It was much cheaper to visit Poland.
Unlike Emily, who went to Rome on a fashion magnate’s dime, I felt like I had to watch every penny during our European travels.
Kraków was so much more affordable than Rome. Most of the major attractions were free at least one day a week, which helped me stretch my travel budget.
Because we were able to save so much, we even splurged one night and ate a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant — a luxury I wouldn’t have even considered in Rome.
Kraków was full of well-preserved history.
When Emily goes to Rome, she heads right for the Colosseum. We were also fascinated with Rome’s ancient history during our Italian vacation, but Kraków surprised us with an incredible mix of older and newer sites.
As Luc explained on the episode, the city is special because it remained relatively unscathed during World War II. It’s one of the best-preserved cities in Europe, with a charming old town square and an enchanting Jewish quarter.
One of our favorite sites was the Wawel Castle, built in the 11th century. It features a deep, underground den that some believe once housed dragons.
Kraków was also an important place for us to learn more about modern history, including visiting Schindler’s Factory and paying respects at nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau.
We couldn’t get enough of the Polish food.
I loved my first few meals in Rome, but pizza and pasta quickly became repetitive. It didn’t taste all that different from what I eat at home.
In contrast, the food in Kraków was scrumptious and varied. Although I ate plenty of perogies, I also enjoyed a Middle Eastern feast at Hamsa and ate in an enchanting outdoor food court accompanied by the sounds of live music.
It was hard to walk far in Krakow without passing a café serving freshly baked pastries. Our favorite, by far, was the Bunny Cafe, which had delicious coffee and adorable bunnies to pet.
Emily would’ve loved the Instagram-worthy photo ops there.
There were hardly any crowds to battle.
Of course, Emily and Marcello had the entire Trevi Fountain and Collessum to themselves. But that’s pure fiction.
I passed by both sites several times during my trip, and when I threw a coin into the Trevi, I was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other tourists who wanted me to move as quickly as possible.
Kraków had a healthy number of visitors, but I always felt like I had some breathing room.
We got the chance to explore gorgeous natural sites.
Kraków had every amenity we look for in a big city, but it was also very close to stunning natural scenery. We got the best of city life with a healthy dose of outdoor adventure.
A day trip to the mountain town of Zakopane — just over an hour outside Krakow — was a highlight of my trip. I hiked in the mountains along the Polish-Solovkain border and took a dip in geothermal heated pools.
I’m sure there are lovely natural beauties nearby Rome, but there was no way to fit them in alongside our city plans.
Getting around was surprisingly easy.
Emily is shuttled around Rome on her boyfriend’s Vespa, but we had to find other ways to get around.
We found Rome’s public transportation to be limited. Plus, traffic was terrible, and I often had a hard time getting a taxi.
In contrast, Kraków was very walkable. It also had a great tram network, and Ubers were generally more affordable.
When we did get turned around, it was very easy to ask for help with our broken Polish because it seemed like nearly everyone spoke English.
Emily should experience the beauty that is Kraków.
I’m not mad that Emily went to Rome, per se. We also visited the beautiful Italian capital, and it’s high on a lot of people’s travel bucket lists.
But I won’t stand for the Kraków slander.
The Polish city was beautiful, full of great food, affordable, and easy to navigate. I won’t be happy until we see Emily in Kraków discovering the magnificent city for herself.
