Discover the beautiful medieval city of Krakow and extraordinary Wieliczka Salt Mine on a private day trip from Wroclaw. Admire the legendary cobbled Main Square, and check out other stunners such as Wawel Castle, the residence of Polish kings. Then, travel on to Wieliczka, a UNESCO-protected 13th century salt mine of subterranean tunnels and galleries. Descend deep underground to explore the salt-carved chapels, church and statues — all wonders to behold — before returning to Wroclaw.
After your hotel pick-up in Wroclaw, travel by private air-conditioned vehicle to Krakow, Poland’s second biggest city and former royal capital. En route, view Poland’s pretty countryside and hear about Krakow’s storied history from your informative guide. Learn how the city has always been a hub of Polish learning and arts, and how it centers on the largest medieval town square in Europe. On arrival, take a guided tour of old Krakow’s highlights. Admire the cobbled Main Square (Rynek Główny), and see noteworthy landmarks such as the Cloth Hall and the buildings of the Jagiellonian University, one of the world’s oldest universities. Make your way to the Kazimierz district, the old Jewish quarter. Take in this atmospheric neighborhood, and learn how some scenes from the movie Schindler’s List were filmed here.
Then, head for one of Krakow’s must-sees: Wawel Castle. Admire the 14th century hilltop complex that was home to many Polish kings, and see the metal sculpture of a dragon below the hill. Hear the old legend of the Wawel dragon, and watch the sculpture breathe fire — just like its mystical, medieval counterpart. Continue from Krakow to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a 13th century, UNESCO-listed mine that is one of Poland’s historical treasures. A staggering 1,072 feet (327 meters) deep, the mine consists of subterranean chambers, tunnels and carvings, mostly cut by hand from the natural salt. Descend via the stairs, and tour the highlights of this incredible hidden world. Behold the statues and chapels, and marvel at the showpiece: the Chapel of St Kinga, an entire church where everything is hewn from salt, including chandeliers. As you explore, learn about the history of the mine and the mining techniques used here, and then ride the high-speed lift to the surface. Your tour then ends with a hotel drop-off in Wroclaw.
