Introduction
One of the pleasures of working in a large organisation is the ability to travel. For some the travel to repeatedly the same location makes the experience and extension of often monotonous work. Thankfully for me the experience of business travel doesn't take this format so still feels like an experience.
So my work recently required me to travel to Krakow in Poland, my first visit beyond what we used to call the "iron curtain" for people like me who were 1970's children. Krakow is one of the smaller town circ. 1M population but growing fantastically fast especially for technologist like myself.
Whilst I didnt really do sightseeing no time here are some photos from my visit and my thoughts on Krakow.
First impression and the city
Krakow is a small airport, probably the size of a small suburban street. Its 3 hours from Warzaw by train (30 mins flight) and easily accessible from Europe and Russia. Can drive into Poland from the rest of Europe very easily.
The current airport is work-in-progress (Oct 2014) and I'm sure it will be very modern when its finished in the next couple of years. Airport is located about 30 mins outside the city center.
The city is small with a mix of new and modern malls and Ikea like super stores and very nice hole in the wall boutique shop in the centre of town. The city is build around two centres the old city and adjoining Jewish quarter. Both form a centre life packed with restaurant, hole in the wall eateries and hives of activity.
A few of my photos from Krakow
The first photo is of Wavel Castle in the city centre, this was taken on my first morning from the window of my hotel.
Walking around the fringes of the old town, lot of lovely old buildings and cobbled streets. the inner city is laden with trams criss crossing the streets.
Here is a picture of a tram turning at a cross roads, the streets seemless transitioned from cobbled to tar and back.
One of the suburban trains of Krakow, I took this train from my place of work to central Krakow.
A Polish train driver, looking out across the track as I was waiting to buy my ticket on board the train. The driver wasnt happy with me he slammed the door in my face. But I didnt mind I still had a smile on my face - the joys of trains.
A 80's bar in Krakow, Spotem, truly underground it felt like an London underground tube platform. The place was packed with students Krakow has 200K student population and is truly a student city.
The old city is surround by gates and towers such as this one. The inner town definitely has a medieval feel to it. Surprised it survived the Second world war but apparently there was an agreement with to not bomb Krakow.
Conclusion
Krakow a good weekend break with lots to do. I would probably avoid going to the local football matches especially the local derby. Apparently it can get violent with some serious weaponry. Apart from that, the town was good, people friendly and very willing to talk and engage.
October, for me, was a very pleasant time to visit, the coldest months are December, January and February when temperatures are commonly at -10 to -20 on average. They have been known to go down to -40 so good luck with avoiding that.
One of the pleasures of working in a large organisation is the ability to travel. For some the travel to repeatedly the same location makes the experience and extension of often monotonous work. Thankfully for me the experience of business travel doesn't take this format so still feels like an experience.
So my work recently required me to travel to Krakow in Poland, my first visit beyond what we used to call the "iron curtain" for people like me who were 1970's children. Krakow is one of the smaller town circ. 1M population but growing fantastically fast especially for technologist like myself.
Whilst I didnt really do sightseeing no time here are some photos from my visit and my thoughts on Krakow.
First impression and the city
Krakow is a small airport, probably the size of a small suburban street. Its 3 hours from Warzaw by train (30 mins flight) and easily accessible from Europe and Russia. Can drive into Poland from the rest of Europe very easily.
The current airport is work-in-progress (Oct 2014) and I'm sure it will be very modern when its finished in the next couple of years. Airport is located about 30 mins outside the city center.
The city is small with a mix of new and modern malls and Ikea like super stores and very nice hole in the wall boutique shop in the centre of town. The city is build around two centres the old city and adjoining Jewish quarter. Both form a centre life packed with restaurant, hole in the wall eateries and hives of activity.
A few of my photos from Krakow
The first photo is of Wavel Castle in the city centre, this was taken on my first morning from the window of my hotel.
Walking around the fringes of the old town, lot of lovely old buildings and cobbled streets. the inner city is laden with trams criss crossing the streets.
Here is a picture of a tram turning at a cross roads, the streets seemless transitioned from cobbled to tar and back.
One of the suburban trains of Krakow, I took this train from my place of work to central Krakow.
A Polish train driver, looking out across the track as I was waiting to buy my ticket on board the train. The driver wasnt happy with me he slammed the door in my face. But I didnt mind I still had a smile on my face - the joys of trains.
A 80's bar in Krakow, Spotem, truly underground it felt like an London underground tube platform. The place was packed with students Krakow has 200K student population and is truly a student city.
The old city is surround by gates and towers such as this one. The inner town definitely has a medieval feel to it. Surprised it survived the Second world war but apparently there was an agreement with to not bomb Krakow.
Being vegetarian food in Krakow was not a problem but for sure the food was quite stodgy. I would probably end of looking like this fellow. I survived my week on potato pancakes, dumplings of different varieties and such fare. But I did survive fairly easily. For the carnivores there are endless options of a fairly heavy and filling nature.
Polish culture is to have a heavy breakfast (breads), dinner at 3pm which is heavy and a light supper at 6-8pm which usually consists of bread with meats/soup. For me a polish lunch is probably all the calories I need.
Conclusion
Krakow a good weekend break with lots to do. I would probably avoid going to the local football matches especially the local derby. Apparently it can get violent with some serious weaponry. Apart from that, the town was good, people friendly and very willing to talk and engage.
October, for me, was a very pleasant time to visit, the coldest months are December, January and February when temperatures are commonly at -10 to -20 on average. They have been known to go down to -40 so good luck with avoiding that.