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The Krakow experience: The moving, unforgettable Jewish Galicia Museum

 

 

 

'To save a single life is to save a whole world'  Talmud

 

Hidden at the back of the myriad labryinthe of Kazimierz is the profoundly moving Jewish Galicia Museum. 

Whereas in Auschwitz you learn of the brutality of how an entire Jewish population was persecuted and wiped away from the face of the earth, at the Jewish Galicia museum aims to inform of the way the Jews lived in Poland and across Galicia. 

Galicia was an independent autonomous region that stretched from Krakow to Lviv in modern day Ukraine. There is a rich history of the Jews in Poland stretching back to almost 800 years. There was an estimated 3 1/2 million Jews in Poland before the war. Kazimeirz itself had over 16000 Jews before the war. Postwar there was only a handful of this vast community left.

Kazimierz: Traces of its rich Jewish history are still visible 

 

As the passage of time slowly wipes away the traces of the rich, forgotten past of the Jewish community's existence, the Museum led by its visionary creater,British photojournalist Chris Schwarz has managed to capture on film living existing traces of Jewish Galician community in modern day Poland. The result is a haunting exhibition: 'Traces of Memory'  

Grave 364

One of the most telling images in the exhibition is the picture of a large concrete grave in an overgrown forest with the number 364 etched on it. The number 364 signifies the number of people who were killed in that village. The entire population. In one day the history, the life, the future of a place-the identity of a community was erased by a cowardly, baseless, savage act of human brutality. 

The exhibition further documents of further such unmarked mass graves widespread across the towns, villages and fields of Poland. There are moving images of recent efforts by Poles to mark and commemorate the many unknown thousands of Jews who lie buried and whose lifestory we sadly may never have learnt. That was until the birth of this museum. The facility acts as a forum for multi-cultural dialogue and understanding, and attracts scholars and thousands of students every year.

Offering a unique perspective on Jewish culture and history in Poland , the Jewish Galicia musuem is a moving and special Krakow experience not to be missed.

The Galicia Jewish Museum is set in a modern building on ul. Dajwor, close to the heart of the old Jewish district. It opens from 9am-7pm in the summer, and 10am-6pm in the winter. It costs 15zl (£3.50) (Concessions: 8zl) to enter.

I travelled to Krakow courtesy of the cheap holiday specialist easyJet Holidays

Missed my earlier post on Kazimierz on the easyJet Holidays blog? Check this out

'I nearly died and went to heaven' - A Day in Costa Brava : My article for The Sunday Indian Magazine

Hi!!!  Excited news from my side.

Just wanted to share with you my article on Costa Brava that has come out in the Life section of this week's (24th July issue ) The Sunday Indian Magazine  ' I nearly died and went to heaven - A day in Costa Brava'

All my friends and family in India: get your hands on a copy right now!

I'll personally sign it for free when we meet.

Could be a collectors item one day when I become a world famous.......writer/star/singer who knows? :)

Download I nearly died and went to heaven -Day in Costa Brava



The article coincides with the release of the Bollywood movie ' Zindagi Na Milege Dobara' which was filmed in Costa Brava and in Empuriabrava where we me and 15 other friends, travel bloggers did an epic skydive earlier this summer. Its an awesome movie, a touching story of the trials and tribulations of three friends who go on a roadtrip in Spain in search of personal redemption. 

 

Watching the movie and brought back memories of the Costa Brava trip and the skydive in Empuriabrava and meeting Farhan. Wow. Really was a day like no other.... 

KB 18.07.11

Visiting France? Here are 5 money saving tips for you

 

By Andrew Duval

France has so much to offer and with it being so close to home it’s really a great destination for a summer holiday. Despite being so near, it can sometimes give the bank balance a bit of a bashing, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Andrew Duval has got five great money saving tips for you to make sure that doesn’t happen. 

Note: This is a paid, guest post

Dover to Calais Ferry

Go Dover to Calais

Taking the ferry is always one of the most popular ways to get to France and with the competition for the shorter route of Dover to Calais remaining high, you can be sure to always find a great deal. If you shop around a little for your ferry to France tickets on this route you’ll really be able to make a considerable saving.

Head to off-beat regions

To really enjoy France you don’t have to hit the regions that everyone’s heading to. Yes there might be lots to see and do there, but that’s the same of many of the other less touristy regions in the country. Consider heading west into the Languedoc or a little further north to the Drome instead of the more popular destinations in the South. If you’re looking for a beach holiday and don’t want the expense of the Cote D’Azur consider the west coast of the Vendee, or Biarritz. You won’t be disappointed.

Visit museums on the first Sunday of the month

Visiting Paris can often be costly, but if you plan your trip well you can avoid this. Most museums in the city offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month; so make this a museum day and see what the city has to offer - at no additional cost.

Look for cheap accommodation

There is huge scope to be a little more creative when it comes to your accommodation in France. Rural French B&B’s are often much cheaper than their English equivalents and are great value for money, as are the many independently run campsites throughout the country. Another great way to save a little money when holidaying with the family is by opting for a holiday rental.

Jump on the metro

If you heading to Paris and want to see all the sights, but are hesitant about the cost of a taxi just jump on the metro. It may take a little time to understand the lines, but your journey should never be longer than 45 minutes and what better way to feel like a true Parisian and get to know the city intimately?

 

 

Oslo on a budget? Part 3 of the Budget Traveller's Oslo Diary

 

Welcome to the 3rd of a 4 part series of how to enjoy Oslo on a budget. Yes, there is now a fourth installment tommorrow where I will do my sums and tell you much I spent in my 4 days in Oslo. If you missed the first and second instalment of the budget Oslo diary here they are. Enjoy

 

Day 3

Breakkie in a bag: Comfort Hotel Xpress, Oslo

I ordered the option of breakfast in bed at the Comfort Hotel Xpress. 

It's actually breakfast in a bag- compromising of a sandwich, yoghurt, juice and pear. It's tasty and filling. The extra 35 NOK is worth the outlay and given how expensive food is in Oslo, a good investment before a long day of sightseeing.

 

My first stop is the Munch Museet.  ( Entry fee: 75 NOK, free with the Oslo Pass )

Oslo has a great selection of museums but for me the standout museum is the Munch Musuem.  Edvard Munch bequeathed a large portion of his work to the city before his death in 1940, and this great museum is the result.

The Scream Munch Museet. Oslo

 

‘The Scream’ is the painting most synonymous with Munch and for many is the standout painting in the exhibition.

However there are some incredible works on display here like "Dance of Life" (my favourite), “Winter Night", "Jealousy","Eye to Eye",and his "Self Portrait with Paint Brushes".

The Dance of Life Munch Museet. Oslo

 

Munch’s art is incredibly intimate, the subjects painted are revealing which makes it very accessible to even the most casual observer and lover of art. I left the exhibition stunned, my mind filled with all kinds of imagery and a portrait of a wonderfully, talented but tragically flawed genius. I dare you not to fall in love with Munch’s art after seeing this exhibition. A must Oslo see.

 

Heading back in town I decide to check out the architectural masterpiece that is the Oslo Opera House. A night out in the Opera in Oslo is surprisingly affordable with reductions for students, ticket prices starting at 100 NOK. I didn’t have enough time on hand but would recommend.

 

I am starving and at Oslo Central Station bump into a franchise of Oslo’s favourite Pizza chain: Peppe’s. 

Two slices of Pizza and a coke for 79 NOK. Bargain for Oslo. Plus free wifi. Great.

 

I head to the hotel and am on the hunt for a pub to watch my beloved Liverpool FC in action. 

I hear a chorus of groans -football? On holiday? Instead of the Opera ;)

Well, its a great game plus a pub can be a great place to meet the locals and get the feel of a place

A handy tip off from fellow Liverpool FC fan and tweep @miss_smidge recommends I visit Bohemen.

         Bohemen:If Carlsberg made football pubs...

It’s a few blocks away so I go for a ramble and when I discover the pub it is absolutely packed to the rafters with football fans. Its plastered with football memorablia from tip to toe and plasma screens in every corner. Every football team in the premiership I think is represented here by the local fans. Manchester United fans outnumber everyone which is understandable given the Norwegian association through native Ole Gunner Solsjkear. 

Pint of Frydenlund: 54nok.

 

There was good banter amongst the watching locals and I felt really at home in this place. If you are a footy fan in Oslo and looking for a place to watch the game- Bohemen is a local institution not to be missed.

The Weird and the Wonderful: The Angry Boy (Boys). Vigeland Park. Oslo

 

It's getting late and I get a text finally from Frida, my friend in Oslo. She’s had a hard weekend working at her job so she’s looking forward to stretching out her legs and meeting me at the local park. This is no ordinary park we meet- its called Vigeland Park and is scattered with 192 sculptures.

The park is Gustave Vigeland's artistic statement about the quintessential themes of life and relationships. Its ranges from the very expressive like the Angry Boy (in picture, no not me, the wee boy above me) to the monumental Monolith: containing 121 figures at a height of 17 metres it symbolizes man’s longing and yearning for the spiritual and divine. Madman or genius –whatever you make of sculptures this is a unique display and very much worthwhile visiting during your Oslo visit.

There’s now a fourth part to the Oslo series coming up tommorrow-a quick trip to Bygdoyand also I give you a lowdown of how much I spent in the end.

 

Oslo on a budget? Part 2 of the Budget Traveller's Oslo Diary

 

Welcome to the second installment of my 3 part Oslo diary where I document my heroic attempt to take on the world's most expensive city. If you missed the first part of my Oslo trip here it is. Please do comment below with your tips and experience of visiting Oslo.

 

Day 2

 

I wake up at 11am feeling pretty shit.

 

I text my friend but I don’t hear back from her. Maybe she's got her massive Tequila hungover.

 

I again console myself that if I had gone out I doubt I wouldn't have had much money left.

 

I invest in a 3 day Oslo Pass which is 430nok. (£50) Its pays off after a few visits plus you can enjoy free transport on bus, trams & you can hop on ferry boat to Bygdoy 

 

I stretch out my legs and head to the harbour area called Aker Brygge which is actually an arm of the Oslo Fjord. It’s a fair walk from the hotel. I could have taken the bus but I need fresh air to clear out the cobwebs and mental trauma of last night. Plus, walking is a great way to get a feel of the city. 

The harbour area is pretty and a busy hive of activity with plenty of people gathered dining at one of the outdoor cafes while some are making a beeline for the Akershus Castle. My first stop is the Nobel Peace Center. Flash my Oslo Pass and I get in for free.

'Love of Mankind is politics in practice'  : Memorable quote at Nobel Peace Center, Oslo

 

I walk in at the beginning of the hourly guided tour which is free and the guide is very informative.

You can discover all about the life of Alfred Nobel and also about the Nobel Laureates. It’s a very interactive, hands on kind of museum which makes it great fun for kids and big kids alike.

 

After Nobel Center, my next stop is Akershus Castle. Dating back to the 13^th Century it has the usual ingredients of every medieval castle- an abundance of ghost stories to fascinate the visitor, elegant large reception rooms, A Royal Chapel, Dungeons and rich woven tapestries adorning the walls.

However coming from the land of castles-Scotland, Akershus Castle really didn’t shake my boat. I got bored but did entertain myself in the excellent souvenir shop recreating this epic medieval scene. 

Medieval Norwegian Love Triangle reenacted in souvenir shop, with a wizard and the KKK thrown in for good measure

Cool eh? :)

The surround grounds (free to enter) do offer fantastic panoramic views of the harbour and the fjord. Entry is 65k but free with the Oslo Pass. 

The real gem which is worthwhile checking out in my opinion in the grounds of the Akershus is the Norway Resistance Museum.  Even if you and your partner are not a museum person, you will enjoy this place.You get an indepth history of the World War II resistance movement in Norway and includes information on the Holocaust. Displays are in English and Norwegian. It’s a moving tribute and account of how a nation under occupation organized themselves and stood upto the tyranny of the Nazis. There’s also lots of thoughtful mentions of the allies who supported Norway during the resistance.

100 kr is the entry fee, but its free to enter with the Oslo Pass.

 

Mogador Cafe, Grunerlokka. Oslo

 

Lunch: Its almost 330pm and I am starving. I head to the hip neighbourhood called Grunerlokka. It's Saturday afternoon and the pavements are abuzz with the excited chatter of locals. With the guidance of the handy Spotted by Locals Oslo app, I decide to check out Mogador – an Afghan run café. They serve a nice selection of tapas and meze and it's reasonably priced. The service is pedestrian so you have to have oodles of patience. The food is however worth the wait. I tuck into a Lamb curry with rice, spinach and salad. Cost: 159nok. A nice cool glass of Beer for 41nok

 

I head back to the comfortable sanctuary of the Comfort Express.

No word from my friend still. 

I chill out and watch some of the local TV. I get absorbed into some silly gameshow and then Friends comes on. I’ve seen this episode a hundred times but still the novelty of seeing Friends in Oslo with Norwegian subtitles offers a renewed sense of pleasure.

With my funds running low, I don’t venture out at night except for a short excursion down the road to grab a bite. The chain of coffee , delicatessen shops called Deli de Luca is relatively inexpensive. I get a salad with Pesto Rosso and a slice of Tiramisu for just 75 nok. That’s the cheapest possible snack in Oslo.

I reread Breakfast at Tiffany's-my favourite book and then sink into a peaceful slumber in my comfy bed at Comfort Xpress. 

Holidays should also be about enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

Hope you're enjoying the diary. Please leave your comments and if you have an Oslo tip or memory to share, please do so. Third and final part comes tommorrow :)

 

Oslo, world's most expensive city on a budget: Budget Traveller's diary. Day 1

 

 

This is the first of a 3 part diary about my heroic attempt to take on the world's most expensive city-how did I fare? Read on and see plus please do comment below  with your tips and experience of visiting Oslo.

 

Day 1

Temptation can be a deadly thing. 

It comes in many forms to me. 

This time it was in the form of a £10 return Ryanair flight to Oslo.

 

Wow. I thought how expensive could a few days be in Oslo.

 

I’ve heard legends of how expensive it is but for me that’s like a red rag to a bull.

A challenge for the Budget Traveller!

 

Plus I’d never been to Scandinavia and had a friend there who could show me the sights. 

I buy the flight on a sudden impulse and within a week am zooming past the fairytale fjords to Oslo.

 

The Ryanair flight to Oslo doesn’t go anywhere near the airport. Torp is 80 miles away from Oslo. To get to Oslo, I jump onto the Torp Express Bus. Return is 340 kr. Which is £38. Ouch.

 
Reception: Comfort Hotel Xpress, Oslo

I am staying at the uber cool, design and budget friendly hotel – Comfort Hotel Xpress. Booking in advance you can get rooms for 299 kr which is around £35 which for Oslo is amazing value. Plus within the deal you get a very snazzy, modern clean bedroom, carpetted floors, warm fluffy pillows, a nice sized plasma screen TV, nice bathrooms and excellent free wifi. The hotel lobby also has a great chillout area with magazines and a 50 inch plasma screen plus coffee machine where you can have unlimited espressos and cappuchinos. It’s in a great location just a 10 minutes walk from Oslo’s main train station.

Here’s a video of my room

 

 

Night out in Oslo?

 

I notice the moment I come off the flight passengers going nuts stockpiling booze at the duty free. The reason becomes more clear when I arrive in Oslo at 9pm at the hotel. I go for a walk around the hotel to find an off license. I am told by a local shopkeeper that you cannot buy booze from anywhere after 8pm in Oslo. Suddenly the mad stampede at the duty free becomes clear. On my way back to the hotel I bump into two Swedish guys who are here for a boozy weekend.

 

‘You’re from Scotland. I fucking love that country’, is his drooling confession as his eyes roll around, clearly pretty drunk.

He then suddenly comes to his senses and towering over me he looks me straight in the eye and asks me if I would like to accompany them to the strippers down the road. ‘Danish women are very hot man, you will enjoy.’

I shake my head mumbling an excuse that my very hot wife is waiting for me in my hotel room and zip off at a very vigorous pace.

I go back to the Comfort Hotel Xpress  and find at the reception I can buy beers for just 35 kr each. (£4)

I have a few beers from the reception back in my hotel room. I have no hot wonderful wife waiting for me. I am upbeat still because I am meeting a friend who lives here and has promised to show me the best of Oslo’s nightlife.

 

1030pm.

1130pm.

I wait and I wonder. 

I have a peek outside my hotel room at 12pm and its still kinda quiet for a Friday night.

 

I had a long day travelling so I slouch on my bed and when I wake up its 4am. 

I go mental briefly. 

I see a few missed calls from my friend wondering where I am. I feel shit. 

I wasted 140 kr on 4 small beers getting drunk in a hotel room , spoke to a drunk horny Swede and barely saw anything of Oslo’s famed nightlife. So sorry reader , I have nothing much to enlighten you about Oslo's nightlife. 

I manage to lull myself into sleep, feeling pretty low. 

My only consolation is that I may have saved myself a bomb by not going out :)

Part 2 of the Oslo diary coming up tommorrow where I give you the lowdown of some of the best places to visit and eat in Oslo on a budget

 

 

New tricks: 5 Tips for using your mobile phone in Europe and beyond

 

Many of you may have noticed today’s announcement made by the EU to crack down on the extortionate mobile phone roaming charges. New legislation introduced by the EU will see by 2014 the cost of phone call reduced to 22p per minute and the cost of using 1MB of data come down to 45p. I still think that is too little and too late an effort by the EU to reduce the cost of using mobile phone abroad.

 

Readers of my blog may have read of my nightmare bill from Orange earlier this summer where I was slapped with a £270 phone bill despite have shelled out £50 on their 'great value for money' roaming internet bundles. This has led me to stop using my smartphone abroad and purely using it as mobile internet device. Here are some cool tips, new tricks for using your smartphone in Europe and avoiding the rip off charges.

 

1) Turn off data roaming

 

There is a huge cost for downloading emails when abroad and accessing internet heavy applications like Google Maps. So its best you turn your data roaming function off. This can be done via the Iphone by going to General > Network > Cellular Data ( Switch to ‘Off’ )

 

 

 

2) Got access to wi-fi? Call for free with Skype or text with Whatapp Messenger

 

 

If you have a smartphone then before you fly, download an “internet to phone” app like Viber or Skype. Make sure your friend or family member has the Skype app on their phone or laptop. Now all you have to do when you’re abroad is go to a free wifi access point like a café, bar or even somewhere like Macdonalds. If the internet connection is good, the call quality is superb.

 

Another great app is the Whatsapp Messenger ( currently costs £0.59 on Apple Store) which subject to free wifi connection will allow you to send texts for free between friends registered on the App. Very handy.

 

3) Buy a local Sim card

 

The other tip that many travelers follow if they are planning to spend more than a few days in that country is to get a local simcard. If you’re visiting the country regularly it’s a good long term move.

 

Check out Moneysavingexpert’s handy list of where to get the best and cheapest local sims http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-roaming-calls#local

 

4) Using a Mifi- Mobile Wireless Internet Device

 

You also now have the choice of keeping your mobile internet costs low by getting a prepaid mobile internet device. TepWireless ( http://www.tepwireless.com/ )  offer you the chance of renting one of their picket wifi devices which means you can access internet anywhere on the go without the hassle of mobile roaming charges and finding free wifi spots.

For example for a weeks rental and use anywhere in Europe with a 50mb allowance daily, the cost came to £43.68 or just £5.46 a day. You are sent the device in a prepaid envelope so it’s a pretty convenient neat service.

 

5) Or if you want to still use your mobile phone abroad…. 

 

Top tips would be to use one of their mobile internet roaming bundles.

Vodafone in my opinion offers the best deal with their Vodafone Traveller package where for £10 a month you get a data allowance of 25mb a day. Note if you pay above £40 a month a more with Vodafone (using at least 900 minutes a month) you get the Vodafone Traveller package for free.

Also if you are on a pay as you go date bundle and unsure of how much data you have used while abroad on the Iphone you can go to General> Usage where you will see below the amount of data sent and received. Again you must reset statistics before you go abroad and sometimes the data amounts do not tally with actual usage, so this tactic is not foolproof.

If you have any tips or ideas, feel free to share below.

 

Looking for a cheap summer break in Europe? 3 trip ideas

 

 

When you are trying to plan a summer holiday on a budget, finding a place to stay with good facilities can prove something of a challenge. However with the help of our friends at Hostelbookers.com : Roof terraces, sea views, swimming pools and beach locations are all within your grasp! Check out their top 3 cheap summer break ideas in Europe and take advantage of the HostelBookers Summer Sale

 

GRANADA

Keep cool in the lush grounds of The Alhambra palace or head into the Sierra Nevada mountain range to enjoy a dip in the lakes. The seductive city of Granada offers steamy nights of flamenco, alfresco tapas and sunny plazas.

Where to stay in Granada: Oasis Backpackers Hostel

After a day of admiring The Alhambra, return to Oasis Backpackers Hostel Granada for some equal stylish architecture and interior design. This boutique hostel offers bright and modern rooms and communal spaces including self-catering facilities. Guests can soak up the sun on the roof terrace with views over the Arabic Albaicín neighbourhood. They host Argentinean BBQ nights, a welcome drink on arrival and the chance to win free beer on quiz nights. Now there is 20% sale on their 8-bed dorms.

 

LISBON

 

A good opportunity to combine city and beach break on your summer holiday, Lisbon can provide culture, nightlife and sunbathing rolled in to one. The nearby beaches fly the European Blue Flag for excellence and are popular with locals and tourists alike. At Guincho, why not try your hand at surfing, which fantastically wild beach and jut a 25-minute train ride from Lisbon. The shadowy and historic areas of Alfama and the Barrio Alto offer tile-clad buildings and orange tree dotted plazas, great places for keeping cool when exploring the city. Take tram 28 for a 40-minute city tour and lean out the window of this antiquated machine to feel the wind in your hair. Nightlife gets off to a late start around 11pm and crowds spill pleasingly onto the streets.

 

Where to stay in Lisbon: Beria Mar Hostel

Just a few roads back from the shoreline, most rooms at Beria Mar hostel offer views across the Tagus river. The interior is bright and colourful and the surrounding area of Alfama is Lisbon’s historic quarter. They offer a free breakfast, lounge and games room. Now there is a 20% off sale on their 5 or 6-bed dorm rooms.

 

MARRAKECH

It’s certainly hot but Marrakech has turned the humble oasis into something of an art form. Your riad will no doubt have a spectacular roof terrace, or candlelit courtyard where you can spend balmy evening sipping cooling mint tea. The seductive restaurants trickle with water features and the verdant Majorelle Gardens with design touches by Yves Saint Laurent offer respite from the oppressive summer heat. Many of the souks are covered in canopies providing shaded shopping and haggling opportunities and visitors can feel the wind in their hair on an escorted quad bike ride through the desert taking in Berber villages en route.

 

Where to stay in Marrakech : Kasbah Le Mirage

 

Four kilometres outside on Marrakesh, in the leafy Palmeraie neighbourhood, Kasbah Le Mirage and Spa is a summer retreat. Complete with hammam, an exfoliation room and massage, guests looking for the ultimate summer escape are guaranteed relaxation. Spend idle days by the swimming pool and enjoy cocktails under the umbrellas at the poolside bar taking views of the Atlas Mountains. Why not try your hand at French boules, climbing tennis or archery? All private and family rooms are air-conditioned. Now with the Hostelbookers summer sale, 40% off double and twin rooms.