Facts at your fingertips

Sun, 03/16/2008 3:42 PM  |  Travel

Situated in the heart of Europe, the Republic of Poland joined the European Union in 2004. Founded more than 1,000 years ago, the nation of around 39 million people saw its heyday during the 1500s before facing a series of occupations from the 18th century until the Iron Curtain fell in 1989.

Krakow, the nation's third largest city lies in the far South on the Vistula River about 12 hours by night train from Berlin and three hours express from Warsaw, the nation's northern capital. Return tickets from Berlin to Krakow start at 80 Euros and can be purchased from Deutsche Bahn outlets in Berlin. And you'll pay about 30 Euros one way from Krakow to Warsaw. For a great local dish, Babci Maliny on Szpitalna Road has fantastic stews and steaks, while Dynia, on Krupnicza Street is a favorite amongst the local student crowd.

Krakow Tours offers full day trips to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps followed by the Wieliczka Salt Mine, otherwise there are many other companies offering the tours on separate days, giving you more time to explore the city.

DB-Deutsche Bahn (www.bahn.de)
Krakow Tours (www.krakow-tours.pl/)
Babci Maliny (www.kuchniaubabcimaliny.pl)
Dynia Caf* (www.dynia.krakow.pl)

-- Ying-Lan Dann

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