Poland - Krakow, Auschwitz and Polish Pottery

After visiting Auschwitz, one of the most disturbing locations in the world, you will arrive in Krakow in the afternoon.  After a city tour you will be free to explore this beautiful renaissance city with countless attractions like Wawel Castle and the beautiful old town square.  If you would like to participate in structured tours, excursions to the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Warsaw will also be available from your on site tour manager, or you can explore Krakow at your own pace if you prefer.  A stop-n-shop at the pottery factories in Boleslowiac on your return trip will allow you to start or complete your Polish pottery collection.  

Spaces on this trip are expected to sell out quickly. Reserve yours today with Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation.

Estimated Itinerary

Thursday: Check in

After settling into your seat you will lean back and relax while your comfortable coach whisks you away to Poland. Don’t forget the essentials for your overnight ride. Blankets, pillows, power banks, snacks and drinks will all help to make your journey to Krakow more enjoyable.

Friday: Auschwitz* and Krakow

After breakfast, you will stop at one of the most horrifying places in the world, Auschwitz Concentration Camp.  While your visit to both Auschwitz and Birkenau will be horrifying, it is one of the things which should be on your to-do list while serving in Europe. This afternoon you will check into your city center hotel and refresh yourself, and then can enjoy a tour of the city center before your free evening in Krakow.  Perhaps a meal of Pierogi**, traditional Polish dumplings stuffed with the filling of your choice, will be just the thing for your first night in Poland.

Saturday: Free day in Krakow or Salt Mines Excursion ***/****

Today you can continue to explore Krakow on your own, or you can take an optional excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mine***.  Get ready for some cardio; the salt mines reach a depth of 327 meters through over 287 kilometers of tunnels, the 3 kilometer tourist route including over 380 stairs will take you to four underground chapels, past countless statues carved from the living rock salt, and an underground lake****.

Sunday: Free day or visit to Warsaw***

Today you can continue to explore Krakow independently, or take a Fast Track Train to Warsaw***.  Warsaw replaced Krakow as the capital of Poland in the late 16th century, and is relatively young for an old town.  While the Old Town Market Place dates to the end of the 13th century, the houses surrounding it were rebuilt after the fire of 1607 in the renaissance style.  Castle Square, built between the Old Town and the Royal Castle, and dominated by Sigismund’s Column is an impressive sight, while the triangular Canon Square is tucked behind St. John’s Cathedral and holds the bronze bell of Warsaw.

Monday: Pottery Return to Kaiserslautern

After breakfast you will board the bus expecting to arrive in Kaiserslautern in the evening. On your way home, you will stop in Boleslowiac, where hand-made ceramics with a distinctive blue glaze have been a local specialty since the middle ages, and buying directly from the factories will keep your purchase price low.  

* Auschwitz reserves the right to deny entry to the camp to children under 12
** Not Included
*** Optional excursion at additional fee paid directly to tour manager
****Extensive walking on uneven surfaces required

Price:

• Double Occupancy: $629 per person
• Single Occupancy: $799
   
• Up to 2 children under 12 with 2 paid adults in triple room or unconnected double rooms: $479
• Infants under 3 in existing bedding with adult: $229
   
• Children under 12 will be accommodated in either a triple room for two adults and one child or in unconnected double rooms for families with multiple children.
• Infant price does not apply in triple rooms.

 Trip Includes:

• Round trip tour bus transportation 
• 3 nights lodging at Golden Tulip Kazimierz**** or equivalent
• Daily breakfasts
• Guided tour of Krakow
• Guided tour of Auschwitz
• Polish Pottery Shop-N-Stop

Optional Exursions (Paid cash directly to tour manager):

• Wieliczka Salt Mines:  €35 per person
• Fasttrack train to Warsaw: €95 per person

Physical Fitness: 

• Both Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mines involve extensive walking on uneven surfaces.
• The Wieliczka Salt Mines tour involves at least 3 km of underground walking, including a total descent of 135 meters and over 380 stairs.

Departure: 5 p.m. 

Return: Monday Night