Formalities : Poland has been part of the Schengen area since December 2007. Identity card or passport.
Area code : + 48 plus the city code. + 12 for Krakow.
Time difference : none.
Language : Polish.
Currency : the zloty. 1 euro = 4 zlotys.
Best season : April to October is the most pleasant period.
Ideal group size : the city lends itself to all types of configuration, from very large groups to the most exclusive operations.
For more information
Polish National Tourist Board
10, rue Saint-Augustin. 75002 Paris.
Tel: 01 42 44 19 00
E-mail : info.fr@pologne.travel
Internet : www.polska.travel/fr/
How to get there
Lot Polish Airlines
The Polish airline, which specialises in Central and Eastern Europe, operates a daily direct flight between Paris CDG1 and Krakow as well as several flights via Warsaw from Paris and Nice. The national carrier offers a full range of services, with two classes on board its flights and free catering, including a hot meal in business class. LOT also has a lounge at Paris CDG1 airport and in the brand new ultra-modern terminal 2 at Warsaw's Frédéric Chopin airport. The airline, which is a member of Star Alliance, offers a wide range of services: self-service check-in counters and kiosks, notably at Roissy-CDG1, Nice and Warsaw, shared airport lounges, frequent flyer programmes, etc. "Miles & More and "Star Alliance Company Plus.
Bookings: 0 800 10 12 24 or www.lot.com
Easyjet
The low-cost carrier also offers a direct daily flight between Paris CDG and Krakow. Ryanair links the Polish city with Paris Beauvais three times a week.
Hotels
Sheraton Krakow
The hotel is beautifully located in the city centre, just a stone's throw from the castle and all Krakow's main attractions. The Sheraton is the city's leading five-star hotel, ideal for both business and incentive guests. It has 232 rooms, five meeting rooms, a swimming pool and a sports club. The hotel also offers two restaurants, one Mediterranean and the other Tex-Mex. 7 Powisle
Tel: +48 12 662 1000
E-mail : krakow@sheraton. com
Internet : www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton
Hotel Kossak
A 60-room boutique design hotel in the heart of Krakow, the Hotel Kossak offers three restaurants, including Café Oranzeria, with its pleasant terrace, and Le Percheron for Polish cuisine. There is also a conference centre for 170 people. Plac Kossaka 1
Tel: +48 12 379 59 00
E-mail : kossak@ hotelkossak.pl
Internet : www.hotelkossak.com
Hotel Stary
A former 15th-century merchant's house, the hotel offers 53 rooms combining modern comforts with medieval charm. There are also two conference rooms. Ul. Szczepanska 5
Tel: +48 12 384 08 08
E-mail : stary@hotel.com.pl
Internet : stary.krakowhotels.net/en
Fine dining
Wierzynek
One of Krakow's most famous restaurants, with a superb view of the Market Square. Recommended by the Michelin Guide, Wierzynek occupies two historic Renaissance-style buildings. Rynek Glowny 15 - Tel: +48 12 424 96 00 - E-mail: rezerwacja@ wierzynek.com.pl - Internet: www.wierzynek.com.pl MEDIA AETAS A surprising restaurant recreating a medieval atmosphere, located on the market square. From the menus to the decor and the waiters' outfits, everything is reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Rynek Glowny 26
Tel: +48 660 791 046
E-mail : info@mediaaetas.pl
Internet : www.mediaaetas.pl
What to see
Wieliczka salt mine
A small town 12 km from Krakow, Wieliczka is known the world over for its salt mine, considered one of the world's wonders and included on UNESCO's list of cultural heritage sites. The tourist itinerary includes several kilometres of underground corridors and visits to twenty large chambers dug into the salt, at a depth of 200 to 400 feet below ground.
Internet : www.kopalnia.pl
