Krakow, Poland
Wednesday, September 11 – 3rd morning in Krakow, we had a relaxed start to the day. I was able to do my resistance workout in the apartment (nice to have space), and because it is Wednesday, I did plenty of squats in honor of my fitness peeps having class this morning with “Wicked Wendy.” Once again had breakfast “in” as well.
When planning trips, I generally peruse a few blogs and forums as well as travel sites to get ideas. In one such forum, I stumbled across the existence of the Polish Aviation Museum. Needless to say, there was a little devil on my shoulder saying, “No one else in this house needs to know this.” However, the little angel on the other side had me contact the guy posting to ask about it. Needless to say, I knew a certain person in my house would be excited to see it, thus I admitted its existence.
So today, we took a 10 minute tram ride out of town to visit. I have to admit, it was pretty interesting, and by the time I got “plane’d out”, he was ready to go.
The experience was aided by the fact that the weather was perfect–sunny and 70, and the fact that hardly anyone seems to come to this museum! No wandering old guys or wanna be influencers posing provocatively in front of a cockpit. Just us and a few other plane nuts strolling the grounds and hangars. So, fair warning, too many plane photos today (but no churches, I promise…maybe tomorrow)
We got back to town for a light lunch and some shopping. Dan wanted to relax a bit, so I ventured out on my own and wandered neighborhoods and tried to avoid the hordes.
Late afternoon, I returned so I could get cleaned up as yesterday Dan arranged for a little pre-anniversary surprise. Dinner back at the underground French restaurant and then a classical concert at one of the (myriad) beautiful churches in town. Guess I was right telling him about the planes!
Dinner was once again wonderful, and we had plenty of time for a relaxed stroll down to the church.
We had a nice chat with a couple from Australia who sat behind us while we waited for the concert to begin. Performance was great, only slightly marred by the guy in front of me who clearly hadn’t seen the inside of a shower for a few days, but I adapted as best I could.
I was bemused by the guy a few rows ahead of me who spent the entire concert with his phone above his head taking a video. How would you like to be his friends and neighbors back home being subjected to watching that–I mean, I’m sure the audio/visual quality of a handheld Samsung is akin to a professional recording, right?? Buddy, just enjoy the concert, absolutely no one is gonna watch that thing.
A final stroll through the Old Town completed another fine day in Krakow
26,227 steps;12.3 miles
Hotel:
H11 Aparthotel: https://www.h11aparthotel.com/en/
Polish Aviation Museum: https://muzeumlotnictwa.pl
- 10 minute tram ride from Old Town. Polish Aviation Museum stop on tram (several tram routes stop there), short, well marked walk to mseum.
- Purchase tickets upon arrival
- Check website for days and hours
Mila Pottery: https://milapottery.pl/en/
Concerts at St Peter and Paul’s Church: https://karnet.krakowculture.pl/en/1095-krakow-concerts-at-sts-peter-and-pauls-church-cracow-chamber-orchestra-of-st-maurice
- Tickets can be purchased at church
Polish Aviation Museum was blissfully uncrowded with more than enough planes to satisfy a true plane nut. The exhibits incluedwell preserved airplanes from WWI, WWII, and the Cold War, Including Hermann Göring’s personal WWI airplane collection and Pope John Paul II’s Papal Helicopter. Easy stroll among several hangars and an outdoor path. Easy to access from tram.
Mila Pottery store has beautiful, locally made plates, cups, bowls and ornaments. It isn’t cheap, but the staff is extremely enthusiastic and helpful (perhaps a little too energetic at times, but very pleasant and they speak excellent English). We purchase a couple of items and they wrapped them very securely so they got home in one peice.
Concert at St. Peter and Paul’s Church. Concerts every evening, 4 different programs depending on the day of the week performed by a chamber orchestra and selected soloists. The interior of the church is beautiful and provides excellent acoustics. A fine way to spend an evening in Krakow.
Breakfast:
Once again, had breakfast “in” at our kitchen table.
Lunch:
Cafe Pianola – Ulicka Senacka 7 – cute little cafe on a street just off the main tourist road. Outdoor seating, wide variety of breakfast and lunch items, great coffee and fine service.
Dinner:
Back to Cyrano de Bergerac for another wonderful meal.
Concert Program & Ticket
A very relaxed day spending time as lesser known sights and venues. A great benefit of spending several days in a city, there isn’t that rushed feeling that you must see everything in a few hours.