City Breaks

The Jewish quarter really is a social hub and comes alive at night with streets of restaurants and bars.  A visit here is a must!  Amazing street art covers many walls and Helena Rubinstein features along side these and you can even see where she once lived. The bronze statue of Jan Karski next to the Remuh Synagogue. He smuggled himself into the ghetto with the sole intent of recording and witnessing the horror being perpetrated against the Jews. 

We booked a tour in a Golf Cart and visited the Ghetto wall,  The Old Synagogue, Empty Chairs Memorial,  The old cemetery, the prison which housed POW,‘s The Jewish book store and Schindler’s factory. (See pic below)

Allow at least 1/2 day here

A visit to this is a must. The heart of Poland through the 16th century, Wawel Castle is a symbol of national identity. It's now a museum containing five separate sections: Crown Treasury and Armoury, State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments, Lost Wawel and the Exhibition of Oriental Art. Each requires a separate ticket. Of the five, the State Rooms and Royal Private Apartments are the most impressive, but to be honest, the best part is just wandering around the castle grounds  The grounds are beautiful (See pics) and the views over the River Vistula fabulous. 

Concentration camps of the Nazi Holocaust. I am sure everyone has knowledge of this atrocity and for me it was a visit I wanted to make because of my Austrian heritage.    A very popular tour but be prepared to come away feeling very emotional.  but having said that it really hits home what happened and you certainly get a better understanding of the importance of a memorial to the victims of the war.  60 km west of Krakow there are many tours lasting approx 7 hours and starting at approx £30 upwards

We booked this tour with hotel pick up as this trip is 25 mins from Krakow centre. Tickets can be bought from Viator/Tripadvisor from about £25..

You will be led through a number of chambers and see underground lakes, shrines and salt monuments. The underground labyrinth covers 9 levels at 64 to 327 metres below the surface of the earth.

Nearly 2,400 chambers are connected with sidewalks, for a total length of 245km. The mine was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1978.

The first tourist trail in Wieliczka was established at the turn of the 19th century. The trail leads through numerous drifts and galleries where evidence of mining activity has been preserved. You’ll also see examples of sacred art and themed compositions relating to the history of the mine and legends surrounding it.

Oskar Schindler's factory museum.  An exhibition documenting the period of German occupation. If you have seen the film of the same name you will know that Schindler saved over a thousand Jews from death. The exhibition is a story of the fate of its Polish Jews during WW11.  Outside the factory is the original gates and pictures of all the Jews he saved.

Entry price from about £7 with Tours from £18 and you will need about 2 hrs.

This town is just so pretty with no vehicles allowed only horse drawn carriages for a quick round the block trip which we thoroughly enjoyed. The medievel buildings some which date back to the 10th century.  In fact it has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  You will see St Mary's Basilica, the Cloth Hall, The Town Hall Tower and many others.  There is a market that runs through the alcoves selling souvenirs, Amber, Silver and a host of other things.  The square is surrounded by restaurants and cafe's and a great place to eat or have a cocktail whilst watching the horse drawn carriages pass by. (See pic gallery)