limmy

We arrive in Amsterdam on Friday 11-27 and depart from Amsterdam on Saturday 12-12.

Our original plan was to hop on a flight to Gdansk, then moving on to Warsaw then Kraków via train, before flying back to Amsterdam from Kraków with a three day stay in Amsterdam before flying home.

Flight service between AMS-GDN has been discontinued however.

So now we're looking at Budapest, it is drawing us in.

In what order would you put these cities and how would you breakout your days (15 nights in ground; one likely being overnight train between Kraków-Budapest)?

Warsaw (3?)
Kraków (4?)
Budapest (3?)
Amsterdam (4?)

We are looking to do typical sight seeing, with some down time. We'd like to put our stay in Amsterdam at the end of the trip since it is a direct flight home from there. That said if there are compelling reasons to put it first, do tell.

I always think in linear terms & I am stubborn about back tracking so I can't get past (Amsterdam)-Warsaw-Kraków-Budapest-(Amsterdam). But maybe Kraków's Christmas market is worth putting it last of the three, or maybe there is a festival in Budapest on x date that we should include. I often see ideas I wouldn't have thought of myself on this forum so I'm throwing it out there to see. I'd also like to get your opinions on how many nights to spend in each place. I included my guesses above.

My husband has been to Amsterdam before but otherwise all cities will be a first for both.

Thank you!

inspiredexplorer

I agree with putting the time in Amsterdam at the end of your trip, and think the linear order you've outlined is very logical.

I'd probably put both 3 days stays in Warsaw and Krakow - Budapest and Amsterdam have so much to do and see and are much larger cities, so I'd keep more time there.

All will be festive ahead of the holiday season.

Sounds like a lovely trip!

limmy

Thanks for the feedback,

If it weren't for jet lag I'd go down to 2 nights in Warsaw, and I still might.

Part of me wants to keep this trip flexible up until we are on the ground. If there is snow in Zakopane we might rather go there and skip Budapest, or steal some time from multiple bases to squeeze in Zakopane. Part of me doesn't want to do much sight seeing in Amsterdam, more just kinda chill out and close the trip off relaxing for just a couple nights in Amsterdam. Just doing a canal ride, visiting some cafes, good food and a nice hotel and pretty much skip the museums. We'll be back through Amsterdam many times in the future, which cannot be said for the rest of the bases.

In short, I'm a little wishy washy at this point. Hoping some more points of view might help me focus in on something.

How many days do you suggest for Budapest?

jaworskimarek6

Krakow is a beautiful city. I would recommend

thursdaysd

I was disappointed in Warsaw. I found the rebuilt old town area very Disney. On the other hand I love Budapest enough I have been four times. Zakopane is very touristy, but the scenery is good (on the other side of the border you can have the scenery without so many souvenir stalls).

fourfortravel

We just returned from a long weekend in Warsaw. Our expectations were tempered by so many ho-hum comments about the city; however, we found ourselves rather enjoying the architectural diversity (the Diplomatic Quarter versus the Praga district, for example), the Warsaw Rising Museum, and seeking out old socialist relics. We also spent a morning in the large flower market just wandering and people-watching. Being of Polish descent, I found the food to be top rate, as well. Yes, the Stare Miasto is a recreation, but, meh, so what. In the end, each of your destinations will be what you make of them.

GinnyJo

For me there is more to do in Budapest than Amsterdam -- I have not been to Poland, so cannot comment there. Amsterdam is more of a strolling city, but the weather when you will be there might be a bit damp and chilly for that. We spent 4 nights in Budapest and could easily have stayed longer.

nytraveler

Can't comment on Krakow - but I would definitely put 3 full days each (4 nights) in Amsterdam and Budapest, both of which have an incredible amount to see and do - I enjoyed both much more than Warsaw.

Caveat: I am a history freak and want to see eery museum, castle, cathedral, etc.

I think that your dates could include a substantial amount of chilly/damp weather - not full winter yet and snow unlikely - but could discourage just walking around and sitting in cafes for hours at a time.

Leely2

I would take a day from Warsaw (which I found quite interesting, by the way) and add a day to Krakow. I've not been to Budapest, but I think four full days in Krakow and Amsterdam, two in Warsaw would be great given the length of your trip and wanting some down time.

limmy

Thanks for the input everyone. This is where we're at now, including some of the things we'd like to do:

Friday 11/27 Land in Warsaw 12:30pm

11/27 Royal Route
11/28 Uprising Museum & maybe Gestapo Headquarter Museum

Sunday 11/29 Train to Krakow
11/29 - Historic Center
11/30 - Auschwitz-Birkenau & Salt Mine
12/01 - Kazimierz & Schindler's Factory
12/02 - Nowa Huta
12/03 - Free Day

Thurs/Fri 12/03-04 Overnight Train to Budapest
12/04 - Free Day
12/05 - House of Terror Museum
12/06 - ???
12/07 - ???

Tuesday 12-08 - Fly to Amsterdam
12/08 - Free Day
12/09 - ???
12/10 - Day trip to Antwerp
12/11 - ???

Saturday 12/12 Fly home

Thoughts?

I'm not sure if we will do the salt mine or not. I know it is very impressive, I just don't normally like being underground a whole lot. I can tolerate it, I won't freak out or anything it just isn't high on my list. If my husband wants to go then we'll go.

I still have some filling in to do in Budapest and Amsterdam obviously. I don't want to pack them too full though because I want to be able to squeeze a night or two in the Tatras from them if there happens to be snow on the ground (unlikely) for a spontaneous snowmobile excursion.

We'd like to do a river/canal cruise in both cities and check out their Christmas attractions. We favor historical museums over art museums. I don't know about the baths in Budapest yet - are these a must do? We don't like hot tubs or indoor pools normally. Do they have massage facilities? Maybe a whole package would make it appealing. Might like to go to Boom Chicago in Amsterdam one night. And I'm always looking for a musical event anywhere I go.

Hotels: I'm thinking of the Intercontinental in Warsaw, The Brody House in Budapest and I have a reservation at the Toren in Amsterdam though my husband isn't fond so I might change to the Banks Mansion - has anyone stayed there? I was unsure whether we wanted to stay in Kazimierz or the Main Market Square area in Krakow but after writing this out I think we should go with the Main Market Square.

Thanks for your help.

kja

"Auschwitz-Birkenau & Salt Mine"

That would be too much for me in a single day. I joined a group tour to Auschwitz - Birkenau from Krakow; it took almost all day. And by the time we returned to Krakow, I was utterly drained. I was glad to decompress over a leisurely meal.

"I was unsure whether we wanted to stay in Kazimierz or the Main Market Square area in Krakow but after writing this out I think we should go with the Main Market Square."

That would be my choice!

"We favor historical museums over art museums."

Even so, consider trying to see the Lady with an Ermine while in Krakow -- she is truly special.

Enjoy!

thursdaysd

I agree with kja that Auschwitz/Birkenau takes a full day. It actually took me several days to recover from the experience... The salt mines are interesting, I suppose, but I wasn't as impressed as some people seem to be.

Loved the Tatras, might be worth a look even without snow.

The Sczechnyi (sp?) baths in Budapest have a large outdoor ssection.

I love Budapest and have written several posts about it - go to mytimetotravel.wordpress.com and put budapest in the search box.

BigRuss

Sunday 11/29 Train to Krakow
11/29 - Historic Center
11/30 - Auschwitz-Birkenau & Salt Mine <b>- you're not going to want to hit the Salt Mine after seeing Birkenau.</b>
12/01 - Kazimierz & Schindler's Factory
12/02 - Nowa Huta - <b>be sure to visit the Arka Pana; Mike's Crazy Guides offers good tours to this area</b>
12/03 - Free Day

Thurs/Fri 12/03-04 Overnight Train to Budapest
12/04 - Free Day <b>- Parliament? St. Iztvan's? Danube Cruise?</b>
12/05 - House of Terror Museum <b>and City Park/Andrassy Utca region, since you'll be right there</b>
12/06 - ??? <b>You can do better than this - there's too much to see in Budapest. The Weeping Willow and Dohany Utca Synagogue is a start; the Buda side in the afternoon from castle to Fisherman's Bastion would be a finish.</b>
12/07 - <b>This is a Monday - many museums closed. Go to Szoborpark, take a Commie walk tour or similar.</b>

fourfortravel

I agree with others that visiting Auschwitz/Birkenau and touring the Salt Mines on the same day may not be a good itinerary. We only toured Auschwitz and felt that experience was sufficiently meaningful; no one of us was in the mood to continue to Birkenau.

In Budapest, the Hospital in the Rock museum, the markets (Szimpla and the Main Market), and the baths might be considered, along with the excellent suggestions from other posters.

And, if I may offer a small but meaningful correction. The museum in Warsaw is the "Warsaw Rising," not the "Warsaw Uprising" museum. Small point from one of Polish descent.

PalenQ

check www.seat61.com for train info and how to get discounted tickets for the overnight and day train - for general info on terains I also like these sites: www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. You are not traveling nearly enough to look at any railpass - book online from seat61.com's info and have all ready - can save over walk up fares.

limmy

I can't say I'm surprised that no one encourages trying to visit the salt mine on the same day as Auschwitz-Birkenau. That idea is scratched. I thought I saw single day tours that covered both, but I just took a closer look and see that it's actually a single package for a two day tour. My mistake. We may just skip the salt mine, not sure yet.

kja - I've seen you urge others not to miss Lady with an Ermine on several other threads, so it was already stamped in my mind as something to include on our flex days

thursdaysd - I didn't imagine the Tatras would be very scenic at that time of year unless there happens to be snow. I pictured a lot of drab grey sky and dull brownish landscape. But of course I've never been there so I don't really know? I took a peek at your blog and your pictures are wonderful! I skimmed part of one Budapest post but will go back to read more in depth. Thanks.

bigruss - Nowa Huta/Arka Pana - yep, we already planned on using Crazy Guides for this, one look at their website and we were sold! This is one of the things we are most looking forward to. "You can do better than this" I know, I just didn't get that far yet. Budapest was next on my list for trip research, thanks for the helpful suggestions to get started.

Seems like we are on the right path so far, thanks everyone!

kja

"We only toured Auschwitz and felt that experience was sufficiently meaningful; no one of us was in the mood to continue to Birkenau."

I suspect that each of us differs in what we would find sufficiently meaningful -- I think that's a very personal decision. FWIW, I would note that there are some decided differences between Auschwitz and Birkenau. I thought there was value in seeing both. Again, though, I think it is up to each individual.


I'm glad the Lady is on you agenda! Give her a nod for me.

PalenQ

If you have to chose chose Birkenau for the most shocking sobering camp of the two - though both were work camps - Auschwitz was near exclusively one whilst Birkenau still has the rail sidings where folks were chosen for work or the gas chanbers, still there in ruins on the left side of the tracks. Maybe too horrible for folks but drills home the horrors of Hitler and all who supported him - millions of civilized Germans! And it was not that long ago - could it happen again? Well it is in Africa and other places let's not forget.

GinnyJo

Limmy,

I highly recommend the "free" Budapest Walking tours; we especially enjoyed the Communist tour -- if you are very lucky, Anna will be your guide and share family stories and insights into life under communism and afterwards. We subsequently learned that we could book directly with her via https://ourbudapesttours.wordpress.com; we are looking forward to an Art Nouveau tour on our next visit.

Also I would not miss the Central Market Hall in Budapest, chock full of local food stalls along with some crafts. We were happy that we bought a 72-hour transit pass to do our own version of hop-on hop-off which included the public transit boat on the Danube which was fun just to ride. Despite the transit passes we still averaged 18K steps a day in Budapest. Don't miss the ruin pubs -- we especially liked Kőleves Vendéglő (Stone Soup). Our favorite restaurants for dinner were Fulemule (Nightingale) and Mazel Tov (which is also a ruin pub).

For Amsterdam you are probably aware of the Ann Frank house -- tickets in advance are a must to avoid the very long lines. Even though art museums aren't your first choice, you might enjoy the Van Gogh; I can't imagine going to Amsterdam and missing it.

Have fun!

limmy

fourfortravel - thank you for the correction on the Warsaw Rising Museum and for the other suggestions.

PalenQ & Kja - Auschwitz AND Birkenau are definite, we intend to see both. It is the salt mine that we may skip all together. I would rather not take another half day away from Krakow proper, but if my husband really wants to see them then we will. Or maybe we'll split up and he can go alone.

GinnyJo- Thanks for all the Budapest info! I like to do some type of city walking tour on day one or two of each city, I'll try to get with Anna, she sounds perfect. Would the public transit boat on the Danube eliminate the need for a dedicated river cruise or would a river cruise still be a nice thing to do?