From Katowice To Prague
There was only one direct train I could catch from Katowice to Prague and that left at 12:22. So after my short tram trip around Katowice, I gave myself plenty of time to have salad before I got the train to Prague.
The journey went smoothly, if not at a great speed and with a half hour changeover between the Polish and Czech crews.
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An Excursion In Katowice
Katowice is one of those places that has stuck in my mind, because of a mining disaster in the 1950s or 1960s.
I took a walk around the station, followed by a tram trip for a short distance from the station, a relaxation in a park for half-an-hour or so and then a return to the station for my train to Prague.
It is a typical modern city, that is like many you see over Europe. Unlike Krakow, there weren’t that many older buildings.
But like me, if you need to change trains in the city, there are many worse places to stretch your legs, perhaps take an excursion on a tram or get yourself something to eat and drink.
What helps in Katowice is that the well-equipped station is linked to the main street, where the trams run, by a very modern shopping centre. I struggled at first to find a ticket machine, but as in many countries, you buy tickets from the tobacconist. But as it’s Poland, the first younger person, I asked, gave me directions in perfect English.
The Toilets In Katowice Station
When I saw the toilets, I just had to take pictures and they deserve a section of their own.
In some ways, these facilities are a great reason to choose Katowice as a station to change trains.
I think they cost me about twenty pence to enter.
They give the phrase going to the loo, a whole new meaning. Apparently 2theloo is a Dutch idea and company.
From Krakow To Katowice
This was an early leg, as I wanted to get to Katowice in time to have a look round before my train left at 12:22 for Prague.
The journey was pleasant enough in an electric suburban train.
Supper By Krakow Castle
I had supper at a restaurant called Pod Baranem, that I’d found with Google.
It was excelklent and so was the Cydr Lubelski
Krakow Castle
I didn’t visit Krakow Castle, but as I walked round it before my supper I took these pictures.
It certainly is impressive and I’ll have a proper look next time I go to the city.
An Event In Krakov
As I walked back to the hotel after lunch, it appeared an event was about to take place in the main square.
My timing was wrong to wait, so I didn’t see any action.
An Almost Vegetarian Lunch At Chimera In Krakow
I found Chimera in the pocket guide of Krakow I took with me.
There is some tuna in the salad, but for vegetarians, that is of course optional.
It is well worth a visit, as this review in Trip Advisor says.
As to location, the restaurant is just a short walk from Rynek Główny.
An Excursion To Nowa Huta
Nowa Huta literally means the New Steel Mill and was originally built by the Soviet Union. Because of the town’s history, and the part it and the nearby Lenin Steelworks, played in the removal of the Soviet Union’s hold over Poland, I just had to go and have a look.
I took a tram from Rondo Mogilskie and it was a pleasant ride to the Easternmost area of Krakow. I then had a stroll in a park and caught the trams back to the centre.
A Morning In Krakow
I walked up to the train station and bought my tickets for Prague first thing and then I walked around Rynek Główny and did a bit of exploring on the trams.
Krakow is one of those cities with quite a lot to see early in the morning.
The Anonymous Widower 