If you visiting Poland during a winter season, you just can’t miss it. Only 120 km from Cracow there is a city which is called Poland’s winter capital – Zakopane (you can translate it as ‘buried with’, so why don’t ‘buried with snow’?). And it isn’t an exaggeration becuase Zakopane is one of the oldest and finest mountain resort in Poland. You can get there with Krakow Shuttle.

Have you already heard about a Sleeping Knight who is highly reposing over the town? If not, you should see it. First at photo:

You like it? It’s in Zakopane. There is also a legend story connected to this uniquely shaped mountain called Giewnot but it’s better to learn it yourself from a highlander.

A special mountains scenery is not the only one trump of the Zakopane. The city has also its own, original and very specific architectural style (called “Zakopane like style”) which has been developing since the end of XIX century when the city became very popular and fashionable destinations for artists and celebrities of those days.

With Krakow Shuttle you can visit Zakopane, taste an inimitable culture of Polish highlanders from Tatra Mountains and be delighted with really stunning views during one day trip for only 62 €.

The programme of the visit is determined by the individual interests and needs of customers. During the trip you will be able i.a. enjoy the ride with the cable car up to Gubalowka Mountain, check the city’s finest street Krupowki and buy some traditional crafts at the local market or visit the Tatra Museum. An English speaking driver will be happy to advise you the best spots in town, too. The trip lasts about 8 hours and starts at 8.30-9.30.

The price (student’s fare is 62€, regular – 64€) included door to door transportation, insurance, assistance of an English speaking driver and a lunch set.

See details at: http://www.krakowshuttle.com/.

Alicante (Spain) and Brussels-Charleroi (Belgium) are two new destinations which are going to be available directly from Balice from spring 2010 - it was announced at the beginning of December by Krakow Balice Airport authorities.

Flights to and from Charleroi, an airport located around 50 km from the capital of Belgium, will be operated by Ryanair. The Irish company is making a really serious preparation to the next spring-summer season, because connection to/from Belgium is sixth new in its offer which was recently announced.

Flights from Krakow to Brussels will be available from 31st of March 2010 three times each week (Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Prices are estimating from 59 PLN (around 15 euros; one-way, including taxes).

Also the second interesting spring Krakow connection will be operating by Ryanair. It is Alicante, a very nice Spanish town on the south of the country, also an important and comfortable changing point when you travel to/from Morocco. Flights to Spain are scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Prices starts from 79 PLN (around 20 euros).

Four left new Ryanair’s “cities of destination” are: Leeds Bradford, Rome-Ciampino, Trapani and Oslo Rygge.

Ok, maybe we don’t have our own low-cost carrier (all Polish companies which had been trying to gain the cheap-flight market bankrupted or suspendes their activity - Air Polonia, Centralwings and Direct Fly) but this Irish one is doing well.

See more at: http://www.krakowairport.pl/ and http://www.ryanair.com/.

If you are here, on our blog, you probably have already known that Krakow is a very special place. But Wawel Castle, Market Square with its surroundings and Kazimierz District is not everything you should see when you come to Cracow. Quite close to the City there are at least two absolutely unique, world famous and very important places - Auschwitz Birkenau and Salt Mine in Wieliczka. With Krakow Shuttle you will manage to visit both in one day.

There are kind of places that every single person should see in his or her life. And these two belongs to this category, although – of course – because of totally different reasons.

A special offer by Krakow Shuttle let you experience Auschwitz Museum and underground museum in Wieliczka during one day. The trip is obviously quite long – it takes 10 hours – but if you start your day early (pickup hours: 8.30-9.30), you won’t waste it.

The first part of a tour is devoted to visit one of the most stirring place in the world: a former nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz. To prepare all visitors to what they are going to see the tour of the museum starts from a documentary movie about the place where the worst genocide in mankind’s history happened.

In the second part of a trip you will get a chance to visit Salt Mine in Wieliczka, the best known underground museum. English speaking guide will show you amazing salt lakes, chambers and chapels decorated with salt, impressive shafts, as well as the wide collection of mining machines and equipment.

Interesting, doesn’t it? So let’s have a look at conditions and prices. There are two tariffs for Auschwitz & Salt Mine One Day Tour:
-    a normal one: 60 euro / 89 USD / 249 PLN
-    for students: 57 euro / 85 USD / 239 PLN

In both cases prices includes a door to door transportation, a documentary movie projection, English speaking guide in Auschwitz, in Birkenau and in Salt Mine, admission to Salt Mine, insurance and a lunch set.

And if you catch last minute deal you could book your trip for even less than regular price and pay only 55 euro. Find it at http://www.krakowshuttle.com/. It’s possible to make a reservation on-line or by phone, also by sending a text message (you have to write your name, date, pickup place and number of persons). You can call or SMS ++48 510 56 0000.

As it was announced this week, Krakow Airport will have a new link between a runway and an area where planes are waiting for its scheduled turn. The improvement makes Balice more safe and let us operate more flights. For example a new one directly to Trapani, Sicily.

A building company which is responsible for the airport reconstruction undertook also to raise three additional “plane-stops” for a C-class aircraft (Boeing 737 like) and a special depot where planes could stay for de-icing.

After the renovation an area of Balice Airport is being expected to be more than 30 000 square meters. There is no doubt - Krakow is prepared better and better for visitors come to see the town.

But this is not the end of good news from the airport. Thanks to Irish Ryanair it will be possible to fly directly from Cracow to Sicily. Unfortunately not Alaskan one, but we think Italy is also very nice part of the world. A connection to Trapani, a city located on North-West coast of an island, starts from 4th May 2010. Flights are scheduled twice a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays).

It’s good to recall that Ryanair is opening also direct connections from Balice Airport in Krakow to Roma-Ciampino (it’s starting on 3rd March) and Leeds-Bradford (since 25th March). As Irish company’s agents promise Ryanair is looking towards Scandinavia too to threaten Norwegian, the biggest player who is operating flights from Krakow to Oslo.

Competition means lower prices so we strongly support it.

Sources: http://www.krakowairport.pl/ and http://krakow.gazeta.pl/

Attention, please. This is a very important information for all movie fans: one of the most interesting and unique film festival is going to take place in Cracow from 27th November to 4th December. We’re talking about 16th International Film Festival “Etiuda&Anima”. You won’t find it anywhere else.

“Etiuda&Anima”, which is organized in Kraków since 1994, is the oldest film festival in Poland which juxtaposes the achievements of students of film and art schools from all over the world, as well as works of fine-art animation films creators: professionals, students, as well as independent producers.

And what does a word “etiuda” exactly mean? It is for a short film which primary aim is to improve both directing and acting skills. That’s why young artists are so well represented during the festival.

The main events of every annual festival are the two contests which give the festival its name, and during which the following prizes are awarded: in the student competition, comprising feature and documentary etudes, the Golden, Silver and Bronze Dinosaurs, as well as the Special Golden Dinosaur Award for the best film school of the festival; in the anima contest, Golden, Silver and Bronze Jabberwocky, as well as the Special Golden Jabberwocky for the student creating the best animated etude of the festival. The annual Special Golden Dinosaur is also awarded to an outstanding pedagogue who is at the same time a successful, active artist.

Since the beginnings of the Festival, the main points of the programme are accompanied by a vast range of other events. They provide a chance to get acquainted with world-class animation artists and the most interesting phenomena of this sphere of art. The accompanying events provide a chance to recall the most interesting works in the history of cinema, especially animations and documentaries. They also enable to get acquainted with contemporary short films and feature animated films which don’t reach the mainstream.

Apart from projections in Cracow (in Uciecha Cinema, Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology, The National Museum and Kijow Cinema) some events are going to take place in Nowy Sącz, the city which is only 85 km from Cracow.

More details at http://en.etiudaandanima.com/ (you can find a full programme there).

Ok, maybe the weather is not fine last days, but if it is enough to justify staying at the hotel? No, definitely not! The more that there is a special autumn promotion in Krakow Shuttle tours and transfers corporation.

This package includes return Krakow or Katowice Airport transfer and Auschwitz + Saltmine tour in one day. The offer covers most of transport and sightseeing needs of any visitor during his or her stay in Krakow. And you can get 10% discount if you book it now by the website.

The sightseeing prices include all vehicle, driver, fuel costs and any parking charges. An iced coolbox of complimentary mineral water, fruit juices and sodas is also provided. Guide service and admission fees are not included.

And when autumn ends, don’t forget winter! Krakow Shuttle also prepared something very interesting for that season and all snow-and-ski loving tourists: a special ski shuttle from Krakow to Zakopane (and back). Prices are from 95 euro and in the package you will get a van and the English speaking driver who will be waiting for you at the Balice airport (if you arriving to Katowice-Pyrzowice airport, prices for tour to Zakopane are from 143 euro). No stress, no fortune paid for a rental car and no risk you will get lost on Polish roads which are far from being “user friendly”.

What is crucial, professional tour drivers are fully trained to cope safely and competently with the winter driving conditions encountered during the season. You, as well as your ski equipment, reach the destination in Tatra Mountains safely and ready to downhill.

See details at: http://www.krakowshuttle.com/

Suprised? But I’m sure not by which city it is placed in. Yes, Cracow is very – you can say – literary. A hometown of The Nobel Prize awarded poets – Czesław Miłosz, Wisława Szymborska and also, altough only part-time, Seamus Heaney – is really the best place to organize Joseph Conrad Festival.

The Joseph Conrad International Literature Festival is the first stage of a large-scale project by the City of Krakow, “Tygodnik Powszechny” foundation, Krakow Festival Office and a number of institutions and supporters. The first edition of the festival has been planned for the 3-7 November 2009 and naturally links in with the Krakow Book Fair which has been set for the 5-8 November.

A moment for explanation because the name can be a little bit misleading: festival is not devoted to the creative works of Joseph Conrad. The author of “Heart of Darkness” and one of the most worldwide famous writers of Polish origin has only lend his name as patron of the event.

In contrast to many national events which grace Polish literature, the Joseph Conrad International Literature Festival is designed as a world scale event. This means that the guests will include writers from various countries who write in different languages, represent diverse cultures and world views. The organizers want to create in Krakow a multi-colour artistic mosaic, which will reflect the riches of world literature, exposing the Polish reader to little known ways of thinking and sensitivities. The prevailing idea is to create an event which would have the widest range and one which is widely recognised throughout the world.

The festival is not a one-off venture, as following editions are already being planned. In the first year we will host writers from Europe. The following year – North America, then South America and Asia. Among the invited guest are winners of prestigious prizes as well as authors of international bestsellers. Philosophical writers and absorbing storytellers, reporters and fiction writers, those engaged and those experimenting. The only criteria for an invitation is the strength with which the authors can present their convictions and world views to the reader. Due to this festival outline, it will be easier to understand Polish literature in an international context.

Who is going to present at Festival? Let’s have a look at the list: Per Olov Enquist, Atiq Rahimi, Pascal Quignard, Pascal Quignard (from abroad), Marek Bieńczyk, Stefan Chwin, Przemysław Czapliński (from Poland).

See details at: http://www.conradfestival.pl/

The All Souls’ Day in Cracow is a very special time not only becauce of a unique mood you can feel and experience when you visit historic cementaries as Rakowice or Salwator but also because of the music. Jazz music. Why?

The Cracow Jazz All Souls’ Day Festival - you can belive it or not – is the oldest jazz festival in this really “jazzy” city of Cracow. The first edition took place in far far 50s of XX century, in the “golden age” of Polish improvised music, when many eminent jazz musicians performing in the worldwide level.

For over 50 years on Krakowskie Zaduszki Jazzowe (Polish name of the festival) many great artists has appeared on it’s stage, including suach a names as Woody Herman, Witold Kujawski, Andrzej Trzaskowski, Zbigniew Namysłowski or Janusz Muniak.

This year’s edition (54th) starts on Friday, October 30th. Concerts take place in various locations – Mile Stone Jazz Club on Nadwislanska St., well known Harris Piano Jazz Bar on Market Square, At Muniak’s Club, Uciecha Cinema on Starowislna St., famous “Piwnica Pod Baranami” (Market Square), MANGGHA - Centre/Museum of Japanese Art and Technology and even in The Main Concert Hall in Cracow. You can see program details at http://www.krakowskiezaduszkijazzowe.xt.pl/.

Apart from Cracow concerts of Jazz All Souls’ Day Festival are going to be played also in Wieliczka (in unique Salt Mine), Niepołomice, Trzebinia, Zabierzów and.. Chicago.

The Festival ends on 9th November by the solemn Jazz High Mass in Basilica of the Dominican Friars at 7.30 pm which is commemorate to all jazz musician who passed away.

Maybe not everybody knows that one of the best car driveres in the world, Formula 1’s Robert Kubica, comes from Krakow. We live in the city where he took his first driving lessons. It’s hard to belive in when you see quite narrow streets and speed limits everywhere, but try it. Because Cracow can be famous not only of it’s monuments and the medieval/renesaince Old Town but also of it’s “driving school” (of course Krakow Shuttle drivers are in the team).

Robert Kubica, who has driven for the BMW Sauber F1 team since his debut in 2006, but has just signed a new deal with Renault (he will be racing for them from the 2010 season), was born in Cracow in 1984.

He was only six years old when he forced his father, Artur, to buy him his first car - a miniature petrol off-roader (nissan) that he spotted in a local dealership. Soon it has revealed that it’s not only the whim of a child.

Young Kubica was really determined and focused on his dream. Tiring of racing round bottles in his front yard, he graduated to the karting track. When you are visiting Kazimierz District of Cracow, turn for a while into Wawrzynca Street. There, on your right side (walking towards Corpus Christi Basilica), you can find a place where Kubica began his international career. For two years (1995-1997) he won Polish Karting Championships six times and then he moved to Italy to develop his unique and breathtaking skills.

In subsequent years he was competing and winning numoreous racec and championships of various series in Italy and Germany, becoming better and better driver. Since 2000 he has been competing in the most important international competitions, including Formula 3 and Formula Renault series. In 2006 a crowning achievment of his early years was signing a contract to BMW Sauber F1 team.

Although Kubica was contracted as a test and reserve driver, he debuted in a race very soon, at Grand Prix of Hungary on Hungaroring in August 2006 (finishing in seventh place, but gaining no points because of disqualification after the race for having an underweight car).

Since it happened he has skipped only one F1 race (in 2007, just a few days after an awfully-looking crash in Canada), racing 56, winning one (also in Canada, exactly one year after the accident) and standing podiums 9 times.

He is and for sure he will be for a long time the best Polish driver ever.

Official site of the only F1 driver born and brought up in Cracow: http://www.kubica.pl/

Know you’re sure that you can realy on our (we mean: Cracow) driving skills in every circumstances, aren’t you?

One of the most important music events of current autumn has just started in Cracow. But don’t worry – it lasts till early December, so everyone who wants, will be able to participate in concerts of the best jazz players in the world. Cracow Jazz Fall is a proof that Cracow is the Polish capital of jazz music.

The 4th edition of Cracow Jazz Fall means four months of intercourse with free jazz. As Andrzej E. Grabowski, founder of “Diapozon” one of the most influential jazz magazine in Poland, said during the beginning of CJF: “One of the landmarks of history of improvised music is being heralded in Cracow!”.

Why this event is so important and remarkable? Because the absolute golden league of improvised music, as well as less famous but still valued groups will be presented during this edition. There will be two exhibitions and 18 concerts among which more than a half are the projects never presented in Poland or prepared specially for the Festival.

Let’s have a look at the names of scheduled artists and bands. In October: cool jazz from Chicago (New Fracture Quartet lead by talented drummer and compser Tim Daisy), modern, European improvised music from Berlin (Gebhard Ullmann and his Basement Research) and also a mixture which is hard to believe in – baroque violin and jazz bass. Maya Homburger and Barry Guy will prove that there is nothing impossible for music.

Other important participants of Cracow Jazz Fall are Kölner Saxophon Mafia, Resonance Vandermarka, Valentine Trio (Fred Lonberg-Holm’s project), “masters trio” of Roy Campbell, William Parker and Hamid Drake and others.

As all of musicians mentioned above are from abroad, it doesn’t mean that Polish (and even from Cracow) jazz players are underrepresented on Cracow Jazz Fall. We can listen Hera band, Ensamble 56 (musician also from Hungary) and most of all – Marcin Wasilewski Trio.

Concerts will take place at well known cellars in Alchemia Club on Cracow`s Kazimierz, Nowy Square.

See more at: http://www.alchemia.com.pl/eng/