Monday, December 19, 2016

Poland: Krakow- Walkable & Tasty!

Oh the smell right before the rain...but then it doesn't rain!
I love that smell...and outcome!
With the weather seemingly tenuous, the city was practically empty of people wanting to avoid potential raindrops, so it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. It was amazing!

Main Market Square

Main Market Square

Main Market Square

Main Market Square

Main Market Square

Main Market Square

Main Market Square

Ulica Florianska

St. Mary's Basilica

St. Mary's Basilica

St. Mary's Basilica

St. Mary's Basilica

St. Mary's Basilica

St. Mary's Basilica

St. Mary's Basilica

And just like every other European city, there is a castle/fortress/large something walled up and looking over the city from a high point. Welcome to Wawel Castle.
What is really nice about this place, is that you can explore the grounds for free, it only costing to enter the actual castle itself. It isn't just the Castle contained on the grounds, but a few churches, administrative buildings, huge gardens, overlooks of the city, and some modern restaurants to enjoy.

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

And then we traversed back down into and around the Old Town portion of Krakow.
I was absolutely loving the smell of rain in the air, and we were spared any actual precipitation as we were leisurely exploring.

Old Town

Old Town

We absolutely ate our hearts out in this city, always completely skipping breakfast just to enjoy a full lunch and a very late dinner.

If you want to try every version of a pierogi that has ever been made in the region, Zapiecek is the place that you are looking for!
It's very simple: Walk in, make your list (reading the papers strung along the wall) as you stand in line, place your order, be seated and eager await your freshly prepared pierogis! They are simple and delicious, and this place is quite popular among the locals AND tourists.

Zapiecek: The Menu

Zapiecek: Pierogies

Zapiecek: Pierogies

Yeah, that was lunch. We did a full dinner that evening too <3
This time we did pierogies AND haluski.
Dinner was at a nicer establishment than we were planning on, so let's just say that we were not quite dressed to the level of the other patrons that were there....but they let us in and served us without saying a thing, so it was all good. Old Town Restaurant and Wine Bar is solid and tasty.

Reading up on a new cider offering!

Pierogies Again: There is a definite difference in quality with "fine dining"!

Haluski