5
Aug
2010
Going to Central Europe (Really, I Am!)
In less than two weeks, I’m going home to Michigan for my friends’ wedding. While I’m there, my husband and I will celebrate our 5 year anniversary (actually, at the rehearsal dinner!).
Then, on the 23rd, we fly to Germany, and don’t come back until September 6th.
We’ll be staying with our friend, Jim, who is stationed somewhere in Bavaria…around Regensberg, methinks. From there, we’ll also be hitting up Prague, Vienna, and Krakow.
Sooo…I want to know, ye olde international bloggers (I’m looking at you, Lenore, Polish Outlander…), is what is not to be missed, and what’s some shit the guidebooks don’t tell you and where can I get the best pierogies in Krakow?
Additionally, if anyone would like to do a guest post while I’m gone, that would be awesome. Preferably the topic would be kinda book-related.
I will be doing some blogging, but it will be sporadic, and some posts will be scheduled in advanced.
When you hit Krakow, you must, MUST go to the Salt Mines (Wieliczka) just outside the city and you can easily get there by a taxi. I think it was one of the highlights for me both times I visited Krakow. Lick the walls! I did. Very salty. As for food, go where the royals actually ate hundreds of years ago: Wierzynek. Great for breakfast outside, and definitely worth hitting up for a dinner inside. The inside is beautiful and your waiters/waitresses dress up. I went there for a late lunch once inside and wasn’t even crowded. Also, the old cabaret place called Zielony Balonik. It’s now a restaurant but very good food and champagne ice cream. Oh, and Krakow is one of the few mystical-energy places in the world, and there is a very specific spot within Wawel Hill where you can go within a courtyard and just energize yourself. Wawel is really a good spot to see in general. Oh, and another great place for food is right underground, under Sukiennice (aka The Cloth Hall) which is right in the middle of the Square. I’m blanking out on the name of it but it used to be a dungeon. Have you read the old kids’ book, The Trumpeter of Krakow by any chance? Good historical fiction about that incident. There is a trumpeter who plays from the church in the square all day that specific tune. Make sure to drink some shots of Wisniowka! It’s very sweet but oh so good! That’s all I could up with right off the top of my head. I’ll take Krakow over Warsaw any day!
Woo hoo for you! I hope it’s a fantastic trip. I loved Munich, Frankfurt, Prague and Vienna. Each city has such a unique feel. If you get a chance, visit a jazz club in Prague, the Hofbrauhaus in Munich and see Klimt’s Kiss in Vienna. Happy travels!
Happy anniversary, and have a wonderful trip!
What a marvelous way to spend a 5th Anniversary! I wish you safe travels and tons of fun
Happy anniversary and have a good holiday!! Sorry can’t give you any advice. I’m going to Vienna this October too! Visiting Budapest-Vienna-Brastilava.
Bon Vovage and have a fantastic time!
Your mom told me yesterday about your upcoming vagabonding in Europe trip. I hope you enjoy every minute of it! When Nick was in northern Germany & Poland he loved the simple, cheap, generous eats. But the all the pierogi (never pluralize with an “s” he says!) he had were nothing like Grandma’s. He said they were good, but you couldn’t pick them up with your hand because they were sort of mushy soft & needed a fork. Maybe that’s just Gdansk style. I bet southern Poland & Bavaria, etc will be terrific!
congratulations on your anniversary, and have a wonderful trip!
(no touring tips to offer, but now I’m craving pierogi!)
I hope you have a great trip and anniversary! Sounds great.