Krakow, WW2 & Salt Mines with Thompson Travel

POLAND has long been one of the top destinations for a city break.  As well as it making a great weekend break if it soaked in culture, cobbled alleyways and history from every turn. We have been organising group travel there for many years and after many requests, we have added it on to our program for 2024.

Sharon Thompson our Director will take a short break from Belfast to give you an overview of a small portion of this amazing country.  The tour is fully escorted.  It is designed for those who wish to explore the sights and enjoy some time in the centre of Krakow whilst enjoying the company of those travelling together with Thompson Travel international. 

20 APRIL 2024

Depart Belfast International at 07.00am on Saturday morning arriving in Krakow at 10.50am (times provisional and subject to change).  Poland is +1 hour ahead of GMT.  Flight time: 2hr 50 minutes.  15kgs of luggage included per person.

On arrival in Krakow transfer to the Golden Tulip Krakow Kazimierz 4* hotel. Kazimierz is a historical district Of Krakow and Kraków Old Town, Poland. From its inception in the 14th century to the early 19th century, Kazimierz was an independent city, a royal city of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom, located south of the Old Town of Kraków, separated from it by a branch of the Vistula river. For many centuries, Kazimierz was a place where ethnic Polish and Jewish cultures coexisted and intermingled. The northeastern part of the district was historically Jewish. In 1941, the Jews of Kraków were forcibly relocated by the German occupying forces into the Krakow ghetto just across the river in Podgórze, and most did not survive the war. Today, Kazimierz is one of the major tourist attractions of Krakow and an important centre of cultural life of the city. It is one of the most visited areas of Krakow.

The hotel is central and within 15 minutes walk you have the Wawel castle, Cloth Hall and Town Square.

Free time for lunch.  3pm walking tour of Kazimierz District.  Approximately 2 hours, leisurely walking short distances. Evening free. Overnight at the hotel.

21 APRIL 2024

Breakfast at hotel.  Today we take a day trip to Auschwitz and Birkenau.  It is hard to describe this place and not become emotional.  Take a tour of the site where the Jews suffered at the hands of Hitler.  This trip is a mark of respect to all those who were lost and a lesson to us all of the consequences of war.

Lunch stop included.

This afternoon visit the famous Salt Mines of Poland. 

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is located outside Kraków in southern Poland, directly below the town of Wieliczka. It was in operation since the 1200th century until 1996. During World War II, the salt mine was used by the German occupying forces for the storage and production of war material. In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine became one of the first twelve World Heritage Sites on UNESCO's newly established World Heritage List. The mine has a long tradition of tourism and has about 1,200,000 visitors per year. It is a highlight when the reach the beautiful church carved from salt.

Descend the salt mines  is by a series of steps.  Ascend by lift.  Return to hotel around 5pm.  Evening free.  Overnight at hotel.

22 APRIL 2024

Breakfast at hotel.  Morning tour for around 3 hours to give you a free afternoon to enjoy the Cloth Hall Market and Old Town.  You might even take a horse drawn carriage around the city.

23 APRIL 2024

Breakfast at hotel.  Depart hotel around 11.30am for your return to Krakow airport.  Flight departs Krakow at 2.15pm.

Price  £695pp sharing          Single supplement: £140

Includes:

• 3 nights in Golden Tulip Krakow Kazimierz 4*HTL with breakfast
• 1 lunch (during Auschwitz Tour)
• Transfers  
• Wieliczka Salt Mines/Auschwitz
• walking tour KRK Old City and Jewish Quarter Kazimierz
• with entrance to: Wawel Cathedral, St. Mary's Church, Synagogue Remuh and Jewish Graveyard, Schindler's Factory

Tips: £20pp

Excludes:  Items of a personal nature, personal insurance

Bookings will only be accepted with a completed booking form.  Deposits are non-refundable.  Cancellation charges apply.  We will endeavour to assist with changes beyond our control.  Itinerary is subject to change.