Flock 2016 Krakow proposal

This is a proposal for Flock 2016 to be held in Krakow, Poland

Tuesday 2 August - Friday 5 August (Weekend dates are under discussion as well)

The city

The city of Krakow (Polish: Kraków) is the second largest city of Poland and is the country's former capital. It is sometimes spelled as Cracow in English although its correct English name is Krakow nowadays. Krakow is the top tourist destination in Poland. The city basks in the glory of its long history and it greatly treasures its reputation as the culture capital of Poland.

Krakow's seven universities plus almost twenty other institutions of higher education make it the country’s leading center of science and education. The city's expanding service sector is the lifeblood of local economy but varied industry and production still provide substantial proportions of jobs and wealth. Krakow is the metropolis of southern Poland and the capital city of the Małopolska Province. The city has about 755,000 permanent residents and the Krakow conurbation totals some 1.5 million people. The cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city center may be somewhat misleading. Despite recent growth in the number of immigrants and expatriates, inhabitants of Krakow remain ethnically almost homogeneous and they proudly declare their Polish nationality.

Geographic coordinates of downtown Krakow are 50°04'N 19°56'E. The city lies in southern Poland on the banks of Wisła (Vistula) river.

Currency

Poland uses the Polish zloty (PLN or zł; Polish: złoty, pronounce: [ˈzwɔtɨ]; plural: złote [ˈzwɔtɛ]; genitive plural: złotych [ˈzwɔtɨx] - see more here).

Currency Value as of 17 December 2015 (xe.com)

1 PLN = 0.25 USD
1 USD = 3.92 PLN

1 PLN = 0.23 EUR
1 EUR = 4.29 PLN

Note: Beginning 16 January the Polish zloty experienced a decline in value. It remains to be seen if this is a short-term blip or something that will last longer

Currency Value as of 17 January 2016 (xe.com)

1 PLN = 0.24 USD
1 USD = 4.12 PLN

1 PLN = 0.22 EUR
1 EUR = 4.49 PLN

See the official specimens of Polish zloty banknotes and coins currently in use. Note that they have been slightly changed in 2014 and both versions are in use.

Foreign currencies are generally not accepted. You can exchange money in many exchange offices (Polish: kantor wymiany walut or simply kantor, often also labeled in English for the foreign clients convenience). Payment cards are accepted by most shops and other businesses and ATMs.

Airports

The Krakow Airport - IATA code KRK, ICAO code EPKK - is situated conveniently on the Balice outskirts of the city, just 15 km (about ten miles) west of the city center. It is on the A4 expressway to Silesia province and Germany. Krakow's Balice international airport is Poland’s second busiest after Warsaw, Poland's capital city. The airport is easily accessible by direct train from the city center at a cost of 8 PLN and takes 17 minutes and includes wifi and power onboard. Municipal bus travel costs 4-5 PLN and takes 30-60 minutes depending on your detailed location within the city.

Alternative Airports

Although Krakow Airport is the best way to arrive you may consider choosing other airports:

• Katowice Airport (IATA: KTW, ICAO: EPKT) - 100 km (65 miles) from Krakow. Bus transit to Krakow is provided by some airlines as well as independent small companies.
• Warsaw Chopin Airport (IATA: WAW, ICAO: EPWA) - 300 km (190 miles) from Krakow. You can continue your travel by plane (below 1 hour), train (2.5-4 hours) or an intercity bus (5 hours but probably the cheapest option).
• Gdańsk, Rzeszów, Ostrava, Košice… anything you find reasonable.

Intercity Trains and Buses

Trains and Buses arrive at a pair of terminals located near the city center. The stations are located side by side and are next to Galeria Krakowska, a world class shopping mall that includes restaurants, coffee houses, cafes and a Carrefour Express grocery store.

The Bus Station is named Małopolski Dworzec Autobusowy (MDA). If you are taking the Leo Express Bus from Bohumín, Czech Republic it is the stop in Krakow called "Kraków, Bosacka (PKS)."

The Train Station is named Kraków Główny.

The local transportation hub is situated under train station and outside of the Galeria Krakowska.

Estimated costs from …

• PRG 725 CZK one-way České Dráhy or Leo Express
• BRQ 520 CZK one-way České Dráhy to Bohumín, Czech Republic + Leo Express to Krakow or Student Agency

Local Transportation

Krakow’s municipal transport company (Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne), known in the city under its acronym MPK, together with its competitor Mobilis maintain 142 day bus lines totaling about 2170 kilometers & 24 day tram lines totaling about 347 kilometers and running on the track that consist of some 90 kilometers of double tramways. 15 night bus lines and 3 tram lines constitute Krakow’s night public transport.

An important notice about the bus ticket prices: remember that the airport is outside the Krakow area and you should should use a Zone I+II (suburban) ticket which is more expensive. The same ticket also applies for those who want to travel to Wieliczka, for example to see the Salt Mine. Otherwise you will probably not leave the Krakow area and use the Zone I (urban) ticket.

Tickets Prices

Ticket	Zone I (city area)	Zone I+II (both outside and the city area)
20 min	2.80 PLN	—
40 min	3.80 PLN	—
1 way (unlimited) without changing the vehicle		4.00 PLN
2 way (without changing the vehicle)	7.20 PLN	7.60 PLN
60 min	5.00 PLN
90 min	6.00 PLN
24h	15 PLN	20 PLN
48h	24 PLN	—
72h	36 PLN	—
7 days	48 PLN	62 PLN
Group (up to 20 people), one way	36 PLN	46 PLN

See also: the full price list and the specimen of the tickets. Note: the tickets printed in the ticket machines look different.

Do not forget to validate your ticket once you are on-board by sticking it into the yellow validation boxes located throughout the vehicle. Tickets are not always inspected, however you are subject to random inspection. You must present a valid and validated ticket to a ticket inspector upon request. Ticket inspectors have badges or other identification and speak English.

You can also use one of the online/mobile payment providers: moBiLET, mPay, Skycash.

Local Train Station

A local train station Kraków Łobzów (pronounce: [ˈwɔbzuf]) is located not far from the hotel, between the streets Wrocławska and Wybickiego. It provides direct connections to/from the Kraków Airport, Kraków Główny and Wieliczka and back every 30 minutes. Other direct destinations are: Katowice, Oświęcim, and Częstochowa. See the full timetable of the local trains and more information.

The distance between the hotel and this train station is 1.2 km (0.75 mi, 20 minutes) so it is probably reasonable to walk on feet. It is also accessible by the city buses: 130 (3 stops, 6 minutes + 6 minutes walk) or 144 or 194 (2 stops, 3 minutes + 8 minutes walk). The night bus 904 (2 stops, 4 minutes + 5 minutes walk) also stops there.

Event Location

Several properties were considered, however only one property could provide both meetings rooms and sleeping rooms for the conference.

BEST WESTERN PREMIER KRAKOW HOTEL
ul. Opolska 14a
31-323 Kraków, Poland
tel. +48 12 376 37 00
tel. +48 801 08 02 60
fax +48 12 376 37 01
http://www.bestwesternkrakow.pl

GPS: 50.090900, 19.914500
N 50°05'27.2" E 19°54'52.2"

The hotel is located outside of the city center in a quiet location. The hotel is off of a main highway and has good bus connections and plenty of parking. Being out of the city does not create a problem and in fact is a plus if you will be doing any sight seeing in the area. There is regular, cheap and reliable bus service only a 10 minute walk away and the hotel staff will point you in the right direction. See Getting There below for more information.

The hotel staff is very helpful and speak English, and often several other languages.

openstreetmap

Meeting Rooms

Meeting Rooms: (Rental fee includes: flipchart + markers, projector, screen)

Floor Plan: http://www.bestwesternkrakow.pl/en/conferences/

Suggested Usage:

• Keynote: Picasso: 200 Theater - 510 EUR/day (also includes sound system)
• Breakout 1 Track: Monet: 81 Theater / 40 Classroom - 120 EUR/day
• Breakout 2 Track: Rembrandt: 81 Theater / 40 Classroom - 120 EUR/day
• Breakout 3: Matejko & Canaletto: 88 Theater / 40 Classroom - 240 EUR/day (2 rooms combined)
• Breakout 4: Chełmoński & Malczewski: 88 Theater / 40 Classroom - 240 EUR/day (2 rooms combined)
• Office: Van Gogh: 54 Theater / 21 Classroom - 120 EUR/day (one floor up)

Picasso, Monet, and Rembrandt have ceiling mounted projectors. All rooms have ceiling mounted screens, though a larger (provided) screen may be suggested for Picasso. Rooms have floor power boxes throughout and many have additional wall power outlets. Hotel may be able to provide power-bars.

Food and Beverage

Base pricing for Food and Beverage is as follows:

Coffee break (coffee, tea, snacks, water):

• single: from 3,75€/pp
• all day: from 6€/pp

Buffet lunches: from 15 €/pp

Lodging

Double/Twin Room - 65 EUR per night including buffet breakfast and WiFi

The hotel also provides guests with access to a swimming pool and sauna. There is also a small workout room (gym) available in the partner hotel next door. The use of these facilities is included

Getting There

By Plane

Krakow Airport has direct flight connections with many European cities but almost none outside Europe. If there is no direct connection with your city or for the intercontinental connections you must use at least one stop in any major European or Polish airport: Warsaw, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Paris, etc.

Estimated costs of flights from … (via kayak.com on 17 December 2015)

• BOS $900-1300 Swiss/Lufthansa (1 Stop/2 stops)
• RDU $1400 (2 Stops: JFK, WAW; Lot Polish Airlines)
• BOM $780-1400 (1-2 stops)
• CDG $160-250 (direct Easy Jet)
• PRG $200 (1 stop via Vienna) (Better to go by bus/train or car)
• BRQ (Better to go by bus/train or car)
• VIE $200 (direct)
• WAW 205 PLN (≈$52) one way or 293 PLN (≈$75) two ways
• GDN 97-149 PLN (≈$25-38) one way or 232-461 PLN (≈$59-117) two ways

See also all available connections to/from:

• Krakow Airport
• Warsaw Chopin Airport
• Katowice Airport

If you decide to choose Warsaw consider whether to continue your travel by plane or rather to switch to a train or an intercity bus.

Local Train

If you want to exit at the Kraków Łobzów station when arriving from the airport you should leave at the 4th stop. Travel time is 13 minutes. When arriving from the main station this is the first stop. Travel time is 4 minutes. There are more trains available to/from the main station because some of them do not go to the airport.

There is only one exit from the station. If you want to walk you should turn right and walk along Piotra Stachiewicza street until its end, then turn left into Tadeusza Makowskiego street, then turn right into Józefa Mehoffera street. Cross Opolska street and you are at the hotel. If you prefer a city bus then after leaving the train station you should turn left and you are at your bus stop. However, in order to buy the ticket you must cross Wrocławska street and buy it in a ticket machine. Then you have to come back to the correct bus stop. If you choose the bus 130 exit at Różyckiego bus stop (3rd stop). If you choose 144 or 194 exit at Makowskiego bus stop, then you have take a little longer walk along the street directing to the West, turn right to Józefa Mehoffera street and you are at your hotel. The night bus line probably will not be useful because few trains run during the night hours but if needed you have to exit at the second stop, Różyckiego. Despite its name, it is located at Makowskiego street.

Getting from the hotel to the train station Kraków Łobzów is the reverse of the above.

Train tickets can be bought in a ticket machine at Wrocławska street next to the exit from the train station as well as online. Ticket prices: to/from the airport: 8 PLN, to/from the Main Station and also Wieliczka: 3 PLN or a common ticket also valid in the city buses during 70 minutes: 5.40 PLN.

Local Bus

From the City Center

From Krakow City Center take bus 130 from the Galeria Krakowska/Train/Bus Station (Stop: Dworzec Główny Zachód) toward Azory to Różyckiego stop. A 20 min ticket should suffice. From the stop walk about 10 minutes to the hotel (1 turn and cross a road). The bus runs every 10 min from 0900 - 2100 (9am - 9pm). From 0400 - 0900 (4am - 9am) and 2100 - 2400 (9pm - Midnight) the bus runs every half hour.

From 0000 - 0400 (Midnight - 4am) take the night bus, 904, toward Prądnik Biały, which runs every hour. Please be aware that the night bus departs the city center from the same area, but a different location. The night bus city center departure is called Dworzec Główny.

Tickets (bilet in Polish) can be purchased on the bus from a ticket machine (if the door is labeled Automat biletowy), at some bus stops at ticket machines, and at some (but not all) Tabaks. Make sure you have change when using a ticket machine!

Getting to the City center is the reverse of the above. Bus 130 toward Dworzec Główny Zachód. Bus 904 toward Wieliczka Kampus.

The 904 bus also passes through the Kazimierz (Jewish District) where a lot of bars, restaurants and cultural attractions can be found. This makes it easy to return to the hotel from this district late at night. Use stop Dietla.

jakdojade.pl

From the Airport

Trains depart every 30 minutes for the City Center. Tickets cost 8 PLN and should be purchased before boarding. The train is faster and considered more convenient than the bus.

Bus 292 departs every 20 minutes for the City Center. Tickets cost 4 PLN and should be purchased before boarding. Bus 292 and Bus 130 intersect at the same stop. Bus 130 will take you to the hotel. See above for more information.

After midnight, take night bus 902.

Both the Train and the Bus deposit passengers in the same area. Getting to the hotel is easy, just follow the directions above.

jakdojade.pl

Taxi and Uber

Krakow is served by both a taxi service and uber. A taxi from the City Center to the hotel is about 20 PLN.

A taxi from the Airport to the Hotel is about 75 PLN.

By Car

Use a mapping program, GPS, or travel provider website as needed. :)

By Train

Take a look at your national rail company or:

www.cd.cz - Ceske Drahy - Czech Trains www.pkp.pl - PKP - Polish Trains www.le.cz - Private Czech Train with a train+bus to Krakow

www.idos.cz - a friendly (English button is at the bottom) journey detail aggregator

By Bus

Student Agency - studentagency.eu - Czech Buses - free coffee - free wifi in Czech Republic

Polski Bus - polskibus.com - Polish Buses - double decker fun - usually has free wifi and some snacks

LuxExpress.eu - More bus magic

www.le.cz - Czech Bus Company II

Additional Lodging and Meeting Space

Hotel Efekt is a co-owned sister property of the Best Western located next door. Additional sleeping and meeting rooms may be available there at similar rates.

Evening Event Ideas

Browar Lubicz

A one of a kind place for beer lovers in Krakow

https://www.facebook.com/browarlubiczrestauracja/

Founded in 1840, and reopened in 2015 after 14 years of silence, this historic brewery has reinvented itself as an upscale brew-pub (coinciding with the completion of the exclusive residences that surround it), replete with a snazzy logo, stylish post-industrial design, door greeters, a full card of local fare, and signature ales brewed on-site.

A tasting of 3 draught beers (lager, dark and wheat beer) is on offer. Their own honey-roasted wheat malt comes as a beer snack and the menu offers beer-infused interpretations of local standards like 'maczanka' and 'golanka' and a beer soup.

Guided tours: Main Square or Kazimierz (Jewish District)

All attendees will be split in 5 groups among licensed Krakow guides for an inspiring exploration of the city that ends with a shot in [Alchemia](http://alchemia.com.pl/). The person representing Krakow guided tours has asked us to let them know ASAP as the beginning of August should be very busy.

Nightlife in Kazimierz (Jewish District)

If you want to get a real taste of the proper nightlife in Krakow just head to the fabulous district Kazimierz and the great area Plac Nowy. Plac Nowy is teeming with superb, eclectic pubs, bars and restaurants.

Krakow underground

Possible in 7 groups. Entrance is staggered every half hour. This should be strongly considered as it is a very cool place

The “Wieliczka” Salt Mine

The Salt Mine is located 10 km from the centre of Krakow. It is located in the vicinity of the E40 route and may be accessed in a few convenient ways. by  train from the Main Railway Station in Krakow (Dworzec Główny) to the Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia train station. The trains run at set hours every 30 minutes and the journey lasts 22 minutes and costs around 3 PLN one-way. The site features health resorts, restaurants and serves as a jumping off point for trips. Admission to the mine is about 84 PLN for non-Polish language tours. Hours are from 0800 - 1700, check them before you go.

Dress appropriately as the mine is cold even in the Summer. Average temperature underground is 15 degrees (59 degrees F).

Other Touring Ideas

Considering staying in the area longer? You may want to add these on to your visit.

Zakopane

Zakopane is Poland's premier mountain resort, is one of the country's most popular holiday destinations, both in the winter for skiing and in the summer for hiking and camping.  Bus is by far your best bet for getting up to Zakopane. Two private lines and one PKS all leave from the main bus station (Małopolski Dworzec Autobusowy) at regular intervals. If you're going at any civilised time of the day you will probably have to wait no longer than an hour for your next carriage. What's more they are dirt cheap - it will only cost you around 15 zloty for the two-hour trip from Cracow. If you're in a hurry you can even buy your ticket from the driver. That said advance tickets are advised in season, and there may be the odd jam on the roads.

Auschwitz

Auschwitz concentration camp was a network of German Nazi concentration camps and extermination camps built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany. The camp is now a museum and is easily accessible by bus from the main station. The ride is about 1h40min and costs about 12 PLN.

Communism Tour

Private companies offer tours (~140 PLN per person) to Nowa Huta to show what life was like under Communism. Many are done in historic cars (Trabant 601) and include guides. You can also visit the Nowa Huta neighborhood by public transportation easily from the main station on Tram 4. The PRL Museum in the Nowa Huta neighborhood is highly recommended.

Staff

• Brian Exelbierd (bex@pobox.com)
• Dominika Bula

Interested in helping with the bid? Contact Brian