Summer Destinations - Cheap Holidays in Europe

This summer, head over to an unusual vacation spot away from the usual tourist crowds in Italy, Spain, France, and the UK, and travel to Poland for a holiday you will never forget, not just to accommodate your budget but also to explore this exciting and beautiful place. Poland has a history that moves everyone who visits here. Torn apart by various factions and then put back together over and over again, this country has a fighting spirit that puts everyone that experiences it in awe. It has cities like Warsaw, where you can see how the fighting tore down the entire area along with the efforts that were made to restore a part of it to its old standard. Lodz is another city famous for its overwhelming beauty.
The jewel in the Polish crown though has to be Krakow (Cracow). With a population of one million, this city sees almost the same amount of tourists every year, thus making it one of the most frequently visited cities in Poland. It also possesses the oldest universities in Europe including Jagiellonian University.
The city centre, or town square, is a World Heritage Site, and is actually the largest medieval market square in all of Europe. On weekends you can find various markets that set up here where you can browse everything from food to household items. There is a Cloth Hall in the centre, which was originally meant to serve as a conduit for the cloth trade, but has been modified over time. Looking over this is St. Mary's Church, which is one of the most beautiful churches in the country, boasting an altar carved by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz). Every hour the highest tower plays a bugle call to commemorate the Tatar raids on the city which happened in the 13^th century.
The entire western section of the square is the Town Hall Tower. The square is a wonderful place to visit, and you can just sit here and get lost in the vibe of the city. There are performers scattered throughout the square, from jugglers to musicians, along with cafes and their outdoor seating dotted here and there.
While in the city, make sure you also visit the royal castle and the royal route. The route starts from Matejko Square, and goes into the square - from there you go on to Wawel Hill where the castle is located. The castle was built in the year 1000 and is a huge complex, so make sure you give yourself time to see this properly. Do not forget to purchase a ticket to see the dragon at the bottom of the hill, which you can access by going through an entrance in the front of the castle and then climbing down the hill in an underground passage. The dragon is actually a model, but breathes fire once every minute.
With its burgeoning tourist trade, Krakow is a great city for everyone from backpackers to five-star accommodation lovers. There are a multitude of discount hotels and hostels you can stay in, and food can be bought from one of the many restaurants and cafes around the square. The city also has a great nightlife, with over 100 pubs and clubs in the vicinity of the square alone - so be prepared to party all night long.
If you are looking for a cheap European holiday, then Poland is the right place to go, and Krakow is the right city to visit. The city very effectively caters to the thousands of tourists that visit every year, and has something to offer to everyone.

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