First trip to Poland

It will be colder than in Florida but for most people temperature will be still tolerable. You will be able to get meal without meat. Maybe not in every restaurant. Some people speak good english, some not as good and some speak no english. Having five days for Krakow you will be able to visit Auschwitz and salt mines in Wieliczka.

Krakow is a fabulous city... many people speak enough English (especially in tourist areas of town). I had wonderful fish (salmon, halibut) in two great places: Piwnica Pod Kominkiem is a cellar restaurant with super food, service, and atmosphere (ul. Bracka 13) and Guliwer, best lemon tart on the planet, is (across the street at # 6). Be advised that menu portions are apt to be HUGE... splitting things is often a good solution. Pick up a copy of "Krakow in your Pocket" - the TI office doesn't have it so try the souvenir shop to the right of the Cathedral.... you'll have to pay for it (cheap) but it will prove enormously helpful.

ilja and barbara, thanks for your response. am pretty excited about visiting poland for the first time.

You could try downloading and printing the in your pocket guide before you go. Go to inyourpocket.com

Hi Olivia, For Polish food without meat, you can order pierogi which are like dumplings, with different fillings. I liked Pierogi ruskie which is filled with potatoes and cheese. There's also a kind with cabbage and mushrooms but I forget what they are called. Some places sprinkle them with something like bacon bits, but you can easily scrape them off. For other choices, there's a Georgian restaurant (as in the Republic of Georgia:) )that serves dishes made of eggplant and traditional Georgian cheese that's very tasty. Inyourpocket (which I agree with the others is an excellent resource) says this restaurant is over-rated, but my friends and I loved it. (In this case inyourpocket is wrong, but they are usually pretty good) Plus there are many Italian/pizza restaurants where you can find vegetarian if you get tired of pierogi. If it isn't too chilly, I might suggest renting a bike and riding along the Vistula (Wisla) river. It's fun, gives you beautiful views of Wawel Castle and you feel more a part of Krakow as strolling/riding along the river is popular with locals. Be sure to get your bearings if you plan on being out after dark because that time a year it can get very foggy after night-fall which can be disorienting. Krakow if gorgeous! Have fun!

thanks a lot. i have downloaded the krakow in your pocket guide. it is great.

Olivia.....We recently returned from a visit. In the areas you are likely to visit you will have no difficulty finding english speakers among the younger people. We found that they were very firendly and willing to help. Enjoy.

Yes. The Poles are a special people. For me, Krakow has a very spiritual vibe that is rather unique. I might suggest attending a Klezmer (ethnic music) dinner show in the Jewish Quarter.

thank you, ross. i have been reading on krakow and there seems to be something deeper and different there.

We stayed in Globtroter B&b and thought it was a great value and great location. Finding vegatarian cusine should not be a problem. Some speak english, some don't. I usually find the younger people are the ones that speak some english.

For a unique experience, I suggest visiting the Oskar Schindler factory in the Podgorze section of Krakow. We walked from our hotel, the Polonia in Krakow, across a bridge to Ghetto Heroes Square and the Pharmacy Under the Eagle, and then to the factory.

I am vegan and just returned from Krakow (and Budapest and Prague). Of the three, I had the best food in Krakow. There are not only really great dedicated veg restaurants but omni places had great choices (ie pasta with basic marinara and a side of grilled veggies, combined together for a wonderful primavera). I highly recommend Auschwitz and the Salt Mines. Enjoy!