Krakow Spiritual Capital of Poland

Its old town is one of the most beautiful in the world.

Nowa Huta allows us to know what life was like in the years of communism.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine, the first registered World Heritage List, are a maze of 300 kilometers underground.

Krakow, with its 700,000 inhabitants, is perhaps the Polish city more European feeling. The so-called "Slavic Rome" is a true "crossroads." Located close to the Czech and Slovak borders, was a vital location on trade routes in Europe. Today, Warsaw will be the official capital of Poland, but Krakow is its spiritual capital. The beauty of this city watered by the Vistula River is palpable in its historic center, in 1978 declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . It is claimed that this old "almond", chaired by the imposing Market Square, is one of the most beautiful old towns in the world (which was saved from the bombing of the World War II).

The Jewish quarter of 'Schindler's List'

Whatever the chosen door, the most spectacular is that of St. Florian, the old protective wall safe and Krakow, the road leads to the Plaza del Mercado ("Rynek Glowny"). Then, the largest square of medieval Europe , which has preserved its positions Cloth Lonja, the tower of City Hall, the churches of St. Mary and St. Adalbert, mansions and houses that surround this unique stage of Poland . Since 1978 , its old town is a World Heritage Site must walk along the Camino Real in the direction of the Barbican, which was part of the defensive wall, stopping before in "The Michalik burrow." This cabaret of the late nineteenth century is still a meeting place for tourists and Cracow. Nearby is the most important paintings saved Krakow: "Lady with an Ermine", the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci (who recently went through Madrid), exhibited at the Museum of the Czartoryski The Kazimierz district, which portrayed in the list Schindler Steven Spielberg , is currently a "Soho" Polish bars and restaurants that "coexist" with the old Jewish synagogues. In fact, just as the Jewish population is not in this neighborhood or the city are only 80 people surveyed.

Life in Communist Poland

The Wawel Hill is the great symbol of royal power . This hill, dominated by the Cathedral, is the site of coronations and where lie the tombs of Polish kings. There are 17 other beautiful churches in the old city, interest in their appearance or their ornate interiors. You can drive a car 60 to visit a working home the outskirts of Krakow, Nowa Huta offers us an unusual shock. The former industrial area built around the Tadeusz Sendzimir Metallurgical industrial complex, allows us to dive into the architecture of socialist realism after the Great War. You can even see the cars "Trabant" (the popular "soap" in the years 60) visiting a working house and the neighborhood that once presided over a six-meter statue honoring Lenin. More classic, but no less striking is the visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine , recorded in the first list of UNESCO as "World Heritage". In this maze of underground chambers and 300 kilometers of galleries walk only 3,500 meters, at a depth between 64 and 135 meters, but the 22 chambers of the mine founded in the thirteenth century visitors jaw-dropping.

Why You Should Cruise To Europe ?

On a transatlantic cruise, time slows and you feel like a traveller half a century ago before the introduction of jet travel made crossing the Atlantic a hurried, mundane experience. Besides the standard repositioning cruise, a transatlantic trip can be part of a world cruise, and these cruise trip itineraries offer a truly epic adventure.

For people who love to cruise, a transatlantic cruise brings to mind classic cruising at its heyday, with a leisurely pace of activity. Lounge on deck all day and spend the evening with fine dining and dancing.

Once the mainstay of travel across the Atlantic, the Trans-Atlantic crossing has evolved from a necessity to a luxury voyage, an opportunity to recapture the golden age of cruising from the early 20th century.

The model Trans-Atlantic crossing is characterized by four or five consecutive days at sea. However, newer, and longer versions of this basic itinerary will usually offer stops at places such as Bermuda, the Azores or the Canary Islands. Some Caribbean islands or European cities may also be included near the beginning or the end of the itinerary. Longer routes can travel down the coast of Latin America before crossing over. Or else choose a northern route via Newfoundland and Iceland and see the unspoiled Scottish Isles and the Norwegian fjords. But the unique character of the traditional Trans-Atlantic cruise makes these ports short diversions from the main purpose of the voyage: the transit across the vast expanse of the Atlantic.

Cunard lines, in keeping with its 165-year-old tradition, offers more regular Trans-Atlantic sailings than any other cruise line. Cunard is known for providing classic luxury cruises. These cruises leave approximately every month and customarily take 6 nights to travel between New York City and Southampton, England.

When it was first launched by Cunard in 1969, the Queen Elizabeth 2 was the world's largest passenger ship. With the 2004 debut of the Queen Mary 2, which is twice the size of the Queen Elizabeth 2, Cunard once again holds this record. The Queen Mary 2 is the longest, tallest, largest and most expensive passenger ship built to date. The QM2 provides unprecedented luxury in amenities and accommodations. The Queen Elizabeth 2 continues to display the high standard of British elegance associated with these classic ships. In 2007, the Queen Victoria, the second largest ship in the world, will join the fleet. Carnival Corporation acquired Cunard Line from the Norwegian Kvaerner group in 1998.

For most cruise lines, Trans-Atlantic cruises are only offered as a seasonal repositioning between the Caribbean and Europe. Commonly at the end of April or in early May, ships finish the winter season in the Caribbean make an eastbound crossing to begin a series of European cruises during the summer. At the end of the European summer season, in September or October, the ships return westbound to the warm waters of the Caribbean for the winter. Most major cruise lines such as Celebrity, Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International have biannual 10-16 night trans-Atlantic itineraries.

Eastbound Trans-Atlantic crossings often sail from Boston, New York, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and a few Caribbean ports. Westbound ships often depart from Dover or Southampton, Barcelona, Lisbon, Rome and other major European ports. The ship can then travel through different ports on its way to America.

There is plenty to keep travellers busy on the trans-Atlantic passage. In response to passengers' desire for activity many cruise lines take advantage of the opportunity to offer special interest cruises such as Swing Dance, Big Band music, or wine and culinary themes. These events may be hosted by a well-known author, chef or celebrity for additional appeal. Educational programs such as art classes or computer learning may be provided, and dances and dinners on the ship will be organized to provide guests with plenty of opportunities for socializing. The extra time to relax is can also be used to take full advantage of the shipboard spa. And of course, the trans-Atlantic crossing is always the perfect time to catch up on the latest novel.