Our trip out of Romania was much more comfortable than our trip into Romania thanks to the sleeper car that we secured for ourselves for the train ride to Krakow. Equipped with A/C, bed linens, and electrical outlets, European sleeper cars are an amazing way to travel. The rhythmic rocking of the train unexpectedly manages to lull one into a particularly restful sleep.
Thanks to our sleeper car we arrived in Krakow fairly rested, though in bad need of showers. We were grateful that our hostel let us check in right away so that we could clean up and start exploring.
We started off learning more about the area we were staying in, which was curiously referred to as the Krakow Ghetto. It turns out that the neighborhood was first created by the Nazis during World War II to house Polish Jews. The Ghetto was a prison of sorts, it was adjacent to Oskar Schindler's factory, and surrounded by walls that separated it from the rest of the city. We found so much of Krakow to be full of sad, but important, Holocaust history like this.
Our favorite moments in Krakow:
- Taking a very somber day trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp sites. From the entrance gates - infamously labeled with the phrase "Arbeit macht frei" (work sets you free) - to the gas chambers, our time at Auschwitz-Birkenau was disturbing and emotional. We were especially overwhelmed at the enormity of the 425 acre Auschwitz II site, which stretched virtually as far as the eye could see.
- Getting caught in a downpour while visiting Krakow's beautiful Main Square, one of the largest public squares in Europe. Most of the other tourists cleared out due to the rainfall, but we purchased umbrellas and braved the weather, enjoying the square and the river walk in virtual solitude.
- Drinking local beers at an outdoor pub in the old Jewish quarter, Kazimierz. Romania didn't have any domestic beer options, so we welcomed the chance to get to sample brews again. We especially liked the Polish custom of adding raspberry or ginger flavored syrup, which added a pleasant sweetness to the beers.
Next stop: Prague, Czech Republic
Thanks to our sleeper car we arrived in Krakow fairly rested, though in bad need of showers. We were grateful that our hostel let us check in right away so that we could clean up and start exploring.
We started off learning more about the area we were staying in, which was curiously referred to as the Krakow Ghetto. It turns out that the neighborhood was first created by the Nazis during World War II to house Polish Jews. The Ghetto was a prison of sorts, it was adjacent to Oskar Schindler's factory, and surrounded by walls that separated it from the rest of the city. We found so much of Krakow to be full of sad, but important, Holocaust history like this.
Our favorite moments in Krakow:
- Taking a very somber day trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp sites. From the entrance gates - infamously labeled with the phrase "Arbeit macht frei" (work sets you free) - to the gas chambers, our time at Auschwitz-Birkenau was disturbing and emotional. We were especially overwhelmed at the enormity of the 425 acre Auschwitz II site, which stretched virtually as far as the eye could see.
- Getting caught in a downpour while visiting Krakow's beautiful Main Square, one of the largest public squares in Europe. Most of the other tourists cleared out due to the rainfall, but we purchased umbrellas and braved the weather, enjoying the square and the river walk in virtual solitude.
- Drinking local beers at an outdoor pub in the old Jewish quarter, Kazimierz. Romania didn't have any domestic beer options, so we welcomed the chance to get to sample brews again. We especially liked the Polish custom of adding raspberry or ginger flavored syrup, which added a pleasant sweetness to the beers.
Next stop: Prague, Czech Republic
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