Auschwitz History Tour

Day 1

Flight to Krakow. Walking tour of the Jewish Quarter and Ghetto

Flight to Krakow: You are met on arrival by your guide and private coach and transfer to your hotel for check in.

Jewish Quarter and the Ghetto: After lunch you have a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz and learn about the tragic events of the past. You visit places such as the Old Synagogue and Remah Jewish Cemetery which are now just remnants of the once rich Jewish history of Krakow. Crossing the Vistula River you see Ghetto Heroes Square which stands where the original Krakow ghetto once stood and is now a memorial to the thousands who died. Empty chairs symbolise the people who were sent to different concentration camps. You also visit the Eagle Pharmacy which existed during the war and which helped the Jewish people held in the ghetto.

Dinner and Old Quarter: After dinner this evening you can visit the vibrant Old Quarter of Krakow with its many cafes spilling out onto the central Market Square.

Day 2

Full day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau

Auschwitz: Today you visit the former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz and Birkenau, located 40 miles west of Krakow. During World War Two this was the largest concentration camp of Nazi Germany. Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviets in January 1945, and today it is a museum honouring the victims of Nazism. There will be a guided tour which will include the separate site at Birkenau.

Evening Bowling: You return to Krakow in the afternoon there will be time to go bowling before dinner at a city restaurant.

Day 3

Wieliczka Salt Mine, Schindler Factory and Plazsow Concentration Camp

Wieliczka Salt Mine: This morning you have a guided tour at the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine. Situated 135 metres underground the mine dates from the 12th century and played an important role in the economic development of the city. This is the only salt mine in the world preserved in such a pristine condition. It has various chambers and even underground chapels, all decorated with salt sculptures and elaborate ornamentation carved in the salt rock.

Schindler Factory: In the afternoon you visit the former Emalia Factory of Oskar Schindler, the German industrialist credited with saving thousands of Jewish workers and commemorated in the film Schindler’s List. There is a museum and permanent exhibition about life in Krakow from just before the start of the war to the liberation by the Soviet Red Army.

Plazsow: After visiting the Schindler Factory you continue to the site of the former concentration camp at Plaszow who’s brutal commandant Amon Goeth was portrayed by Ralph Fiennes in the Spielberg film Schindler’s List. Little remains now apart from the infamous ‘Grey House’ where Goeth had his office, and there is a monument to the thousands who died here.

Evening: Dinner this evening will be at your hotel or a city restaurant

Day 4

Galicia Jewish Museum and flight home

Galicia Museum: This morning you visit the Galicia Museum which commemorates Jewish victims of the Holocaust and celebrates the Jewish culture and history of the former Austro-Hungarian region of Galicia. There is a book shop and photographic exhibition depicting modern-day remnants of Poland’s once–thriving Jewish community. There is also the possibility (although it is becoming a rare event now) to meet a Holocaust survivor and to hear their testimony at first hand.

Flight home: There will be free time for lunch and shopping before you transfer to the airport for your flight home.