An Unforgettable Few Days in Poland
Our adventure began with an early start at Manchester Airport, ready for our 2hr 45min flight to Krakow.
The flight itself was a little bumpy, but nothing too dramatic.
I slept most of the way after being up since 3am!
Arrival in Krakow & The Security Queue Saga
I’d heard rumours about long waits at Krakow Airport security, but I assumed we’d avoided the worst of it… I was wrong. It took around two hours to get through the security hall, which was tough after travelling. However, after chatting to others who arrived at different times, many said they got through much quicker. It really does depend on how many flights land at once, not much you can plan for.
I’d pre-booked a transfer for £56, but after checking Uber prices, it looked like it would have been only around £13. A good tip for anyone visiting: you’re probably better off grabbing a taxi or Uber when you arrive.
Settling In & Exploring Krakow
Our hotel was lovely, clean, comfortable, and equipped with everything we needed. It was self checkin using a code, which made arrival super easy.
We headed out to explore Krakow Old Town and the Kazimierz district. The atmosphere was brilliant, and there were vendors handing out Pierogi, a Polish delicacy. I gave them a try… not for me 😅 but my husband loved them and even ordered more when we went out for dinner later.
Auschwitz Visit — A Powerful Experience
The following day, we took a small-group minibus to Auschwitz, joining a larger tour when we arrived. It was incredibly emotional, powerful, and something that will stay with me forever.
Visiting Auschwitz: A Harrowing and Unforgettable Experience
Visiting Auschwitz is something that stays with you forever. It is not an easy place to go, but it is an important one. The entire experience was solemn, emotional, and deeply moving in ways that are hard to fully put into words.
One of the most haunting parts for me was seeing the vast collections of personal belongings, piles of discarded clothes and shoes that once belonged to real people. Each item told a silent story of a life interrupted. But what affected me the most were the suitcases. Many of them still had names written on them. We were told that when people arrived, they were instructed to leave their luggage to one side, with the promise they would collect it later. Tragically, that “later” never came. They were stripped of everything possessions, dignity, even their hair. It is incredibly difficult to comprehend the scale of that loss.
Experiencing the Reality of Auschwitz Firsthand
Another deeply upsetting aspect was learning how families were torn apart upon arrival. Men were separated from women and children, forced into different lines. You can only imagine the fear and confusion in those moments. Then came the selection process, where SS guards made instant decisions with just a glance and a flick of the hand, determining who would be sent to work and who would be sent directly to their deaths in the gas chambers. Even those selected for work often faced a prolonged and brutal suffering.
Despite how harrowing it was, the visit felt incredibly important. It truly brings home the reality of what happened there. You don’t just learn about history, you feel it. It sends chills through your body and forces you to reflect on the depth of human suffering that took place.
Excellent tour guide
We had a wonderful tour guide who took us through both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau. She explained everything with such care, respect, and emotion, which made the experience even more impactful.
The Living Conditions Prisoners Endured at Birkenau
One moment that really stayed with me was visiting the barracks at Birkenau. These were the places where prisoners were forced to live and sleep. The conditions were unimaginable over 700 people crammed into spaces with no proper sanitation, only buckets used as toilets. Standing there, trying to take it all in, was overwhelming. For some people in our group, it was too much, they had to step outside because the emotional weight became unbearable.
Why This History Must Never Be Forgotten
This is not a place you “enjoy,” but it is one I would highly recommend visiting if you are in Krakow. It is a powerful reminder of history and a tribute to those who suffered. It is deeply upsetting, but also incredibly important that these stories are seen, heard, and remembered.
On the way back, we stopped at a Schindler’s Factory Museum and Kraków’s wartime ghetto where Jewish people had worked during the war, which added even more context to the history. It was a fascinating and deeply moving day.
That evening, we enjoyed a cosy dinner at a local restaurant and picked up some ice cream for the walk back.
A Full Day in Zakopane
The next morning, we had an early start for our 11 hour trip to Zakopane. Our tour guide, Erik, was fantastic, knowledgeable, funny, and full of interesting stories.
Cheese, Vodka, & Mountain Views
Our first stop was to try the famous smoked cheese, oscypek, and Erik even brought out flavoured vodka for everyone to sample. Music, laughter, and cheese, the perfect combo!
Then we made our way into Zakopane for the cable car ride up the mountains. The weather was gorgeous, warm sunshine with snowy peaks. At the top, there were stalls, cafés, restaurants, skiing areas, and even a small fair.
Back down, we wandered through markets trying local snacks: warm circular bread, ice cream, the Kraków Bagel/Pretzel (Obwarzanek Krakowski) we basically ate our way through every stall 😂
Relaxing in the Thermal Baths
Next was a visit to the thermal baths, and I was genuinely surprised by how big the place was. There were indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzis, slides, saunas, salt rooms, and even a nude sauna (which I happily skipped!).
It was such a relaxing way to end a busy day. My skin felt incredible afterwards thanks to the mineral rich water.
Erik then went above and beyond, dropping everyone as close to their accommodation as possible, a brilliant host from start to finish.
Heading Home
After grabbing some dinner and getting an early night, we were ready for our journey home. Thankfully, Krakow Airport on the way back was a breeze, no delays, and a smooth flight to a very chilly Manchester.
