like me, you get a hotel between Rynek Główny and the combined bus/train station, and you are prepared to walk, it is an easy city to navigate as there are maps of all types everywhere.
Something should be said about the Trams of Krakow. The system is pretty old and there are still a few vintage trams of the Communist era, that are gradually being replaced. However, it seems to run well, reliably and frequently. The information is very good and about half the trams have modern electronic displays, so they are not difficult to use and probably rate for usability, with say the London Tramlink or the Manchester Metrolink.
Krakow doesn’t have a Metro, but they have created a fast tram instead. The line runs in a tunnel shared with pedestrians under the main railway station and is a very simple way to integrate a high-capacity tram into the rail system. The same idea, should have been used at Stratford, where the DLR platforms for the Stratford International branch, should be in the two passenger subways. I have discussed this before.
My Hotel In Krakow
I stayed at the Saski Hotel, which I had booked for seventy pounds or so for two nights including breakfast.
I got a clean single room, but the bathroom was down the hall. Although, it was probably brand new and certainly very luxurious.
The position was right being not far from the station and close by Rynek Główny which is the enormous main square in Krakow.
But next time, I go to Krakow, I’ll spend a bit more.
Out Run To Krakow
These images tell the story of my trip out and arrival in Krakow.
Rarely, in all my years of travelling, have I arrived in a foreign city, where it has been so obvious as to how to get to the city and then to walk to your hotel.
Admittedly, I was using the maps on my my phone to get vague directions, but usually, there was a street name or map to guide me, as I walked from the bus station to the Saski Hotel.
If I printed a Google Map before I left home, I wouldn’t have even needed to use my phone.
And at the Airport, Information told me where to go in perfect English.
Many take a taxi from Krakow Airport to the City Centre, but it’s so easy to get a bus from outside the terminal and then either walk or get a tram from the main bus station.
Off To Krakow
I’m leaving for Krakow in a few minutes on easyJet from Gatwick
My overnight schedule is as follows ;-
Wednesday, June 10th – Krakow
Thursday, June 10th – Krakow
Friday, June 12th – Prague
Saturday, June 13th – Dresden
Sunday, June 14th – Dresden
Monday, June 15th – Osnabruck
I’ll be on the last Eurostar out of Brussels on the 16th
Obviously, all of the trips in the middle will be by train.
If you want to get in touch, text me on 07860-243707 starting the message with Krakow.
The Anonymous Widower 