Travel: 48 hours in Krakow

6pm Head for the cobbled expanse of the Main Market Square with its multitude of pavement cafes. A bison grass vodka (or Zubrowka) will help kick-start proceedings in traditional Polish style.

8pm Savour dinner at Kogel-Mogel (Sienna 12, tel: +48-12 426 4968). The vodka continues to flow freely at this old-world escape along with some seriously hearty traditional Polish dishes. The pierogi dumplings are a highlight.

Saturday, 9am Time to delve into the darker side of Krakow’s history at Oskar Schindler’s old factory (www.fabrykaschindlera.pl), which has been brilliantly converted into a museum that reveals some of the horrors of Nazi occupation.

1pm Enjoy a meal at Szeroka 18 (tel: +48-12 421 7920) in the old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, a charming part of Krakow.

3pm Heading down a salt mine may not sound too tempting, but a head torch-led tour of Unesco World Heritage listed Wieliczka (tel: +48-12 278 7302, www.wieliczka-saltmine.com), with its poignant chapels and statues, is a moving testament to man’s determination to overcome tyranny.

9pm Many average restaurants crowd the cobbled main square. One of the better options is Wesele (Main Market Square 10, tel: +48-12 422 7460), which offers the likes of roe deer carpaccio or a feast of heartier authentic meat dishes.

Sunday, 10am Take a trip to Wawel (www.wawel.krakow.pl/en), the castle

complex that is the most visited attraction in Poland. Or just stroll along the riverside, beneath the castle’s amazing walls.

THE FACTS

Return flights to Krakow from Edinburgh with easyJet (www.easyjet.com) start from £163. For more information on Krakow visit www.poland.travel/en-gb