The airport bus 406, at a frequency of two an hour, takes you to Wroclaw's main bus station in 20 minutes. A one-way ticket cost 2.40 Zloty. You have to buy your ticket from the machine at the bus stop.
The airport bus 406, at a frequency of two an hour, takes you to Wroclaw's main bus station in 20 minutes. A one-way ticket cost 2.40 Zloty. You have to buy your ticket from the machine at the bus stop.
Remember to have loose change ready - the exact fare if possible - as the machine may run out of change, in which case it won't even accept an overpayment. We encountered problems with the machine at the airport, and also in town when getting a tram to our hotel so save yourself some trouble by buying a coffee at Copernicus Airport before making your journey.
Note on pronounciation
In Polish, L sounds like W, W sounds like V and C sounds like 'ts', so Wroclaw is pronounced 'Vrotswav'.
Guitar festival
This was the most relaxing holiday we've ever had. On arrival at our hotel, Sofitel, right in the centre of the Old Town, I proceeded to snooze - oblivious to B's complaints of hunger. When I got up it was a long way past lunch time.
We ate at Pod Gryfami, where the roast pork knuckle was excellent. In the square, live music played at what appeared to be a guitar convention. Spectators gathered in the open square despite a light rain. Most of them had brought along their own guitars, which they raised in unison, body-up, from time to time. I found out later that this was the annual Wroclaw Guitar Festival.
Old Town walk Part 1
After our meal we did half of the Old Town walk described on the Wroclaw Tourist Information website. The instructions and notes were good, but we had to match it to the low-detail map and then to what we actually saw. I think we spent too much time figuring out what was what to fully appreciate the things we saw. The market square (Rynek), library and the rathaus (city hall) were among the more impressive sights.
At one street we saw some boys throwing cake down from the third floor of a residential block at a group of girls. In a vain attempt to defy gravity, the girls tried to return the favour. The boys laughed and pointed when they saw me take a picture of that.
Old Town walk Part 2
On the second day, I slept until noon, to B's further displeasure. Jadka was a good place for lunch - the Pierogi was excellent; pity I was too full to finish all the pork I ordered, after munching through the bread that came served with pork fat.
We walked up Prison Street, where a drunken man tried talking to me. I think he mentioned something about the Vietnam War. This would happen again later in the evening, with another drunken man. I think they were just asking for money.
The university quarter was pretty, with a series of bridges linking the various 'islands'. This is the why Wroclaw is also known as the Polish Venice. Buildings representative of every historical period could be found here, sometimes next to modern glass-and-steel structures.
At the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, a service was taking place. Outside, underage kids hung about, occasionally having an illicit tipple.
Despite doing a significant part of it backwards, we managed to complete the second half of this Old Town walk. Throughout the walk, there were some refreshing scenes - unexpected sculptures and street art.
Miscellaneous observations
An online guide we used advised us to stick to the salads at Le Bistrot Parisien. B tried to be adventurous and was disappointed. I stuck to the advice and was rewarded with an excellent meal.
Back in the hotel, it was showing CSI on the telly. The programme was in English with a Polish voice speaking over the characters. A single male voice did all the voiceovers. CSI was followed by Charlie's Angels (the movie) - with the same male voiceover! I thought to myself, whoever this person was, he must be raking it in.
