You guys, we’ve made it to the end of our family’s winter vacation recaps.
I guess that just means we need to go somewhere else soon so that I can blog about it on Travel Tuesdays 🙂 .
(The traveler in me is ALWAYS ready to go somewhere soon!)
I said this in the first recap, but truly, truly, truly, this was mine and Andrew’s very favorite vacation to date. We just loved every single minute of our family time, the Christmas cheer, the food, the weather, the history…all of it added up to our very favorite trip.
I would LOVE to send your family on their very favorite vacation too. Please, please reach out to us today for more information on our vacation planning. I hope you can see how much we TRULY LOVE TO TRAVEL. Goodness, we do.
One last time, if you missed any of the previous recaps, here they are:
Part One: HELLO, GERMANY!
Part Two: SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
Part Three: MUNICH & NUREMBERG
Part Four: HELLO, POLAND!
Part Five: ZAKOPANE, POLAND
Part Six: AUSCHWITZ
So, here we are on this final day. It was January 4th which is EXTRA EXTRA special in our family because it is Miss Ashby’s Gotcha Day!
It was a beautiful morning in Krakow, Poland. Here is the view from our hotel room. It was super cold, but sunny and clear outside. This was our last full day on our vacation, and we were ready to enjoy every second of it.
We had purchased tickets to visit Schindler’s Factor Museum that morning, but the night before, our kiddos asked if we could please sleep in the following morning instead. We absolutely said yes.
I’ve shared before in my TRAVELING WITH KIDS POST that being flexible and throwing your “routine” and plan out the window is, in my opinion, the best way to travel with kids. As much as I would love to go and do and see alllllllll the things, I find it’s more fun for everyone to do less and enjoy more when kids are in tow. It was Ashby’s Gotcha Day, and we already had a food tour scheduled for that afternoon…plus, our car service was picking us up at the hotel at 3:00 AM to head to the airport, so some extra sleep and a slow morning was the perfect way to begin our final day.
We headed out mid-morning…
…to the main square in Krakow. Ashby really wanted to eat “lunch” food for her Gotcha Day, so after popping into about 8 different places, we finally found a restaurant that on a Sunday at 11:00 wasn’t serving breakfast…
…isn’t it cute?! We just accidentally found this place. It was a “Tex-Mex” spot in Krakow. Bahaha! How funny is that?! The food was yummy, they had soccer on the TV (Ashby’s fave), and it was so cute and very decorated…
…we loved it!
ELEVEN YEARS with our sweet Ashby! Goodness, we love our girl so much!
After lunch, we enjoyed popping in and out of little spots around Krakow…
…Mades found a new friend who came home with us in one of the stores.
It was really just a relaxing Sunday afternoon.
We started walking (it took about 20 minutes) to meet our food tour guide in the Jewish Quarter neighborhood of Krakow…
…from here, we set out on a three hour historical walking food tour of this section of the city.
Not only did we learn SO MUCH about Krakow, but we ate some absolutely FABULOUS food at smaller, off the “tourist” path locations thanks to our guide. We started at this small restaurant here where we had…
…the very best potato latkes I’ve ever had…
…plus two different types of perogies (savory and sweet) plus, the kids all had a “soda” drink that was created during the communist era in Poland when soft drinks were not available. Our guide did an excellent job at explaining Krakow to us not just through the lens of World War II but through communism and into present day as well. My kids especially enjoyed her. She was GREAT with kiddos.
We ate and then we walked…
…she had so many little gems to show us like this Polish bakery…
…where we had an amazing piece of cake and…
…cannolis.
This was the name of the bakery (above).
Our guide showed us several churches and synagogues (some still open and others closed), pointed out where certain dividing lines were in the city depending on the era and who lived there at the time. We walked through quaint little neighborhood areas and busier districts too. It was a lot of walking which was good because we did a lot of eating. We had more Polish sausages and so many nibbles as we went.
I just think Krakow is absolutely beautiful.
We stopped for Zapiekanki which looks similar to…
…pizza. Smith Shull said that this was…
…the VERY best thing he ate on the entire vacation.
We finished off at one last spot where…
…Andrew and I enjoyed two very pretty drinks.
It was so beautiful in the square that we didn’t want to go back when the tour was over…
…so we spent our last minutes in Poland just taking in the lights…
This was the last pic I took on our winter vacation. We were walking back to the hotel and the three girls were in front of us with their arms around each other singing a silly song as they walked. I travel for many, many reasons, but moments like this with my kiddos is my FAVORITE reason. Goodness, I love traveling with these five people.
Germany and Poland, you were THE VERY BEST. No matter where we head next, you will be hard to top.
Thank YOU for allowing me to take you along on our winter vacation. Truly, I’m grateful.
A final reminder that our travel agency loves to send clients to Europe. We have access to the best hotels, excursions, drivers…you name it…so if that’s on your bucket list, reach out to us today and let’s get planning. If specifically visiting the Christmas markets is on your list, we can send you by river boat or land. We have so many options. No matter where you want to go, reach out to us about our options. We would LOVE to work with you!
I have a few other travel related posts you might want to check out today too like…
MY 13 KEYS TO MANAGING JET LAG
HOW I TRY TO STAY HEALTHY WIN I TRAVEL
MY 18 KEYS TO PREPPING FOR A TRIP
MY 9 KEYS TO RETURNING FROM A TRIP
MY 7 KEYS TO REDUCING/AVOIDING MOTION SICKNESS
MY TIPS FOR KIDS CARRYING ON and…
I am sharing one of my mom’s FAVORITE recipes today just in time for your winter dinner. This is a quintessential winter dinner recipe. See it HERE.
Happy Tuesday! I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
What a tasty and fun last day! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Irene Kelly says
When you travel with your entire family how many hotel rooms do you book ? And Smith gets his own room ?
Mix and Match Mama says
We get two, and Smith shares with his sisters 🙂 .
Hilary says
What age did you start letting them be in a different room next to yours but not connecting?
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh recently!
Polly Pover says
Thank you for sharing such memorable times. Just wondering if you heard any conversations about the war in nearby Ukraine? Any fear regarding Russia and what may happen next? Simply gorgeous corner of the world
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, we had several conversations about this with various people in Poland. Fear was not expressed to us, but a deep love of the Ukrainian people certainly was.
Polly Pover says
I get instant tears thinking of the stories of Polish mamas providing baby supplies to Ukranian mamas literally running for their lives with their kiddos.
Angela Jernigan says
I spy Smith in an Auburn sweatshirt. War Eagle!!! My son played football at Auburn….it will always hold a huge piece of my heart. Now hopefully our new football coach is going to get us back to winning!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
What a great last day! A food tour sounds so fun and a great way to get a taste of the local cuisine! I also spy an Auburn pullover–that’s where Dustin graduated from college!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Mix and Match Mama says
I shared this with another blog reader yesterday. That’s Smith’s favorite pullover. If you pay attention, I’m pretty sure that you will see every university in the US represented at some point. Bahahaha! I think he has them all! Go Tigers! xx
Kristin says
That food tour looks incredible! I kind of want to go to Krakow just for the latkes now! Thanks so much for inspiring me to want to go to Poland…for more than just the food!
Abigail says
Hi Shay! Off topic question but do you still wear your rook piercing or whatever the hidden one in your ear is? I’ve been thinking about getting that done too.
If you see Patty again I’d recommend a forward / anti helix small stud on you!
Mix and Match Mama says
I do, I still wear all of my piercings. That one gives me zero trouble now, but without a doubt, that one took the longest time to heal. I was never tempted to remove any of the others, but on two different occasions, I made appointments to remove that one, but they talked me out of it. I’m glad they did because I don’t even feel it now…but man, it took a long time to heal.
Valerie says
What an incredible trip! Thank you for sharing so much of it with us!
Irene Kelly says
Have you ever taken your family to New England ? I am sure they would love walking The Marginal Way in Ogunquit along the ocean ? Stay @ The Cliff House Bald Head Cluff ! Or stay @ The Red Lion Inn Stockbridge MA visit The Norman Rockwell Museum. Or stay @ The Trappe Family Lodge Stowe VT. Or The Woodstock Inn VT. And The Ocean House RI. I could go on and on because New England is my favorite region to visit with so much history and I have been all over the world ! There are so many places to enjoy right here in the beautiful USA !
Mix and Match Mama says
My family has been to New England quite a bit. We are fortunate to get to do quite a bit of traveling in the US too 🙂 .
Paula Hobbs says
So sweet that your last full day was Ashby’s Gotcha Day!!! I just know it was so special for all of you!
Mix and Match Mama says
SO SPECIAL!!
Susie Harrold says
I’ve loved the vacation recap!
Quick off-topic question: my daughter is coming to McKinney tomorrow through Fri. on a work trip. What are the top 2 places (affordable) that you’d recommend for dinner or any meal?
Thanks Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
Our town square! Spoons, The Yard, Cadillac, Square Burger, The Pub…she will love them all!
Patty Anderson says
I’m dazed and amazed at your travels…simply stunning photos and experiences!
Alicia Glover says
Thank you for sharing your trip with us. I always enjoy your travel blogs. Blessings!
K.K. says
Beautiful pictures!!! I’m itching to go go go!! 🙂
Sheaffer Sims says
That pizza looking concoction looked incredible!
Temi says
I am just catching up on your winter trip, what a fun time! I especially loved seeing all of the yummy food pictures! You made me want to try mulled wine so I bought stuff to make it this weekend. My friends and I are getting together for a painting evening tomorrow so I’m going to take it. Can’t wait to try it!