Poland's 3 Gems: Warsaw, Wrocław, and Kraków

We will depart in the morning for the nearby town of Wieliczka to visit its salt mines, which are a unique treasure in the history of mining. In the underground galleries, there are churches carved out of salt, small phosphorescent lakes, and wooden pillars supporting the galleries—true masterpieces of old-world carpentry that lend the salt mine a charm that has drawn people from all over the world for centuries to come to admire this unique work of art. It has been under the auspices of UNESCO since 1978. Founded in the 13th century, it is the second-oldest salt mine in Europe. An entire “hidden” underground city stretching 327 meters deep across nine levels. Only three levels are open to the public, which we will visit, covering a distance of about 2 kilometers. We will have the opportunity to admire various works of art and sculptures carved into salt blocks. A particularly impressive part of the salt mines is the “Chapel of St. Kinga,” a cathedral standing 12 meters tall! We return to Krakow, where you can join us on an optional cruise on the Vistula River along a unique route with views of Wawel Castle and the Old Town as the sun sets. On your last night in Krakow, you can take some time to explore the medieval square. It is one of the largest in the world, filled with tourist stalls as well as a market offering traditional products, and it is certainly not lacking in sights. At one end stands the imposing St. Mary’s Basilica, and in the center is the impressive covered market hall, while horse-drawn carriages and flower vendors are always present among the dozens of cafés that set up tables on the cobblestone pavement.

We’ll have breakfast and then head to Wrocław. Our first stop will be at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. It is located in the Polish town of Oświęcim, about 60 kilometers northwest of Kraków. It was the largest concentration and extermination camp for Jews established by the Third Reich during World War II. As you tour the site where millions of people were tortured and exterminated, you will have a truly harrowing experience. Since 1979, this site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Leaving with mixed emotions, we head to the city of Wrocław. Arrival in the late afternoon and check-in at the hotel. Free time to get a first glimpse of this wonderful city.

We enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel and set out to explore Wrocław, which was once part of Bohemia, Hungary, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Prussia, and Germany. It became Polish in 1945, after the end of World War II, and is today a wonderful city of one million people, 130 bridges, and 12 islands, all on the Oder River that runs through it. With the influences of Bohemia, Austria, and Prussia still evident today, it is a paradise for architecture lovers, but it won’t disappoint those seeking a modern, interesting city with a lively nightlife. It is so much more than a colorful old town built around its dazzling medieval square. This exceptionally beautiful city offers a blend of art, history, and so much more. Its Gothic buildings, combined with the Oder River and the large parks, promise that your trip will be like a fairy tale. And because a fairy tale without dwarves isn’t a fairy tale, that’s why Wrocław is considered Poland’s top colorful fairy-tale city, as it is surrounded by 163 dwarves. The bronze dwarves (krasnale or krasnoludki in Polish) are, of course, not placed randomly throughout the city. Legend has it that the dwarves drove the goblin Hohlik out of Wrocław when he arrived there by boat. They have remained ever since to guard the city. The real reason for their creation, however, was political. During the 1980s, the “Orange Revolution” (Pomaranczova Alternatyva) or “the revolution of the dwarves” took place. At that time, the resistance movement painted dwarves over anti-government graffiti. Next, we’ll see the City Hall, an elegant masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The oldest part of the City Hall (consistorium) was built in 1299 and consists of two sections: the cellar and the West Tower. Szcytnicki Park, the most significant park in this colorful fairytale city, spans 1,000 acres. It features the Japanese Garden, where the buildings and architecture reflect Japanese philosophy. There is also the pergola, Centennial Hall, and the zoo, all of which together make up this enchanting park. We depart for Warsaw, check into our hotel, and take our first evening stroll through the city.

Breakfast at the hotel, and then we begin our tour. We’ll see the Old Town Square with its colorful buildings and the Royal Castle, which stands at the entrance to the Old Town and is a historical and national monument. Next, we’ll see Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy), dominated by the 22-meter-tall column of King Sigismund, and the Royal Castle (Zamek Krolewski), which was rebuilt after the Nazi destruction. We cannot overlook the monumental Palace of Culture and Science, Stalin’s gift to Warsaw, the Grand Theatre (Teatr Wielki), home to the opera and ballet, the Baroque Krasinski Palace, one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, the Royal Gardens, the Jewish Ghetto, the home of Maria Kozłowska Curie, a Nobel laureate, and the statue of Frédéric Chopin, which adorns the gardens of the Łazienki Palace. Free afternoon to enjoy Warsaw’s local cuisine, or have a drink or a cold beer at one of the city’s many bars atop one of its skyscrapers. We recommend visiting the city’s underground and more alternative corner, the “Prague District.” There, you’ll have the chance to see a more artistic side of the city with galleries, cultural venues, antique shops, and various bars. For families, we recommend the exciting “Copernicus Science Center.” It’s an interactive museum where you can not only see exhibits but also participate in activities. The kids will love it, and you’ll be thrilled!