Krakow is among the finest tourist destinations in Poland and is easy to reach. It features plenty of landmarks to be seen, a great atmosphere and an option for you to book that Krakow apartment you have been checking out on the internet ever since you decided to visit the city. There are many ways to reach the city of Krakow, but if you happen to be from Europe or if you are travelling from another nearby European country, then you can use a train. The main railway station in Krakow, which is called Dworzec Glowny is located near the Old Town. It is easy to reach and if you want to reach the centre of the town from the main railway station itself, you simply have to follow the signs saying “Wyjscie do centrum”. Otherwise you can walk up the ramp on the covered walkway until you reach the square. Once you reach the square you can turn to the left and then you should walk through an underpass. Thus you will reach Planty, which is the beautiful park that surrounds the Old Town in Krakow.

In the building of the main train station in Krakow Dworzec Glowny there is an information desk, a currency exchange and public telephones. There is also a bar and a restaurant, as well as a left-luggage office. Now, in case you want to travel with a train to other places in Poland and other countries in Europe as a whole, then there are six kinds of trains that you have to consider. These include the InterCity train, the Express trains, the EuroCity, the TKL, the normal and also the local trains. As it could be expected the EuroCity and the InterCity trains, as well as the express trains are quicker, but they are also more expensive than the normal trains. Besides that, the traveller should also pay for a seat reservation, which is additional money spent. Even if you travel with the InterRail Pass, you have to pay an extra sum of money for a seat reservation. Another option is to travel with the cheap railway line or TKL, as it is shortly called. These trains are not as cheap as the normal trains, since here you also need to pay extra for seat reservations. The classes of travel here are two-fold: first and second. The first class is more expensive, but it is also less crowded and far more comfortable. Travellers should also know that children who are under the age of four travel free, while children aged 4 to 6 years use 1/3 discount or 37 percent.

The departures from the main train station in Krakow Dworzec Glowny are indicated as “odjazdy’ and are displayed on yellow timetables. At the same time the arrivals or “przyjazdy” are shown on the white timetables. Those passengers who are in a hurry can buy their tickets on the train but there will be a small extra charge applied. They have to address the conductor as they board the train.

A post by H. Kozlowski who also writes about Warsaw apartments and apartments in Budapest.

The popular Madrid Architecture Week is organised each year at the beginning of October. This year, the event took place from 3^rd to 10^th October. Once again, it was organised by Madrid’s Official College of Architects and many other institutions. The aim of this annual event is to turn the city of Madrid into an international reference point. During the Madrid Architecture Week, tourists had the chance to see and to be revealed the secrets of some of the most iconic buildings of Madrid near their Madrid apartments. The places that were opened to the public include mainly modern constructions and urban buildings, such as the Palace of Communication, the Madrid Rio project and the historical site – the cemetery La Almudena.

The events in the programme of the Madrid Architecture Week presented the tourists with guided tours, discussions and architecture-themed guided tours with some of the architecture students and lecturers. These guided tours covered approximately fifteen buildings. Some of these most profound buildings included the Residencia de Estudiantes and the BBVA Tower, Casa de las Flores and Casa Árabe, Spanish Historical Heritage Institute, as well as the Crown of Thorns at Ciudad Universitaria. Other sites include the Madrid Metro Engine Shed, the Royal Astronomical Observatory and the construction site of the future Museum of Royal Collections.

This photo of Casa de Las Flores
Among the other activities organized in Madrid during the Madrid Architecture Week were guided walks along Calle Alcala and Gran Via, the modern homes in Sanchinarro, the Tiles in Madrid, as well as the Casa de Campo.

The programme for tourists during Madrid Architecture Week further included documentary film screenings and photographic exhibitions, however there were also some round-table discussions and lectures for the more professionally oriented participants. There were three guided tours and they covered Cuartel del Conde Duque, various routes on Madrid Rio and Cibeles Palace. The first one, Conde Duque Cultural Centre was built back in the year 1717 to serve as barracks for the elite military units that were guards of the monarchs. The place has been later operating as a cultural centre and is today being renovated and new facilities are to be added such as a new theatre and auditorium as well as one new exhibition space with a domed ceiling. The Madrid Rio tours featured the urban zone on the Manzanares River banks. Special attention was paid to the new bridges, the twin walkways with interesting decorations, the many sports zones; the tree-lined walk as well as the urban beach with its three swimming pools with oval form.

The last, Cibeles Palace guided tours, part of the Madrid Architecture Week, featured the building of the Antigua Casa de Correos y Telégrafos which was transformed into a new home for the City Council in Madrid. The most interesting feature of the renovated building was its glass dome. The views revealed from the terrace of the palace were just wonderful.
This post has been written by Vargas who writes about Barcelona apartments and apartment in Lisbon.