Krakow and Gdansk: a trip to Poland

Me and my best friend Niki decided we wanted to take a break from reality and go on a trip somewhere, but we really did not know where! All we knew was that we were low on cash (what a surprise!) and we couldn't be away from our jobs for more than a week. So I started searching for places in Europe where you can go when you are on a budget and you don't have many days to spent there. I thought about Italy and Spain, Budapest and Prague, but while I was googling (yeah that's a word millenials use!) an article caught my eye about the hidden treasures of Poland. I saw pictures of Krakow, Warsow, Lublin and Gdansk and after hours of discussing all the options with Niki we decided we would visit Krakow and Gdansk! And I think we made the right choice! We had to exchange our euros to zlotis which is something I always like when visiting another country and off we went!

We landed in John Paul II International airport in Krakow and took the subway to go to the train station to leave for Gdansk. The train took four and a half hours from Krakow to Gdansk and it cost 15euros. At about 13:00 we arrived in Gdansk and we decided to walk to the hotel we had booked. Another good decision! While we were walking we looked around the town and found it extremely unique and beautiful! It is a small town and it's easy to see everything, it will only take a day to see the whole town and discover all the small shops, coffee places and restaurants. We also rented bikes and strolled around the parks and the town.

The first night we were in Gdansk we walked around the main roads and the river Mottawa, the town is built around it.  The buildings are colorful, they survived the second World War and the architecture is unique. There are musicians playing classical music in the streets and the atmosphere at night is one of a kind! There are many places to try traditional polish cousine, but we ate at "Pierogarnia Mandu" and it was worth it! Pierogis, beet soup and the fried gabbage as a side of a main course is always a great idea (I still miss the gabbage!) You must visit St Mary's Church and if you  are there on a Sunday attend Sunday's service, it's an experience you won't forget! If you are a dessert lover visit the 'Lookier cafe', it has a big selection of desserts and good coffee.

We stayed in Gdansk for two days and walked around a lot! Took many pictures and enjoyed the outdoors since the weather was sunny and hot! The third day we took the train back to Krakow. Once we arrived we took the tram to the place we were staying which was near the historical city center. Krakow is much bigger than Gdansk and there are plenty of things to see and visit. First thing you should visit is the Wawel castle. It is magnificent and you can walk up to a tower for just two euros and take a great picture of Krakow from above. There is also a dungeon with a dragon (Drogo?) but we didn't go there since you needed to pay for an extra ticket to visit it. You can enjoy most parts of the castle for free.

At the center of Krakow you have the central square "Stare Miasto" with a beautiful bazaar of street shops for you to buy your souvenirs. And now I am going to tell you a little secret: there is a polish restaurant near Stare Miasto that tourists don't really know about, we found that out by our host at the airbnb place we were staying. It is called "Bordo" and the address is Golebia 3. This is a small, cozy restaurant with polish food and you eat by menu that contains a first course, a main meal and a piece of cake for dessert for about 5-6 euros per person, and the food is really good!

Another great place for you to see is the Wieliczka salt mine. You can take a bus from the city center and visit the salt mine. The ticket is 89 zlotis, about 22 euros, but it is worth it! It's an adventure you will remember and you will have so much fun going 135 meters underground! I also tried the free walking tours so that I can be guided around the old Jewish district, the Jewish Ghetto and Schindler's factory. It was worth it and the people guiding us were really fun, friendly and informed! (for the free walking tours site click here ) It is a very strong experience walking around those places and I am sure you will be filled with emotions while taking the tour.

Unfortunately we thought the five days we stayed in Poland were not enough! We are planning to go back and visit more places. I loved both Gdansk and Krakow! Overall it was a cheap trip when it came to food and drinks, the tickets for transportation and various sights were normal priced. I hope you enjoy it yoo! Bring me back a pierogi! #bwzenia