I'm running behind on the Blog, so the commentary will be shorter.
We're off to Poland...excited to go to a brand new country for us, but don't know what to expect.
Yes, it's a prop plane...haven't been on one of those since the 90's going to the inland of Spain. We're ready for it, a good introduction to Poland which we have coined a first-world-wannabe...they're on their way.
Flying over the mighty Danube.
Here we are...don't understand a word.
This Mercedes limo had a driver in black suit and tie, very formal, and the car outfitted with an iPad on the dash...very 21st century.
There are beautiful green ways along the highways where people are biking everywhere...look closely on the crest of the hill and you'll see then.
We arrive in the center of town and get a glimpse of Wawel Castle in the distance.
Our Hotel Copernicus is a Relais et Chateau, built in the 18th century with lots of history, and now is probably the best hotel in town.
Elegant to the nines, in every way, yet every thing is warm, cozy, and inviting.
The swimming pool, spa and gym in the subterranean basement were all beautifully appointed.
From the roof you could almost reach out and touch the Wawel Castle.
In the other direction you could see some of the church steeple in the main Market Square. The hotel is ideally located.
First things first, get some Zlotys...1 Zloty is about 33 cents, so everything seems so cheap when divided by 3, and actually the prices for everything here are in fact relatively cheap, compared to the States and Western Europe. For example, our luxury deluxe room is about $300/night! And that tasting menu, with wine, was around $100 total for two!
Then we strolled in town just to get a little bit of the lay of the land...enjoy the sights, as we did...
This could be anywhere.
It's about 4pm and we're starving so we stop for a snack. I have to try the typical Polish soup...barley based broth with herbs, sausage slices, a hard boiled egg, and of course boiled potatoes...Mmmmmm it's actually quite tasty.
They have a lot of amber here.
And the fashion...well, you decide.
They like chocolate here too, and this hot chocolate was heavenly, and heavenly rich too!
Lace shops.
And crystal stalls.
Cheese things...
Street scenes...
The main Market Square is amazing, day or night! Rick Steve's did a whole show on this, and it's everything he said it was!
It's a very romantic city, with lots of horse and buggies all over town, and brides that pop out when you least expect it.
We just had to model these chapeaux... how do we look?
It was our first night, so after our initial stroll through the town we decided to have dinner in the hotel restaurant, with its highly-touted fusion tasting menu.
Every touch is so tasteful.
We chose the 5-course tasting menu, and it came with several additionsl amuse bouches in between the courses. The meal was phenomenal, like a Stone Barns experience. Here are just a few of the artistic, beautifully presented delicious courses.
We've only been here in Krakow for not even a whole day, and we already feel that this country is a FIND with lots to offer, A REAL HIDDEN GEM!
While we were dining in the hotel restaurant we were the only ones in this cozy dining room for a while. Then a group of 3 hip young Poles came in dressed very fasionably. And then a very attractive Polish-looking woman (her facial features were Polish and she was speaking Polish to the waiter) dressed in business attire took a table for one. She was on her iPhone in between courses, and all signs made us assume she must be on a business trip. We remarked to each other how it's difficult to dine alone, even for a man...you have no one to talk to. She then left before us. Keep this woman in mind...story continues in tomorrow's Blog post.
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