London Adventures!

Going solo is a great big adventure! London was perfect for my solo adventure! I had 2.5 days in London, and it was amazing, even with the incessant rain! So, what would one, all by themselves do in London, you ask? You can do anything!! There are so many things to do, so many sights to see, so many experiences awaiting you! Always do your research and plan your activities well. It does pay because you would not want to waste a single moment! My interests were guided sightseeing, walking around and soaking in the atmosphere and theatre.

My research led me to TKTS the evening I reached London. It’s a ticketing counter where you get tickets at a discounted price for shows that run - the present day, the next day and the day after. Its pretty neat! I purchased a ticket for the next day, for the Show-of-the-Week, a comedy, for 30 pounds and I got a seat right in front of the stage!! I had the best time in London at Criterion Theatre.

TKTS at Leicester Square

Criterion Theatre

I took some time figuring out the subway, and Google maps really helped me. Navigating to the station was a challenge for me but once I got there, it was real easy to buy a ticket, change trains and take the correct exit!

Walking tours proved to be ideal to me. I get the guidance I look for to get to places and learn the importance of the sights I visit. It also puts me in a group doing an activity, so you don’t feel awkward and obligated to get along with the group you walk with. I did a walking tour in the morning and it was refreshing. We started at Westminster train station and covered some of the main sights; the Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Royal Park and ended at Trafalgar Square. What I wanted to explore more of was the Royal Park! It looked very pleasant and interesting and I wish I had more time to explore it.

Westminister Abbey

Buckingham Palace

Ghost Bus Tour!! Sounds spooky? It was spooky comedy! It was hilarious and I loved every minute! It covers the haunted history of the London’s best and famous landmarks, with a funny twist. The Bus is on-spot!

I booked a day tour that took me around St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, the must-do River Thames boat ride, Greenwich and the London Eye. The Cathedral was huge and beautiful. I enjoyed the Tower of London experience. Watching the Tower Bridge go by while on a boat is a must do for me! Greenwich was picturesque. London eye was the perfect end to this tour!

St.Paul's cathedral

Tower Bridge of London

Link to TKTS: https://officiallondontheatre.com/tkts/

Link to Hello London Walking Tour: https://www.walks.com/our-walks/this-is-london-flash-bang-lightning-highlights-tour-1/

Ghost Bus Tour: https://www.theghostbustours.com/london/

London Day Tour: https://www.goldentours.com/the-total-london-experience

The Polish Plunge

Krakow is a quaint city filled with a rich history and I absolutely loved my stay. The Main Square and Old Town are so beautiful that I wanted to just hang out and soak it in! Even in my limited time at Krakow I came home filled with warm memories not only of the city but also its people.

Do I believe 2 days is sufficient to explore Krakow? Nope! But that’s all I had, effectively. I was in Krakow on business for 1 week but only got 1 weekend to sightsee. I’m still glad I got the Krakow experience. 

Krakow is not too big, I got the grasp of moving about the city within 2 days and that’s saying a lot because my sense of navigation works only half the time.
What can one expect at Krakow? Culture and Pubs! It’s a city of students. Education is free of cost! The main square within the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That means it must stay untouched, but it does not mean nobody’s using it! Its charming to walk through the old town. I did a walking tour of the old town and Jewish quarter and it was the best thing to do on rainy afternoon. The Wawel Castle is beautiful, looks right out a fairy tale. I wish I had more time to walk though it instead of just peek into the courtyard. Krakow has an interesting past and the walking tours did justice by giving a quick history lesson. The city has a mix of cultures in its history and as a result a very interesting mix of architecture. 

German concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau
One of the important pieces of Krakow is its importance during WW2. It is heartbreaking to hear the ghastly stories inside Auschwitz-Birkenau. Even recollecting it is saddening so I will only write this quote from the memorial built inside Birkenau:

For Ever Let this place be a cry of despair and a warning to humanity, where the Nazis murdered about one and half million men, women, and children, main Jews from various countries of Europe.
Auschwitz-Birkenau
1940-1945

I had one of the best hot chocolates in Krakow. I’d mark it as a must try! E.Wedel Chocolate Lounge in Main Square!
I visited in October and it was raining most days with 1-2 sunny days during my week-long stay.

Travelling in Krakow – Public Transport is awesome! I stayed about 30mins away from office and had to take a tram and a bus to reach there. I found it challenging on day 1, rest of the days went so smooth.
Food at Krakow – I never had a problem with food, being a vegetarian to boot! Lots of options and I loved those buffet restaurants where you pick what you like to eat, and you pay on its weight! Also found lots of Indian restaurants!

Must see

• Main Square – spend the whole day exploring and watch the St. Mary’s Basilica during sunset. It’s beautiful. Also save some time to visit the basilica. 
• Auschwitz-Birkenau 
• Wawel Castle
• There is also a famous salt mine which I did not get time to visit.

Must do

• Walking Tour of Krakow Old Town
• Visit the E.Wedel Chocolate Factory
• Pub hop – craft beers are a must try!
• Must eat – dumplings and Beetroot soup!

Travelling in Krakow – Download the Jakdojade app and purchase day/week pass. The app is also great in showing you the routes, arrival and departure of the buses and trams.