Duration: 11 hours

Description

Gain a deeper understanding of two of Krakow's UNESCO-listed sites over two days with this Super Saver. Check out the Itinerary for complete descriptions of each tour.

Highlights

• Excellent value for money

• Free hotel pickup and drop-off included

• All entrance fees included

• Small-group tour

• Multiple times offered throughout the day

Itinerary

Auschwitz-Birkenau Half-Day Trip from Krakow (7 hours)
After pickup from the central meeting point or your hotel, start the 1.5-hour drive by minivan to Auschwitz-Birkenau, located outside the town of Oswiecim. During the ride, watch a documentary film about the former Nazi concentration camp. When you arrive, meet your tour guide at the visitor center, and then proceed into the barbed-wire encampment through the gate that still reads “Arbeit macht frei" (Work sets you free).

Established in 1940, the Auschwitz complex saw the deaths of more than a million people, most of whom were European Jews. The complex, today a UNESCO World Heritage-listed museum, comprises the Auschwitz I camp and the Birkenau (or Auschwitz II) camp with a total of about 150 buildings and 300 ruins. Auschwitz was only partially destroyed by fleeing Nazis when the camp was liberated, so you are able to see many of the original brick buildings as you walk around. Explore the exhibitions, housed in some of the prison blocks, some of which are dedicated to victims from particular countries.

You’ll also see Birkenau, once home to 300 prison barracks and four large gas chambers. Most of this camp was destroyed, but you will get an idea of the vast size of the area, fenced off with watchtowers, and you can enter some of the surviving barracks.

When your Auschwitz-Birkenau tour ends, you'll be driven back to the original meeting point.

Wieliczka Salt Mine Half-Day Trip (4 hours)
Your tour begins with meet-up at the central meeting point or your hotel followed by a 30-minute drive to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, southeast of the city. The 700-year-old mine and UNESCO World Heritage Site houses nearly 200 miles (300 km) of eerie tunnels, all carved by hand from salt blocks, and you’ll see the section that’s open to the public.

With your guide, visit the three upper levels of the mine, at depths of 209 to 443 feet (64 to 135 meters). Begin with a descent down the stairs to the first level, where you’ll be led through chambers and shown underground lakes, shrines and salt monuments. Admire the showstopper – the Chapel of St. Kinga – and marvel at how every one of its features, from chandeliers to the altar, is made of salt! Hear from your guide about the chapel’s history and how it took more than 30 years for two men to complete the wonder, which required more than 200,000 tons of rock salt.

Then head to the Eram Baracz Chamber to see another mine highlight, the salt lake whose water contains 11 ounces (320 grams) of salt per liter. You’ll also see a collection of mining equipment, some of which dates back to the Middle Ages. By the time your tour ends, you’ll be 443 feet below ground!

Take an elevator back up, and then head back to Krakow by minivan.

departure

Krakow city centre or your centrally or from your centrally located hotel. Please reconfirm with the local service provider your exact pickup time no later than 24 hours before the tour. Please note that departure times vary depending on the pickup location.

Please note: Please reconfirm the exact departure time with the operator directly via the telephone number provided on the voucher.
If using the hotel pickup service, you will need to reconfirm your tour with the local operator to confirm your exact pick-up time.

Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time.

Both tours return to the original departure points

Inclusions:

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan

• Professional local guide

• Entrance fees

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at centrally located hotels

Exclusions:

• Gratuities (optional)

• Food and drinks, unless specified

• Overnight accommodation (you return to your own hotel after Day 1 and continue with the second part of your tour on Day 2; you must have your own accommodation)

Additional Information :

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking

• The salt mine stays at a temperature of approximately 57 degrees F (14 C); please wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes

• Please note that the tour is offered in English but in April a multilingual guide might be present

• Be aware that in the Salt Mine there are 800 steps on the way, including 380 right at the start

• Please note, that the maximum size of backpacks or handbags brought into the Auschwitz Museum & Memorial can not exceed dimensions: 30x20x10 cm

• To get a youth discount, students must have a student ID card during the tour and show it to the DiscoverCracow representative when asked