Posted on 06/17/2006 11:08:40 AM PDT by lizol
Kraków a crown for Poland
02:30 PM CDT on Friday, June 16, 2006 By RICK STEVES / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
The top stop in Poland is Kraków. And enjoying a drink on its marvelous main market square, you’ll know why. The biggest square in medieval Europe remains one of Europe’s most gasp-worthy public spaces.
Knowing this is one of Europe’s least expensive countries, I choose the fanciest cafe on Kraków’s fanciest piece of real estate and order without even considering the price. Sinking deep into my chair and sipping deep into my drink, I ponder the bustle of Poland, just a decade and a half after it won its freedom.
Vast as it is, the square has a folksy intimacy. It bustles with street musicians, fragrant flower stalls, cotton-candy vendors, loitering teenagers, businesspeople commuting by bike, gawking tourists, and the lusty coos of pigeons. This square is where Kraków lives (and visitors find themselves hanging out). To my left, activists protested Poland’s EU membership. To my right, local teens practiced break dancing.
The folk band, swaggering in colorful peasant costumes, gives me a private little concert. Feeling flush, I tip them royally. (Perhaps too royally. Be aware: A big tip gets you "The Star-Spangled Banner.")
Kraków is the Boston of Poland, a captivating old-fashioned city buzzing with history, intriguing sights, colorful eateries and college students. Even though the country’s political capital moved from here to Warsaw 400 years ago, Kraków remains Poland’s cultural and intellectual center. Flat and easy to navigate, Kraków is made for walking. A greenbelt called the Planty rings the Old Town, where the 13th-century protective walls and moat once stood (a great place for a stroll or bike ride).
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
What is kopiec?
Great Pictures!
What you can see on the picture in post # 9 - a kind of hill made by people, as a memorial - to commemorate somebody, or something.
There is several of them in Krakow.
I like them to, but all that looks much better in reality.
Beatiful photos ! Fantastic!
I keep hearing about how good looking the women are, and have seen in photos posted to this site. I have got to go there.
The neighbors across the street are from Poland. The wife, OMG!
The husband is renovating the house to appear similar to theirs in Poland. Very, very nice. Alot of attention to detail.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.