Since the end of Communist rule, Poland has found itself at the heart of the new Europe.
STS offers a rewarding tour to Poland's former capital, the mediaeval city of Kraków founded in the 10th Century by Prince Krak. Kraków has had a chequered history but was spared destruction during WWII.
Today, as a result, we can admire the Stare Miasto, the old town, home to superb museums and splendid churches. As well as a wealth of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Kraków's magnificent mediaeval Market Square is dominated by the 16th Century Cloth Hall.
Not to be missed is the Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter, the area of the Jewish ghetto in WWII. The concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau 60km west of Krakow are a sombre memorial to all who died there during WWII.
Curriculum Focus
Accommodation
STS offers a choice of different types of accommodation in Krakow, all within easy reach of a comprehensive excursion programme.
A large comfortable hotel which has been refurbished.
Official Rating: 3 Star
Location: Well located just 5 minutes walk from the Old Town.
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, souvenir shop, luggage room, video game arcade, bingo club and coach parking.
Accommodation: Rooms are for up to 3 pupils. All rooms with private facilities and T.V.
Meal Basis: Half Board.
Hotel Rucza
An attractive modern hotel with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Official Rating: 3 Star
Capacity: 600
Location: The hotel is located in a quiet residential district 4kms outside of the city centre.
Facilities: Restaurant, meeting room, bar, terrace and garden.
Accommodation: Rooms are for up to 3 pupils. All rooms with private facilities, air conditioning and T.V.
Meal Basis: Half Board.
We use other hotels of a similar standard in and around Krakow.
Sample Itinerary - 4 DAYS TO KRAKOW BY AIR WITH EXCURSIONS
Day 1 — London to Krakow by Air. Transfer to your accommodation included in the tour price.
Day 2 — Full day guided city walking tour of Krakow. The tour includes entrance fees to Wawel Cathedral, Royal Tombs, Sigmonds Bell and St Mary's Church. Other entrance fees are not included in your tour price.
Day 3 — Morning visit to Auschwitz concentration camp (Students must be over 13 years). Afternoon visit to the Wieliczka salt mine (see description below). Our tour price includes local guides at both places of interest.
Day 4 — Airport transfer to connect with your return flight to the UK.
Please note that our tour includes coach transportation, guides and entrance fees as detailed above.
Sample Itinerary - 4 DAYS TO KRAKOW BY AIR WITHOUT EXCURSIONS
Day 1 — London to Krakow by Air. Transfer to your accommodation included in the tour price.
Days 2-3 — Excursions of your choice.
Day 4 — Airport transfer for the flight to the UK.
Please note that excursions are not included in the tour price. The city can be explored by using the public transport system and by foot or we will quote for excursions which can be pre-booked before you travel.
Meal Arrangements
Half Board: First Meal - Evening meal on Day 1.
Final Meal - Breakfast on the final day.
Tour Length
4 days (without excursions) add extra days at the supplement.
4 days (with excursions included) extra days & excursions can be added upon request).
Tour Variations
Multi Centre Tours - including coach tours featuring Krakow. Please request a quotation.
Free Back-Up Material
STS Guide to Krakow and a map.
Excursion Selection
History & Landmarks Wawel Castle - situated on the Wawel Hill where the legendary dragon is said to live, this castle is known for its impressive mediaeval courtyard.
Old Town Square -constructed in the 13th Century and dominated by the magnificent Cloth Hall, this is Europe's largest mediaeval square, providing many examples of Renaissance architecture.
St Mary's Church -situated on the Old Town Square, the church contains the oldest mediaeval altarpiece in the world.
The Barbican -constructed between 1489 and 1499, this is the last remaining fortification in the Old Town and a fine example of mediaeval architecture.
Jewish Quarter -also known as Kazimierz, this was the area of the Jewish ghetto during World War II. Over 50,000 Jews from Krakow and the surrounding area were confined to 320 buildings centered around the Plac Zgody (Peace Square). A fragment of the original six foot high wall remains. Featured in the Stephen Spielberg movie, Schindler's List. Many of the synagogues that were destroyed have since been restored.
Art Galleries & Museums Jan Matejko's House -houses the famous 16th Century painter's works and tools.
The Gallery of Polish Painting -situated within the Cloth Hall, displaying some of Poland's greatest works of art.
Leisure River Cruise -take a relaxing cruise along the River Vistula.
Concerts Music - STS can happily arrange your concert tours in Prague. Further details on request.
Excursions From Kraków Auschwitz and Birkenau - visit the WWII concentration camps about 60km west of Kraków, and the Museum of Martyrdom. Visitors cannot help being moved by a 15 minute film taken by the Soviets just after the 1945 liberation. Contrast the relatively small scale camp of Auschwitz with the enormous Birkenau concentration camp. Children under 13 are not admitted to any part of the camp. Groups must pay for a local guide or audio guide.
Wieliczka - visit the salt mines, some 13km south east of Kraków. Salt was extracted for over 700 years - a further use of the mines is as a health resort for sufferers of bronchial asthma, 200 metres beneath the surface! Visit the St Kinga Chapel in the largest underground chamber, which took 30 years to carve and measures 54 by 17 metres and is 12 metres high. Guided tours in English are possible.
Zakopane - the country's premier resort, lying at the foot of the Tatra mountains which provide a contrast with Poland's general flatness. Visit the museum, the wooden church and take the funicular railway up Mount Gubalowka for splendid views of the area.
Plaszow - Originally designed to be a forced labour camp but in 1941 it was extended and developed into a concentration camp with the first jews deported there in December 1942. More than 150,000 civilians were held prisoner in Plaszow.
Please contact the STS office for further excursion possibilities.
Today, as a result, we can admire the Stare Miasto, the old town, home to superb museums and splendid churches. As well as a wealth of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Kraków's magnificent mediaeval Market Square is dominated by the 16th Century Cloth Hall.
Not to be missed is the Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter, the area of the Jewish ghetto in WWII. The concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau 60km west of Krakow are a sombre memorial to all who died there during WWII.
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