Krakow, POLAND
Airing Date: Dec 30th, 2002
It's cheap in European terms, relatively untouched and has one of the best preserved medieval city centres on the continent.
Visitors can mingle with the funky caf society blended with 10 centuries of history and experience all that Krakow has to offer.
The Old City, which has developed over seven centuries, is small enough to explore on foot. Alternatively, a 90 minute journey by horse drawn tram covers most of Krakow's must see sights including The Barbican with its three metre thick walls and the 14 th century Florian Gate.
The tour finishes up in Europe's largest medieval square. Coffee shops line the perimeter of the area and just nearby is the 400-year-old Cloth Hall crammed full of market stalls. Fortunately for tourists who like to shop, Krakow doesn't come with a hefty European price tag. In fact, you get around the same value for your money in Krakow as you do back home.
Like most old European cities, Krakow has its fair share of beer halls. Swidnicka Beer Cellar sells the local brew for about half the price you'd expect to pay at home.
Chlopskie Jadlo is one of 350 eateries in the area. At Chlopskie Jadlo every meal starts with a free entre of rye bread with cheese and onion dip plus pate. There's also a buffet salad bar and tempting main dishes and desserts.
Thirty minutes up the road from town is the 700 year old Wieliczka Salt Mine. Reaching an extraordinary 330 metres below ground, the mine is the oldest of its kind in the world. A two-hour tour takes visitors through safe sections.
UNESCO has listed Wieliczka Salt Mine as a World Heritage site. This status is largely due to the three spectacular underground chapels, which were built during the 19 th century, when working conditions were so dangerous that it was the best option. The chapels are the result of a lot of hard work by three individual miners across 68 years. Everything inside, from the tiles to the statues to the chandeliers is made from salt crystal.
The facts
Thai Airways International flies to Paris daily. UK Europe Dollar Deals include Thailand side-trip and $200 travellers cheques.Prices start from $1967 ex Sydney, $1950 ex Melbourne and Brisbane, and $1848 ex Perth. Includes taxes & subject to exchange rates. Conditions apply.
Thai Airways International
Tel: 1300 651 960
LOT Polish Airlines has connections to Krakow. Air Tours Poland can organise all land arrangements in Krakow including accommodation.
Air Tours Poland
Tel: 02 9244 2466
The Hotel Logos in Krakow offers single rooms from $135 per single per night.
Hotel Logos
Tel: 0011 48-12 632 33 33 (international)
Wieliczka Salt Mine is open to the public all year round. A two-hour tour costs $13 per person.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Tel: 0011 48 12 278 73 02 (international)
A horse drawn tram ride costs $35 per person.
The self-serve salad bar at Chlopskie Jadlo is around $3.50. An entire meal including mains and dessert starts at around $18.
Swidnicka Beer Cellar sells the local beer for about $3.40 for 500 mL.
