Adventures for Anyone

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

A Quick Update on Travel in Eastern Europe....

Taking a bit of a pause today from the bucket lists to talk about something that's on every potential European traveler's mind. That war in Ukraine. Today I speak a bit from experience. I once traveled around Eastern Europe in 1991 in January. I found myself dealing with the start of the first land war in the Persian Gulf and all the havoc that wreaked with travel in Europe. I also landed in the middle of an uprising in Lithuania. It was an exciting trip. So, that being said, I must say that after Covid-19 and now Putin's temper tantrum; I'm concerned about tourism in these areas.

Tourism, as a genre, generates over a trillion dollars every year. We humans, like to explore and we are amazed at the history, natural beauty, and luxury that is waiting for us around the world. We love adventure, activity, sports, and festivals. Whatever the reason, humans travel.

The past couple of years have put a lot of what we were once used to in travel at great risk. Now, we have one of the most publicized wars of this century to deal with. We all have questions. Will it become a world war? Will they use nuclear weapons at some point? How long will it last? What will Russia do next if they win, or even worse, if they lose? Everyone is waiting, nervously, for answers to those questions and more.

But, in the world of the determined traveler whose had tons of covid vaccines and stayed home for a couple of years, there's only one real question for the potential European traveler. How close can I get to that war and still be safe as a traveler? This question may not apply to tourists, but we travelers are asking it every day.

Eastern Europe has long since been one of my loves, as has Russia, but that's out. Right now, no one is so much as flying over Russian or Ukrainian Airspace. Belarus and Moldova are being avoided like the plague as well. And who could blame us? We want an adventure, not a death trip.

One of the obvious problems with being a lover of Eastern European travel is that it butts right up against the war zone. Hungary, Romania, and Poland are getting a bunch of refugees as well, and that makes things tricky for travelers. Refugees need someplace to go, and who are we, the travelers, to tell them that we need their potential space for our vacation? Not cool.

These are tricky times. Even the radiation detectors at Chernobyl have been turned on. Everyone is bracing for the worst. But, these countries have a significant reliance on travel for their economies, and they don't want to lose out on that. Especially with a bunch of Ukrainian refugees to take care of. Also, how many years can we travelers be expected to leave such a remarkable part of the world off of our bucket lists?

Reality is that you can travel to many of these areas. While Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Belarus, parts of Romania and Hungary are in the hot seat; many other Eastern European countries are making adjustments to protect travelers and keep their monies coming in from this industry.

Flying to countries such as Slovakia and Poland, amongst others is changing, but still happening. There are airlines that aren't making the trips, and there are airlines that we aren't supporting right now; taking a stand against Russia. Can you still fly to Warsaw? Yes. You can fly to Riga, Estonia if you wish. The people of the local areas are monitoring the conflict day and night to make certain that the areas foreign travelers visit are safe.

One thing that you might find when flying to Eastern Europe right now is a different flight pattern. This could also happen if you're flying to the Middle East or other Asian areas. Most long range cross continental flights go over the north pole. They normally fly over Russia, which encompasses 11 time zones, making it hard to miss. Now, airlines are planning different routes to avoid these air spaces and ensure patrons' safety. This may lead to higher ticket prices on top of the stupid fuel issues, and could make your flights longer. But, Emirates Airlines has been dealing with this kind of security issue for years, and their methods have been successful. Food for thought.

Had you planned to take a river or other cruise to the area? Well, Viking's Russian River Cruises are out, but that doesn't mean that all hope is lost for cruise enthusiasts. All cruise lines that operate in that area are still offering cruises. There may be substitutions for dangerous ports of call, but they are still making great cruises. You can still take that river cruise, just not in Russia. You can still take that Baltic cruise, just not to St. Petersburg or Murmansk. Check the current itineraries and consult one of the companies specialists before committing to anything, but don't just be scared and go to Disney World.

Most tour companies are making substitutions and carrying on. They've already lost too much time already to the pandemic. And remember, their employees and company owners will be right on those tours and cruises with you. They don't want to die, so I wouldn't worry too much about your personal safety. This is a great time to take a tour rather than go it on your own. Let the company keep up on where it's safe to go. That way, you can just enjoy the trip.

Eastern Europe is normally beautiful. What's happening in Ukraine is deplorable at best. I stand with Ukraine. I traveled to Kyiv and other parts of the country years ago. It is home to some beautiful places, and more importantly, some beautiful people. They have a rich history, and I sincerely hope that this war ends with Ukraine in tact. It would be such a catastrophic loss to see the beauty and people of that great country ruined.

Why do I advocate checking into travel as close as Poland or Estonia during a war in Ukraine? Well, every country needs their tourism and travel monies. Most countries attribute lots of monies coming into the countries every year to travel and tourism. I believe that it only expands the catastrophe to cause more financial hardship to nearby countries. There are wars all over the globe. War happens, but Poland shouldn't suffer because their neighbor got invaded. Recent studies show that most areas are safe for travel at this point. Always check the State Department website or MMGY. MMGY has a division that monitors travel safety around the world.

I would say with Eastern Europe to work with a tour company or a cruise company. Make sure that your airline is avoiding Russian and Ukrainian airspace. You should take precautions. I also probably wouldn't use this time to take a three week trip. With the constant change due to war, I say spend a week or so and see some great stuff, and then go home. But, there are some wonderful countries full of wonderful people who are suffering right now because they are in the neighborhood of the world's most media covered war. Don't write them off as destinations. Do your research, see what precautions you should take, make secure plans and enjoy!

https://travelmart.org/is-traveling-to-eastern-europe-still-safe-amid-russian-war-on-ukraine/

https://www.mmgyglobal.com/agencies/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/08/russia-ukraine-war-putin-news-live-updates/

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/travel/ukraine-russia-travel-plans.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2022/03/07/international-travel-may-be-another-casualty-of-the-ukraine-russia-war/?sh=2cce8f836f54

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/03/21/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-eastern-europe-right-now-your-questions-answered-by-the-experts

https://www.afar.com/magazine/is-europe-safe-for-travel

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

https://thepointsguy.com/news/european-travel-plans-russia-invasion-ukraine/

https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/promotions.html?cid=SEM|BNG|999|c_73109901_kwd-77515792594039:loc-71200_77515715892771&utm_id=sem:VRC-US-BNG-UpperFunnel-NC-Europe-BMM&utm_content=VRC-US-BNG-UpperFunnel-NC-Europe-BMM&msclkid=b66975e9479010cd07bd17498286145a&gclid=b66975e9479010cd07bd17498286145a&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://exploretraveler.com/war-in-europe-should-we-change-travel-plans/

https://www.europe-roadtrip.com/post/is-it-safe-to-travel-europe-during-the-ukraine-war

https://www.expedia.com/Destinations-In-Europe.d6022967.Flight-Destinations?regionId=6022967&langid=1033&semcid=US.MULTILOBF.BING.DL-c-EN.FLIGHT&semdtl=a1268773064.b11278732184948385.r14ab62257fe7f2c71f9351e42b3d1e64b6cce48ae5fc4bab336f60d10a9ed981c.g1kwd-79920872174133.i1.d1.e1c.j144736.k1.f1.n1.l1o.h1e.m1&msclkid=071446baa44410b59664241a63aa2f0a&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=USA%3AENG%3A@%3ADL%3AEMEA%3AX%3AE%3ANC%3A%3A&utm_term=european%20flights&utm_content=USA%3AENG%3A@%3ADT%3AEMEA%3AX%3AXX%3AEurope%3A6022967%3AEurope%3A6022967%3AE%3ANC%3A

https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/destinations/europe?&dm1_keyword=flights%20to%20europe&DM1_Channel=PPC&DM1_Mkt=US&DM1_Campaign=AMER_US_EN_FLIGHTS_GENERIC_LH_AMERICA_EUROPE_USA-EUR&SEO=N&DM1_Keyword=DYNAMIC%20SEARCH%20ADS&gclsrc=3p.ds&gclid=457b33c6e91711aae4f051662ef9e9e5&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://exploredeltastore.com/

https://www.aa.com/en-us/flights-to-europe

https://www.skyscanner.com/flights-to/e/cheap-flights-to-europe.html

https://www.norwegian.com/us/flights/to-europe

https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/10-best-airlines-to-fly-to-europe-514326/

https://europefly.com/en

https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=375655&label=msn-A5qC_J9MFtX9Cvl7LQKGug-16816573035:tikwd-17388461088:loc-190:neo:mte:lp44736:dec:qsbooking.com%20europe&utm_campaign=Booking%20Name&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=A5qC_J9MFtX9Cvl7LQKGug&msclkid=76477e5a7df21d04c1fb1cfab55a6e79

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans?cid=SEM|BNG|999|c_73113350_kwd-27093605165:loc-4086_77172117985131&utm_id=sem:NB-Search-Oceans-Europe&utm_content=VOC-US-BNG-NB-Core-Europe-Exact&msclkid=1d84e2a231d112c6807b8002f91a8c08&gclid=1d84e2a231d112c6807b8002f91a8c08&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-destinations/northern-europe-cruises?cid=PS_DIG_NA_NA_BIN_NA_NA_NA_NA_NA_NA&&msclkid=d18bcb0ad7571d537020a9aa1f9c956b&gclid=d18bcb0ad7571d537020a9aa1f9c956b&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://www.silversea.com/landing-why-silversea-4-1.html?CID=PS_M_BS_FT_US_PRO_GNL__BS_FT_USA_PRO_GEN_ALL_EXPAD_NWS4V1&?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NAM_genericsretargeting__non-location&utm_content=textad&&msclkid=537abcb0398c134dc730de10f1471495&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_US_Generic_General_Retargeting_ALL_est5114&utm_term=cruise%20vacations&utm_content=NB_General_PHM&gclid=CMT1xJGenvgCFVgNiAkdLZcGRg&gclsrc=ds

https://europe.cruises.com/promotion/europe-cruises.do?places=E&&msclkid=b8326b32b37318360f3b09927bb87688&gclid=b8326b32b37318360f3b09927bb87688&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://www.princess.com/learn/cruise-destinations/europe-cruises/

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=126

https://www.goaheadtours.com/about/travel-safety-security

https://www.kensingtontours.com/travels/tours/eastern-europe?c3api=bing,1306219942914314,81638797638261&iv_=__iv_m_e_c_81638767843195_k_81638797638261_w_kwd-81638797638261:aud-806127176:loc-4086_g_1306219942914314_n_o_e__h_44736_ii_186_p_2_b_be_d_c_vi__&mkwid=-dc%7Cpcrid%7C81638767843195%7Cpkw%7Cbest%20eastern%20europe%20tours%7Cpmt%7Cbe%7Cslid%7C%7Cpgrid%7C1306219942914314%7Cptaid%7Ckwd-81638797638261:aud-806127176:loc-4086%7C&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BING-Europe-May%202018&utm_term=best%20eastern%20europe%20tours&utm_content=-dc%7Cpcrid%7C81638767843195%7Cpkw%7Cbest%20eastern%20europe%20tours%7Cpmt%7Cbe%7Cslid%7C%7Cpgrid%7C1306219942914314%7Cptaid%7Ckwd-81638797638261:aud-806127176:loc-4086%7C&pgrid=1306219942914314&ptaid=kwd-81638797638261:aud-806127176:loc-4086&msclkid=b9c6c87c033411af3576aadcca61c048

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/eastern-europe

https://www.tourradar.com/i/eastern-europe-sightseeing

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Jenn is taking us to Wawel Castle Complex and Krakow!

My friend Jenn has a healthy love of travel and always provides me with intriguing and interesting ideas for bucket list items for this blog. As luck would have it, she picked one that is of particular interest to me this time. Wawel Castle, Hill, Caves, Cathedral and the crazy dragon.

I loved all of southern Poland, and Krakow is one of the most fantastic cities I've ever visited. During WWII, Warsaw was all but burned to the ground. There were work camps and concentration camps, and death camps throughout Poland. Over the years, I've known some Polish folks who lived through it and they still had nightmares of everything they lived through as kids. We hear all about this history, and I'm happy that they're keeping the history alive instead of tearing it down as we do in America. I've always agreed that he who doesn't study history is doomed to repeat it. I've blogged about Auschwitz before, and I stand by my theory that everyone should go there once. It is a part of the history of Krakow, and therefore, a mention in this entry.

That being said, let's talk about all that is Wawel. Krakow is one of the most historic cities in all of Poland. There's old town, Jewish Quarter, and that amazing hill that tops out at 228 meters above sea level where you will find Wawel Castle and Cathedral.

First, let me say that people have lived here since the earliest of times, to the point that historians argue about exactly when people first settled the hill. Wawel Castle is a gigantic fortress filled with the Wawel Cathedral, numerous other chapels, Sandonierska Tower, royal residence and gardens, and Dragon's Den Cave.

The original castle and buildings were initiated by Sigismund the Old. The original complex was built during the 9th and 10th centuries. Over time the castle was inhabited by such leaders at Boledaus the Brave and later on Boledaus the III-the Great, Casimir the Restorer and later Casimir the Generous, and a Duke of Kuyavia Ladislaus the Short. Throughout the ages, leaders were crowned there, lived there, and were buried there. The complex has been a royal residence, fortress, military barracks and even a hospital.

Poland was once divvied up between Prussia, Russia, and Austria. The Austrians took over Krakow. Once Poland became an independent entity in 1918, they went about restoring the palace and grounds to their former glory. The military was reluctant to move out, but the government said that they needed the palace for then Emperor Franz Josef I. The palace and grounds have been government owned, restored and open to the public for decades now. The castle is part of the Polish identity. It means a lot to the people.

Archaeological restoration has been a big part of what's gone on at the complex. The tower holds some ancient ruins and they have been excavated and there is a museum on the grounds as well as living exhibits in the buildings. The cathedral is still a working cathedral and has been restored to its former glory. Not only is it open to the public during scheduled hours, you can go to mass if you like and are Catholic or with a Catholic as a guest.

Part of the archaeological research on the property was to exhume some tombs and study the monarchs remains. Not sure why, but this led to a myth the likes of when King Tutankhamen's tomb was opened. Shortly after, several people involved with the excavation, died of various illnesses. As with other excavations of tombs, it was eventually discovered that the culprit was a fungus from inside the ancient tombs. No real surprise when you think about it.

The Archbishop that advocated the excavation in the name of learning all about history that we can was Archbiship Karol Wojtyla. You might remember him by his strictly professional name, Pope John Paul II.

Visiting the castle is a great way to spend the day. Trust me on that one. You can tour the chapels, cathedral, castle, caves, gardens and enjoy the grounds outside the walls. You can even take a boat up and down the Vistula River from the docks just outside the mighty fortress.

The castle grounds and the hill itself have a commanding view of the town and all the surrounding area. The Rotunda of Sts. Felix and Adauctus or the Rotunda of the Blessed Virgin Mary; depending on which school of thought drives you, is an excellent place to get those sweeping scenic views of Krakow. You can see most things from that vantage point, so bring your camera.

In the living quarters of the complex is now the museums. There's the history museum, which tells as much as they can piece together of the history of the complex. There's also one of the best art museums in the country. Jacope del Sellaio, Felisjan Szczesny-Kowarski, Zygromunt Woliszewski and more. The works are amazing, and to be fair, they are not the same old Dutch Masters and such that you see in other parts of Europe. It's truly wonderful to see.

The fully restored castle and cathedral are also historic museums. Most of the rooms and areas have been fully restored to their glory days.

The tower is part exposed ruins, part museum, and part restored. The history of the tower is fantastic, so take time to read or listen or take a guide to learn about how it was a prison. There was a dungeon below for the commoners, and as you made your way up through the tower, the prisoners became more and more notable. Royal prisoners were kept in the very top of the tower like Rapunzel in the fairy tale.

Speaking of fairy tales and legends, I can't leave the story of the castle without telling the story of Prince Krak and his daughter Wanda. The city unofficially hails its name from these people. The story that they left behind is truly incredible.

Prince Krak, the Dragon Slayer is probably the city's largest of all larger than life legends. The tombs were rumored to be cursed, and that's pretty good. However, legend tells that a dragon once lived in the caves below the castle which have since been used as wells, taverns, and currently a tourist attraction. As in most medieval literature, the dragon eventually lost to Prince Krak and all that is left of him is the statue outside the entrance to the complex. I really got a kick out of the dragon story when I visited.

Wanda, Prince Krak's daughter was the tragedy of the time, however. She was designated to marry a German Nobleman, and really didn't want to. This prompted her to take a plunge into the Vistula and she was never heard from again. All of the stories surrounding the amazing long history of this castle and grounds can be learned from audio tours, guided tours, and guide books. They are all amazing, so don't visit this place without learning all the stories that go with it. It's the best part of the visit.

After you've spent a good deal of time at Wawel touring every part of the property and hearing all the fabulous legends, there's still one of the most amazing cities I've ever visited to see. Krakow was blessed to retain their ancient buildings during WWII. A lot of Poland faced some terrible losses of history as well as life.

Krakow has a large and well preserved old town, one of the largest central squares in all of Europe, a historic Jewish Quarter, and the area where Schindler's List was filmed. You can walk the historic streets used in the film and tour the factory where the story was lived and later brought back to life in film. Public transportation in Krakow is good, so getting around is easy. Churches and Cathedrals abound in Krakow and most are open to the public. This is a beautiful city, and worth a thousand pictures each worth a thousand words.

And finally, a couple of things that I just love in Krakow to mention for you, since if you go to see the castle, you should see the town. Wieliczka Salt Mine is a wonder that you can tour. There's remnants of an underground society from decades past in there. You can see a ballroom, restaurants, church, and sculptures all the way through on the tour.

One of the other places that I loved was Harris Piano Bar. This is right off the town square and a great place to hear music and hang out. Krakow is truly affordable, so you can take time to kick back and enjoy the atmosphere of the city.

So, Krakow is one of those amazing places that you don't really hear a lot about, but are glad when you do learn of it. I remember having to spend time in Krakow because there was an uprising in Lithuania and we couldn't stay in Russia. It wasn't part of the plan, but I'm so glad it became part of the plan. I had the time of my life. It's a beautiful city with wonderful people to meet, great food to eat, fabulous shopping, and one giant legend of a dragon.

So, forget anything you've ever heard about Poland, because none of it applies to Krakow. Come see the castle, the cathedral, the caves, the dragon and enjoy!

https://wawel.krakow.pl/en/the-history-of-the-royal-palace

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g274772-d276748-Wawel_Royal_Castle-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html

https://www.musement.com/us/krakow/wawel-castle-v/?lid=43700065210447699&ds_s_kwgid=58700007269498464&ds_a_cid=744944839&ds_a_caid=14000532380&ds_a_agid=123001342937&ds_a_lid=kwd-305929765862&ds_e_adid&ds_e_matchtype=search&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=o&ds_url_v=2&idengine=700000002297667&idcampaign=71700000085711617&idadgroup=58700007269498464&nmkeyword=wawel%20castle&idkeyword=43700065210447699&msclkid=768ecbeb13b311dceb2da97c98d1b3e9&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US_PL_KRAKOW_WAWEL%20CASTLE_SEA.GOOGLE.MUSE_MUL_mix&utm_term=wawel%20castle&utm_content=Poland_Krakow_Wawel%20Castle_mix&gclid=768ecbeb13b311dceb2da97c98d1b3e9&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://wawel.krakow.pl/en

https://wawel.krakow.pl/en/the-castle

https://www.poland.travel/en/discover/castles-palaces/wawel-royal-castle-in-krakow

https://www.historyhit.com/locations/wawel-castle/

https://krakowmonamour.com/wawel-castle/

https://www.thetravel.com/wawel-castle-the-worlds-first-world-heritage-site/

https://www.introducingkrakow.com/wawel-castle

https://visitkrakow.com/the-wawel-hill-castle/

https://wawel-castle-guest-rooms.hotelsofkrakow.net/en/#main

https://www.americanpolishcenter.com/restaurant/

http://www.katedra-wawelska.pl/en/

https://discovercracow.com/wawel-cathedral-4-secrets-hidden-inside/

https://poland.pl/tourism/urban-tourism/wawel-cathedral/

https://www.getyourguide.com/-l40/?cmp=bing

https://www.visitacity.com/en/krakow?campaginid=428243000&adgroupid=1283130489397301&targetid=kwd-80195892268796:loc-190&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Krakow%20Attractions%20G-US-In-EUR&utm_term=what%20to%20visit%20in%20krakow%20poland&utm_content=Visit%20poland

https://www.vrbo.com/search/keywords:krakow-lesser-poland-voivodeship-poland/arrival:2022-08-14/departure:2022-08-18?adultsCount=2&petIncluded=false&filterByTotalPrice=true

https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?label=msn-ZIsGJJJcRGF*bpRdGdFW9Q-80882922803647%3Atikwd-17264466902%3Aaud-808222231%3Aloc-190%3Aneo%3Amte%3Alp44736%3Adec%3Aqskrakow+poland&sid=15e842a5ffb78f02374c7dc4e8016cc9&aid=346685&sb=1&sb_lp=1&src_elem=sb&error_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fcity%2Fpl%2Fkrakow.html%3Faid%3D346685%26label%3Dmsn-ZIsGJJJcRGF%252AbpRdGdFW9Q-80882922803647%253Atikwd-17264466902%253Aaud-808222231%253Aloc-190%253Aneo%253Amte%253Alp44736%253Adec%253Aqskrakow%2520poland%26sid%3D15e842a5ffb78f02374c7dc4e8016cc9%26inac%3D0%26%26&ss=Krakow&is_ski_area=0&ssne=Krakow&ssne_untouched=Krakow&city=-510625&checkin_year=2022&checkin_month=7&checkin_monthday=13&checkout_year=2022&checkout_month=7&checkout_monthday=16&group_adults=2&group_children=0&no_rooms=1&b_h4u_keep_filters=&from_sf=1&order=price

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g274772-Activities-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html

https://visitkrakow.com/things-to-do-in-krakow/

https://www.earthtrekkers.com/best-things-to-do-in-krakow-poland/

https://www.tourvacationstogo.com/poland_tours.cfm?source=bing&cn=tours&ag=poland&msclkid=a8db68988fe71c440c630a0f1730e451

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/25-best-things-to-do-in-krakow-poland/

http://krakowpoland.com/

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/krak-oacute-w-poland-jewish-history-tour

http://www.saltmine-krakow.com/

http://www.auschwitz.org/en/

https://visitkrakow.com/restaurants-in-krakow/

https://www.kayak.com/horizon/sem/flights/destination/c9856?lang=en&utm_campaign=Destination+-+PL+-+Krakow+-+City%239856&utm_content=City+-+flights+to+krakow+-+T%3Dnone+-+P%3Dflights+-+D%3DCity%239856&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=krakow+fly&skipapp=true

https://www.cheapflights.com/horizon/sem/flights/destination/c9856?lang=en&utm_campaign=Destination+-+PL+-+Krakow+-+City%239856&utm_content=City+-+flights+to+krakow+-+T%3Dnone+-+P%3Dflights+-+D%3DCity%239856&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=who+flies+to+krakow&skipapp=true

https://www.expedia.com/Cheap-Flights-To-Krakow.d6035306.Travel-Guide-Flights?regionId=1908&langid=1033&semcid=US.MULTILOBF.BING.DL-c-EN.FLIGHT&semdtl=a1268773064.b11279831696745874.r18bd275d91c41ad207ac5d6c9a3bdad494a4c47275ee7edaaca20084b942e28ce.g1kwd-79989592066306.i1.d1.e1c.j144736.k1136804.f1.n1.l1o.h1e.m1&msclkid=6476048d7daa128bc16d661ae72d0292&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=USA%3AENG%3A@%3ADL%3AEMEA%3AX%3AE%3ANC%3A%3A&utm_term=flights%20to%20krakow%20poland&utm_content=USA%3AENG%3A@%3ADT%3AEMEA%3APOL%3AXX%3AKrakow%3A6035306%3AKrakow%3A6035306%3AE%3ANC%3A

https://harris.krakow.pl/en/znajdz-nas/

https://visitkrakow.com/krakows-market-square/

https://visitkrakow.com/getting-around-in-krakow/

https://www.inyourpocket.com/krakow/Getting-Around-Krakow

https://citywalkspoland.com/getting-around-krakow/

https://www.autoeurope.com/car-rental-krakow/?aff=MSN&c=12524&utm_source=adcenter&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=Car%20Rental%20Krakow%20Poland&utm_campaign=Poland&ca=53167344&ag=3193957972&ak=kwd-118038297491:loc-190&kw=c&mt=e&ds=C&ad=73529971084832&msclkid=9cd1c6f27a9b1bfb159ea465e6177857

http://www.krakow.travel/en/397-krakow-the-rynek-underground

https://discovercracow.com/krakow-jewish-quarter/

http://oskarschindlerfactory.com/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/krakow-poland

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Let's Coninue Italy for Marissa with The Amazing Amalfi Coast

Ah...The Amalfi Coast of Italy. We've all dreamed about it. We have, but it's summer, and it's time to put this one in perspective. Why? Because it's one of the most scenic seaside areas in the entire world.

First off, where is it? Is it near Naples? Is it near Cefalu? Is it part of Cinque Terre? How far from Rome is it? I've heard all of these questions.

The Amalfi Coast is its own entity, as is Cinque Terre. They are both along the west coast of Italy, but that's about as close as that gets. The Amalfi Coast is an area defined as being from Vietre sul Mare to Positano on the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula on the Gulf of Salerno overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Hope that clears it up, and that's why I added a map.

This amazing part of the coast of Italy was settled around the 10th century. Exact times are inconsistent. They've been ruled by many and now are still a productive traditional area. They were once famous for paper, and are still famous for sandals, anchovies, and of course lemons and Limoncello.

The Amalfi Coast is known for its cliffs and the buildings, roads, walks, gardens, and businesses that cling to them. This area is along the southern part of Italy's west coast, and there are beaches a plenty for the tourists to enjoy. There are private and public, so research the sites I provided to figure out which are which.

Another question that I read a lot of is how to get around. You can take a train to Sorrento, but then, there you are. From there, train service is spotty at best. You can take a cruise, but as I've discovered, you better have ample time. Most cruise lines make this a stop on a much longer journey. While I would love to take a Mediterranean Cruise and see it all, I don't have that kind of time. Choose wisely, and if you would like to go by boat, you can charter one, take a more local cruise, or use the ferries. I don't recommend driving, and here's why. Car rentals are ridiculously expensive right now, so is gas, and that's all over; not just here. Also, the roads are windy, twisty, narrow, and if you go in the summer, crowded. Your best bet is to take a bus if you wish to experience the roads.

Be wise when choosing what you wish to do along the Amalfi Coast. Remember, everything is on a cliff. You will need to be in shape to enjoy it. The roads, the walks, the hotels, the Limoncello production facility, the restaurants, the towns, and even the zip lines and gardens are on the sides of cliffs. The village of Ravello is 365 meters above sea level. Keep that in mind. There will be steps.

The Amalfi Coast is still a fishing area. You can rent a boat and go fishing. The area is famous for its own species of Anchovy. In case you're wondering, yes, they have pizza there. Seafood is king, so be prepared to enjoy the delights created from the creatures of the sea.

And then, there's the lemons. The lemons from the Amalfi Coast look more like grapefruit in size. They're sweeter than we're used to in America. They are used in a lot of the local cuisine, and especially in the liqueur known as Limoncello. Produced in the area and a wonderful drink to enjoy on a warm summer night. You can arrange tours of the facilities and farms. It's educational and beautiful. The area also grows other citrus fruit that we don't normally talk about such as sweet grapefruit and blood oranges.

One of the most important things to do when visiting the Amalfi Coast is to get outside. Take a walk, take a ride, take a tour. Bring your camera. You have to take more than phone pics of this place. It is one of the most scenic areas in the world. If you don't bring a quality digital camera, shame on you.

There are many ancient sites to see. There are ancient stone bridges in Furore that can't be matched and are still in use. There are scenic villas and gardens hanging over the towns and harbors. There's so much to see, that you'll feel like you've stepped into a postcard. And don't forget about sunset. Make sure you see a beautiful sunset while you're there. If you don't take time for that, then shame on you.

There are museums, castles, forts, ports, walks, stairs, hiking trails, and gorges that they call valleys with waterfalls to check out. Everywhere you look, there's an amazing view.

You can zip line over gorges along the Amalfi Coast. You can sunbathe along the harbors at the beaches. You can pay to stay in a historic villa. You can go to Positano and see where the rich and famous play. You can hire a private guide to show you around and ride around for the day in what's called an Ape Calessino (in America, we'd call it a Tuk Tuk).

There's so much to do. I can't talk about it all, or I'd never end this blog.

Now, we all have to eat, and when along the Amalfi Coast, that's no different. However, here the restaurants tend to have a view. If I had a dime for every cliffside restaurant I saw while doing the research for this, I could afford to spend the summer there. If you have a fear of heights, which you shouldn't if you visit this gem of an area, There's a restaurant in a grotto on Capri if you like.

Which brings me to another feature about the area; grottoes. There are some you can eat in, some you can visit, and some you get to by boat. They are a sight to see, and a great way to make use of that camera I recommended.

Add in some great shopping, lots of museums, and connections to other fabulous areas of western Italy, and the Amalfi Coast is an amazing place to visit. Bring a bathing suit, some Dramamine, sunblock, a great camera, hiking shoes, a sense of adventure and enjoy!

https://www.expedia.com/Vacation-Packages

https://www.expedia.com/Hotel-Search?SEMDTL=a1392891369.b11322713644254473.g1kwd-82670154655537%3Aloc-190.l1.e1c.m1.r1bd6672a15728deb470f9e600739fd888611f697b94da56012c4ec1880a798a06.c1Cfbbhq1SNP3GknGds6QD6A.j144736.k11891.d1.h1e.i1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&destination=Amalfi%20Coast%2C%20Italy&endDate=2022-06-09&locale=en_US&msclkid=37722a00f8861b96ad6d488ea9ad8256&regionId=180060&semcid=US.UB.BING.DT-c-EN.HOTEL&semdtl=&siteid=1&sort=RECOMMENDED&startDate=2022-06-08&theme=&useRewards=true&userIntent=&utm_campaign=BEX%3AUSA%3AENG%3A%24%3ADL%3AEMEA%3AITA%3AX%3AX%3ACON%3AItaly%3A86%3ACL%3A&utm_content=BEX%3AUSA%3AENG%3A%24%3ADT%3AEMEA%3AITA%3AX%3AItaly%3A86%3AAmalfi_Coast%3A180060%3Adestinationonly%3A&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=amalfi%20coast

https://www.booking.com/region/it/amalficoast.en.html?aid=346685&label=msn-VYqUC99FPhxzGGe4ecz99g-79920858032341:tikwd-79920947623807:aud-808219487:loc-190:neo:mte:lp44736:dec:qsthe%20amalfi%20coast&utm_campaign=Italy&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=VYqUC99FPhxzGGe4ecz99g&msclkid=e4706f62dcc016e47a570dec8debf137

https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/italy/amalfi-coast?k_clickid=28bc461c43631809bc2724921248fa83&ds_kids=p65295617883&ds_kid=43700065295617883&ksprof_id=700000002209551&ksdevice=c&ktarget=kwd-72430934427017:loc-190&kloct=1891&klocf=44736&utm_source=MICROSOFT&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=VRB:USA:ENG:%24:DL:EMEA:ITA:X:X:CON:Italy:86:CL:&utm_term=amalfi+coast&utm_content=VRB:USA:ENG:%24:DT:EMEA:ITA:X:Italy:86:Amalfi_Coast:180060:destinationonly:&&msclkid=28bc461c43631809bc2724921248fa83&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=VRB%3AUSA%3AENG%3A%24%3ADL%3AEMEA%3AITA%3AX%3AX%3ACON%3AItaly%3A86%3ACL%3A&utm_term=amalfi%20coast&utm_content=VRB%3AUSA%3AENG%3A%24%3ADT%3AEMEA%3AITA%3AX%3AItaly%3A86%3AAmalfi_Coast%3A180060%3Adestinationonly%3A&gclid=28bc461c43631809bc2724921248fa83&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://www.visitacity.com/en/sorrento/activities/all-activities?activitiesSearchByName=amalfi&campaginid=418258510&adgroupid=1285329476458663&targetid=kwd-80333310335564:loc-190&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Sorrento%20ActivitiesM5X%20G-US-In-EUR&utm_term=amalfi%20coast%20day%20trip%20from%20sorrento&utm_content=Amalfi%20Coast%20Tour

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g187779-Amalfi_Coast_Province_of_Salerno_Campania-Vacations.html

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/amalfi-coast

https://www.amalfitanacoast.com/

https://travel.usnews.com/Amalfi_Coast_Italy/

https://www.tripsavvy.com/amalfi-coast-map-and-travel-guide-1547154

https://www.positano.com/en/map

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-amalfi-coast-italy/