Visiting Krakow, the cultural capital of Poland, is something I recommend to everyone. Krakow’s Old Town was declared a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in 1978and it became the most densely ‘pub-populated’ UNESCO Heritage Site in the world. Some Krakovians pride themselves with a saying that there’s more drinking holes per square meter here than anywhere else. And although the service is not always the best and finding a place to sit after 10 pm may be difficult, the spark of the vibrant Krakow night life will surely brighten up your travels.
The horizon above the Old Town is dominated by a mythical Wawel Castle, notable for its stunning courtyard and an incredible collection of jewel-encrusted. It is in Krakow where you will find Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Lady with an Ermine. Arguably the most beautiful out of only three female portraits know to be painted by Leonardo, Lady with an Ermine is displayed in the Czartoryskich Museum at 19 Sw. Jana Street.
Poles are film fanatics and art-house films, many of them in English with Polish subtitles, are mainstream here. So if you have time, you can go to see them in some of the coolest cinemas in Europe. Once in Krakow, don’t miss the unique Wieliczka Salt Mines with wonderful rooms, sculptures and a chapel craved entirely from salt! And while somebody might just be getting married in the salty chapel 200 meters under the ground, you may indulge in another one of Leonardo’s masterpieces, The Last Supper.
July 20, 2007 No Comments
If the magic of medieval European cities is what you’re into, you’ll love Tallinn. I fell in love with Tallinn immediately, when I visited the Estonian capital for the first time a couple years ago. Full of 13th through 17th century buildings, churches and towers, the city offers an interesting cultural mix of Danish, Swedish, Russian, and German influences. Not many outsiders know that the city’s name, derived from the Estonian for “Danish Fort” (taani linnus), is a reminder of the fact that Tallinn was founded by the Danes in early 13th century and the political control over the city has nearly always been in the hands of foreigners from then on. In the past, Tallinn was dominated by Germans, ruled by the kinds of Sweden and the tsars of Russia and later, it became a part of the USSR.
Tallinn is a wonderful place to be indulging in hot chocolates, fine European pastries, delicious Estonian food and excellent beer. During the day, you can soak up the northern European sun at the beaches of the Baltic Sea. You could also stay in the city center and climb a few more than 270 stairs up to the top of St. Olaf’s cathedral. Once the tallest building in the world, you enjoy the magnificent view of the city from here. I actually think that the most amazing thing to do in Tallinn is to walk around its cobblestone streets and observe the little details of the city. You will find wooden doors covered with peculiar geometric patterns, beautiful stained glass windows, or a myriad of architectonic styles and designs noticeable in the city’s numerous churches.
While the overall image of Tallinn is that of a very historic city, I was amazed to find how widespread and accessible free Wifi zones in Tallinn are. Many bars and cafes let you bring in your laptop and surf the Internet for free.
Tallinn is a small city, so three days may be just enough time to stay there, especially if you don’t particularly love history and architecture or are on a tight travel schedule. But it’s definitely worth seeing.
July 18, 2007 No Comments
Loket Castle is an absolute gem. Located in Western Bohemia, two hours west of Prague, Loket is only a short trip from more famous tourist destinations like Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne. The castle dates back to the twelfth century, and it is beautifully preserved, mostly because it has been declared a national monument.
When you first get to Loket, you might find the area somewhat familiar, because it was the location for a number of scenes in Casino Royale, the latest James Bond film. It took the place of the town in Montenegro where the characters in the movie played their poker game. The town does not have much to offer, especially if you’re not into architecture from the Middle Ages, but it does have one amazing castle.
Guys love castles. I know I have loved them ever since I was kid playing around in forts. And I mention that because Loket Castle makes a special effort to cater to that feeling. Admission charge is required, but once you enter the castle gates, you can wander around wherever you want. You can enter the dungeons (where prisoners were once kept), explore the turrets (where one king stashed his daughters) and even experience the royal view from the balconies.
At certain times of the year, the administrators of the castle organize a special dungeon exhibition. They had opened access to about fifteen different rooms and set up a different torture scenario in each one. The idea of a dungeon exhibition might seem a bit gruesome, but there’s also something fun in seeing what happens to a doll when stretched over a rack.
Do not leave the town right away after you are done exploring Loket Castle. If you are hungry and like central European food, then there is a restaurant in the area worth checking out. It’s simply called Restaurace, and it’s directly to the right of the exit to the castle. The staff there will cook you the best goulash you will ever have (served in a bread bowl), and you can wash it down with a Pilsner.
You may not have heard of Loket Castle before now. While it may not be as well-known or popular as some of Europe’s castles, it is not lacking in quality. Sometimes you can get overwhelmed just visiting all of the churches and castles in Europe, but that does not mean that you shouldn’t go. They are an unforgettable part of the history of the land, and if you are in Western Bohemia, Loket Castle is a must-see.
July 13, 2007 No Comments
Getting to and from Poland will now be a little easier. Centralwings is offering new flights from the United Kingdom and Ireland to various cities in Poland. Check our their special offers page. I just priced out a flight from Edinburgh to Warsaw for about 67 GBP ( $125 ).
Full article from travelmole:
23 October, 2006
Centralwings expands Polish destinations
Polish low-cost airline Centralwings is to serve Wroclaw from Gatwick with four flights a week from October 29.
The carrier is to start its first service from Stansted on December 15 with three flights a week to Warsaw.
Twice-weekly Shannon-Gdansk and twice-weekly links from Cork to Krakow and Wroclaw start on October 30 and October 31 respectively.
The airline already operates routes from Gatwick to Warsaw and Krakow; Edinburgh to Warsaw, Gdansk and Katowice; Shannon to Warsaw; and Dublin to Wroclaw, Gdansk and Katowice.
Report by Phil Davies
October 23, 2006 No Comments
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