How (not) to bore your children while traveling

When you travel with children to the Places-Of-Significance there is often the dilemma of what to show them.  How to show them history or art without boring them to death?  When I was a kid, my parents took me all over Europe, but all I wanted was to stay on the beach.  However, even if I don't remember everything (I wish they took more pictures), as I become older, I realized that it thought me some important lessons.  I think traveling made me realize that there is always a different way to look at things (because of cultural differences), that we have things in common and can communicate even without the language and also that learning the language(s) would definitely help.  I also took in the sights, the beauty of nature and the competing attempts of humans to create the beauty themselves.  Sightseeing definitely contributed to my love for arts and, of course, left me with a travel bug, always longing for the new vistas.

So here I was, taking my daughter down the memory lane to the place of my birth and my most beloved city, that she knew nothing about it. What do I show her without too many 'oh no Mom, not another church' moments?
    

First of all, I wanted her to experience the feel of the town.  Just wander around ancient streets, discover hidden corners and plazas, eat ice cream in the outdoor cafes, feed pretzels to the pigeons, climb the monuments, feel the water in the fountains, skip on the cobblestones and ride the trolley.

But of course we had to see the Royal Wawel Castle.  This was the old residency of Polish kings and queens, located right on the Wisla river.

Source

Castle insides were not not a big hit (no surprise here, but it had to be done), but my daughter enjoyed climbing the bell tower and visiting the famous dragon's den, a cave under the castle and a stage of the most popular Krakow's legend.  We also went to see Leonardo's 'Lady with Ermine' that was on the display at the time.

She is something else...

It is easy to fall under the spell of the fairytale quality to the castle...

Then, I had to take her to see the Jagiellonian University, one of the first universities in Europe and the school I went to.

Collegium Maius

 They have a museum with interesting Copernicus exhibit, since he went there too.

At noon, a procession of University officials emerges through the clock doors...

The building where I attended many of my classes 

Before WWII Krakow's population was about one third Jewish and the Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz) is definitely worth a stop.

Many visitors to Krakow take a side trip to Auschwitz, located about 30 minutes from the city. We didn't go, I already visited twice and I thought my daughter was still too young to face the horror of it. You can also tour the Schindler's factory in Krakow.

We loved the Chagall-esque mural.

Another interesting side trip was a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine.  It is also about 30 minutes bus ride from the center of the town.  The mine has been used since XII century until very recently (2010?). What is interesting, is that the miners were not only working there, they also created many monuments out of salt and built several cathedrals and places of worship, all underground and well preserved. 

You have to take about 400 steps to go down but it feels like descending into Jules Verne fantasy world.  Even the chandeliers are made of salt.  

Guess what was my daughter's favorite?  Well, none of the above.  It was our visit to the indoor waterpark (sigh).  Now you know why I brought a bikini.

Oh well, cannot beat this thrill :)

 

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If you are still reading, it means you took the trip too, hope I did not bore you too much ;)

not another church Mom...

  
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Where do you drag your children (or reluctant others) on your trips?
Do you have any tips to m make it more fun?

Shopping while traveling

Do you shop when you travel?  It sounds like fun but I rarely do, for many reasons:

• I don't want to waste time in the stores and I don't feel like trying things on.  
• I don't have my other clothes/shoes/bags with me to try things together. 
• I am a serial returner and don't like to commit too quickly. 
• I am in a different mindset and tend to lose perspective on what I really need and wear
• I like to shop alone and I get confused, not helped, by input from (well meaning) others   

Because of all of the above I did not plan to shop while in Krakow, but since I have received a gift card from the relative, I had no choice but to use it or lose it.

I used it.

I decided to keep it simple and picked a jersey dress and a black t-shirt.

The dress easy and super comfortable.  The twist in the front and the cocoon shape make it more interesting.  It also came in yellow and I was immediately tempted by the summery hue but I think that would end up being one of those compulsive-vacation-purchases,  so I bought this pretty and much 'safer' teal green.
 

It has pockets and the length is perfect.  It will travel well, hide any post dinner bulges and it can be dressed up and down with shoes and accesories.

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The t-shirt is even more simple.

It has a very nice nipped in the waist and longer in the back shape.

It kind of got 'caught' on my butt in the picture but it actually looks better irl.

The design in made out of raised dots. It is perfect to wear causally but can go a little dressy too. I really like both items and I don't think they will end up unworn, like some other vacation purchases. Maybe I have learned something after all...

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That's all folks!

Do you shop when you travel?

Are you usually happy with your vacation buys?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

Mothers Day

As you know, I was traveling on Mothers Day but that's OK because I got to spend time with my mother!  In Poland, Mothers Day is celebrated on May 26th, so I still have to wish my mother very happy one, but I got to spend her 75th birthday with her.  

75 and still thinks nothing of 4 inch wedges :)

My mother has always been my best friend and we are very close.  She is one of the most supportive mothers I know, she has always been there for me.  I miss living closer to my mother but at least she is surrounded by many great friends, she has visitors or visits others everyday.  Her phone is always ringing and she texts all the time. Well, that was a little annoying at times, lol.  But hey, I am happy she has way richer social life than me...

I have always been very proud of her because she is smart, fiercely independent, instantly likable (see above), fun to be around and stylish.  Guess where I got my 'when in doubt wear black' mantra?

wish I had her waist...

my mothers favorite diet is coffee with champagne

Happy faces

But most of all,  my mother is blessed with eternal optimism and generally sunny disposition, something I always envied her a bit, myself being more of 'partly cloudy' variety.  My mother cannot tell a joke but she is (very) quick to laugh.  She wanted me to take the picture with the pansies because they are one of her favorite flowers and I find their happy faces matching her cheerful personality. 

I love you Mom!

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Does your mother inspire your personal style? 

Are you close with your mother? What have you learned from her?

Packing for cobblestones

Here is what I packed for my 16 days trip:

trench coat and motorcycle jacket
jeans: denim, white and black
leggings and yoga pants and yoga tshirt
tees: short sleeve blue, navy, black and white, long sleeve navy, red, black, stripe
sweaters: black v-neck, green and black long cardigans
dressy tops: punk top floral, tie neck polka dot, black t-shirt with leather sleeves
navy blazer
blue print cotton skirt
black dress
pink cashmere wrap

cross-body purse
leopard clutch
short and long necklace, pearl earings and black bracelet
colorful scarf
brown belt
ballet flats in gold and black
black Valentina pumps
black sandals
flip flops and sneakers

bikini and black cotton dress as cover-up
underwear including few tank tops
pajamas

My initial difficulty was the unpredictable weather at this time of the year. The temperatures ranged from lower 50s to mid 80s but I had a good mix of warmer and colder weather choices.  I wasn't sure if I should bring my Banana trench (I was first going with just the moto jacket), but I am glad I did. I was blending with the locals well, because almost everybody was wearing either a black leather jacket or a trench coat and the scarves seem absolutely obligatory.    

On the coldest days I wore my black merino sweater from Ann Taylor and black JBrand cigarette jeans.  Right before my trip I got the jeans hemmed to the ankle length and they instantly became much more wearable and up to date.

I walked a lot, so I mostly wore jeans and t-shirt uniform.  

Here I am sporting my Jagiellonian University t-shirt that I bought on the trip.  I have a lot of college pride.  The school was founded in 1364 and counts Copernicus as one of its alumni. It is located in the very center of the town.

I was hoping to do some running, so I brought my yoga outfit and sneakers. Sneakers are not the most stylish but I loved them on long walks with my mother and on our visit to the Wieliczka salt mine, where we had to descend about 400 stairs.

Colorful silk blouses take a very little space in the suitcase but were a great way to dress up a simple jeans-and-blazer outfit.  I wore my polka dot blouse (WHBM) exactly the same way.

When the weather warmed up my all cotton Brook Brothers skirt was just perfect and super comfortable. It also goes with white or navy t-shirts and the navy blazer, so I had some options.

I knew I was going to the theatre with my friend, so I brought my LBD, leopard clutch and pink cashmere wrap.  I was going to wear my black Valentinas, but decided on ballet flats, so I can navigate the cobblestones. 

Overall, I was happy with what I packed and I used almost everything. My biggest mistake were the heels.  But I was very comfortable in my ballets. I brought two pairs, gold and black and they went with all my outfits. 

My personal travel formula is to keep everything neutral then add some light packing colorful touches.  I brought 3 pairs of jeans with several short and long sleeve neutral colored t-shirts.  I topped it off with couple of sweaters, navy blazer, trench coat, motorcycle jacket and a purse that goes with everything. This was my base, all in black, white/cream, blue and navy.  Then, I added a skirt that goes with few t-shirts, a black dress and dressy black tee to go out, couple of silk blouses and a scarf.

When in doubt, I wore black. My black jeans went with short sleeve scoop neck and long sleeve v-neck tees,  Club Monaco top with leather sleeves, long merino v-neck and boyfriend cardigan, all in black.  I added scarf or a necklace and gold flats for some color.  It was also good to have saddle color bag to lighten it up.  It was easy and made me feel chic and pull together.  

My other favorite was to wear jeans and a navy blazer with colorful silk blouses.  Switching up the jeans for a cheerful skirt worn with plain t-shirts was also a nice change.  

I don't wear dresses that much, but once the temperature rose they were everywhere.  If I was going in the summer, I would definitely pack at least one, preferably in some non wrinkling easy knit.   

Mom, watching the cobbles

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That's all folks!

What is your travel packing formula and what are your favorite travel outfits?

    

Back from Krakow

This is just a quick checking-in post.  I got back from Krakow yesterday and I already miss it. I had a wonderful trip and got to spend some time with my mother and see a lot of my old friends and relatives. My daughter had a blast sightseeing and I think it was quite educational for her.

When I left Poland over 20 years ago, it was the beauty of the town and its medieval charm I missed even more than people.  As it is probably the case with most old towns, when you grow up there, you always carry the love of the old architecture and its attention to detail in your heart.  Every place you see later in life is measured by its standards and often unable to compete.

I will be back later with details of some places we visited,  Mother's Day my mother's 75th birthday pictures, my musings on packing and what worked for me, plus some new purchases, but for now, I just wanted to quickly share a few pictures from the Old Town.

Map of Old Town  (source)

The map above shows you the center of Krakow, which was a walled city in the Middle Ages (fragments of the walls preserved are marked in red at the top of the map).  Krakow used to be the capital of Poland and you can see the Royal Castle of Wawel in the lower left corner.  In the center you can see Rynek Glowny (Grand Square) with the blue cross of Sukkiennice (Cloth Hall) in the middle and the red St Mary's Church to the right  of it.  The Old Town is surrounded by park-like Planty (marked in green) and is closed to the automobile traffic, except for service vehicles and local residents.  My mother once lived on Grodzka Street, where you could see Rynek Glowny from front windows, but she has since moved to a modern apartment, outside the center of town. 
 

Rynek Glowny (Grand Square)

Krakow is famous for the largest Market Plaza of the medieval Europe.  It is hard to capture it in the pictures, but is is a huge square, paved with cobblestones, surrounded by outdoor cafes and perfect meeting, shopping and gathering place for the Krakowians and tourists alike.
 

View of one side of Market Square (it is humongous) 

The shot above shows about one fourth of the space.  It is separated by building of Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) in the middle, part of which you can see on the right side.  It used to host merchants selling fabrics and now it has array of souvenir shops inside and huge underground museum in the basements that spreads underneath.

Maly Rynek (next to Saint Mary's Church on the map)

Smaller plazas in the Old Town have their own unique charm and delightful architecture.

Other side of Maly Rynek (Small Market Square)

Every street corner promises some surprises, details you did not notice on your previous walk.

Pijarska Street near old city walls

Florianska Street, old entrance to Krakow in the back

Almost any random street turns out extremely photogenic...

One of Grodzka side streets

Kanonicza Street leading toward Wawel castle

It was relatively cold in the first few days, forcing everybody to eat inside, but once it got warmer it was hard to find the seating, despite what must be thousands of outdoor tables available in close proximity.

Outside Cafes at Grand Square

Small plaza next to St Mary's Church

If there was such a thing as Krakow's town bird it would be a pigeon without any doubt.  They are omnipresent and you have to feed them with crumbs from 'obwazanki',  big round pretzels available on every street corner in Krakow.  Not sure if this is what pigeons should eat but they definitely seem to thrive on the diet.

Famous pigeons

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That's all folks!

I am off to do the laundry and catch up on my favorite blogs. Despite having a lots of fun I missed everybody's daily musings.  

I know I could never be a travel writer but at least I hope you enjoyed some of the pictures.