Krakow - WWII and Salt Mines - led by Denis Lyle
5 September 2025
Depart Belfast International at 06.15am on Friday morning arriving in Krakow at 10.05am (times provisional and subject to change). Poland is +1 hour ahead of GMT. Flight time: 2hr 50 minutes. 15kgs of luggage included per person.
On arrival in Krakow transfer to the Golden Tulip Krakow (or similar depending on group size). The hotel is 200m from the Main Square, has wi-fi, air-con and tea/coffee facilities. Mini bar payable locally.
You won’t be able to check in to your hotel until around 3pm, so you will enjoy a fully escorted city tour of the Old Town of Krakow
With some free time for lunch. Overnight at the hotel.
6 September 2025
Breakfast at hotel.
Today we take a private day trip to Auschwitz and Birkenau. It is hard to describe this place and not become emotional. Take a tour of the site where the Jews suffered at the hands of Hitler. This trip is a mark of respect to all those who were lost and a lesson to us all of the consequences of war.
Of the 1.3 million Jews brought from all over Europe to Auschwitz, 1.1 million of them were killed. Almost three quarters were killed on arrival. Hitler even had sadistic German prisoners operate the camp who had no mercy. How sad is it to find the words above the entrance gate Arbeit macht frei, a German phrase translated as "Work makes one free" or more idiomatically "Work sets you free" or "work liberates".
The phrase originates from the 1873 novel Die Wahrheit macht frei ("The truth sets free") by Lorenz Diefenbach, a pastor and philologist, itself being a reference to John 8:31–32 of the Gospel of John.
Free time for lunch.
This afternoon continue with the story of the Jews as you travel to the Kazimierz is a historical district Of Krakow and Kraków Old Town, Poland. From its inception in the 14th century to the early 19th century, Kazimierz was an independent city, a royal city of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom, located south of the Old Town of Kraków, separated from it by a branch of the Vistula river. For many centuries, Kazimierz was a place where ethnic Polish and Jewish cultures coexisted and intermingled. The northeastern part of the district was historically Jewish. In 1941, the Jews of Kraków were forcibly relocated by the German occupying forces into the Krakow ghetto just across the river in Podgórze, and most did not survive the war. Today, Kazimierz is one of the major tourist attractions of Krakow and an important centre of cultural life of the city. It is one of the most visited areas of Krakow. Overnight at hotel.
7 September 2025
Breakfast at hotel. This morning you set off for one of the most fascinating natural phenomena of Poland. Descend 800 steps supporting by wooden rails and high ceilings to the depth of the glory of the mines. The mines are spacious and well carved leaving it an easier walk than you can imagine.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is located outside Kraków in southern Poland, directly below the town of Wieliczka. It was in operation since the 1200th century until 1996. During World War II, the salt mine was used by the German occupying forces for the storage and production of war material. In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine became one of the first twelve World Heritage Sites on UNESCO's newly established World Heritage List. The mine has a long tradition of tourism and has about 1,200,000 visitors per year. It is a highlight when the reach the beautiful church carved from salt. You will be glad to know that you ascend by lift. [oskar schindler] Lunch stop at own expense.
This afternoon return to Krakow and visit the Schindler Museum. Most were made aware of the work of Schindler due to the famous movie Schindler’s List. In many eyes he was a criminal who used the war to his advantage, but to over 1200 Jews he saved them from death. He is buried in Jerusalem and is commemorated in Yad Vashem Memorial to the Jewish Holocaust on Mt Zion in Jerusalem. His Hebrew inscription reads, ‘Righteous Among the Nations’
The factory that became known as Oskar Schindler’s factory originally belonged to three Jewish-Polish businessmen. Schindler gained ownership of the plant as part of Nazi policy that seized Jewish property and transferred its ownership to non-Jews.
Originally an enamelware factory, Schindler started producing ammunition shells during World War II to ensure it remained essential to war efforts, allowing him to continue employing and rescuing Jews.
In 1945, Schindler successfully established a sub-camp of Plaszow concentration camp within the factory’s premises, based on the argument that it would save the workers’ time spent walking the 10 kilometres from the camp to the factory and increase the factory’s output. Overnight at hotel
8 September 2025
Breakfast at hotel. Free day in Krakow. Enjoy the markets of the Cloth Hall. Take a tour of Wawel castle or maybe a horse drawn carriage ride around the old Town.
This evening enjoy a complimentary evening meal in a local restaurant with your group on the final night.
Overnight at hotel
09 September 2025
Breakfast at hotel. Depart hotel for your return to Krakow airport. Flight departs Krakow at 11am.
SPECIAL OFFER -
ALL BOOKINGS MADE BY 30 September 2024 WILL BE ENTITLED TO £50pp OFF THEIR BOOKING. Bookings from 1 October 2024 will be as above.
PAYMENT PLAN
Deposit £300 - deposit is due to flights having to be paid in full at time of booking.
2nd payment £150 - by 31 October 2024
3rd payment £150 - by 31 January 2025
4th payment Final payment due by 31 March 2025
Bookings will only be accepted with a completed booking form. Deposits are non-refundable. Cancellation charges apply. We will endeavour to assist with changes beyond our control. Itinerary is subject to change. We reserve the right to change hotels, flights, tour leader due to circumstances beyond our control.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE ADEQUATE INSURANCE FOR YOUR TRIP.
Payment should be made as follows: -
Tour REF: KRKMAY25 followed by your surname
Account Thompson Travel International
Sort Code 90 23 54 Account 64837731
Failure to correctly reference your payment may result in it not being allocated to your account. If you have not received a receipt within one week of your payment, please contact our office.
You may also pay by cash or card in our office at: -
Unit 2 Kernan Shops Lurgan Road Portadown BT63 5QR T: 028 38 394489
This tour is not just a city break. It is a fully inclusive escorted tour, tailor made for your group with escorted guides at important sights. Krakow is such an easy city to enjoy and fin your way around, but when it comes to finding out the facts, a guided tour is always the best option.
If for any reason your leader is unable to travel, we reserve the right to send another escort on the tour.
