Just outside Krakow is a magnificent little gem called, Wieliczka Sat Mine. So why take a trip to a salt mine in Poland, you ask?....Well....Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the world's oldest operating salt mines, in operation since prehistoric times. Yes, prehistoric times!!  The mine is massive, stretching 186 miles (300km) underground and reaching a depth of 1,072 feet (327m). That’s the height of the Chrysler Building in New York! The mine is also famous for all of it's impressive salt sculptures and carvings.

Tour prices vary - 52 zloty ($16 USD) for a tour in Polish and 72 zloty ($22 USD) for a foreign tour. And yes, you can't just go down there by yourself! You need a tour guide to help you navigate through the miles of tunnels. And of course, there is a photo taking fee! Darn it, Poland! Thankfully it's not too much, only 10 zloty ($3 USD). 

Make sure you bring warmer clothes because the average temperature in the tunnels is between 14 - 16C (57 - 60 F). Also comfortable shoes are a must! The tour lasts about 2 hours in which you climb stairs and make your way through 3km of tunnels. 

A horse stable inside the mine. I should mention it's a depiction and the horses are not real! Horses were actually used in salt mining and remained in the mines for the duration of their entire life. No sun, so sad. The last horse left the mine in 2002 and we were told it's enjoying the remainder of it's life on a green sunny pasture. That's more like it! 

Besides the numerous salt carvings and statues, there is also a chapel called the St. Kinga's Chapel. It was carved out of a massive green salt block (did you know salt comes in different colors?!) in 1896. It's super impressive! Everything is made out of salt - the chandeliers, the alter, the floor tiles, and of course there is a plethora of carvings and statues all around the chapel! Catholic Mass are even held here on special occasions as well as weddings. Because who wouldn't want to get married in a salt mine! 

Then, just our luck, since we wandered to a few more salt chambers after the official tour ended, we got stuck going up the elevator with a Korean tour group. I felt like we were back in Japan! We didn't understand a word the tour guide was saying and felt completely lost...that is until the guide turned to us and spoke perfect Polish! Explaining that the elevator will come shortly. Thank you Mr. Korean Tour Guide! Dziekuje! 

This post is going to be a photo journal because I clearly can't edit down my photos. I want you to experience Kraków like I did, so clearly you need to see ALL the photos I took. Don't worry I won't be posting 300 images, only about 20. :) 
So sit back and enjoy Kraków by day!

We started off our morning adventures with breakfast at Wierzynek. Wierzynek is the oldest restaurant in Krakow, open and functioning since 1364. Yup, 1364! We were told that you can't come to Krakow without stopping at Wierzynek...so stop by, even if its just for coffee! It's a bit pricey but totally worth the views and bragging rights that you ate there. :)

Right after breakfast and much needed coffee, we were ready to explore Kościół Mariacki or St. Mary's Basilica. This stunning basilica is located right in the main square, it was originally built in the early 13th century, then re-build in the 14th century. It's famous for two things - it's ornate wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss (see photo below) and hejnał mariacki, a trumpet signal played every hour. The trumpet tune breaks off in mid-stream, to commemorate the famous 13th century trumpeter, who was shot in the throat while sounding the alarm before the Mongol attack on the city. The noon-time tune is heard across Poland and abroad broadcast live by the Polish national Radio. (Thanks Wiki!)

Side note, you have to pay to take photos inside the basilica. Silly! A recurring theme while traveling through Poland. And technically, you are only allowed to take photos near the alter (completely separate tourist entrance.) Needless to say, I got caught and the nice guard told me to erase my memory card. Mmmm NO....so with a smile, a wink and some good ole Polish flirting I got away. Ha! 

Since we only had a day in Krakow and wanted to see everything, my mom decided to hire a "city tour" golf cart. They are literally everywhere on the main square. I forget the actual price but we did haggle with him for a little bit. On the tour we were able to see and get explanations of Old Town, Wawel Royal Castle and the Jewish District, Kazimierz. Very interesting but if we had more time I would prefer just to explore the areas myself. 

The Fiat 126p (maluch) has special meaning for Poles and its connection with Polish politics during the communist period. Under the communist regime, a private car was considered a luxury good, due to limited availability and low salaries.The Fiat 126p was supposed to be the first popular and affordable car for the public. They filled the roads and most families drove this tiny two door Fiat 126p's for many years! I still remember my parents driving a burnt orange Fiat! Now the cars have become landmarks and symbols of Polish history. 

Wawel is a complex that houses the Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral. We wandered around, climbed to the top of the Bernardynska Gate (nice view of Krakow!), checked out the cathedral, and had a couple of beers at a little restaurant. Awesome day! 

The Wawel Cathedral has not only impressive interiors but also a whole hidden underground world. It has been the main burial site for Polish monarchs and kings since the 14th century! Exploring this underground world is a very surreal experience...calming yet eerie. 

A midst a lot of controversy, it also houses the remains of former Polish President, Lech Aleksander Kaczynski and his wife, Maria, who were killed in a plane crash in 2010. Many Poles were not thrilled about this controversial former president being buried next to Polish kings. But hey, Poland has no more kings, so I guess a president is just as tomb worthy! 

Check back soon for photos of the Salt Mine Wieliczka! 

To start off, I should probably mention where we stayed during our time in Kraków because it was absolutely awesome! We randomly stumbled upon Pokoje Goscinne Basztowa while trying to check into Hotel Polonia. The  front desk lady suggested we check out their guest room, for half the price of the hotel. Only 260 zloty for three people, instead of the 500 zloty! It might have helped that we spoke Polish, I am not sure they give foreign tourists such tips! But hey, now you know! You welcome. 

The guest house is located in a pre-WWII building, with high ceilings and beautiful art work. The location was also fabulous, only about a five minute walk from the main train station and about a ten minute walk to Old Town. The hotel and guest house have been family owned for nearly 100 years. Very impressive! Clean, friendly and definitely a steal! 
Check them out the next time you will be in Kraków  - We highly recommend it! 

Whenever I would travel to Poland I would always see the same spots, Warsaw (where I was born and grew up) and Warka (our little summer house in the woods). That's why this time around, I was beyond excited when my mom said she wanted to show me Kraków and Zakopane. I was finally a tourist in my own country!  

Kraków is located in southern Poland and was the capital for more than 500 years. The city is known as a leading center of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life. During World War II, Kraków was one of a couple cities that was spared by German air bombers and hence it's natural timeless beauty was maintained, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe. 

Walking around Kraków at night is truly a breathtaking experience... buildings lit up, hundreds of restaurants and bars humming with noise, musicians performing in the streets and horse drawn carriages gliding through cobblestone streets. Magnificent! 

The most recognizable icon in Kraków's Old Town is Sukiennice, also known as Drapers' Hall. It was once a major center of international trade and still houses, lots of little shops selling Polish folk art and other souvenirs. 

We walked around taking in all the city sights and then decided to grab a couple of drinks at one of the local restaurants on the main square. The square dates back to the 13th century, and is the largest medieval town square in Europe!

Check back shortly for Kraków by day! 

Hi peeps! It's been a while since our last post (I know, I know...I am so slow at updating this blog!) We are slowly getting back into our travel season and I thought I would fill everyone in on our summer as well as my mom's and my trip back to the motherland (Polska!). So to start off, let's quickly talk about Poland. 

My mom and I decided to take a trip back to the motherland in May to visit family and friends, as well as to see Kraków and Zakopane. The trip was absolutely amazing!! Two full weeks exploring Warsaw, Polish mountains, Kraków, our summer house in Warka, visiting Polish cemeteries (yes, there will be a full post about them because they are absolutely breathtaking!) and drinking lots of vodka. It was a truly special time. I will break up our Poland trip into a couple of posts...so sit back and enjoy, as you dive right into Poland! 

Meet our little pink Suzuki! 

For 300 + Euros you can get this manual gem from Budget at the Warsaw Airport. We got ours for five days while all of Warsaw was out for May vacation. If you travel to Poland anytime from May 1st to May 10th, most of the county will be out for a week long vacation. It's absolutely awesome if you need to rent a car in Warsaw, since it will cut your commute in half! Warsaw traffic is absolutely awful so choose your car rental wisely or just go with public transportation. In the week with our pink Suzuki, my mom and I drove all over Warsaw as well as visited cemeteries all around the outskirts of the city. Since Mamo (my mom) informed me that she miraculously forgot how to drive stick shrift (she only drove a manual car for 20 years in Poland) I had the pleasure of manuring our pink beauty in the city as well as those darn Swiss-cheese-hole roads in the country side. We all made it alive!! But I did break a handful of rules....so if you drive in Poland here are some tips...

Speed Limits

• 50 km/h in towns from 5 AM till 11 PM - (30mph)
• 60 km/h in towns from 11 PM till 5 AM (yea, yea , yea basically drive under 60 km in the small towns...slow it down! I was super confused at first and cruised through lots of town at 80 km/h (50 mph) 
• 90 km/h outside urban areas (56mph)
• 100 km/h on expressways (62mph) 
• 130 km/h on motorways (80 mph)

Drivers are required to use lights on their vehicles all year round during day and night. Basically your lights need to be on all the time!!! I had the hardest time with this and always forgot. Pedestrians will remind you but their way of telling you will be a half wave/ half wrist flick. The first time someone did that to me I thought they were waving to say hello...I should have known better since strangers in Poland will NOT wave to you. ha! 

It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless a hands-free set is used. Duh, ever tried driving a manual car while chatting on the phone? Impossible!

The permitted alcohol level in blood is 0.2 - that's basically nothing and many Poles have adopted the no drinking and driving rule. Smart! Don't drink and drive peeps!