Krakow

[bluey1905]

Mrs Bluey and I are off to Krakow next week, and never having been to Eastern Europe, has anybody got any advice as to things to see and do? We will be visiting Auschwitz and Birkenau, which I anticipate being a rather somber occasion, so maybe something a bit more uplifting is required. Any tips greatly appreciated.

[becker-on-ph]

Krakow old town is the place to go - some large open 'squares' with restaurants etc - some wonderful architecture. Like most very large cities - there parts to be avoid or at least careful in - but on the ourskirts, so unless drivign shouldn't be a problem.

Wieczka salt mines - about 30 mins on bus - is defo worth a view.

As for Auschwitz and Birkenau, depends what you're wanting from the experience - for me, spend more time at Birkenau, it is far more basic and brings the real horror of it home - barbed wire fences, hunders of basic huts, gas chambers still exist. Have said on her before, Birkenau makes Auschwitz look like Butlins - especially when its crowded with bus loads of tourists.

[bluey1905]

Thanks for the advice. We are definitely going to the salt mines, so good to know it's an interesting visit. As for the camps, it's something we feel we should do as we both have an interest in WW2 history, and it will give a bit more perspective on how trivial our problems are today. We usually manage to get to the D-Day anniversaries in Normandy, and it is pretty sobering to realise the sacrifice made by others all those years ago.

[Little Dave]

Agree with everything Becker has said.

One thing we like to do when on city breaks is to hire a local guide for a couple of hours to show us things most tourists would miss. Krakow has got some great hidden gems which unless you are with a local you will just walk straight on by.

Depending on your budget there are some great restaurants. If you want something upmarket and very different try the tasting menu here http://www.copernicus.hotel.com.pl/coper_en/Home Probably one of the best meals I have ever had.

If you would like contact deals for local guides drop me a PM

[shirt]

the salt mines are excellent, very unique experience. there's a decent restaurant for a lunch stop directly oppostie the entrance in a wooden cabin.

speaking of restaurants, this place was excellent:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g27...

my OH is veggie and i had a great lunch here as well, so much so i had seconds:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g27...

i'd highly recommend the oskar schindler museum in podgorze. it's on the site of his wartime factory and gives a lot of space over to the history surrounding the overall ww2 occupation. the 'sheds' behind the main building are a modern art museum, which is also good. if you walk from kazimierz over the footbridge with all the padlocks on you'll also pass a cool jazz bar.

eta - also on the walk in you'll miss it all, but on the way back you'll notice the ghetto walls, the under the eagle pharmacy etc.

castle and other fortifications are worth a look too. oh and the coffee/cake shop in the cloth hall is also decent with a neat back story.

for eastern europe i find the inyourpocket guides are far superior to anything else.

http://www.inyourpocket.com/poland/krakow

you can get them as an app or in print as well.

Edited by shirt on Tuesday 7th May 15:31