Poland is a fascinating country with beautiful sights and epic legends, but no city is as magical as Krakow, the second largest, and one of the oldest in the country. Traditionally, one of the leading centres for academic excellence and culture, there is a huge amount to see and experience. Today, it is a vibrant hub of culture and activity.

A Deep and Detailed History

From its humble beginnings as a hamlet on Wawel Hill, Krakow has had a chequered and sometimes violent history. The country has fought invasion and division and rebuilt itself to its original thirteenth Century splendour. The University, one of the oldest in central Europe was established in the fourteenth century and its presence has attracted crafts, business, culture and science and it was from this point, the city began to grow into what it is today.

Auschwitz

During our break to Krakow, we’ll take a tour of Auschwitz, a place that is not only terrifying but sobering and thought provoking. As you walk around the residential barracks and ruined gas chambers, you can’t help but be touched and look around in quiet wonder at one of history’s most horrifying events.

The Tatras Mountains

We’ll also explore the Tatras Mountains, the highest range in the Carpathians. Easily accessible, they are favoured by tourists and casual hikers alike. The beauty and diversity of the landscape brings people to this intriguing place in their thousands.

Zakopane in Spring

We continue our journey through the Tatras Mountains the next day, visiting the winter sports resort of Zakopane, which is known for its unspoiled landscape but a popular winter sports playground in Eastern Europe. In the spring, when the snow melts it is well known for hiking and the many caves visitors can explore. It’s also home to fine restaurants and cosy pubs and cafes to stop off and watch this bustling town.

5 things you shouldn’t miss

• Wawel Castle – Built at the command of Casimir III the Great, this fortress has been added to over the centuries, and was home to many of the royal clerks and clergy and is the rumoured site where the chemist Michał Sędziwój held his laboratory.



• St Mary’s Basillica – This gothic church is a beautiful place to explore. There is the haunting thirteenth century legend of the Krakow guard upon seeing Tartar invaders, he began to play a bugle call to warn the city to close the gate. He managed to save the city but was killed by the invaders, mid-call. The church plays the same melody every hour and stops abruptly where the guard was meant to have died.



• The Market Square (Rynek Glowny) is the centre of Krakow with its Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Church and many other buildings of architectural importance. This plaza is ten acres square and crowded all year round as it hosts festivals and public events.



• Royal Way Take a walk through the Royal Way. This is the route of royal processions and funerals and winds through the heart of the city. It passes St Florian’s Gate en route, one of the best known towers and a focal part of the Old Town.



• Opera Krakowska - one of Europe’s newest theatre complexes, this state of the art opera house boasts a movable orchestra pit, six trap doors and a computer controlled acoustic.

So what are you waiting for?