What would a TRAVEL TUESDAY be without another winter vacation recap?!
Today is PART FOUR…and it’s extra special because we head to POLAND!
Before we get to that though, if you missed OUR ARRIVAL DAY or OUR DAY IN SALZBURG, AUSTRIA or OUR TWO DAYS IN MUNICH & NUREMBERG, make sure you check those posts out first.
I also hope this January 13th is cold and chilly and oh so cozy where you are because we are about to look at four billion Christmas pics, so I want you in the right mood 😉 .
Poland has been a BIG bucket list destination for our family, so we were so so happy to wake up on January 1st and fly from Munich to…
…Krakow!
Spoiler alert: Poland was even MORE amazing than we had imagined. We barely scratched the surface in our 3½ days and are already trying to figure out when we can go back.
The food, the people, the history, the landscape…it was such a special place for us to visit.
We boarded our flight in Munich…
…and less than an hour later, we were in Krakow, Poland…
…happy smiles from our hotel (The Sheraton Grand) 🙂 .
Our hotel was in a great location and bonus…
…it was decorated for Christmas the entire time we were there (through January 5th!).
The Shull six checked in, dropped off our bags and headed out.
We picked Krakow for several reasons (but certainly want to go back and visit more of Poland).
We picked this city because of its proximity to several day trips we had planned, we knew that most of the town was intact after WWII (so original and not rebuilt), and we knew that on the day we arrived, it would be the final day of their OH SO CHARMING…
…CHRISTMAS MARKET! This was the final day of the Krakow market, and we did not want to miss it.
First up, we needed to grab lunch. Please look at their square in the city center…
…all four sides were lined in the coziest restaurants and cafes and decked for the holidays…
…and in the center of it all was…
…their Christmas market…
…SOMEBODY PINCH ME.
It was like walking through a Hallmark Christmas movie…
…I MEAN TO TELL YOU! The entire time I was walking around that day, I was saying “oh my gosh, look at that” out loud to myself. I was in heaven.
By this time, it was almost 3:00, and we were super hungry. We stopped at one of these cozy little restaurants for a very late lunch…
…look at the view from our table of the market!
They have heaters inside the sidewalk cafes, so we were nice and toasty.
The Shull family dug in…
…to some delicious Polish perogies and…
…of course, I got schnitzel too 😉 .
We were so happy to be in Poland!
This time of year, it gets dark early in Poland…
…which made the lights all the more magical.
I think it’s only about 4:15 here, and it was time for us to take in all the glory of the Krakow Christmas Market…
It was January 1st and the final day of the market, so everything felt extra a buzz. Inside the stalls of these markets are a lot of delicious food and drinks (like my beloved mulled wine) along with items created or curated by local merchants. They sell anything from clothing to hats, candles and soaps, jewelry, knives, toys, holiday ornaments and decorations, scarves, bags and so much more. It’s stall after stall of holiday cheer…
Here’s an example of one menu on the side of this pierogi stand.
I clearly could not stop taking pictures…
The theme of this vacation was apparently “eating our way through it”. We stopped for…
…chocolate covered marshmallows and hot chocolate…
…spätzle…
…brats…
…these sliced sausage and onion dogs…
…and, of course,…
…mulled wine!
Each of my kiddos picked up a little something to take home with them from the market…
…just magical 🙂 .
More candy? Why not!
A few more pics because I couldn’t quit…
…we were happy people in Poland.
We wrapped up the market around 7:00 and walked back to our hotel…
…our view from the fourth floor hallway looking down to the atrium. So pretty!
Our rooms hadn’t been ready earlier, so we went back to get our keys, put our luggage away and then believe it or not…
…we walked to dinner and ate some more. Ha!
Listen, we walked over 20,000 steps each day which is a good thing because we clearly COULD NOT stop eating all of the delicious food. We celebrated our New Year’s Day dinner at C.K. Browar.
It was the BEST first day in Poland. In fact, it was my BEST January 1st to date 🙂 .
Okay, before you go, if you’re in a wintery mood today, make sure you hop over and check out my other post today…MY COZY WINTER HOME 🙂 .
A few quick links before we go. I’ve had a lot of questions regarding layers, so here is just a quick reminder…
…I’ve had THIS COAT for years (here I am in Budapest), and it’s a classic that I always turn to. I also love THESE WATER RESISTANT CHELSEA BOOTS.
As you know, I’m OBSESSED with my FLEECE LEGGINGS + WATERPROOF KNEE HIGH BOOTS (now 37% off!) + THE NORTH FACE COAT (mine is old but this one is very similar and on sale!)
Alrighty, whether you’re thinking Poland or European Christmas markets or somewhere else, we would LOVE to help you with your next vacation too. Our agency does all the research, makes all of the reservations, handles any issues that arise, and creates custom, unique, concierge-style vacations. Whether your budget is small or large, whether you need something for just yourself (we love solo travelers!) or a huge group, we can handle it. We can even create destination weddings (complete with personalized websites for your wedding party and guests), corporate group events…if you are thinking travel, please think of us. Contact us today for more information. We would love to work with YOU!
Don’t forget to hop over and check out MY COZY WINTER HOME today too!
I’ll see you all back here tomorrow! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
Wow!! What an epic first day! All the food looks divine! Can’t wait to read more!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Tae says
I always love reading your travel recaps as your expertise as a travel agent shines through! I’m from the UK and so I used many of your ideas when I went to Boston and the surrounding areas with my family a few years ago. It is also always so lovely to see all of too together in your photos!
A fun fact about when Europeans and us Brits take down Christmas decor: traditionally they should stay up until Twelfth Night (5 January) which is the 12th night after Christmas and was the night before the magi visited Jesus. This symbolised the real end of Christmas before the Epiphany feast. Thank you for always creating such a lovely place on the Internet!
Mix and Match Mama says
I could REALLY embrace this tradition! Thank YOU for visiting from across the pond 🙂 .
Kristin says
For some reason, even though we were there in summer, Krakow is reminding me of Tallinn! It looks like an amazing place to visit and EAT!
Mix and Match Mama says
VERY SIMILAR!!!
Ashley says
Question about your coats and packing. Do you wear your coat on the plane or do you pack them? They would have to take up a lot of space in your suitcase I would think. I see you brought 2 coats so am wondering if you have a suitcase just for everyone’s coats??
Mix and Match Mama says
I brought one coat (that first pic was from Budapest in November). We packed our coats in our packing cube in our checked bags when we traveled. Those packing cubes are game-changers!
Sheaffer says
Well clearly I need to find a local restaurant with spätzle. Like today.
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ll come with you.
Paula Hobbs says
Oh Shay, this is so dreamy and magical. I can only imagine how beautiful it was in person!! I can totally see why you guys are already planning a trip back. WOW!!!
Jodi says
Love these photos! Looks like a great place to visit!
Kara says
I make spatzle every year on New Year’s day, and it is one of our favorite foods… I can’t wait to visit and get the authentic version one day! I cannot get over how clean all these countries are?!
Susie Harrold says
I love your travel videos and the details you add. One request – you know how you show your food choices? (Which is always fun!) I’d love to see what you and the kids bought! Maybe at a later date if some of these items are gifts. I doubt I’ll ever be at a Christmas market in Poland or Germany, and it would be so wonderful to see some of the trinkets you all bring home. Or maybe an unpacking post when some things are shipped home. I love your sweet family blog!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, Susie! I love taking you along with us on these trips! I truly, truly do. I will absolutely take this into consideration. xx
Erika Slaughter says
BAHAHAHA! I’ll take some spatzle right about now too!
Skyler says
I love your trip recaps! I can’t seem to find you on Instagram anymore? Are you still on there?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yup! @mixandmatchmama just like always 🙂
Kelly W. says
My absolute favorite part of this series of posts is the mulled wine! I literally chuckle out loud when I get to each picture, because I would be right there with you…we are kindred spirits!
Jessica says
I love seeing this post about Poland. My husband was born and raised in Krakow and moved to Zakopane for his teen years. We visit often and it’s such a wonderful place. Not sure why more Americans don’t travel there. If you plan to go back, try and go during the summer! Krakow and especially Zakopane are amazing in the summer!!
Mix and Match Mama says
AMAZING! We loved BOTH cities! It was such a beautiful place to visit.
Libby says
Krakow is a heavily Catholic city. In the Catholic Church, the Christmas season is from Christmas Eve to the Epiphany of the Lord on January 6th. You will find Christmas decor up until Jan 6th in Catholic Churches & areas.
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
This post sealed the deal that we’ve got to visit there during the Christmas holidays! And I loved that not only was everything so festive, but it all looked so clean!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Arika says
This trip looks amazing. Curious how (or if) you prepare your kids for the countries you visit. I’m sure them older ones have been in AP history, human geography classes and have some context about the places you’re visiting. Do you research as a family beforehand, or learn from guides and city tours once you’re there? Poland looks like such a charming place. As always, thanks for sharing!
Mix and Match Mama says
Great question! We have always educated and informed our kiddos in advance. When they were really little, we would always watch Rick Steves with them about the destinations or we would watch Travel with Kids (I think it’s on Prime). We still talk about it at length before we go. We get out the iPad and go over the destinations, the tours, a little history and get their input. We even discuss the weather. We always try to dive deep before we depart.