Poland, Czech, Slovak Summer Holiday
 

Looking into a summer itinerary for Easter Europe prior to an annual break in Mykonos. Have around 10 days. 35 year old couple. Is this too much? Should something be cut? added? The only caveat is that we need to end the trip from Vienna airport (direct Mykonos flight) but visiting Vienna is not a requirement as we were just there in the winter.

Day 1: Warsaw
Day 2: Warsaw
Day 3: Krakow
Day 4: Krakow
Day 5: Krakow
Day 6: Krakow-Prague private transfer via Auschwitz visit
Day 7: Prague
Day 8: Prague
Day 9: Prague
Day 10: Bratislava
Day 11: fly out of Vienna

Should I cut Warsaw and add a day in Krakow and Prague?

Thanks!

Sergey

Sergev, simply yes.

I might even cut Bratislava and add it to Vienna which is so much nicer.

I think Prague is the best of what you have here and you can do easy little train trips to places like Melnik, go wandering in the Saxony hills to the north or go visit castles across Bohemia. The train system is good, prices outside Prague fall through the floor, and while not everyone speaks English everyone will try to help.

Oh yea, Vienna is really so much better I know but I was coming from the perspective of being to Vienna previously, last time just this winter and never having been to Slovakia so figured a half day (post Prague train) is enough. If I cut out Warsaw, I could add those 2 days to Vienna and then do a small side trip to Bratislava from there too.

With your itinerary I would "cut" Bratislava and perhaps leave it as a day trip from Vienna (which is extremely easy to do and requires no pre-booking). I would also be mindful of holiday hours and early closings around the Easter holidays.

I would cut Bratislava, also, and would add the day to Warsaw. It appears you only have 1.5 days there and probably not your best if you are flying from far away and have jet lag. Now that is presuming you are interested in interest, which I think is Warsaw's strong point (WWII) with several outstanding museums. If you aren't interested in history much, and it's jut a good starting point, then 1.5 days may be enough for you.

Our primary interests are cultural, sightseeing, people watching. Not running around like crazy trying to see everything in a short amount of time. I would like to visit a history museum/site or 2 (Auschwitz being one). I imagine that Prague and Krakow are the 2 gems from the itinerary with Warsaw being less beautiful and Bratislava behind the other 3. Is this correct?

Well, Warsaw does have some things that, IMO, are very well worth seeing and can be seen in a day or two (perhaps three, if jet lag is an issue), and it is too far out of the way to include in most itineraries, so I would suggest that including it is WELL worth considering.

IMO, 3 days is not much for either charming Krakow or delightful Prague. I would encourage you to think through your priorities before choosing.

While in Krakow, do try to visit the <i>Lady with an Ermine</i> -- she is exquisite.

Enjoy!

If I cut out Warsaw, would it make the most sense to do this round trip loop from Vienna by car?

I do think Prague and Krakow are more beautiful than Warsaw, yes, but I think Warsaw has better history museums. I don't think Krakow has any, except that small ethnographic museum over in Podgorze or wherever. Nothing like the history museums in Warsaw about WWII/Jewish History in Poland, etc. Oh, I forgot, there is Schindler's factory in Krakow, yes, that is a good one. The City of Prague History museum is pretty good. Most tourists don't go there, they only go to the usual top sights (castle, Old Town Square, Jewish cemetery and old quarter). It sounds like you aren't really that interested in Warsaw, I didn't go to it until about my third trip to Poland, either. Because it does change the itinerary a lot due to its location.

I"m not a big fan of renting cars in Europe when the trains are so good, and if you are only visiting big cities, I really don't see the point of renting a car, especially if you are talking about making a circle. I don't know why you would do that--fly into one city and out of another rather than backtracking saves time and money. Having a car in big cities is going to change everything you need to plan in terms of hotels, fees for parking, location of where you stay, etc.

You'd also have to check regulations, I think over in that area there are some countries that don't let you take rental cars into other countries, but I forget which ones. Could be Poland (ie, you can't rent a car in Austria and drive to Poland). Just check into that as I can't recall the details. Also, you have tro find out what extra stickers you may need, special insurance, etc.

I was considering a car because it appears that Poland is not that easily connected to the other cities. Something like 3 trains and 6-7hrs to get from Krakow to Prague.

We just took the overnight train from Kraków to Prague. Very comfortable. If there were connections we missed them.

Just back from Krakow and Warsaw, I’d say if you find a way to add a day in Warsaw, do it, especially since the day of arrival probably doesn’t really count.

Highlights: Lazienki Park (I can’t get the slash through the letter L to appear...). Allow a few hours, it’s a good stroll in a beautiful large park, and get the ticket that gives you access to the several royal buildings that have been turned into “museums”. The Orangery for example is exquisite, as is the White House, and others. None is a huge palace, all are manageable and diverse.

Chopin Museum: A must even if classical music is not your forte. Fascinating biographical displays, many on clever interactive computer screens, and sit-down listening stations galore so your legs don’t have to do all the work. After the displays of his relationship with George Sand for example an entire chapter of French cultural history falls into place, thanks to this Polish composer.

Several history museums - take your pick, the Uprising Museum for wxample will leave a long-lasting impression!

Copernicus, next to Chopin and the last pope, is the third national hero. The Copernicus Center might interest you - www.kopernik.org.pl/en/

In Krakow, no need to buy an expensive “tour” for the salt mines. Simply go to the station (next to the swanky shopping center Galleria just outside the old-city green belt), the station is called Glowny and the modern new station is now housed adjacent to the old building that still has that name on the roof.

Take a train to Wieliczka and walk the few paces to the salt mine. It’s a dirt-cheap local train that stops everywhere, but only takes maybe 20 minutes or so. Get off at Wieliczka, walk the few paces to the salt mines, stand in line to buy the ticket and tell the agent which language group you want to join. English-speaking groups depart with the most frequency - go stand in the “English” line and soon you’ll be admitted.

If you have weak knees and can’t descend long (many many) stairs, ask if you can get down by elevator (everybody comes back up by elevator). It’s an amazing place you won’t soon forget!

If you wanna make a tour for Auschitz or Salt Mine by yourself, you can check how to get there with those links:

https://discovercracow.com/blog/get-...zka-salt-mine/
https://discovercracow.com/blog/how-...-to-auschwitz/

Lots of great info and this is all I can add.

inyourpocket.com/prague

inyourpocket.com/Krakow

inyourpocket.com/warsaw and

inyourpocket.com/Vienna

If you happen to be in Warsaw on a summer Sunday, the Chopin free concert in the park is a must.

Hello, Sergey (I'm not sure, if I have to continue write in russian, so I'll go on with english)

What about your Warsaw part of trip, don't cut it, I'm sure You'll have fun in capital though)) It is really unusual city ( trust me as a foriegner also), city, where you can see how the past touchs the present right out the corner ( well, I was surprised to see it in here, actually)) Try panoramic view from the Palace of Kulture an Science ( the tallest building in Poland, an unlikely present to Warsaw from the russian USSR.. yeah, poles even have a museum about the USSR-times), walk thrue the beautiful parks ( the biggest and the best is Lazienki Park), try polish cuisine ( look like russian, but still lots of diffrence, very tasty), listen to musicians, playing on the Warsaw streets ( yeah, they just want to be listened by the audience)...well.. just try to feel the spirit of Warsaw, that spirit with the notes of history,mixed with the taste of future))

Have a good time in our capital, dear Segey, hope you'll enjoy it ( read: I'M SURE, YOU'LL ENJOY IT!) ))