Zagreb OR Krakow
Mar 23rd, 2016, 06:00 AM
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Zagreb OR Krakow
Hi,
We are planning to go to Europe with our two children aged 10 and 15 years from June 18-26, 2016. We were considering starting off in Budapest (3 days), then drive to Bratislava (2 days) and then on to Krakow (3 days).
Our son enjoys history and is keen to visit Aushwitz but our daughter doesn't enjoy road trips so we don't want to drive for more than 3-4 hours from one destination to another. I just read that the drive from Krakow to Bratislava may not be easy.
We are keen to drive ourselves rather than fly. We wouldn't mind taking a train for one part of the journey if the trains are fast.
However, we could also consider Budapest to Zagreb (side trip to Lake Plitvice) and then to Llubliana or even the Dolomites in Italy.
We are thoroughly confused as of now. We are looking at staying at luxurious hotels and would prefer to go to more "developed" areas (for lack of a better word) rather than off the beaten track. We enjoy nature and would love to do a mix of scenic drives, beautiful sceneries as well as good architecture.
Look forward to any inputs. Thank you so much!
We are planning to go to Europe with our two children aged 10 and 15 years from June 18-26, 2016. We were considering starting off in Budapest (3 days), then drive to Bratislava (2 days) and then on to Krakow (3 days).
Our son enjoys history and is keen to visit Aushwitz but our daughter doesn't enjoy road trips so we don't want to drive for more than 3-4 hours from one destination to another. I just read that the drive from Krakow to Bratislava may not be easy.
We are keen to drive ourselves rather than fly. We wouldn't mind taking a train for one part of the journey if the trains are fast.
However, we could also consider Budapest to Zagreb (side trip to Lake Plitvice) and then to Llubliana or even the Dolomites in Italy.
We are thoroughly confused as of now. We are looking at staying at luxurious hotels and would prefer to go to more "developed" areas (for lack of a better word) rather than off the beaten track. We enjoy nature and would love to do a mix of scenic drives, beautiful sceneries as well as good architecture.
Look forward to any inputs. Thank you so much!
Mar 23rd, 2016, 07:32 AM
#2
Wow. You have a wide variety of interests to fit into 8 days. Presumably these days do not include your arrival/departure?
I am not sure what you mean by, "The drive from Krakow to Bratislava may not be easy."? We have driven Vienna to Krakow a couple of times, and while some stretches are rather dull and uninteresting, it is highway for almost the entirety. We have also driven up through Slovakia, though not as far as Krakow. The route can be pretty, though whichever route you are considering is certainly longer than 3-4 hours. And overall, driving around Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland is straightforward.
It is not too late to seriously consider and prioritize sights and activities for this itinerary, and then determine what from that list is feasible with respect to drive times, etc.
I am not sure what you mean by, "The drive from Krakow to Bratislava may not be easy."? We have driven Vienna to Krakow a couple of times, and while some stretches are rather dull and uninteresting, it is highway for almost the entirety. We have also driven up through Slovakia, though not as far as Krakow. The route can be pretty, though whichever route you are considering is certainly longer than 3-4 hours. And overall, driving around Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland is straightforward.
It is not too late to seriously consider and prioritize sights and activities for this itinerary, and then determine what from that list is feasible with respect to drive times, etc.
Mar 23rd, 2016, 07:48 AM
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Have not been to Krakow - and it is on my list of places to go. However, I can say that my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our time in Zagreb. I'm sure Zagreb has some luxurious places to stay, though the city may be more "off the beaten path" as a whole.
Mar 23rd, 2016, 08:00 AM
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I would choose Krakow over Zagreb and take two days to drive from Bratislava. One possible stop to alleviate the tedium of driving would be Roznov pod Radhostem
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...7623046345988/ and subsequent pictures
Another stop could be Zakopane in Poland or someplace on the other side of the border in Slovakia.
Keep in mind that there are stiff cross-border drop-off fees when renting a car.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...7623046345988/ and subsequent pictures
Another stop could be Zakopane in Poland or someplace on the other side of the border in Slovakia.
Keep in mind that there are stiff cross-border drop-off fees when renting a car.
Mar 23rd, 2016, 06:43 PM
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I agree that your choices are not easy or clear!
FWIW:
- IME, 3 days is very little for Budapest.
- 3 days is very little for Krakow.
- I thought the train connections fine, but my experience is too old to be reliable.
- Have you checked viamichelin.com for driving times? MUCH more reliable (IME) than most mapping sites.
- I don't understand how you would fit Zagreb / the Plitvice Lakes / Ljubljana into this plan. The Plitvice Lakes merit at least one night (if not two -- that really depends on when you would arrive and depart and how). Ljubljana easily merits at least 2 nights, more if you want to include Bled or Bohinj or any or Slovenia's other delightful destinations.
Your title asks, "Zagreb or Krakow" -- so let me comment on that: I enjoyed Zagreb. I adored Krakow. So all else being equal, I would go for Krakow. BUT all else is NOT equal -- and only YOU can decide how to weigh out your options.
I'm sure you realize that the experience of Auschwitz can be extremely emotional. My kudos to your son for his interest, and to his parents for pursuing ways to make that interest a reality. If you go -- and I am glad I did -- consider planning a very quiet evening afterwards.
One other consideration: If your aim is to stay at luxurious hotels, I'm not sure the Plitvice Lakes are ideal for your purposes. I could easily be wrong, but I don't think any of the options for accommodation there are, or would pretend to be, in the luxury class.
Hope that helps!
FWIW:
- IME, 3 days is very little for Budapest.
- 3 days is very little for Krakow.
- I thought the train connections fine, but my experience is too old to be reliable.
- Have you checked viamichelin.com for driving times? MUCH more reliable (IME) than most mapping sites.
- I don't understand how you would fit Zagreb / the Plitvice Lakes / Ljubljana into this plan. The Plitvice Lakes merit at least one night (if not two -- that really depends on when you would arrive and depart and how). Ljubljana easily merits at least 2 nights, more if you want to include Bled or Bohinj or any or Slovenia's other delightful destinations.
Your title asks, "Zagreb or Krakow" -- so let me comment on that: I enjoyed Zagreb. I adored Krakow. So all else being equal, I would go for Krakow. BUT all else is NOT equal -- and only YOU can decide how to weigh out your options.
I'm sure you realize that the experience of Auschwitz can be extremely emotional. My kudos to your son for his interest, and to his parents for pursuing ways to make that interest a reality. If you go -- and I am glad I did -- consider planning a very quiet evening afterwards.
One other consideration: If your aim is to stay at luxurious hotels, I'm not sure the Plitvice Lakes are ideal for your purposes. I could easily be wrong, but I don't think any of the options for accommodation there are, or would pretend to be, in the luxury class.
Hope that helps!
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