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Warsaw City Breaks

City breaks in Warsaw have a deep resonance of history, as the Polish capital was once the most enchanting and chic city in Europe, until it's virtual destruction in World War II. The end of the war saw most of the city levelled and most of the population had been killed or imprisoned in concentration camps.

After the war the city went through a major reconstruction, with detailed restoration of the buildings in the city centre. The Old Town in Warsaw was rebuilt from the piles of debris the war left behind and with meticulous care, to produce the original seventeenth and eighteenth century buildings and a beautiful market square, which can be explored on a city break in Warsaw today.

The Vistuala River splits the city of Warsaw in half, with the Old Town on one side offering enchanting historical beauty and interesting relics from it's colourful past and the modern city of Warsaw across the river, home to contemporary structures and a westernised atmosphere. Visitors on City breaks in Warsaw will find some unique communist history in the modern urban landscape of skyscrapers and uninspired architecture from the cities communist rule. The Palace of Science and Culture makes up an eyesore in the city centre, in uniformly drab grey, which was a landmark Stalin left to the city.

Amidst the grey concrete jungle of modern Warsaw are elements from Poland's elegant history, including palaces and castles, surrounded by vast parklands and ancient churches, and the restored historical centre of the Old Town in Warsaw more than makes up for the drab post-War architecture across the Vistula River. As the largest Polish city, Warsaw is a city developing towards consumerism, with chic boutiques and cosy cafes beginning to emerge and an array of museums and galleries offering cultural, artistic and historical attractions to visitors. City breaks in Warsaw also offer a lively nightlife with a range of cafes, bars and nightclubs exposing the cities youthful side.

 

 


Essential Information on Krakow

Money

The official currency is Zloty (PLN), divided into 100 groszy. Poland is essentially a 'cash country', and it is difficult to negotiate credit cards and travellers cheques in the cities, and well nigh impossible in rural areas. American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are, however, accepted in places frequented by tourists. ATMs are also beginning to proliferate in Polish cities, where the sign 'Bankomat' indicates them. Money (preferably US$ or Euros) can be exchanged in the cities and larger towns at banks, hotels or bureaux called 'kantors', which offer the best rates. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and some are open on Saturday till 1pm.

Source: www.wordtravels.com

Passports / Visas

A passport valid for at least six months after arrival is needed for those who require a visa. Visa exempt nationals must have a passport valid for period of intended stay (other than EEA nationals). The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all.

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Communications

The international access code for Poland is +48. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)22 for Warsaw and (0)12 for Krakow. Cheap rates apply between 4pm and 6am, and on weekends. Mobile phones work throughout the country, local operators use GSM networks, which may not be compatible with some US cell phones. Internet cafes are available in most towns.

Source: www.wordtravels.com