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Original poster

Krakow - Autchwitz - Salt Mines and???

24 replies

Se7ven11 · 10/04/2019 21:11

Hi has anyone done the Autchwitz tour and able to recommend any one in particular?

Just me and DD 15 going to Krakow for a few days - never been before so woukd welcome other tips for while we are there.

DD is keen to do some photography for her school course so hoping to get something nice there for her to snap.

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Chilledout11 · 10/04/2019 21:13

Jewish Quarter
We are Catholic so did a lot of the cathedrals/mass and also a nice concert one evening.
Plenty of drinking too !

squashyhat · 10/04/2019 21:20

Auschwitz. If you are going to visit the execution place of over a million people at least have the decency to spell it correctly.

joliejoleen · 10/04/2019 21:21

Krakow is a beautiful city, your DD will have plenty of photography worthy material ;)
I would recommend the Wawel Castle, the Main square and the Wieliczka Salt mines.

RocketSurgery · 10/04/2019 21:23

I find it really distasteful that you’re hoping to get some nice snaps from Auschwitz.

Tixylixy · 10/04/2019 21:28

The Oskar Schindler museum is really interesting (book in advance as it gets busy) and there's a lovely little art gallery next door to it.

We enjoyed the buggy tours which give you a good flavour of the city and historical background.

The main square is beautiful.

Original poster
Se7ven11 · 10/04/2019 21:28

@rocketsurgery.. sorry, I didn't make myself clear.. what I meant was nice snaps of Krakow itself.

Krakow is in the thread title

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Original poster
Se7ven11 · 10/04/2019 21:30

@squasyhat Confused no offence meant and certainly shoukd have spell checked twice before clicking on the post button... I am dyslexic and spelling is difficult for me.

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Nanalisa60 · 10/04/2019 21:31

We did a bike tour of the city it was really good.

RocketSurgery · 10/04/2019 21:41

Has your dd specifically asked to visit Auschwitz? It’s a place that defies all sense and humanity. Personally, unless my dd had shown a specific, continued interest in visiting I wouldn’t just go. If you’re going away for a nice, bonding few days and to take some photos for coursework it will really change the feel of your break.

Original poster
Se7ven11 · 11/04/2019 10:35

Can anyone suggest a particular Auschwitz tour/tour company to go with? So many choices, I'd prefer a personal recommendation.

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Biscuitscoffer · 12/04/2019 07:16

Been to Kraków twice, each time we used krakowshuttle.com/ for transfers and trips. Heartily recommended,

As far as photo opportunities go, Kraków is a very picturesque city, main square, cloth hall, Wawel castle and the general old town are in their own way stunning.

Make sure to try the donuts and Perogi, I can also recommend Cafe Camelot for breakfast, the french toast is awesome.

Auschwitz is shocking, sad and will stop you in your tracks at times.

As others have said, the Oskar Schindler museum is a must see.

Have fun, it is a beautiful city.

Destinysdaughter · 12/04/2019 07:20

When I was there, I did a tour of the huge city built during the Communist era. It was fascinating! Will look for a link...

Destinysdaughter · 12/04/2019 07:21

This is the area I meant.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Huta

Jackshouse · 12/04/2019 07:23

Auschwitz is odd trip, I’ve been with a level students. it was originally army barracks so looks different to many concentration camps, Make sure you visit Bergen- Belsen next door, the scale of it comparable to other concentration camps and it has to be seen to comprehend the size.

florence11 · 12/04/2019 07:29

I'd ask the hotel you're staying with, most have companies they use for the tours I don't know who our's was with but they were very good.

We went on a world war tour by foot and that was very informative and interesting, would recommend recommend that.

Narya · 12/04/2019 09:28

We didn't go to Auschwitz while in Krakow, but the museum under the central square in Krakow is great:

visitkrakow.net/museums-krakow/underground-market-square/

Also the castle is worth a visit.

AnnaMagnani · 12/04/2019 09:37

I'd also recommend the Trabant tour of Nowa Huta, really enjoyable and a different take on the history of the area.

Make sure you visit St Mary's just before noon so you can see the Veit Stoss altarpiece being opened - check what days it happens.

Am not sure it especially matters who you do your tour with to Auschwitz, when I went I just got the bus and joined a tour when I got there. It is important to go over to Auschwitz II to see the huge size of the other camp (not Bergen-Belsen - that's in Germany somewhere else) and again they have their own tours there.

Justmuddlingalong · 12/04/2019 09:47

We did a trip, sorry can't remember who with. Our hotel organised it. It included pick up and drop off from our hotel with a guide allocated when we arrived. We visited Auschwitz and Birkenau. A harrowing day, so please be respectful. Some of the behaviour of others there was truly shocking.

anangalou · 12/04/2019 09:50

Jackshouse - Bergen Belsen is not next door to Auschwitz, that's in Germany. Auschwitz II Birkenau is around a mile away and the much bigger camp. Op Auschwitz I is now a museum but the real extermination centre was Birkenau which is largely untouched. I've been many times.

makingmyway10 · 12/04/2019 10:06

I wen to Krakow last Summer. It is indeed a beautiful and picturesque city! The main square is beautiful. I would recommend buying tickets to climb the clocktower in the main square, a beautiful view of the square from the top and perfect to take photos from.

Oscar Schindler museum is interesting but more about the history of Kracow than Oscar himself. Definitely worth a visit.

Auschwitz is deeply moving and I shed tears there. It is hard to describe how emotional and disturbing a place it is to visit. It is not a tourist attraction in my opinion but an experience difficult to describe. It is incredibly difficult to visit but very important.

The salt mines were really interesting and definitely worth a visit. The church carved in the centre is incredible!

Kracow is a wonderful city and I am sure you will have a great time there.

jackstini · 12/04/2019 10:43

Go on Get your guide website to look for the best tour to suit you

We went with Comfort Crakow

Consider whether you want a lot of pickups and drop offs - we went for a minivan tour rather than a full coach load - much better

Make sure you do Auschwitz and Birkenau 2 to get the full experience
Salt mines fab for photos, do on a separate trip, not same day/trip as Auschwitz

Walking around the city, boat trip or a tuktuk tour will give you more photo ops

It's a wonderful city

Original poster
Se7ven11 · 17/04/2019 19:02

Thanks everyone... we go over Easter so not long now.

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mysteryfairy · 19/04/2019 13:17

I took my DD when she was 15. Be prepared for the trip to Auschwitz to be very chilling and don't expect to do anything else that day - DD couldn't face going out to eat that night.

DD liked the Jewish quarter which has a good museum, interesting shops etc. There was an Israeli restaurant that she liked and also a place with food trucks which was quite successful.

There is a lot of amber and silver jewellery for sale including in the market hall in the main square which has teen appeal.

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