Itinerary for Krakow-Lublin-SE Europe

Old Aug 3rd, 2006, 10:59 PM
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Itinerary for Krakow-Lublin-SE Europe

To anyone with advise: I am planning a 7-14 day trip to Krakow and southern Poland in June 2007. We will have 6-8 adults in our group and our primary goal is to visit my dad's birthplace near Krasnik outside of Lublin. On top of that, we will only be able to get a peak of some of the other "jewels" in SE Europe and that's it. I'd welcome comments on my proposed trip thus far, except PLEASE don't tell me we aren't allowing enough time in places as I am painfully aware of that already, unfortunately! Thanks!

(Day 1) - I would love to arrive in Warsaw and rent a van at the airport. I see alot of flights that get you in at noon-ish. We'd then make the 3 hr. drive to Lublin or Krasnik (4 hrs.) and stay there with really no time to see the city. (Days 2 & 3) - Drive off to my dad's village. (Day 4) - Drive from Lublin/Krasnik south through Tarnow (lunch stop) to Wielicka Salt Mines for late afternoon tour. Then on to Krakow that afternoon/evening for hotel check-in and dinner downtown. [N.B. While we are in this region, my parents have already declined to visit Auschwitz. They've been to camps in Germany and it was enough for them]. (Day 5) - From Krakow, drive to Widowice to tour the Pope's birthplace and try to make it to Czestochowa in the afternoon. Then back for overnight in Krakow. (Day 6) - Tour and stay in Krakow. (Day 7) - Drive to Zakopane (2 -2.5 hrs), explore town during day and stay overnight. (Day 8) - Drive to Budapest, arrive 1pm, visit city for afternoon, then hotel. (Day 9) - Drive to Wien (is it really only 2 1/2 hours???), visit Wien (half day), and overnight in Wien. (Day 11) - Then either fly home from Wien (preferred) or make the 6 - 7 hour drive up to Krakow fo return flight to US.

I have been using a Michelin Route Planner from the internet which appears to be helpful - not sure how accurate or up-to-date. http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...ing_directions

I FULLY realize we will barely scratch the surface at any of these cities. Our main focus is to give Dad time in his village and then to just squeeze in what we can since most of our party will probably never get back to Europe.

My Dad speaks Polish fluently although it's been many years since using the language. Also, I used to live in Germany and feel farely comfortable getting around in general.

Question 1: Due to reports from friends and media, my dad is almost paranoid about getting robbed in Poland/EU. He brings up many horror stories of thieves targeting rental cars, etc. I assured him I would find hotels with garages or guards. He insists on hiring a driver to accompany us through all of this. Any thoughts???

Question 2: Has anyone used a driver/guide for an extended trip? I know exactly where I want to go, and have extensively researched restaurant choices, tour operation hours, prices, when eng. tours are offered (e.g, Salt Mines), etc. Dad already speaks enought Polish - not sure why we need to pay for a driver and put him up in a hotel every night as well. Maybe some of you can convince me otherwise and talk me out of my stubborn Polish ways??! LOL. If we do it ourselves, how are the roads?

Question 3: Need a hotel in Lublin or Krasnik that could offer 3 or 4 separate rooms for our group. They seem to be quite limited.

Question 4: Any knowledge on cost effectiveness of flying into Krakow (or Warsaw would work too) and flying home out of Wien? Also, I've heard it's cheaper to drop your rental car back in Poland. Comments?

Dziekuje!
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Old Nov 19th, 2006, 06:05 PM
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We have just started planning a similar trip for many of the same reasons. My wife's father was born in Wlodawa and we are thinking of taking a train to Lublin but from there all options are on the table. Our problem is that no one in our group of 6 speaks Polish or German for that matter. I see no replies to your post. I hope this will generate something. Finding info about that area is difficult.
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Old Nov 19th, 2006, 06:06 PM
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Forgot to mention that we are planning this for mid-September, 2007.
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Old Nov 20th, 2006, 12:42 PM
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I recently returned from a trip in se Poland spending 5 nights in Krk and then, using a car, driving 1200 miles clockwise over 2 weeks to the ne, east then south into the low Carpathians and then west then north back to Krk. Forget all the nonsense about being robbed, just be careful as usual. All Polish people were wonderful to us everywhere we went. Do not underestimate your drive times, seriously. Road construction is ubiquitous in Poland due to the large amount of EU money allocated them after their entry. There are few 4 lane motorways and most driving will be on 2 lane roads full of obstructions like pedestrians, school children, shoppers, tractors, horse and wagons, buses and bicyclists using the roads. It is a slower pace and time consuming. 55 mph was fast and seldom reached. Prepare to be ingulfed in a massive traffic backup at least once. We were twice. Prepare to get lost,even with good locally purchased maps, too and we are seasoned European drivers at least I think so. Accomodations can be few and far between especially in smaller rural areas. The availability is not up to western standards yet. We ALMOST had to sleep in the car 1 night. German, which my wife speaks, was of no value in our experience. You must visit sw Poland to contact much German speaking we were told. I hope to post a report soon of an amazing time in Poland however.
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Old Nov 20th, 2006, 04:05 PM
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Echoing hardwater's comments:
Last year we drove from SK into Poland, to Lancut (east of Tarnow). On country roads we made fairly good time into Lancut, but arrived at 5:05 as everything was closing, so we decided to drive to go on to Krakow, which was slightly over 100 miles. Per Michelin, it would take 3 hours. We, however, arrived at the outskirts about 9:30. There were probably 6 lanes worth of traffic on the two lane main highway. (see Hardwater's comment)abundance of EU highway construction money was evident, as was people's new prosperity as expressed in auto ownership.
If you don't cut back on your itinerary you're sure to be disappointed. Better to schedule fewer stops, done better, with optional add-ons, than to skimp on EVERY stop, and regret not having more time, at each one.
I suspect your Day 4 driving would be similar to our Lancut-Krakow leg. Incidentally, the salt mine is hard to find, even tho it's in a Krakow suburb. We saw no signs about it, and probably drove within a 1/2 mile of it 6-8 times until we stumbled on it.
Also, I'd pick one or the other of Wien/Budapest, or go to Prague, rather than 1/2 day each. That's like taking a teaspoon to a wine tasting.
Continuing to critique: Of the 6-8 adults on the trip, the majority (who might never see any camps) are skipping Auschwitz to suit Poppa. Maybe he'd be happy just putzing around Central Krakow alone while some of the rest took an afternoon trip to the camp.
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Old Nov 26th, 2006, 08:27 PM
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This is probably a stretch, but I am hoping someone is familiar with the road from Lublin to Wlodawa, more specifically the approximate time for the drive. Are there places to spend the night in Wlodawa?
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Old Nov 26th, 2006, 08:56 PM
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Joe:

The roads are paved and sparsely traveled from Lublin to Wlodawa. I've driven in the area a few times....simply get on to the Hwy.831, a fairly straight shot out of Lublin...follow all signs to Leczna, and then to Wlodawa...signage is good, and the overall distance is about 80 miles (125-130 kms)... Petrol is few and far between so stock up in Lublin...by the way Sobibor, the former KZ-camp, is just a few miles south of Wlodawa...rent "Escape from Sobibor" a made for TV flick about a true escape attempt by 600 Jewish and Russian Army prisoners..unfortunately, most were soon caught or shot.
Be careful about mistakenly wandering across the Belarus border near the Bug River...we did some hiking and were challenged by two Kalshnikov-toting "kids" from the Belarus Army and gingerly walked away.
Stu T.
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Old Nov 27th, 2006, 08:34 AM
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Thank you Stu. Very helpful information. This is a work in progress for us and I value your input.
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Old Nov 27th, 2006, 10:15 AM
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I would drop Budapest and Vienna from your itinerary. You might want to see some of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, but I would stay close to Poland and return the car in Poland. It would eliminate a stiff cross-border drop-off fee.
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Old Dec 6th, 2006, 04:49 AM
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Magranedi: referring to your Lublin (and Lubelskie province) comments:
We returned from a visit to the area a few months ago. We did drive a rental car, we were not robbed, and the car was left alone too.
In Lublin we stayed at the Campanile hotel. This is a hotel I would return to, thus definitely recommended. They also have a guarded car park where we parked our car nightly.
In Lublin we also met a young guide who is very knowledgeable about the city and the whole provice. In case you need such assistance, you can check out his site: www.explorelublin.pl
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Old Dec 12th, 2006, 03:04 PM
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Question 1: getting robbed in Poland/EU. ... He insists on hiring a driver to accompany us through all of this. Any thoughts???
Answer: Don't waste your time on drivers ... Park and guarded parking lots which are all over ... Try planning Warsaw and Krakow up front since you will not be really using your rental in those 2 cities - Old city Krakow is closed to traffic ... as for rental - you be fine - I rent all the time and had no issues so far.

Question 2: Has anyone used a driver/guide for an extended trip? ... not sure why we need to pay for a driver. If we do it ourselves, how are the roads? Never had a driver / guide ... all sites offer own guides in english included ... as for driving roads are getting better just need to watch out for those in rush - it is common to slightly move over to far right side for faster to pass you - where traffic on opposite side will do same leaving enough room for passing with no collision (something to get use to)

Question 4: Any knowledge on cost effectiveness of flying into Krakow (or Warsaw would work too) and flying home out of Wien? Also, I've heard it's cheaper to drop your rental car back in Poland. Comments?

Check places like LOT.com or AMTA.com or http://www.doma-travel.com/stronaang.htm for prices - those a Polish travel agancies which specialize and in most cases have best prices for Poland - many times flying to krakow or warsaw be same price so check and plan - as for Wien - maybe a connection flight thru Wien...
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Old Dec 12th, 2006, 03:06 PM
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www.amta.com
for car rental try: http://www.lrc.com.pl/
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Old Dec 15th, 2006, 10:25 AM
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Use a Polish road map, work out a route. Hire a van and driver/guide. Discuss your plans with the guide. Chances are you are biting off more than is possible. Poland roads are now like the USA in the 30s and 40s. They are routed through small cities, big cities and villages as well as 'cows'. Your guide can arrange motels as well as lunch stops. Polish highways have wonderful motels and they always are glad to welcome an American tourist.
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Old Dec 24th, 2006, 07:50 AM
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Magranedi: It’s very obvious from your post that you have done your research and drive times are actual vs. calculated … your plan is also very doable … and deftly drive vs. wasting cash on hired driver which are not cheap – do hire a guide in any large city for better experience but not a driver… previous poster had good idea on getting latest map of Poland, since new reads are being added/finished each season (in many cases your rental company will provide that for you just ask / email in advance) … also when reading a map … just remember that how wide / or main the road is on map does not really mean that – it can be a hit and miss but in many instances you will find smaller marked roads better and with less of a traffic especially Friday/Sunday evenings, since those are less popular with truckers (just make sure you area filled up since those may have less gas stations …

Enjoy your trip!!!
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Old Dec 26th, 2006, 11:53 PM
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One more time. You mention 6-8 adults as your party. A van or mini-bus and driver expense shared or costed per person will be a minimal expense. The driver can drop people off at sites and then return to pick them up. You get hotel front door access instead of a hike from a parking lot. Insurance and driver license problems are a non-issue.The bus/van will have adequate space for I estimate to be considerable baggage and someone to manage it.
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