Wesch

OK, here's my situation:

My husband, daughter (2 yrs old), and I are living in southern France on assignment for a year (till October '04).

I have always been interested in the Holocaust and all that happened during that frightening time in history, and feel compelled to make the trip to Auschwitz/Birkenau while we are here. It is a MUST SEE for me.

Problem: while I would LOVE to do this with my husband, we have a 2-year-old daughter, so that just won't work. My hubby is not nearly as interested in this place as I am. (secondary problem is that airfare from France is NOT cheap, so flying us all there is not really feasible either).

I am considering making the journey alone, but I'm a bit nervous about it. I've gotten by in France and other European cities just fine, but I understand that English is NOT commonly spoken by the Polish, so I'm concerned about getting around.

What would YOU do???

Thanks,
Mindy

FainaAgain

I'd try to find out if there is an English-speaking tour guide or a group you can join.

I would try to get an English-Polish phrase dictionary.

beachbum

Or maybe go to Dachau instead.

AAFrequentFlyer

You'll be fine. Plan on staying in Krakow. All or majority of the hospitality workers speak English. The city is worth couple of days on it's own. It's beautiful. The hotel could help you with making reservations for an English speaking tour, if that's your preference, or you could do it on your own. Just prepare yourself for a very sombering day.
There are multiple busses and trains that run to Oswiecim from Krakow. It's only like 50km away.

www.airpolonia.com is a new low budget airline that flies from Paris to Warsaw, Katowice or Wroclaw. They are very reasonable. From the three cities it's a quick train ride to Krakow.

AAFrequentFlyer

This will tell you everything you want to know about visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camps.

http://www.auschwitz.org.pl/html/eng...nie/index.html

Just as a side note. If you do decide to stay in Krakow for couple of days and you like to visit museums and gallaries, make a note that many of them are closed or close early on Mondays.

Kristi

We had no trouble getting around in Krakow or Warsaw without knowing Polish. My advice to you is that you find a hotel centrally located in Krakow inside the old town since you are a female traveling solo. If you can spare a few days, I thought Krakow was a wonderful city to explore and you can use as a base to see Auschwitz and the salt mines if that interests you.

There are tours that go from Krakow out to Auschwitz and although you can get there by public transportation for less, I think having a guide will enrich your experience and put you more at ease.

If you do decide to take the public bus, there were English speaking guides once you get there, shuttle buses between the two camps and a movie that shows in English that should not be missed. If you check out the website given by AAFF, you can find out what your options are if you decide to take the bus. If money is not an object though, I would look into a tour, the public buses ran late the day we were going and we really felt rushed.

I think there may also be lodging out near Auschwitz if that is all that you are intending to visit.

Peep

I have to say that our day at Auschwitz was one of the saddest and most depressing of my life. I'm not German or Jewish and have no serious interest in WW2 history, but I have never been as affected by a place as I was there. I can hardly look at the pictures we took without crying.

We took a bus and did it on our own, but I think a tour might be a lot easier. Downside of a tour is that you may not get any time to wander around on your own. If you take a bus, keep in mind that in Polish the name is something different. Birkenau is a couple of miles away. There may or may not be taxis hanging around at both places.

If you go, try to spend a few days in Krakow. It's such a nice little city!

Peep

One more thing, it has been a few years since we were there in June, but the shuttle buses didn't run very often.

Wesch

Thanks to you all for your helpful responses.

Can anyone recommend a specific tour group, and better yet, offer a website?

THANKS!!

Kristi

When we were there last year, the shuttle buses between Auschwitz and Birkenau ran every hour. We missed the one coming back but there were also taxis for a bit more money between the two places.

The name of the town is Oswiecim if you end up taking a bus.

In your Pocket, a wonderful resource for Krakow and Poland, lists Cracow Tours as an option for tours to Auschwitz.

http://www.cracow-tours.com/

zwho

I agree with AA frequent flyer. You can get a tour in Krakow. Krakow really is a beautiful city. If you want a hotel that was so reasonable on the square, try the Hotel Jan just down the street from the rynek glowny.

GSteed

Krakow hotel - Saski. Concierge can arrange any kind of travel you want. A private guide and car or directions to the bus station! Poland is learning English. Most under 25ers have a working knowledge of it...It is now being taught in kindergarten. I hope you 2-year old is learning some French.

Dutch

A friend of mine went to Krakow last year as a single female and loved it. She didn't express any fears, problems, or reservations about the language or anything else. If you are comfortable traveling around other parts of Europe alone, you should be fine. If you go, I would recommend writing down your thoughts and emotions of experiencing Auschwitz while it is fresh in your mind.

PamSF

On a separate note: I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington,DC with my partner. Both of us were pretty much unable to speak afterwards. It meant a great deal to have experienced this with someone near and dear. I cannot imagine Auschwitz alone.