A Walk Through Old Town [Kraków]

Top [SheIn] Cardigan [J.O.A....last year...new version here]. Pants [Zara]. Booties [Lucky Brand]. Scarf [ASOS]. Necklace [Baublebar]. Sunnies [Celine]. Handbag [RM]

   Hello friends!  I'm back from my travels & now its time for some photos & stories!  I had attempted to post while I was in Europe about my day to day activities & sights....however, when you drink a little bit too much Polish vodka with friends & family, it becomes a wee bit difficult to accomplish posting.  I was happy enough I stuck to my goal of running every other day!  #weddinggoals.

  I was very grateful that we were able to go on this trip.  Wedding planning gets a bit expensive, lol.  We decided to make this trip more chill by going to places that were close, & didn't require too much traveling or new sight-seeing.  But, it doesn't seem to matter if you've been there before, because these places are so old & grand, that there's always something new to see!  On another note, its so fun for me to go to Poland because its become like a second home to me.  This is my fifth year going with the Polish man, & last year was the 1st year I could actually read the signs, & understand more.  Its crazy to think that you can go somewhere & not understand anything around you because the language is so different than English or Spanish.  Its eye-opening once you can read everything.  I feel like a child learning to read...but that was so long ago, I can't even remember that feeling.  Ha.  This year, though, I not only could read, I could communicate & understand 90% of every conversation around me.  It was freaking awesome!  Thus, why I made the commitment to go running  through the cities.  I know my way around by now & was able to go into the market on my own & order food, etc.  I can't explain what a cool experience that was for me this year!  And, I KNOW that it was amazing for the Polish man because he didn't have to translate 24/7. Lol.  

  Luju Euro trip always begins in Kraków.  For those of you who don't know, Kraków was the capital of Poland until 1596.  And, for a country thats been around since 966 AD, thats a loooong time.  Its considered the Royal City, as Wawel is the site of the coronation & burial of the monarchs.  We always stay in an apartment in the Stare Miasto (the city square).  There's something magical about opening our windows to people watch & hear the trumpet call that plays from St. Mary's Basilica every hour.  And, everything we want to see is simply a walk away from our location, including Wawel Royal Castle.  Yes, you've definitely seen this castle before on my blog, but it never gets boring.  The big beautiful gold dome, the bell tower, the powerful architecture...I wish I had enough time to soak in the detail in every brick...but, thats what makes it great being able to go back every year!  I always spy something new!

  Hope you enjoy the photos, there will be more to come over the next week!  Happy Monday!  

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Wawel Royal Castle

 Tank [Lush]. Jeans [Zara]. Sneakers [Zara]. Leather Moto Jacket [Treasure & Bond]. Crossbody [R.M.]. Earrings [Zara…awesome pair here]. Headband [Tasha…similar here]. Sunnies [Dolce & Gabbana].

       Oh Monday, we meet again!  Taking a look back at these photos really makes my Monday happy.  (I'm not so sure that a day can be "happy," but it definitely makes me smile!)  Any-who…these photos were also taken in Kraków.  If you haven't caught on yet, the "Polish man" I'm always referring to is my boyfriend.  And, he was born & raised in the country of...(drum roll please)…POLAND!  Shocker, I know.  It also means that a good amount of the time we spend while in Europe is in Poland-particularly his home, lucky for me, is Kraków.
      I honestly think that this city is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited.  Because Kraków was originally Poland's capital (now its Warsaw), it is where all of the Polish monarchs are buried & once sat upon a throne in the breathtaking Wawel Royal Castle.  (Seen in the photos above.)  Even though I've visited now many times, every time I walk through the gate into the castle walls, I am still in awe.  I hope you enjoy the photos.  Talk to ya' on hump day!

*For more photos/history of Wawel Royal Castle check out last time I visited here!*

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Photo Diary of Europe: Wawel Royal Castle

Jacket: Billabong...Skirt: F21...Tights: Target...Boots: Steve Madden...Headband: Similar here...Sunglasses: Gucci...& Hobo: Rebecca Minkoff.

        On our last day in Kraków we ventured to Wawel Royal Castle.  Located atop Wawel Hill, the 13th century Gothic Castle is comprised of a courtyard with surrounding structures, one of the most prominent being the Cathedral.  Once residence to all Polish Kings, Wawel stands to this day as the most important historical site in Poland.  As the centuries continued, so did the rulers, & thus so did the additions to Wawel Cathedral.  My personal fav?  The beautiful golden dome atop the Sigismund Chapel built by King Sigismund I the Old.  Pretty sure he won the battle of best looking chapel, don't you agree?
      We began our journey walking up Wawel Hill, through the main courtyard & into the Cathedral.  It proved to be quite chilly & windy, needless to say, my hood stayed on my head the entire time!  Once entering the Cathedral, we climbed our way up the narrow wooden staircases to the top of the tower to the great Sigismund Bell.  What a view!  Around the tower & back down the stairs we headed to the crypt located underneath the Cathedral where the tombs of the Polish kings rest.  Lastly, we made our way to the base of Wawel Hill overlooking the Vistula River where the entrance to the lair of Smok Wawelski is located.  The fairytale of Smok Wawelski, or the dragon of Wawel Castle, is a tale all Polish children are familiar with & I have become very fond of myself.  Our descent through the cave led us out of the castle walls where we continued with our day leaving the beautiful Kraków behind.
     
       

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