Tour 2005.doc
BANK OF ENGLAND AFC
Poland - CLUB TOUR MAY 2007
Proposed Details
Venue – Krakow
Dates – Bank Holiday Weekend of 26th May to 29th May 2007
Estimated Cost - £250
Maximum Quota –20 Tourists
Deposit - £100 by 15th Feb 2007
Cheques made payable to Bank of England AFC
Tour Committee:
Gary Hyett
Richie Taylor
Jamie Atkinson
Ayyaz Ishaque
BOE Tours
Following the success of last years Tour we are again making our own independent arrangements, with a bit of Polish help on the footy front.
Your enthusiasm and support will help a successful Tour so please get your deposit in promptly. On the event of over-subscription the tour
party will be decided with reference to the guidelines set down by the Football Section Committee.
Why Krakow?
Well, it comprises of the well-loved combo of cheap beer and cheap beer for a start. But don't panic culture vultures Krakow has a Medieval
Old Town, which will be just lovely for those romantic evening walks.
When? – May.
City tours are preferred as the weather has less impact on the enjoyment of the stay, but it is likely to be more favourable in May. On
previous occasions we have paid a premium for travelling over the Easter weekend and also some cities become pretty deserted during
religious festivals. This is the second Bank Holiday Weekend in May (for any of you teachers out there it usually precedes the Half Term
School Holiday). If we cannot organise as preferred it may be necessary to take 1 day of leave for the return journey.
Cost
We estimate about £250 should cover flights, board and other transport arrangements. There may be Sports Club subsidy which if received
will be split between the whole party this brings the costs down per person and allows us to have a kitty throughout the tour. There is also a
subsidy for stakeholders of the 100 Club. We have done some research into cheap flights and to help us with Hotels. A Deposit of £100 will
need to be paid by 15th Feb in order to secure flights, (prompt payment will assist in the organisation of things and your inclusion if we are
over-subscribed). Note that the deposit is not refundable. Tourists should make their own travel insurance arrangements.
Football
We have made a contact with a company who can arrange a couple of games for us (and more besides should our planning go wrong). So
our needs to be given the run around for 90 minutes before drinking foul tasting local specialities and welcoming new recruits (Rauol used to
be in the Marines you know) should be well and truly satisfied. Confirmation of these arrangements will be available when we get it.
More information
Please pass your cheques to any of the Tour Committee Members (The deposit is non refundable, finding a replacement will be down to the
individual)
Or post to: Ayyaz Ishaque, BMS IT Support HO-G, Bank of England, Threadneedle Street London EC2R 8AH
For more information get in touch with Ayyaz, Richie or Gary: ayyaz.ishaque@bankofengland.co.uk / rtaylor@estee-lauder.co.uk /
ghyett@nigellynn.com
Tour 2005.doc
The Important Stuff
Poland
The Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska in Polish) lies in the very geographical centre of Europe between, clockwise from the north, the
Baltic Sea, Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Germany. Its area of 312,677 sq km
(120,725 sq miles) and population of 38,6 million makes Poland a sizeable European nation on a par with Spain and the key one in CentralEastern Europe. It also proves one of the world’s vibrant and open economies. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and is the European Union's
member since May 1, 2004.
History of Krakow
In 1000AD Krakow got its own bishop, and in 1038 the city became Poland’s capital. Krakow’s Golden Age came by the end of the 15th
century when it was the thriving metropolis of a vast and prosperous kingdom stretching from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea. Then the Nazi’s
invaded, the English saved them, then the Commies took control, they liberated themselves and then they all came to London the work on
building sites, plaster walls and more in with Chris Heron! (please not that there are not actually many Poles in Poland any more)
Krakow
Krakow lies in the southern part of Poland on the Vistula River in a valley at the foot of the Carpathian Plateau. Few European cities have
such a distinctly medieval architectural layout as Krakow. Benefiting from its geographical location, Krakow, aiming to become a meeting
place of many cultures and nations, has successfully claimed its position as a Central European metropolis - a city of culture, art and science
and cheap beer and strippers.
Krakow by Night
There is no shortage of places to drink, eat, and get naked late into the night in Krakow. Notably, the huge central Grand Square in the heart of
the historic Old Town district and its environs look like they never sleep, at least most of the year save winter. And recently trendy new
hangouts are launched also in the nearby Kazimierz quarter almost by the week.
Krakow Night Clubs
Krakow boasts a lively club scene. The party goes on week long, but–no doubts about it–the Friday and Saturday nights tend to be hottest in
the city's countless nightspots. As elsewhere, on weekends Krakow’s young professionals, expats, students, and football tourists mingle
happily in crowds that pack bars, discotheques, cafes, and restaurants in vogue at the moment.
Krakow's Booze
Poland has long been part of the “vodka belt”, i.e. the crescent of north European countries from Russia to Norway where hard drinking looked
like a part of everyday life. Actually, Russians adopted their beloved liquor from the Polish neighbours’. Polish “wodka” (pronounced “voodkah”)
is rather strong, with 40-45 percent alcohol content. It should be served straight, chilled but no ice, and swallowed at one gulp. Unlike the
Russian ones, the Polish vodkas come in great variety. In addition to the most popular “czysta wodka” (i.e. absolute vodka)–cheaper brands
distilled from potatoes and finer ones from rye–there are many time-honoured flavours to choose from, such as juniper, nut, pepper, plum,
cherry, caraway seed, etc. Like wines, they can be dry, half-dry, half-sweet and sweet.
The traditional Polish “nalewka” (pronounced “nalavkah”) infusions of herbs, berries or fruits steeped in vodka are yet another story. Every
second Krakow restaurateur boasts its own “nalewkas” whose recipes he guards as family secrets. This will be the drink that will be used to
“reward” tourists and virgins alike throughout the tour.
Beer in Krakow
Beer has been brewed in Krakow for the last thousand years and now it is the most popular alcoholic beverage again (non-alcoholic beers are
common in Poland yet hardly popular and also for the gays!). Present-day Polish beers mostly resemble German lager.
Coffee in Krakow (For Steve P only!)
Most Poles seem hooked on strong coffee and they cannot carry on without a cup a day, or two or more. Many still brew it the Polish way by
putting a spoonful or two of ground coffee into a glass and filling the vessel up with boiling water. Some do so even in Krakow though it is held
rather barbarian in the city enamoured of espresso.
Food
Traditional Polish cuisine at its best features abundance of domestic herbs and exotic spices. As hunting was the Polish favourite pastime,
game dishes proved overly popular. The same wild mushrooms. Freshwater fish and crayfish used to supersede seafood in landlocked
Krakow.
Culture Stuff!
Auschwitz
The site of the Nazi notorious Auschwitz death camp is an hour’s drive from Krakow. About one million men, women and children of many
nations perished here between June 1941 and January 1945.
Krakow Old Town Historic District
Poland's prime tourist attraction and a must-see in Central Europe boasts numerous world-class monuments, charming vistas, delightful
atmosphere, and the best restaurants–everything easily available on foot.
Eagle-nest Castles
Eagle-nest Castles is a legend-shrouded chain of medieval strongholds picturesquely elevated over the utterly scenic landscape graced with
profusion of fancy limestone rocks, gorges, cavities, etc.
Tour 2005.doc
BANK OF ENGLAND AFC, CLUB TOUR – Krakow, Poland 2007
I would like to be considered for the Club Tour
I enclose a cheque made payable to the Bank of England AFC for the amount of £100.00 as non- refundable deposit.
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Address:
Postcode:
Contact No:
Please send cheques and completed form to:
Phillip Bunn
Structural Economic Analysis Division (H0-2)
Bank of England,
Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH
Email Address: