It’s time for a Kraków roundup post! I loving going away on adventures as I say alllll the time in my blog posts, as it is my time to be me, feel free and enjoy life a little bit more than normal. It’s been a while since my last adventure and it’s been a whirlwind six months. I headed to Kraków in Poland for a long Easter weekend getaway have done some mega exploring whilst here. I feel like my posts have been a bit backwards whilst I’ve been away this time as normally I’d do some summary’s whilst I’m going along but with the way I’ve seen and done things whilst being here, I’ve ended up doing some posts solely focused on specific activities, which has meant I’ve ended up posting more about my whole adventure towards the end! Anyway… let’s go.

After an early start and flight.. day one! I got the train from the airport to the main city centre and grabbed a coffee (essential), when I stepped outside it was snowing, and felt almost magical. I then headed to checkin at my apartment. It felt a bit luxury as normally I’m a hostel girl through and through but it was such a steal I couldn’t not! Day one, in whatever country I go to, is usually a ‘find my bearings’ day so that it makes the rest of my trip enjoyable.. I work out different bits and check out the surrounding area so I know what’s nearby, etc. so I did that and then headed into the Old Town and Main Square and had a wander round.

I then grabbed a tram down to Zabłocie as I was very much wanting to check out the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków. I’m posting about my trip here in a separate blog because there was just so much incredible artwork and I wanted a space to chat about it on its own, if you want to have a read and see some of the outstanding artwork, check it out once it’s up. I spent so long here (far longer than planned) so by the time I was done I headed back to the Main Square to grab some dinner before heading back to my apartment and watching a film… I’d been up since 4am so by 9pm I was knackered, so a chilled night in was needed.

Day two I went to Auschwitz-Birkenau which I’ve created a separate blog about my trip here, so if you’re interested in reading about it, check it out here: Auschwitz-Birkenau. What I will repeat here though is that this was an experience like no other. It was truly gut wrenching and harrowing, from the minute we arrived to the time we left it was dark, eerie, cold and almost solemn. I don’t want to say it’s a ‘must see’ and that you have to go, because for some, it might not be appropriate, it was emotionally draining and really hit me, but if you think you want to, I would absolutely recommend it to anyone.

Day three was a local exploration day. First up I headed to Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory for some more history. I love this kind of stuff, I love reading up about different things in history and finding out more and being able to visit places like these just amaze me. I find history incredible because it just makes me realise that it is real. This was an interactive experience that I really enjoyed, looking around but also feeling immersed in the different period of time. One of my favourite parts was the Room of Choices (final pic below), which was an art installation designed by Michał Urban and produced by Rafał Koremba alongside Michał.

From here I headed to the Ghetto and checked out Ghetto Heroes Square to see the memorial, each of the 70 chairs that are placed in the square represented and commemorated 10k individuals who’s fate was sealed here in the Kraków Ghetto, totally 70,000 people. I’ve learnt so much whilst being here! I then headed up to the Jewish Quarter to explore this area and final stop was back to the Main Square to see the Rynek Main Market Square Underground Museum. Until I couldn’t find the entrance.. obviously it was underground so I wasn’t expecting it to be right in front of me but I walked around for ages with no not so instead took myself off to the National Museum. Still no luck as when I arrived there was a little piece of paper on the door (the building is obviously huge) saying Museum open 10:00-14:00 today. Back to the Old Town I went to see what else I could find, explore, and get up to for the rest of the day.

I wanted to chat in particular about the street art in Kraków. I LOVE street art, and some of it here was incredible, I won’t talk too much about it but I’ve added some pictures below of some of my favourite pieces from this trip.

Day four I headed to Zakopane, this village is one of the closest to the border of Slovakia. Over the years of solo travel I’ve become more and more confident with not just staying in the local area that is around me and actually going off and exploring other towns and villages that surround an area, particularly if there’s an interest there. My day in Zakopane was one of my favourite, first up, headed up to see the mountains in Gubałówka, spent some time up here in a little mini village taking some photos and having a wander before heading back down to the village and it reminded me of what you see in Christmas films sometimes with all the wooden buildings, it felt really magical. From here headed to a Shepherd’s Hut where they make oscypek, a Polish cheese combing sheep’s and cow milk, I had the chance to grill some over an open fire and it was served with cranberry jam and peach vodka. Very nice combination! Final stop was the wooden village of Chochołów, it was so off-grid and just beautiful to see. I felt like I was in a completely different country for the day!

It’s a trip that hasn’t disappointed, I’ve wanted to come to Poland for so long now and it was originally booked for 2020 before the pandemic hit, so I’m glad I could finally tick it off three years later. It also marked a special milestone as it was country twenty that I’ve been to! Officially at 10% of the world, still very small and so much still to do and see but I’m getting around them at a pace that I really like. Early night tonight ready for my 6:30am flight home tomorrow and back to work, I love going away but I also love my job so being able to shoot off on adventures every now and then suits my lifestyle perfectly. Next adventure is already booked though and is in only three weeks time! I’m so excited as it’s a completely different trip to this one, I’m heading to Barcelona and Lisbon for 9 days and ready to share what I get up to there too, recommendations welcomed!

Smile, Mads x