Krakow, Poland

You might be surprised to learn that, before this month, I had never really travelled anywhere without Mike, or our families. But this month I was so lucky to have headed off to Poland to see the cities of Krakow and Warsaw, and the one-woman-sensation Beyonce in concert, with some dear friends from the postgraduate program I finished today.
And I wouldn't have wanted to see that beautiful country with anyone else (sorry, Mike.)

I know people say this about travel destinations a lot, but Poland really exceeded my expectations. The people, the food, the sites. It was nothing short of lovely.

We visited Krakow first, known as Poland's cultural capital, where we saw Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine (separate posts later!) and had some of the best Mexican food ever.

We had grilled Polish sausages and zapiekanka (toasted bread with canned mushrooms, cheese and ketchup on top!) after midnight in Plac Zowy. We drank Polish beer and elderflower sodas, and listened to folk bands play in Krakow's enormous main square.

And we laughed. Oh, we laughed.

If Poland isn't on your radar, it should be.

(And if you haven't travelled with your girlfriends in awhile, you should!)

- Jess
slept / Spatz Aparthotels ate / Manzana Mexican / Food stalls at Plac Nowy drank / Alchemia Bar / Le Scandale saw / Auschwitz / Wieliczka Salt Mine