Poland

[ISpeds00]

Going over in December

Anyone been and can advise who to book with for auschwitz

Any other recommendations (Not salt mines)

[Claret Till I Die]

Plenty of trips from Krakow when we went

[Commy]

Trip to Zakopane is very good. It is a ski resort in winter so might be under snow. If you are going to Krakow there is a castle to look round. Not sure how expensive it is though. Also, the Schindler museum which is in the Schindler factory. I did a walk a few years ago round the Jewish part and found some very interesting memorials in the streets.

[ceborame]

If you are staying in Krakow then there are plenty of places to book Auschwitz , Salt Mines and Schindlers factory

I booked and paid for Auschwitz before we went but it was a lot cheaper over there.

[Commy]

I am going to Krakow in 3 weeks. I haven't been since before Covid so I am not sure if my favourite bars are still there. There are 40 miles of tunnels under the city so, if you hear music, open the door and you will find a cellar bar. They are all over the place.

[Row x]

Going over in December

Anyone been and can advise who to book with for auschwitz

Any other recommendations (Not salt mines)

If you can book a private tour. You get picked up and don't have the faffing about with coaches and big groups, you have your own guide. We got ours recommended by the hotel

The salt mines are amazing by the way

[Vintage Claret]

We went from Krakow to Auschwitz on the bus from the main bus station which drops you off and picks you up right outside the camp gates- easy enough to do and a lot cheaper than any of the organized tours.

Depending on what time you arrive at the camp you can choose to take an organised paid tour of Auschwitz 1 & nearby Birkenau or buy a guide book and do it yourself.

In Krakow itself I would recommend Kazimierz (Jewish quarter)- either a 'free' walking tour or just to wander around on your own -plenty of atmospheric bars and cheap places to grab a bite to eat and see a few of the real life locations where some of Schindler's List was filmed.

[Quickenthetempo]

Not sure if you have already booked or not but I've just seen return flights from Newcastle for 57 quid advertised. Bargain.

[ClaretFelix]

Zakopane is a must in winter, stunning place and cracking views from the top of the mountain by cable car

[IanMcL]

Take a coat.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Are you hiring a car?

We drove to krakow from Warsaw, so we only had to book the actual tour at Auschwitz
We also did the salt mine

Warsaw is a great place to look round, highly recommend it

[Tricky Trevor]

We went by train from Krakow to Auschwitz, we like to slip a train journey into every holiday.
DON’T. It was a nightmare. We were thinking 40miles= 30-45minutes, it was 3 hours. A ridiculous Northern semi-circle of a route.
It’s something everybody should see. Mans inhumanity to man.
The Schindler Factory/museum is also the museum of the war in Krakow, excellent but very long to get it all in.
Wawel Castle, the main square, the fire breathing dragon, the old walls.
We’ve done 5 Polish city breaks and Krakow is the favourite.

[bart_claret]

We pre-booked a tour before we left the UK and got picked up at our hotel and walked straight in on arrival as we had an official guide who was brilliant. The queues for the normal day tickets looked horrendous so I would say it is well worth pre-booking just to beat queueing which in December will be a bit parky.

[Sheedyclaret]

I used get your guide when we went in September was very reasonable for our trips ..

You wouldn’t need to book Schindler factory you can just turn up on the day

Have a great time it’s a beautiful place

[IanMcL]

I used get your guide when we went in September was very reasonable for our trips ..

You wouldn’t need to book Schindler factory you can just turn up on the day

Have a great time it’s a beautiful place

Do they give you a lift home?

[Hipper]

Going over in December

Anyone been and can advise who to book with for auschwitz

Any other recommendations (Not salt mines)

I've just been reading a book about Rudolph Hoess. You could have booked through him back in the day but he's no longer employed there.

He was camp comandant for the worst period. Pure Nazi.

[Claret Till I Die]

We went from Krakow to Auschwitz on the bus from the main bus station which drops you off and picks you up right outside the camp gates- easy enough to do and a lot cheaper than any of the organized tours.

Depending on what time you arrive at the camp you can choose to take an organised paid tour of Auschwitz 1 & nearby Birkenau or buy a guide book and do it yourself.

In Krakow itself I would recommend Kazimierz (Jewish quarter)- either a 'free' walking tour or just to wander around on your own -plenty of atmospheric bars and cheap places to grab a bite to eat and see a few of the real life locations where some of Schindler's List was filmed.

I'll second the Jewish quarter, and also the wodka bar in the old town...

[Dressinggown]

Krakow is one on my favourite cities.

The Old Town is beautiful. Some great bars and restaurants. Cheap flights from the UK, inexpensive hotels, easy transfer from the airport.

You may want to visit T.E.A. Time pub which is owned by a mate of mine. He brews traditional English ales on the premises with a selection of local stuff as well. Just go North from the main square and it's located next to the river.

If you fancy a cheap drink or twelve then Krakow has a number of Vodka and Herring bars dotted around town. Steak Tartare washed down with a double vodka might set you back £4 although the clientele can be a little rough around the edges. Certainly worth a visit. Usually open 23 hours a day with the hour when it's not open is to allow for the place to be hosed down.

Like theme parks and roller coasters then Energylandia is easily accessible from Krakow. The park boasts 2 of the top rated coasters in the world. Dedicated shuttle service from Krakow for less than a tenner. Cheap to get in and food and drink at great prices.

I would also consider Gdansk on the Northern coast. Another gem.