Krakow

Krakow itself is a lovely city – the main old town square is large and surrounded by plenty of shops and restaurants spilling out onto the pavement. Little tip - make sure you are there on the hour to hear the bells of the church and then the trumpeter comes out and plays the five-note Hejnał Mariacki from St. Mary's Basilica's higher tower every hour on the hour, from 8 am to 10 pm. The melody is interrupted before its end, traditionally commemorating a medieval trumpeter shot by a Tatar arrow while warning the city of invasion. The noon performance is also broadcast live across Poland via radio…. Wander around the cobbled streets off the square it feels very safe and the buildings are definitely worth the looking at as they are so pretty. We visited the Schindler’s Factory Museum. You have to queue for tickets but they move you in quickly so the museum is not overcrowded approx. £8 to get in (40 Zloty) though you can pay more and go in a guided group. We took the WOW hop on and off bus that took us right out to the Fort. I recommend you go for a minimum of the 24hrs ticket as during the summer includes a free gondola trip on the Vistula river and entrance into one of the museums. Visit the Jewish quarter for dinner, some great traditional restaurants there – try booking first if you are going to be there at a weekend as they get busy. The location of the hotel Senacki we stayed in location was excellent just a few steps from the main old town square and is on the royal route which is a popular street. The room was spacious and clean though a little dated. Had tea and coffee and AC there was a TV though struggled to get any English channels but not an issue. Breakfast is in the basement that is a cave and you have to climb through a entrance like a sty made of stone - so the hotel is not suitable for mobility issue customers if they want breakfast there! It was a buffet with lots of continental choice and you can order scrambled eggs made to order. There is a small fitness room in the basement and also from reception you can enter the bar/restaurant which serves drinks and seafood and again is popular with locals...

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