Wednesday, April 30th, Krakow, Poland

Greetings!

Today, we went by tram (free for those over 70), train (fast and clean), and foot to Tarnow, where a significantly smaller version of Krakow shared a beautiful sunny day, and people enjoying a pre-holiday (May Day) vibe.  Plenty of museums, churches, and ice cream (lody) shops to visit,  Last night, when instead of sleeping, we previewed the city by watching six YouTube videos by locals of the top (?) things to see in Tarnow. 

Speaking of museums, one of those in the town square displayed examples of what ChatGPT said Pat's local ancestors might have used their metal-working skills to make.  Armour and swords were suggested could have been the source of the surname's origin, and blacksmithing a valuable skill in support of local knights and hose protecting the landed class.

Did you know there are 67 steps in the circular stairway leading up to the tower above the town offices and museum?  And do watch your head near the beginning.  Once at the top, the 360-degree view provides an impressive opportunity to repel any foe by arrow.  

Much of the day was spent getting to and from Tarnow, so not many photos.  To see them, click on Wednesday, April 30th, Krakow, Poland. 

Tuesday, April 29th, Krakow, Poland

Greetings!

 Krakow began as a towering cathedral, castle, and trading center built on a rock near a bend in the Vistula River in the 10th century.  It stretched north to add gridded streets around the second largest Medieval square in Europe, one of the world's oldest universities, encircling it all with a huge wall and garden, and it became the Royal Capital of Poland.  

This morning, we walked from our hotel to the rocktop site, and continued on throughout the rest of the City in two large expanded golf carts.   Visiting St Mary's Basilica, and Saints Peter and Paul's Church, we obtained tickets for the huge underground archeological dig under the square we'll visit tomorrow while others visit Auschwitz.

South of the City lies Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter and home to many old synagogues and refugees from Ukraine and Bohemia.  Our hotel (Golden Tulip Krakow Kazimierz) lies in the center of the district, and is served by several free trams.

To see all of the photos taken today, click on Tuesday, April 29th, Karakow, Poland.

Monday, April 28th, Krakow, Poland

Greetings!

This weekend, we began a journey to combine a return visit by Pat to Poland with our first visits to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.  Finally, we'll fly to Lapland in Finland to share some time with those carrying for reindeer.

As you will remember, Pat's grandfather left from Poland in 1909 at nineteen years of age.  We're here in Krakow to see what we can find in Tuchow, Tarnow County, about where he might have grown up.

We're with our tour guide (Monika) of Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), who showed us the City square, after we earlier toured the Jewish quarter by ourselves yesterday.  

To see all of the photos taken yesterday and today, click on our first trip post, Monday, April 28th, Krakow, Poland.