Cracow (Krakow) Vacations, Poland

The Polish people and the Polish language are romantic. Krakow is the romantic city of the the Polish people and in my opinion the most romantic city in the world. If you are traveling with your boyfriend, husband, girlfriend or wife, Krakow is the place to be, for more reasons then I explain in this article. Krakow is a magical romantic mediaeval Polish city. Krakow's meandering streets were almost designed for romantic walks, flowing like rivers and streams though the city rather than traditional linear grids. Here are five romantic ideas for this magical Polish city.

1)Wawel and the city walls. Wawel (pronounced vavel in Polish) sits on a limestone hill south of the Old Town, the site of the Royal Castle and the cathedral. Just stand at the top and you can get a great panoramic view of the city and the river. Even see a dragon breath real fire, a Polish legend you will have to read about.

The Wawel was the center of power for hundreds of years in Europe and the Polish sphere of influence extended from Moscow to Berlin (actually a city establish by early Poles). It was where the Polish kings were crowned and married. Today on any Saturday you will see beautiful Polish brides being married in the church of this castle.

Remember Krakow was a medieval city; therefore, it was a walled city. Although most of the city walls were dismantled there are traces left. The walk around the city is actually a beautiful circular park, these walls and countless historic sites are park of the walk called the "royal way".

2) Kazimierz - South of Wawel; the Polish Jewish quarter. In Kazimierz the Polish Jewish population peacefully resided for hundreds of year. It was actually started as a separate city and was incorporated into Krakow later. The pubs in the center of Krakow are frequented by the tourists. The pubs in Kazimierz are where the Krakowians go. It is the Greenwich Village of Krakow, artsy and trendy. The nexus is Alchemista which is a club with no lights, only candles.

3)Walk along the Wisla (pronounced Veeszwa in Polish) - This is a walk for all seasons. Most of the people walking along this river are hand in hand. Along the walkway are numerous views, trees and benches, and four magnificent bridges. However, the best spot is simply sitting along the river's grassy slopes and watching the sunset. The Wisla winds around the city of Krakow, separating Kazimierz from Podgorzse. Many people do not know that the Wisla actually flowed directly though the center of Krakow in the last century; however, Polish engineers moved the river so as not to risk damage to the old town in case of flooding. Near Hala Targowa you can still see bridge which crossed the river's old path.

4) Las Wolski . In this forest you can find countless trails to saunter through. You will see people picking famous wild Polish mushrooms, there is a zoo and for those who have a little more endurance deep in the forest the Kamedulków monetary. The monetary is unique not only because of its amazing tranquility and peace, it truly is a sacred place, but it was another interesting feature. In a room near the entrance if you whisper something on the other side of the room someone will hear you loud and clear. Its whispering walls will surprise the un-expecting.

5) Dominican church-Although not romantic in the Cosmo sense, this church is an amazing example of gothic architecture. It is a church from another time and place. It is connected to a monetary near by. The church has magnificent spirals and designs. However, if you want a look around be aware that during mass times it is standing room only and out the door. The Monks and priests in this community are legendary for their wisdom and sense of humor.

About the Author:
Mark Biernat is an American living in Krakow. He writes language learning software
Learn French, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Italian.-Download a language directly to your brain. Mark also has a free Polish grammar site where you can learn Polish grammar. http:// www.polishgrammar.com

Things To Do and See in Cracow (Krakow)

Royal Wawel Castle (Zamek Krolewski), Krakow
Serving as a royal residence and the site where the country's rulers

governed Poland for five centuries (1038-1596), this castle is a symbol

of the independent Polish state and today contains a priceless collection of

16th-century Flemish tapestries, considered to be one of the largest in the world.
Attraction type: Castle; Historic site; Historic walking area

Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny), Krakow
Huge 10-acre square, the largest in any of Europe's medieval cities, features

the 16th-century Renaissance Cloth Hall and the splendid 14th-century

Gothic Basilica of the Virgin Mary.
Attraction type: Town center/square/plaza

Church of the Virgin Mary (Kosciol Mariacki), Krakow
One of the most famous of Poland's churches, this Gothic structure

features two striking towers, the taller of which is a magnificent

Gothic spire with a gold-plated crown built in 1666.
Attraction type: Religious site; Architectural building

Jewish District (Kazimierz), Krakow
Sizable Jewish population of Krakow moved to this district at the end

of the fifteenth century, which served as the main cultural center of

the Polish Jewry for centuries.
Attraction type: Neighborhood

Wawel Cathedral (Katedra Wawelska), Krakow
National shrine known for its superb religious art including the giant bell

of Zygmunt of 1520, one of the world's largest, and the burial place of many

Polish kings and their families, national heroes and numerous bishops.
Attraction type: Historic site; Religious site

The Barbican (Barbakan), Krakow
Styled after Arab defensive architecture, this masterpiece of medieval

military engineering with its circular fortress was added to the city's

fortifications in the late 15th century.
Attraction type: Historic site

Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Krakow
Considered the world's oldest shopping mall, the present Renaissance

structure dates from 1555 and features in its interior many food stalls and

small shops, terrace cafes and flower stands that surround the statue of

Adam Mickiewicz.
Attraction type: Historic site; Mall

Old Synagogue (Stara Synagoga), Krakow
One of two surviving Gothic synagogues in the world (the other is in the city of

Prague) that was restored after World War II and now houses a Jewish Museum.
Attraction type: Religious site; Museum; Historic site

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