Set on the banks of the Vistula River near the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, beautiful Krakow ranks with Prague and Vienna as one of the architectural gems of Central Europe – in fact, its entire historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city first became prominent a thousand years ago as the royal capital of Poland and remained so for 500 years, spanning both the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Its castle, the Wawel, evolved into a sumptuous royal palace and took full advantage of its position on the ancient trade routes to the Orient and Baltic.  The city’s location and the trade in salt, which was extracted on a huge scale at the nearby Wieliczka mines, brought immense wealth and Krakow experienced its golden age during the 16th century, when learning and science prospered. Over the centuries, influence from Prussia and the cities of the Hanseatic League, and absorption within the Habsburg Empire, all made their marks on the marvellous architecture, art and culture of today’s city.  Our base for our festive stay is the fantastic four-star Novotel Krakow Centrum. Situated next to the banks of the Vistula and close to Wawel Royal Castle, this modern hotel has a bar, restaurant and fitness facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, while all rooms feature Wi-Fi, television, tea- and coffee-making facilities and safe. Its excellent location in the heart of Krakow is perfect for this unforgettable New Year stay.