Any one for Krakow at Christmas? By Margaret Graham

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Margaret Graham

No, not crackers, Krakow. We’ve been to Krakow at various times of the year, and it is one of the most beautiful and fascinating East European cities, affordable (perhaps because it’s not in the Euro?) with friendly, English speaking inhabitants.

We traveled with Easyjet (trouble free) and were upgraded to fantastic 5* Hotel Stary, with superb facilities and staff. Try the sauna, pool, salt cave and gym – though the gym was not on my agenda – I know my limits.

The main square is a rectangular space surrounded by historic townhouses and churches. The center of the square is dominated by the Cloth Hall), rebuilt in 1555 in the Renaissance style, topped by a parapet decorated with carved masks, with the interior elegantly decorated for Christmas.

On one side of the Cloth Hall is the Town Hall Tower, on the other the 10th century Church of St. Adalbert and 1898 Adam Mickiewicz Monument. Rising above the square are the Gothic towers of St. Mary’s Basilica. On the hour I gather a member of the fire service trumpets the hour. Sure enough we could see the glint of the instrument.

Yes, glint, because the weather was spring-like.

We took a free walking tour with Good Cracow Tours: www.goodcracowtours.eu (you merely tip at the end). Our guide was Eugene, formerly a lawyer and hip-hop dancer (yes really) from the Ukraine. He is knowledgeable, funny and friendly. We learned a great deal and had fun.

Around the square are many restaurants which are warm whatever the weather (there are heaters) and you can sit there and watch the world go by, as well as the horse drawn carriages.

Choose to eat within the glass-enclosed pavements areas or down one of the side streets. You must try our favourite dish, soup in a bread bowl. You can eat the lid, and indeed, pull off parts of the sides. Delicious. Don’t forget hot chocolate. I swear it is just melted chocolate. Not a calorie amongst it.

Other places to visit are the Bishop’s Palace in Kraków which is the seat of the Krakow metropolitan Curia, and the traditional residence of Krakow bishops since the late 14th century.

Between 1958 and 1978the palace was a residence of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, who in October 1978 became the first Slavic Pope in history, adopting the name John Paul II.

At Christmas the square is alive with the Christmas Market, buskers, and events.

The bars and clubs are open into the early hours of the morning to the relief of our son.

On a more sombre note, visitors should visit the old Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz District) from which thousands of Jews which the Nazis were savagely herded to the Ghetto to the north of the district. There is now a memorial in the form of oversized bronze chairs on the Plac Bohaterow Getta, very near to square. This square is very close to Schindler’s Factory which now houses an excellent museum covering not just the Nazis occupation, but the Soviet one too.

It was from this ghetto that the Jews were transported to death camps, including the nearby Auschwitz. We took a walking tour around Kazimierz though not with Good Crakow Tours because we needed a morning tour, but left it early on because of the flippant attitude of the guide. She showed a total lack of respect for the suffering of the Jews, and their dispersal (see the film Schindler’s List).

We continued on our own, strolling along ancient narrow streets, visiting the Old Synagogue which is now a museum: thought provoking and unforgettable. It is an extraordinary experience to walk these streets which have seen so much, and which is regenerating as a thriving arts and residential area. It is good to see that there is a Jewish presence, albeit it understandably small.

Take lunch in the old market square and have a look at the small enclosed area with the menorah railings.

And what about the Restaurant Szara Kazimierz – excellent food and lovely friendly service. But this is the case at all the Krakow restaurants and cafes.

Frost totally recommends Krakow. A wonderful Christmas destination, in fact, a great all year round destination, and don’t forget to seek out Eugene or any of the other Good Crakow Tour guides – just look for the green umbrellas in front of St Mary’s and say hello from Frost Magazine.

West End of Glasgow by Mary Cooper

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Frostie

I have lived in a village overlooking Glasgow most of my life but somehow I have managed to bypass the West End a part of Glasgow which once attracted rich merchants who built magnificent mansions and, later, the characteristic terraced houses which are the pride of Glasgow.

I had arranged to meet Anne, a friend of many years, outside Saint Enoch’s underground station in the heart of Glasgow, and a noisy ride later we emerged into the West End,

On a warmer day we might have stopped to admire the architecture but we were drawn like moths towards the brightly lit shop windows – all just a stone’s throw from the grand glass structures of the botanical gardens.

We managed to resist till we reached ‘Time & Tide’: this shop window we found irresistible . There was so much to see and everything beautifully presented. At one point we decided that we should just move in or at least the owner could adopt us. The owner laughed; she thought we were joking.

In the end we had to be satisfied with buying some candles and Anne promised to come back another day to look again at some blue velvet dining chairs.

Outside in the darkening streets we were halted by the sight of a beautiful church lit up like a Christmas tree. It was the ‘Oran Mor’, which means ‘Great Melody of Life’.

Oran Mor was once Kelvinside’s parish church but is now a cultural centre; a place which demonstrates the best of the City, where you can wine, dine and be entertained by music and theatre. The order of the day is: ‘a pie, a pint and a play’.

Glasgow artist and writer Alasdair Gray was commissioned to paint the ceiling in the bar.

and everywhere you look in the plethora of nooks and crannies, there are glimpses of works by local artists, past and present.

http://oran-mor.co.uk

Across the street, in tranquil gardens, above the terraced houses of Kelvinside, are the great glass structures of the Botanical Gardens.

The Gardens started life in humbler surroundings on the edge of the city. Thomas Hopkirk, a renowned Glasgow botanist, supplied a nucleus of 3000 plants in 1817 but by 1839 it had expanded so much that it had to be relocated to its present position.

After the cold dampness of a Scottish winter, the warmth of the steamy glass houses was very welcome.

At last, as the street lights began to twinkle, we made our way to Jinty McGinty’s pub and restaurant for a glass of wine and a late lunch before heading home, with a promise to meet soon and continue our exploration of this bohemian paradise.

image 12

https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/discover/districts/districts-west-end

Music & Film Picks: What To Watch

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Frostie

Portland alt-rock singer-songwriter Matt Lande has released his album GLOW on PopMatters who noted “the balance of heavy rock, pop hooks, catharsis, and introspection is damn near impeccable throughout.”

A Girl Walks Home Alone

An influential vampire film from Iranian-American film director Ana Lily Amirpour. Shot on moody black and white, it was one of the highlights of 2015. Put it on your watch list.

Black Coal Thin Ice

This was a brilliant Chinese crime thriller. Memorable and ground-breaking.

On Broadway

Heart-warming US drama On Broadway features a stellar all-star cast led by Joey McIntyre (New Kids On The Block) alongside Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), Will Arnett (Arrested Development), Mike O’Malley (Glee), and Sean Lawlor (Braveheart), and follows a Boston carpenter who writes and puts on his own play. Hilarious. Will be on DVD for the very first time in the UK on 18 January 2016, courtesy of Simply Media.

Gift Ideas For a New Baby

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Frostie

Shopping for a new baby can be a minefield. Never mind that you might accidentally buy the same present as everyone else. To help out we scoured the internet and have came up with our top picks.

An ISA.

Starting, or putting money into, a junior ISA is a great idea which will have little ones set up for the future. It also stops the home of the new parents becoming cluttered. You can get a stocks and shares junior ISA from Chelsea Financial Services which invests in funds. Chelsea currently offer their junior ISA for no charge. All you pay is the fund managers charge which is typically 0.75% a year. The advantage of investing in a fund versus individual shares is that your money is invested by a professional and your investment will be spread over many different shares, so if one does badly it won’t bring down your whole investment. Chelsea have a number of ready made junior ISA portfolios selected by their research team if you don’t want to choose your own funds.

Investing early is extremely important because it allows the magic of compound interest to take hold, what Einstein called the eighth wonder of the world. By investing early a small amount of money can become much larger over time. The Junior ISA has the same advantages as a regular ISA. It has protection from capital gains and doesn’t need to be included on a tax return. The one disadvantage of a junior ISA is it cannot be taken out early and can only be withdrawn by the child after they turn 18. So if you want to save for school fees you would be better off investing in your own ISA.

Our other picks are from www.notonthehighstreet.com