July 20-25, 2019

At this point, I’m a little burnt out on traveling so I miss my train to Kraków, Poland ($48.97, no refund) and take a 9-hour bus ride as penance (€32.53). Should have researched flights more, as it’s only zł39 ride from the airport to/from town.

And, even though Poland takes up days on my Schengen visa, it doesn’t use the Euro (like I’ve been used to), and the currency is instead the Polish złoty. A friend along my travels recommended the Greg & Tom Hostel (zł65/night) for the meals alone, and yes, they were really good. Another good recommendation is Atlantis, for half the price, but none of the meals.

It was a quick, cheap trip, but here are some things I recommend:

• I walked through Planty Park at least a dozen times. Great walk, and also, as the royal capital of Poland until 1596, Kraków is packed with attractive historic buildings and streetscapes. 
• Check out the stunning Wawel Castle and Cathedral. Just walking up to and around the area is nice, in my opinion.
• Walk Bernatka footbridge to get to Old Town. Lots of fun restaurants, bars, and cafes in the area too. 
• Just outside the Old Town lies Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter, its silent synagogues reflecting the tragedy of the recent past. The district’s tiny streets and low-rise architecture make it an interesting place to explore.
• If you want to visit Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, keep in mind that the museum is less about the factory and more about the history of Poland and the town. To avoid all lines, you should buy the memorial trail ticket (zł32) at Muzeum Apteka Pod Orlem to have entrance to three places total for seven days.
• I booked a tour with Cracow City Tours for a morning trip and guide to Auschwitz (zł119). Personally, I found the guide really beneficial and the experience moving. 
• I enjoyed eating the street food oscypek, pączki, obwarzanek, and zapiekanki. Oh, eat sausages and pierogies. Be sure to have some beers too!
• The Kraków Pinball Museum is less of a museum and more of an arcade with unlimited play for €10/day. It has pinball machines from many decades.
• Make a 1-3 day trip to Zakopane by bus (zł20) to visit Tatra National Park and go up Kasprowy Wierch (hike or cable car). The water park is apparently one of the best.
• Kopiec Krakusa is a mound in the middle of a grassy park, further south, that has a very nice scenic outlook. Its highest point is 16 meters tall and offers panoramic views of the city. 
• Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK)
• Check out the university, Collegium Maius, where Nicolaus Copernicus went. 
  
• Pomnik Elvisa Presleya is statue remembering the late Elvis Presley. This statue is at the edge of the park. See it on your way to Zakrzówek Lake. It’s an old quarry filled with perfect blue water, but I don’t think they allow people to swim in it anymore because it’s a bit dangerous if you’re not a good swimmer.