Travel Channel

Krakow, although easily overlooked, is an amazing city in Eastern Europe that has several things to offer a student traveler or backpacker. Since it is not yet on the Euro, Poland remains cheap cheap cheap! You can eat and drink like a king without busting the budget. There are several unique cultural and historical activities to do such as the Salt Mines just outside of the city and Auschwitz is about 45 minutes away by bus. Buying gifts for yourself or family back home is a resonable feat as the Amber market offers an overwhelming amount of affordable jewelry. Finally, the nightlife in Krakow is deceivingly upbeat. All of the bars and clubs in the center of town are underground and although the doors close at 3 am, once inside, you can party until 5 am in many places.

I am staying with family in Poland before studying abroad in Italy this fall. I am debating on taking the train through Austria and stopping along the way to Italy or just flying straight to Italy. How recently were you traveling in Poland and Austria?

This past September, I recently traveled to Krakow and I had a blast! It is a very pretty city, with a nice historic center and a cool castle. If you visit Krakow you have to go see the salt mines and see Auschwitz it's worth the visit even though I will warn you Auschwitz is not for the faint of heart! Poland is very cheap as compaired to the rest of Europe, but not many people speak English there...In Krakow yes, but less people know how to speak English there than like let's say a destination like Rome or Paris, so learn some Polish before you go there! I actually preferred Warsaw over Krakow, which I know, everyone complains that it is like the ugliest city in the world but to me Warsaw had more going on and I feel in order for one to understand Poland and its past, you must come to Warsaw. Warsaw reminds the traveler that Poland has had a very turbulent past, and the city reminds you that fact with a vengance. Also the old city of Warsaw is very pretty and there's a lovely royal palace and park there. Poland is an overlooked country but it's worth a visit! I want to go back actually someday!