Krakow
Krakow
Krakow
4 Days Starting in Kraków, Poland and ending in United Kingdom
Visiting: Kraków, Oswiecim, Brzezinka
Tour operator:
Tour code:
K
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 50
Physical rating:
Please contact Riviera Travel if you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility.
Age range:
9-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Riviera Travel with specific dietary requests.
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
From:
$757 (USD) including Flights from the UKTour Overview
Rivalling Prague's beauty, the home of Copernicus and Pope Jean-Paul II, 6,000 historic buildings, one of Europe's finest medieval squares and Poland's capital for 500 years.
Krakow is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities, ranking with Prague and Vienna as one of the real architectural gems of central Europe and its historic centre is a UNESCO world heritage site. The city first came to prominence nearly 1,000 years ago when it became the royal capital of Poland. It remained so for 500 years, spanning both the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. The castle evolved to become the sumptuous Royal Palace and was the centre of ancient trade routes to the orient and Baltic. This, together with salt (that vital commodity, which it possessed in abundance) ensured its immense prosperity, and the result is the amazing collection of palaces, aristocratic buildings and works of art that you see today. The city reached its zenith during the 16th century when learning and science prospered and over the centuries influence from Prussia, cities from the Hanseatic League and absorption within the Hapsburg Empire have all left their classic and architectural influence, contributing to the masterpiece that is now Krakow.
Centred in a magnificent medieval square, the second largest in Europe, the statistics are staggering - over 6,000 historic buildings and monuments, 18 museums, 2.5 million works of art, one of Europe's oldest universities and over 140 churches - many of them stunningly decorated in their own right. Spared any significant war damage, today the city is a delight to explore. Krakow is far from just a collection of buildings, its atmosphere is vibrant, alive and timeless with the past and present beautifully intertwined.
Poland and Krakow in particular have always been very religious and it is impossible to mention the city without including the Catholic Church. In 1978 the unknown Archbishop of Krakow was elected Pope John Paul II, the highest office of Catholicism, in what was at the time officially an atheist country. There is no doubt this fact unified the country, helped the Polish people to throw off the yoke of communism and led to a surge of self-confidence and optimism that is so evident today.
The city also boasts a great cultural past, which is hardly surprising from the country of Copernicus and Chopin. During the evening there could be nothing better than to attend one of the numerous classical music concerts that are held in churches throughout the city.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Krakow
Location: Kraków
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Novotel Krakow Centrum
Meals Included: No Meals
You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Krakow. On arrival a coach will take you to our hotel, the four-star Novotel, very modern and well managed, it is centrally located, within walking distance of the main sights and has a bar, good restaurant, fitness facilities including an indoor swimming pool and all rooms are air-conditioned for your additional comfort.
Day 2 : Krakow
Location: Kraków
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Novotel Krakow Centrum
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we will have a walking tour of Krakow, following which we defy you to disagree that this is one of the most beautiful cities you have ever seen.
During our tour we will see the amazing Rynek, the main square, lined with exquisite medieval buildings and always busy with locals going about their daily business, exchanging a few words or enjoying a coffee in one of the numerous street cafés. In the centre is the Cloth Hall, which as its name suggests, has been used for textile trading since the 16th century. Today it is full of small stalls selling beautiful, locally-made amber jewellery and an art gallery. Overlooking the square is St. Mary’s church so richly decorated with fine paintings, gold-leaf and silverware, it could be mistaken for a cathedral. The 14th century stained glass is particularly ornate with striking beams of light creating a kaleidoscope of colour in the chancel below. Since medieval times, from the top of one of the two ornate spires a trumpeter sounds a warning of potential attack every two hours. You will also see the immense Florian Gate and the remains of the medieval fortifications built to defend the capital of Poland and the church where years later Pope John Paul II held Mass to a grateful congregation.
We will see a host of other sights too, including the University and Collegium where the famous astronomer Copernicus theorised that the earth was not the centre of the solar system – bravely driving a coach and horses through centuries-old scientific thinking!
Later we visit the Wawel castle district which, dating back to the 11th century, is built on a bend on the river Vistula below and dominates Krakow. This was the political and cultural capital of Poland for over 500 years and today the myriad of buildings comprise amongst others, the Royal Palace, Cathedral, Senators’ Hall, Treasury and Armoury. We will see the cathedral that is the final resting place of the Polish monarchs. You can tour the Palace and Royal chambers which host an impressive range of rooms that have been restored to their original and stunning Renaissance and Baroque state, overflowing with fine furniture, works of art and Europe’s largest collection of tapestries. There will be free time to explore the rest of the complex, including the wonderful three-tiered Renaissance courtyard.
This afternoon, should you wish, you will have the option of a tour to the famous Salt Mines (your tour manager will advise locally of the times and costs).
Day 3 : Auschwitz & Birkenau
Location: Oswiecim, Brzezinka
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Novotel Krakow Centrum
Meals Included: Breakfast
We thought long and hard about how appropriate it would be to include this morning’s destination in a holiday – Auschwitz and Birkenau. These places need no introduction. As a company, our philosophy is that we try to inform our clients about all aspects of the countries we visit, which includes the history as well as visits to ‘tourist musts’.
Auschwitz has been left virtually as it was when it was liberated in 1945. It is now a museum and monument. This morning’s guided tour will be extremely moving. First we visit Auschwitz and then nearby Birkenau and the notorious watchtower from where we can appreciate the sheer scale of the atrocities that happened. We return to Krakow during the afternoon and the mood will immediately lift as we have time to explore Krakow’s beautiful range of attractions. Alternatively, if you wish to stay in Krakow for the full day, you are free to do so.
Day 4 : Return Home
Location: Kraków
Meals Included: No Meals
At the appropriate time the coach will return us to the airport for our return flight.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Three nights' in four-star accomodation
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
Return airport transfers
-
All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
-
Meals
Daily breakfast
-
Fully Guided
The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager throughout
-
International Travel
Return flights to Krakow
-
All local accommodation taxes
What's Not Included
-
Tipping and Gratuities
-
Optional trip to the Salt Mines £25 approximate cost, payable locally.
-
Insurance
Check out our Q&As
-
Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
-
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
-
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
-
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
We are unable to accommodate children under 9 years old at the date of departure..
-
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
Are flights included in this tour?
Return flights to Krakow
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
-
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
For almost 40 years
-
I have reduced mobility; can I still travel?
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns
-
Do I require travel insurance?
It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.
-
What is my luggage allowance?
You will receive details of your luggage allowance with your final travel documents, which are sent approximately 10 days prior to your date of departure.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
2024 Aug
2024 Sep
2024 Oct
2024 Nov
2024 Dec
2024 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 May
2025 Jun
2025 Jul
2025 Aug
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025
Friday - Monday
Jul 05, 2024 - Jul 08, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Aug 11, 2024 - Aug 14, 2024Friday - Monday
Sep 06, 2024 - Sep 09, 2024Friday - Monday
Sep 27, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024Friday - Monday
Oct 04, 2024 - Oct 07, 2024Friday - Monday
Oct 11, 2024 - Oct 14, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Nov 07, 2024 - Nov 10, 2024Friday - Monday
Dec 06, 2024 - Dec 09, 2024Monday - Thursday
Mar 17, 2025 - Mar 20, 2025Friday - Monday
Apr 11, 2025 - Apr 14, 2025Friday - Monday
Apr 25, 2025 - Apr 28, 2025Thursday - Sunday
May 01, 2025 - May 04, 2025Friday - Monday
May 16, 2025 - May 19, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jun 02, 2025 - Jun 05, 2025Friday - Monday
Jun 13, 2025 - Jun 16, 2025Friday - Monday
Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 07, 2025Friday - Monday
Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025Friday - Monday
Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 18, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Sep 11, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025Friday - Monday
Sep 19, 2025 - Sep 22, 2025Friday - Monday
Sep 26, 2025 - Sep 29, 2025Friday - Monday
Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 13, 2025Friday - Monday
Oct 31, 2025 - Nov 03, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Nov 06, 2025 - Nov 09, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Riviera Travel requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of riviera travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.