Krakow | Poland's Second Royal City

Spend Easter weekend in historic Krakow, with a pottery-shopping stop in Bolesławiec, home of Poland’s world-famous ceramics.

Your holiday begins the moment you step aboard your comfortable coach at either Smith or Pulaski Barracks. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the overnight ride. On Friday morning, you will wake up in Bolesławiec, the world-famous home of Polish pottery, where you will have time to shop for beautiful, hand-painted stoneware direct from the source. From there, you will continue to your four-star hotel just outside Krakow’s historic city center. Located steps from the medieval Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, your hotel offers easy access to Krakow’s magnificent architecture, winding cobblestone streets, and the vibrant stalls of the annual Easter Market.

After a guided introduction to Krakow’s medieval city center, the rest of your weekend is yours to shape into your own Polish getaway. You can explore the historic Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz, enjoy a plate of pierogi, or wander the royal grounds of Wawel Castle. If you are looking for additional experiences, you may also be able to arrange independent excursions with local operators, including Wieliczka Salt Mine or the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.

Easter weekend is one of the busiest travel periods in Europe, and the best values rarely last long. The first 25 passengers qualify for Early Bird pricing, premium seating in the front of the bus is limited, and larger room types for families are especially scarce. Don’t let the most popular options slip away. Contact Army Outdoor Recreation today to reserve your space.

Price:

Seats 1-25:

• Double Occupancy: $729 per person
• Single Occupancy: $899

Seats 26-48:

• Double Occupancy: $799 per person
• Single Occupancy: $969

Premium Assigned Seating (Rows 2–5): +$50 per seat (Guaranteed seat in the premium block. Requests for specific seats in this block are not guaranteed.)

Deadline: Sunday, January 31
Unused hotel rooms will be released back to the vendor on the deadline.
Empty seats on the transport vehicle do not guarantee hotel availability once the room release deadline has passed.
Rebooking fees, higher hotel costs, or other vendor supplements may apply to reservations made on or after Monday, February 1.

• 1 child aged 2–11 in a triple room with 2 paid adults: $629
  • Initial room allotment is limited to 1 triple room. Additional triple or quad family rooms are on request and subject to vendor availability.
• Infants under 2 on existing bedding: $299

Trip Includes:

• Round-trip tour bus transportation
• Depart from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks
• Free on-post parking
• 3 nights at Tribe Hotel Krakow**** or equivalent
• Daily breakfast
• Guided walking tour of Krakow with audio guide
   
• Pay in U.S. Dollars
• Support your local Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs

What to Bring:

• Comfortable, weather-appropriate shoes and clothing
• Credit/debit card or Euro or Polish Zloty
• Power banks (Army Outdoor Recreation cannot guarantee charging or internet capability on third-party buses)
• Military ID and passport

Any required paper or electronic travel documentation is the personal responsibility of each traveler

Departure:

• 8 p.m. from Wagon Wheel Theater, Smith Barracks
• 9 p.m. from Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, Pulaski Barracks, Bldg. 2905

Return: Late Monday evening

Estimated Itinerary

Thursday: Departure to Poland

Start spring break as soon as the work week ends. Settle into your seat on the motorcoach departing from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks, and let Army Outdoor Recreation take care of the drive while you relax overnight. To maximize your comfort during the overnight drive, pack essentials like a neck pillow, a cozy blanket, portable power banks, and plenty of snacks.

Friday: Pottery Shopping & Arrival in Krakow

This morning, you will arrive in Bolesławiec, a town celebrated worldwide for its distinctive hand-painted ceramics. Here, you can browse unique, durable kitchenware right where it is crafted and enjoy the savings of buying direct from the factory stores. This afternoon, you'll make the scenic final leg of the drive to Krakow. After you arrive in Krakow and check in at your four-star hotel, the evening is yours. You can step out to explore the vibrant, illuminated stalls of the annual Easter Market on the main square, or treat yourself to a hearty Polish dinner. A warm bread bowl of żurek (sour rye soup) or placki ziemniaczane (crispy potato pancakes) topped with rich mushroom sauce would be a fitting end to your first day in Poland.

Saturday: Guided Old Town Tour & Royal Legends

This morning, a local guide will lead you on a walk through Krakow's historic center to learn its legends and get your bearings.

Your afternoon is wide open for independent exploration. You can climb Wawel Hill to tour the Cathedral or hunt for handcrafted gifts at the bustling Easter Market. This free time also offers your best window for an independent excursion. If either Wieliczka Salt Mine or the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is on your list, keep in mind that both will be closed tomorrow. After all that exploring, duck into a traditional tavern to sample local culinary staples like savory pierogi (dumplings stuffed with cheese and potato) or comforting gołąbki (stuffed cabbage leaves).

Sunday: Holiday Traditions & Historic Districts

Easter Sunday offers a different pace in Krakow. You might choose to attend a local church service or take a peaceful morning stroll through Planty Park, the green belt encircling the Old Town. In the afternoon, consider exploring Kazimierz, Krakow’s historic Jewish Quarter, where centuries-old synagogues stand alongside galleries, cafés, and contemporary shops. Grab a table at a local café, sample a slice of traditional Polish babka (traditional Easter cake), and enjoy an unscripted day spent soaking in the holiday atmosphere.

Monday: The Journey Home

With your luggage loaded and your weekend behind you, settle in for the ride home. Spend the drive posting photos, napping, or watching movies as the countryside rolls by. The bus will return to your departure point in the late evening, bringing your Easter weekend getaway to a close.