Krakow is the city exactly on the intersection of 20 degrees East and 50 degrees North. According to some cartographers it is the geographical centre of Europe. It not difficult to come to Krakow from different parts of the world. The Krakow international airport at Balice, just 15 kilometres from the city centre, has direct flights to many foreign airports, for instance: Paris, London, Zurich, Frankfurt am Main, Vienna, Rome, Tel Aviv, New York, Chicago. The city is an important railway junction with a regular and reliable train network linking Krakow with other cities both national and international. It is also possible to come to Krakow by coach or car. Our city is linked to the main Polish and European roads and thus the access is very easy.

Inside the city, close to its centre there are three traffic zones protecting the very centre. You are not allowed to drive into A and B zone. Parking in the C zone is possible after buying a parking card. It is recommended to leave your car in the guarded car parks which let come closer to your destination and have your car protected. The old part of Krakow you can visit on foot or by the public transport system which is quite good and sufficient for the visitors' needs. For those who prefer to travel by taxi, there is no problem to take it just from the street or order by telephone. If you do in the latter way, you are entitled to a discount. The cost of taxi driving within the city depending to the distance is about 30-40 zlotys (about 7-12 euros).

Krakow is ranked as the fourth industrial city in the country, with metallurgic, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries dominating. The share of the private sector in Krakow industry has considerably increased during the past several years. Also, many new developments have been observed in the commercial sector. The number of private companies is several dozens of times larger than companies belonging to the public sector. There are seven central bank offices located in Krakow, and 40 other banks have their branch offices in this city. The city also hosts The Chamber of Craftsmanship, The Chamber of Industry and Commerce, The National Chamber of Economy, The Krakow Chamber of Tourism, The Krakow Congregation of Merchants, The Industrial Society of Krakow, The Polish Association of Christian Businessmen, The Association of Private Transport, The Association of Private Real Estate Owners, and other institutions responsible for promoting business.

Krakow was the capital of the country until the 17th century. The Royal Route started at the defensive Barbican and led through Florian`s Gate, called "Portae Gloriae", and then into the Market Square, now the city`s central square. Whichever street we choose we can get to the Market Square - the heart of the city, a place attracting tourists with pubs, cafes, music and the hum of people`s voices. Everything representing Krakow merchant tradition is contained in souvenirs that you can buy at a large building, not to be found anywhere else, called the Gothic Cloth Hall. From the Market Square, Grodzka Street leads to Wawel Hill, which is also called "the Polish Acropolis". The cathedral dominating this spot used to be the place where the coronation of Polish kings was held; it was also their burial place. The nearby Renaissance castle was resided in by kings of the Piast and Jagiellon dynasties, and a member of the Vasas, who when moving out "took" the capital to Warsaw with him. The Royal Route led to places where the Polish State`s political and spiritual life was concentrated. As centuries went by Wawel Cathedral became the burial place of national heroes. It gained the status of a national sanctuary and became a symbol of the nation`s spiritual identity and durability.

Krakow is also a city of tradition where the past meets the present, and the imaginary the real. Krakow is the city of myths, legends and dreams. City traditions are dominated by customs that date from the 13th and 14th centuries, although numerous stories and tales create the colour of this place. Krakow is said to have been visited by Doctor Faustus himself who cooperated with Master Twardowski, a court alchemist in search of the philosopher's stone. Two unique legends are connected with Tartar raid, which broke into the history of Krakow in a very violent way. Every hour you can hear a bugle call whose travel whose sound travels towards the four quarters of the world from the tower of St. Mary's Church. It is dramatically interrupted, as it was in the past when an enemy arrow hit the bugler. The other legend is associated with the fascinating personage "lajkonik". According to the story, it was a Vistula River raftsman in a Tartar disguise on horseback who rode from the battlefield with a message that the "infidel" invasion had been stopped. The fascinating "lajkonik" still rides his wooden horse across the Market Square. Like centuries ago, during St. John's night, the shortest night of the year, Krak`s castle inhabitants come down to the Vistula River. With the imposing castle in the background, they float wreaths down the river, thus recalling the old pagan custom. The celebration is accompanied by a huge open-air show, firework display and performances that bring various events from the city's history back to life. After all, Krakow will always remain a living legend.