Cracow

If you are looking for an interesting short city break which is affordable and enjoyable, look no further than the polish city of Cracow, once the capital of Poland, and still a very easy city to get around from the bicycle tours to the pleasure boats on the river Vistula. Cracow has something for everyone and budget.
The old town is dominated by the market square which is a great place to watch tourists and locals alike mingle in the sunshine, you can choose from anyone of the many bars and restaurants that you will find here serving local foods and lots of other options.
On the east side of the square is the magnificent ST Marys church with its beautiful architecture inside and out. It is well worth a visit even for those who are not religious, try and catch a mass for the choir alone. Not far from the market square is the majestic river Vistula, where you can relax with a leisurely stroll after dinner or for the more active you can try a pleasure boat ride, at the mouth of the Vistula is the old fortress looking after the town still very impressive.
To south east of the city is the town of Weiliczka, which is where you will find the salt mines a great day trip and only half an hour journey, the mines themselves date back to the 18th century when they were first mined but today they serve as a tourist attraction. They were loving brought to life by three local brothers who carved underground churches and walk ways into the salt and at 2000 feet underground it is a wonderful site and monument to hard work and dedication, still to this day polish couples can get married in the very bottom church which with its full altar and even stations of the cross carvings have to be seen to be believed, for the younger members there is also a wonderful light display at the underground lake.

Another trip that is a must see for most people is a visit to the town of Oswiecim, better known for the atrocities at the concentration camp Auschwitz, a short two hour train journey from Cracow will get you there, or you can avail of the many buses that leave local hotels ask at reception.
The first thing you will notice is the quietness of the town and not much has changed indeed the old hotel still bears germane army markings, but when you arrive to the camp with its big imposing gates you get some idea of what it must have been like to see this and be full of fear.
After your day trip you can relax in your hotel of which there are many reasonably priced, you can take a short walk along the river Vistula and head for one of the many bars and clubs that feature in the square and enjoy a selection of music from Jazz to Pop Rock and even traditional polish music and dancing. For more information about traveling; please have a look at http://www.affordable-cruises-tours.com.