Travel Guide Krakow. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels. Quick view Poland Travel etiquette Health

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Travel Guide 02 02 04 04 Quick view Travel etiquette Health 05 05 08 08 Phone calls & Internet Top 10

1 Travel Guide Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Agnieszka Gaul/Getty Images 01/13

2 02 Quick view a brief overview s most beautiful city, is a historical gem which delights art and architecture fans in equal measure. One of the few Polish towns to escape destruction during the brutal years of WWII, it stands as one of eastern Europe s best preserved cultural sights, with soaring Gothic buildings everywhere you turn. Wander the streets of its beautiful Old Town, marvel at the hulking Wawel Castle and tour world-class museums. The town s tragic past is never far away, its once thriving Jewish district and nearby Auschwitz a stark reminder of how suffered in the 20th century. General Information Country overview One of Europe's most underrated countries, offers a huge amount for travellers of all stripes, from the wild scenery of its mountainous south, with its great skiing and hiking, to the stunning Old Towns of Cracow, Zamość and Gdańsk, and the wilderness of the Białowieża National Park and the Great Masurian Lakes in the country's north. 's scenic beauty is as varied as it is extraordinary. The Baltic coast has some excellent sandy beaches, as well as the Słowiński National Park with its ethereal forests, bogs and sand dunes. The Cracow-Wielun Upland with its limestone areas, caves and medieval castles is another highlight, while perhaps most beautiful area of all is around the Carpathian Mountains in the far south. Geography shares borders to the east and northeast with Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, to the south with the Czech Republic and Slovakia and to the west with Germany. To the north lies the Baltic Sea. The Baltic coast provides almost 525km (325 miles) of sandy beaches, bays and steep cliffs; between Gdańsk, and the port city of Szczecin to the west there are many seaside towns offering unpolluted water and some fine beaches, with sunbeds and umbrellas available for hire. These sand and gravel deposits also form the shifting dunes of Słowiński National Park, the sand bars of Hel and the Vistula Lagoon. Northern is dominated by lakes, islands and wooded hills joined by many rivers and canals. The Masurian Lake District to the northeast is a patchwork of lakes and forests with Lake Hańcza, the deepest lake in, located here. The longest river, the 1,090km (675 mile) Vistula, or Wisła, rises in the Tatra mountains and empties into the Baltic, cutting a wide valley between the capital, Warsaw in the heart of the country, to Gdańsk on the coast. The rest of the country rises slowly to the Sudety mountains, which run along the border with the Czech Republic, and the Tatra mountains, which separate from Slovakia. To the west, the River Oder, with Szczecin at its mouth, forms the northwest border with Germany. counts almost two dozen national parks, covering an area of 3,200 sq km 02/13

3 03 (1,235 sq miles), and including the oldest, Białowieża National Park, east of Warsaw on the border with Belarus, and one of the largest, Bieszczady National Park, part of the Carpathian mountain range. These parks are home to European bison (the largest mammal in Europe), brown bears, lynx, wolves and even some wild horses. And Białowieża contains a fragment of the forest that once covered Europe prehistoric times, with some oaks dating back half a millennium. Polish forests are largely pine though, accounting for two-thirds of the total. General knowledge Key facts Population: Population Density (per sq km): 123 Capital: Warsaw. Language Polish is the official language. There are a few small German-speaking communities primarily in the southwest. English and, increasingly less so, Russian are also spoken. French is also popular. Currency Złoty (PLN; symbol zł) = 100 groszy. Notes are in denominations of zł200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. The coins are in denominations of zł5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszy. is required under the terms of its accession to the European Union in 2004 to adopt the Euro as its national currency sometime in the future but this is not expected to happen for at least three years. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz; continental plugs with two round pins. General business opening hours Most offices in major industries open Mon-Fri Government offices are open Mon-Fri A few independent businesses may open on Saturday morning. Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January December 2019 period Nowy Rok (New Year s Day): 1 January 2018 Święto Trzech Króli (Epiphany): 6 January 2019 Pierwszy dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Sunday): 1 April 2018 Drugi dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Monday): 2 April 2018 Międzynarodowe Święto Pracy (Labour Day): 1 May 2018 Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja (Republic Day): 3 May 2018 Pierwszy dzień Zielonych Świątek (Whitsun): 20 May 2018 Dzień Bożego Ciała (Corpus Christi): 31 May 2018 Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny (Assumption): 15 August 2018 Wszystkich Świętych (All Saints Day): 1 November 2018 Narodowe Święto Niepodległości (Independence Day): 11 November 2018 Pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Christmas Day): 25 December 2018 Drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Second Day of Christmas): 26 December /13

4 04 Nowy Rok (New Year s Day): 1 January 2018 Święto Trzech Króli (Epiphany): 6 January 2019 Pierwszy dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019 Drugi dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Monday): 22 April 2019 Międzynarodowe Święto Pracy (Labour Day): 1 May 2019 Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja (Republic Day): 3 May 2019 Pierwszy dzień Zielonych Świątek (Whitsun): 9 June 2019 Dzień Bożego Ciała (Corpus Christi): 20 June 2019 Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny (Assumption): 15 August 2019 Wszystkich Świętych (All Saints Day): 1 November 2019 Narodowe Święto Niepodległości (Independence Day): 11 November 2019 Pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019 Drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Second Day of Christmas): 26 December 2019 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Poles are friendly, industrious people and foreigners are usually made very welcome. There are vast contrasts between urban and rural life and the Polish peasantry is very religious and conservative, maintaining a traditional lifestyle. Roman Catholicism plays an important role in daily life and criticism or jokes about religion are not appreciated, despite the general good humour of the people. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting; an older man will often kiss a woman's hand. Normal courtesies are observed when visiting private homes, and it is customary to bring flowers, preferably in odd numbers. Fairly conservative casual wear is the most suitable attire, but dress should be formal when specified for entertaining in the evening or in a smart restaurant. Smoking is banned in public places, including railway stations, restaurants and bars. Photography Military installations including border points should not be photographed. Health Health Main emergency number: 112 Food & Drink Mains water is normally chlorinated, and while relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Do not drink water from rivers or lakes even if they look pristinely clean as it may contain bacteria or viruses that can bring on diarrhoea and vomiting. Make use of the public wells for better tasting water; bottled water is available everywhere. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Two words of caution - a lot of dishes in Polish cuisine are stuffed or wrapped. Avoid them at a cafeteria or buffet if they look like they have outlasted their shelf life. Also, Poles can be big drinkers and vodka is the national drink. You definitely won't be able to keep up with your fellow drinkers for long. Go easy and either miss 04/13

5 05 a few turns or sip your drink in stages. Otherwise count on the mother of all hangovers and an upset stomach the next day. Other Risks Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended. Another one is against tick-borne encephalitis. This is spread by small insects that burrow under the skin and in recent years has become a common problem in parts of central and eastern Europe. Encephalitis is a serious infection of the brain, and vaccination is advised particularly for campers and hikers. Anyone who is considering spending a lot of time outdoors in affected areas should consider getting the jab before they leave home. Two inoculations of the vaccine will protect the recipient for a year while three doses provide protection for up to three years. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Skotnicki, Aleksander Sowinskiego 14/ Tel Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code: +48 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Wawel Castle A 16th-century Gothic masterpiece, Wawel Castle dominates the skyline of. The beautiful three-storey courtyard and various museums housing fine art and the Polish crown jewels can keep you occupied for hours, so be sure to set aside an entire day to explore. Wawel Tue-Sat (Nov-Mar) Tue-Fri /13

6 06 Tel: Sat-Sun (Apr-Oct) Wawel Cathedral Dating back over 900 years, this beautiful cathedral has borne witness to the coronation of Polish monarchs and the ordination of Pope John Paul II, s most famous son. Possibly the most stunning building in the city, both inside and out. Wawel Tel: Mon-Sat Sun (Nov-Mar) Mon-Sat Sun (Apr-Oct) Galicia Jewish Museum Found in the one-time Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, this excellent museum delves into the history of Jewish culture in Polish Galicia. It traces the proud Jewish tradition in this historical region of over 800 years, up to and including the Holocaust and beyond. Dajwór Tel: Daily St Mary s Basilica One of s most beautiful churches, St Mary s was first built in the 13th century, the present building dating from the 14th century. Listen out for the trumpet signal which plays hourly from the top of the towers, commemorating a Mongol attack on. Plac Mariacki Tel: Mon-Sat Sun Oskar Schindler s Enamel Factory In a building once used by Oskar Schindler, the man famed for helping Jews escape the Nazis during WWII, this excellent space documents the brutal occupation of in the early 1940s. Recreations of the city during this period make for uncomfortable but essential viewing. Lipowa Tel: Mon Tue-Sun /13

7 07 -factory Pharmacy Museum Another superb museum, this terrific museum in a stunning townhouse details the history of pharmacy. Recreations show changes in how medicines were stored, while the focus on Tadeusz Pankiewicz, who kept a pharmacy running in the Jewish ghetto during WWII, is particularly fascinating. Floriańska Tel: Opening times Tue Wed-Sun St Florian s Gate The last surviving original town gate, this hulking building gives a great idea of how heavily fortified once was. It dates back to the end of the 13th century and towers over the Old Town. Floriańska Mon-Sat Cloth Hall UNESCO protected, the Cloth Hall is one of s most recognisable and popular sights. The art gallery on the upper floor plays home to some exquisite Polish art, while its small arcades and cafés are well worth exploring. Rynek Główny Tel: Tue-Sun (gallery) Remuh Cemetery This atmospheric Old Jewish Cemetery is well maintained and dates back to the 1500s. Although it fell into disrepair during the war, it has been restored to its former glory, with fascinating examples of Jewish design on many of the tombstones. Szeroka Tel: Auschwitz-Birkenau Located 70km outside of is this complex of German concentration and extermination camps run by Nazis during World War II. Over 1 million people were murdered here. A guided visit makes it possible to understand this horrific place more fully - although the horrors that occured here are still inconceivable. Więźniów Oświęcimia 20 07/13

8 Oświęcim Tel: Daily (Dec-Feb) (Mar and Nov) (Apr and Oct) (May and Sep) (Jun-Aug). Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Being the historical heart of, the Old Town remains the best place to pick up traditional souvenirs and trinkets. The city centre is positively throbbing with shopping centres, as develops at a rapid pace and demand for high-end brands grows. Markets There are loads of excellent flea markets in. Plac Nowy, or the Jewish Market, takes place every weekend in Kazimierz, with antiques and vintage souvenirs up for grabs. Hala Targowa (Grzegorzecka) takes place daily, selling old books and bric-a-brac. Shopping Centres Malls have become a big deal in. The huge Galeria ska (Pawia 5) has almost 300 stores, featuring all the global brands you d expect to find in a major shopping centre. Galeria Kazimierz (Podgórska 34) is also worth checking out for high-street fashion. Bonarka City Centre (Kamieńskiego 11) is excellent for clothes. Restaurants Restaurants in As s stock as a tourist destination has risen, so has its food scene. Hearty, traditional Polish dishes rub shoulderswith haute cuisine and Asian classics in restaurants and cafés that will leave even the most ardent foodie wowed. Farina Polish dishes with a focus on fish are on the menu here, along with Mediterranean food. Świętego Marka Price: Expensive Starka Modern Polish food in an unstuffy setting where you can wash down the tasty herring with some home-made vodka. Józefa Price: Moderate 08/13

9 09 Pod Baranem In the heart of the Old Town, Pod Baranem serves tasty venison and goulash among other classics. Świętej Gertrudy Price: Moderate Klimaty Poludnia A cosy spot serving up traditional Polish dishes, fresh salads and local beers. Świętej Gertrudy Price: Moderate Moaburger Always packed, this is the place to come for s best burger. Mikołajska Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in Vodka and strong beer are not hard to find in. This is a city that loves a tipple and knows how to keep the night going well into the next day.it s even said to have the highest concentration of bars in the world. True or not, you ll not struggle to find somewhere to party. Baroque Superb cocktails, a pretty garden and a downstairs club space which opens at weekends. Swiętego Jana Cracow SomePlace Else Love sports? This bar shows everything you could hope for and has bar games to keep you entertained when the action ends. Powiśle Le Scandale With some of the best cocktails in the city, Le Scandale is currently s 09/13

10 10 hippest hangout. Plac Nowy La Habana Dark and dingy, with a cool vibe, this is the place for those who want a few quiet beers. Miodowa Baccarat Music Club s most stylish nightclubs brings in international DJs to entertain local partygoers. Stolarska Calendar of events Calendar of events Cracovia Marathon One of s favourite running events, the Cracovia Marathon has become increasingly popular with international participants in recent years. 22 April Venue: Throughout Cracow Juwenalia Juwenalia is a go-for-broke carnival in Cracow when students take over the city for four days and three nights, with street dancing, fancy-dress parades, masquerades and lots of carousing. The fun starts when the mayor hands over the keys to the city in the main market square on Friday. May 2018 juwenalia.krakow.pl/ Venue: Throughout Cracow St Stanislaw Procession Always taking place on the first Sunday after 8 May, the St Stanislaw Procession is a gathering of 's cardinals and bishops who follow the relics of the country's patron saints from the Wavel Cathedral to the Skalka sanctuary. This is a big religious festival in this predominantly Christian country, and thousands of devotees join the procession every year. 10/13

11 11 13 May 2018 Venue: Route from Wavel Cathedral to the Skalka sanctuary Wianki An ancient festival that dates back to Pagan times, Wianki literally means 'wreaths' and it is a traditional midsummer celebration that remembers St John. Polish girls wear wreaths of flowers with a lighted candle in the centre and then throw them into the Visitula River. According to folklore, if the wreath comes back to shore, the girl will never marry, if it sinks, she will die young and if it flows down the river, she will be married and be happy. Thankfully, it is a fast flowing river and most girls go away happy. There is also live music and a fireworks display. June Venue: Vistula River Lajkonik Pageant A celebration of Cracow s resistance to the Tatars in 1287, this colourful pageant is headed by Lajkonik, a comical figure disguised as a bearded Tatar riding a wooden horse. The parade starts at a church in Zwierzyniec and is accompanied to the Main Market Square by loud music and dancing. June 2018 Venue: From Zwierzyniec to Rynek Glowny Jewish Culture Festival Dubbed Jewish Woodstock, the Jewish Culture Festival in Cracow in late June and early July is the largest such festival in Europe, with theatre, film, music and art exhibitions. The cobbled streets throng with revellers, who dance the night and day away to a mix of traditional and modern music. Anyone can get involved in the festival, which also celebrates Jewish film, food and art and ends with a klezmer (a performance of traditional eastern European Jewish music). 23 June - 1 July Venue: Various venues in Kazimierz Summer Jazz Festival Cracow s love affair with jazz is perhaps best defined by the annual Summer Jazz Festival. It takes place at Piwnica Pod Baranami (meaning the cellar under the rams ), which is attributed as being the birthplace of Polish jazz. July Venue: Piwnica Pod Baranami Pierogi Festival A celebration of s national dish, this three-day fête honours the humble Polish dumpling and stages a cooking competition in which restaurants compete 11/13

12 12 for the bragging rights of best pierogi in Cracow. The perfect introduction to Polish cuisine. July - August Venue: Maly Rynek Music in Old Cracow Festival This two-week music festival is one of the oldest events in Cracow s cultural calendar. Staged every August, it s hosted in a plethora of venues across the city and takes revellers on a romp through five centuries of musical history. August Venue: Various venues Cracow Christmas Festival A sprinkling of snow and Rynek Glowny s Gothic architecture provide the perfect backdrop to Christmas celebrations in Cracow. A market selling anything from local crafts to mulled wine attracts thousands of visitors every year. There is also a competition to find the best nativity scenes in the city. December 2018 Venue: Rynek Glowny New Year's Concert One of Europe s largest New Year celebrations, as many as 100,000 revellers gather in Cracow s Main Market Square on the last evening of the year. Tourists and locals brave the bitter weather for a special programme of music and firework displays. 31 December January 2019 sylwester.krakow.pl/ Venue: Rynek Glowny Hotels Hotels in A hugely popular tourist destination, is understandably blessed with plenty of hotels. However, you won t find rooms here as cheap as in Warsaw or other major cities.that said, you can easily find mid-range options, with some great luxury accommodation too. Hotel Copernicus A small and elegant hotel with romantic rooms housed in a stunning, period building. Kanonicza Category: Expensive 12/13

13 13 Grodek A family-run boutique spot with gorgeous rooms, a pretty terrace and great restaurant. Na Gródku Category: Expensive Unicus Highly rated and affordable hotel in a 16th-century building, with pretty rooms and smart décor. Świętego Marka Category: Moderate Home Bright and modern design hotel that won t break the bank. Świętego Sebastiana Category: Moderate Abella Suites & Apartments Small and cosy guest house with great rooms for a low price. Długa Category: Cheap 13/13

Travel Guide Rzeszów. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels. Quick view Poland Travel etiquette Health

Travel Guide Rzeszów. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels. Quick view Poland Travel etiquette Health Travel Guide 02 02 04 04 Quick view Travel etiquette Health 05 05 07 08 Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants 09 10 11 Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy