Cracow's Christmas Markets opened up over the weekend, giving shoppers an early chance to chivvy out some festive bits and bobs for this year's celebrations.
As usual, the resident sausage sellers have set up shop, offering jittery guests some hearty Polish refreshments to keep them on fighting form for the outdoor adventures.
As of yet, last year's unwelcome guest - vast McDonalds Christmas Tree - has not yet shown it's face, and hopefully it won't do so, regardless of the tastiness of the mighty Big Mac.
Newcomers to the city should certainly investigate the giant wooden barrels that are dotted across the square. These intriguing capsules (which might also be time machines transporting you back to seventeenth century Poland) sell a distinctly delicious mulled wine called 'Grzaniec Galicyjski' (Galician Mulled Wine). Don't leave Cracow without trying a cup - if you can still pronounce the name after a few rounds, you deserve to be an honorary citizen of Cracow.
The markets have switched sides to the eastern part of the square this year as the multi-million dollar renovation of the square is still in its closing phases on the western side. It's dangerous to predict the future in this fair country - especially when it comes to matters of construction - but we'll break with custom and put our money on a grand opening in early December.
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