Christmas Market Open
Travellers in search of yuletide knickknacks can head straight for Cracow's Market Square where the annual Christmas Market has been declared officially open.
Besides plenty of Polish-made prezzies, customers can banish the chill at the redoubtable sausage stands, not to mention the giant barrels selling the local variant of mulled wine. Thirsty travellers should be warned that the latter, grzaniec galicyjski, is as potent as it is difficult to pronounce. That said, it certainly warms the cockles more than a your natty woollen bobble hat.
If you're around on Thursday 2nd December, there's a further yuletide flourish to enjoy. The time-honoured Christmas Crib competition kicks off early that morning at the Adam Mickiewicz statue. At midday, the brightly coloured nativity scenes will be whisked away to the Historical Museum.
Finally, there are two novelties to check out if you're spending a lot of time on the Market Square. As the fresh lick of paint suggests, the splendid Cloth Hall that runs across the square has just emerged from a colossal renovation. Inside, art lovers can savour the stunning Gallery of Polish 19th Century art, whilst below, an entirely new subterranean museum (entered on the north east side) transports us back to the Medieval era with a host of modern gadgetry.