What you need to know before you book your airfare and tickets
Krakow has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a while and it certainly deserves to be explored. There is so much culture and history in this city that you might not quite know where to go when you first get here. A good place to start is the Main Square. This is the centre of Krakow and it boasts an awe inspiring church called Kosciol Mariacki. If you come here on the hour you can hear fire fighters play the bugle in the tower. They play a tune that was used to warn the citizens of Krakow about an imminent Tartar invasion in the 13th Century. Do take a peek inside the church as well. When you exit the church, head to the back of it where you will find a small market square called Maly Rynek. You won't find so many tourists here, which makes it a nice place to have a quiet stroll and browse. There are some authentic places to enjoy a coffee or a lunch or whatever else takes your fancy. One landmark that should be on every visitor's list is Schindler's factory. Steven Spielberg made a movie about this German businessman who saved 1000s of lives during WWII. He hired many Jews to work in his factory to make sure that they wouldn't be killed by the Germans. His factory is still there and it gives you a good insight into his life and all the good he did for so many people in Krakow. Another must see sight is the Wawel Castle which was the home of Polish Monarchs a few centuries ago. There even is a fire spitting dragon. Go see for yourself. You would probably need a full day to see everything in the castle, but it's a fun day out. Especially if you're travelling with kids. Afterwards when you walk down back into town you will find Wierzynek restaurant. It's the oldest place to eat in Krakow. The restaurant (and not just the building), dates back to the 14th Century. The food is a bit on the pricey side, but it's worth the experience. The Kazimierz district is another good area to find hip eateries. It used to be a Jewish area and nowadays boasts some amazing architecture and a sophisticated atmosphere. It's Krakow's artistic neighbourhood and is filled with pubs, restaurants and cafes. The nicest ones are on Estera Street. Oh and don't forget to try Krakow's speciality; a zapiekanka. It's toasted bread with mushrooms and cheese. Tempted yet? Then go book that cheap flight to Krakow now.
