Hello!

We are planning a trip to Poland. Arriving in Warsaw on Wed. 9/11 and leaving Warsaw to Krakow (via train) on Sun 9/15. Flying back home to US on Sat 9/21 (out of Krakow).
I read through all the forums related to Warsaw/Krakow and I think 3 full days in Warsaw will suffice, as well as 5 full days in Krakow. While in Krakow we are planning a trip to Oswiencim (Auschwitz-Birkenau), we also want to see the Wavel and just Krakow in general, we have a lot planned; Warsaw is the one I have concerns about - is there enough to do/see over 3 days?
Any thoughts/advice?
Any recommendations are GREATLY appreciated!!

Many thanks!

Is there enough to do in 5 days in Krakow might be a more relevant question - Warsaw is a large multi-faceted city - Krakow is a gem but for the tourist interest rather small - consider a visit to Nove Hutna - a planned new town built under commie rule - the joke then was "Rome wan't built in a day but Nova Hutna was!" - I think the old Polish pope may have been in the church there but not sure - somethings nice to see in that suburb but other than the Salt Mines - don't miss the Wielcizka Salt Mine tour - the mines themselves a UNESCO World Heritage site - intircate carved out of salt deposit rooms and chambers far underground - just several miles south of Krakow - but them for the final two days I'd be twiddling my thumbs but that is just my take after spending three day in Krakow.

In Warsaw do not miss the former Warsaw Ghetto where in front of modern buildings I heard on NPR the other day pictures of the former ghetto and residents, many of whom were killed by the Nazis, pictures of them in front of their former residences.

<<I think the old Polish pope may have been in the church there but not sure>>

Good gosh, that's a bit disrespectful considering his importance to, at minimum, the Poles.

Karol Wojtyla was the archbishop of Krakow before his appointment to the College of Cardinals and later his election as pope. He adopted the papal name Pope John Paul II. He was instrumental in supporting the construction of the Arka Pana church, which is in Nowa Huta (that's the correct name and spelling), and which alone is a reason to visit the area. Consider a tour with www.crazyguides.com, which specializes in tours of the commie hell portions of Krakow.

5 days in Krakow is a good amount of time. The Salt Mine will take 4 to 5 hours, probably the same or more for Auschwitz. Wawel will take quite a bit of time (get in line early for tickets).

I highly recommend the Salt Mine!

Here are some other suggestions for Krakow:

- Kazimierz - Jewish Quarter with several synagogues (Alte Schul, Remuh with cemetery, Tempel, Kupa, Isaac), including the museum and 3 Catholic churches (Kościól Paulinow (Pauline Church), Kościól Św Katarzyny (St Catherine’s Church), Kościól Bozego Ciala (Corpus Christi Church).

- Podgorze - Ghetto Heroes Square and Pharmacy Under the Eagle

- **** Krakow Under the Occupation Museum

Near Rynek Glowny:

- Collegium Maius - take a tour of the original college
- Cloth Hall Excavations (Underground Rynek)
- Gallery of 19th Century Polish Painting (above Cloth Hall)
- Kościól Franciszkaʼnow (Franciscan Church)
- St Peter and Paul church
- St Andrew church
- Kościol Św Wojciecha (St Adalbert’s Church)
- Walk around the Planty
- Kościól Św Ann (St Anne’s Church) - you probably can't go inside but do try to look through the door at the pastel

Spend lots of time in that wonderful square, especially at night with the fiacres going by and the fire dancers with their rhythmic drums.

Nova Huta (I didn't have time to get here)

I wasn't really taken with Warsaw. It's very spread out and has lots of Communist era architecture and that ugly new stadium which you can see from miles away.

The one thing I can highly recommend is the Uprising Museum in Warsaw.

Perhaps because I saw Warsaw after Krakow it paled as it's not at all pretty and Krakow is so very pretty. So visit Warsaw first so you don't compare it unfavorably to Krakow.

Here's a link to my trip report which will give details on some of the things I've mentioned.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-report.cfm?60

Thank you, BigRuss! The "old Polish Pope" comment was extremely disrespectful.

Pope John Paul II worshiped at the Franciscan church in Krakow (located between Rynek Glowny and Wawel). There is a brass plaque on the pew where he would sit and pray; it's on the left side of the church, toward the back.

It depends on what you want to see and experience, but I think your plan sounds reasonable.

I agree that seeing Warsaw first is a good idea. If you have any interest in art, make time for the
Museum of John Paul II Collection.

And in Krakow, do consider visiting Leonardo di Vinci's Lady with an Ermine - she is quite special!
http://www.wawel.krakow.pl/en/index.php?op=13

<I think the old Polish pope may have been in the church there but not sure>>

Good gosh, that's a bit disrespectful considering his importance to, at minimum, the Poles.>

Adrienne and BigRuss - I meant nothing disrespectful with that comment - meant the former Polish Pope but if you want to find something disrespectful then you will - I will say what was disrepectful about the old Polish pope was his sweeping serial pedophilia in The Church under the Vatican carpet and thus being responsible for many more child abuses - just being pope don't mean you can't make bad choices.

Good choices above! I heartily endorse the museum with "The Lady with the Ermine." I found it more fascinating than the Mona Lisa. There were also some other interesting things.

Have a great trip!

<< I meant nothing disrespectful with that comment - meant the former Polish Pope but if you want to find something disrespectful then you will>>

No way, PalQ, this is not on Adrienne and me; it's on you. It takes 3 seconds on google to ID the one Pope in history who is from Poland if you cannot otherwise recall who he is and less to avoid giving offense by being glib. And given his national importance to Poland and historical importance, especially in Central Europe, your blithe reference was disrespectful. More than 200 million people in Central and Eastern Europe no longer live in communist hellholes thanks in large part to the work and legacy of Pope John Paul II.

To the OP - the "Lady with an Ermine" is great. When it was housed at the Czartoryski Museum, it had a refreshing lack of ogling tourists (compared to Mona Lisa, who's portrait is now sheltered behind plexiglass to preserve it from the flash photos of The Louvre's visitors). Dunno if Lady w Ermine is now in the Wawel (check on this).

Here's the Museum's site: http://muzeum.czartoryskich.pl/en/node/10653

Was just in Warsaw and Krakow. Enjoyed them both immensely, Krakow in particular. We had four full days and never made it to the Salt Mines or Nova Huta. Took a few relaxing runs around the Planty, long dinners, coffee breaks, etc., and suddenly it was time to leave.

Have fun!

when I said old Polish pope I sincerely meant former - that's all - even though I have no reason to respect that pedophilia-allowing pope here I meant no disrepect no matter how weirdly you want to parse the word 'old' - to me it means 'former' - mountain out of a mole hill.

Lady with an Ermine is in Wawel.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/p...owa-jasna-gora

Or stop off en route from Warsaw to Krakow and spend a day and night in the very popular Catholic pilgrimage place of Czestochowa!