Krakow is said to be one of Europe's most beautiful cities, and it deservedly has became one of its most popular destinations. Its Main Square, which is the largest medieval town square in Europe, was acknowledge the most attractive square in the world. The third biggest city in Poland, dates back from the 7th century and continues to display its deep and varied roots. The city came through WWII unscathed so the architecture is not only beautiful, but historic. Rynek Glowny will draw you in with its beauty, Gothic church spirals, and cultural ethos. Impressive Wawel Castle, the seat of Polish kings till 16th century, hosts extensive collection of medieval art. Nearby cathedral on a hill and St Mary Church bewilder with its rich interiors. Krakow is cultural center of Poland. It conceal a vast collection of artwork at museums scattered around the city. It is the city of artists, musicians, poets. Live modern jazz or piano concerts at smoky medieval cellars has its unique atmosphere. The city has a buzzing café culture and over 300 bars, tucked in and around the Main Square. Quiet and historic Jewish quarter of Kazimierz reminds of a heritage of a community that once played important role in the city life. Krakow is also spiritual center, pilgrims come here to visit the Lagiewniki sanctuary and see the places associated with live of Pope John Paul II. Finally Krakow is the best base for exploring Malopolska region, marked with places immersed in history, many of them UNESCO listed.

Krakow tour (3 hours) 

City tour starts at Market Square dominated by the 16th century Rennaissance Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), which houses the largest collection of Polish paintings. On the ground floor there is a souvenir market. In northeastern corner stands 14th century St Mary's Church with magnificent, huge Gothic altarpiece curved in wood by Wit Stwosz in 15th century. We continue to Collegium Maius, oldest part of Jagiellonian University, founded by king Jagiello in the beginning of 15th century. We pass Gothic Franciscan Church, Church of SS Peter&Paul, the first baroque church in Poland and 11th-century St Andrew's Church. Finally we are approaching impressive Wawel Hill, with its Renaissance castle and Cathedral, iconic symbols of Poland. Depending on our customer choice the city tour may be deepened and extended to other places of great interest.

Wawel Hill (2,5 hours) 

From the dawn of Polish history Wawel Hill in Cracow was a centre of secular and ecclesiastical power. The establishment in 1000 of the bishopric of Cracow was soon followed by the construction on Wawel of the first cathedral. The Wawel castle functioned as the residence of the Polish rulers from the mid-11th to the early 17th century. The present structure incorporates Romanesque fragments and considerable Gothic parts, but it acquired its present form mainly in the period c. 1504-1535, during the reign of the kings Alexander (1501-1506) and Sigmund I the Old (1506-1548) of the Jagiellonian dynasty. The construction of the Renaissance castle was begun by Master Eberhard Rosemberger - responsible for the actual building - and Francesco the Florentine, who executed decorative stone elements and the arcaded galleries. Their work was continued by Master Benedykt and another Florentine, Bartolomeo Berrecci. Those artists created together one of the most stately monuments of Renaissance architecture in Europe. The rooms of the Renaissance Wawel residence had a truly royal decoration, presenting a uniform symbolic programme whose leading idea was the glory and righteousness of the sovereign of Poland - arousing fear in his enemies but benign to his subjects, wise and pious. Some elements of the decoration have survived, these being painted friezes, wooden ceilings, and carved architraves. The most original of them is a fragment of the decoration of the ceiling of the Audience Hall, in the form of sculptured and polychromed heads.

Czartoryski Museum (1,5 hours)

The Czartoryski Museum is one of the oldest and most valuable museums in Poland. It was founded in 1796 by Princess Izabela Czartoryska to preserve the Polish heritage. The first objects in the so-called "Temple of Memory" were trophies commemorating the victory against the Turks at the siege of Vienna in 1683. The Museum also features historical artefacts from the looted treasures of the Wawel Cathedral, the Royal Castle and other objects donates by Polish Families. Izabela also bought the treasures of the Dukes of Brabant which included his books, which were to be a particular highlight of the collection. The museum features an impressive collection of European art, most famous of it is Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece Lady with an Ermine.

Kazimierz - Jewish traces (2-3 hours)
Kazimierz was founded by King Kazimierz the Great in 1335 and was separate town until the 1820s, with its own municipal charter and laws. Et the end of 15th century Jews settled here and erected synagogue and developing wonderful culture that made Kazimierz intellectual capital for Polish Jews. The city became home to Jews fleeing persecution from all parts of Europe. Before war there were 65,000 Jews in Krakow (around 30% of total population). All that was lost during WWII, Nazis relocated Jews to ghetto in Podgorze, on the other side of Vistula River and later on exterminated them in the nearby Plaszow Concentration Camp. Whole Jewish quarter with all synagogues miraculously survived and one can stroll through narrow streets with unique atmosphere and visit object of the world that no longer exists. The most important is the 15th century Old Synagogue, the oldest one in Poland. Nearby is the Remuh Synagogue, , the only one still used for religious services. Behind the synagogue there is the Remuh Cemetery with extraordinary Renaissance gravestones. Another synagogue - Izaak's, shows documentary films about life in Jewish ghetto. Tour may be prolonged to former Nazis labour camp in Plaszow and factory of Oscar Schindler, whose story was narrated in Schindler's List.

John Paul II Route (half day)

Since his childhood till the last years of his pontificate life of Karol Wojtyla was associated with Krakow. Both physically and spiritually. There are many sites that had witnessed the presence of this great man. Visiting them we have a chance to tell you an amazing story of his life. We start our tour from places where young Karol was working during the war: soda works and quarries, devoting his free time to reading and praying. We visit The Palace of Krakow Bishops, where he was granted the sacrament of Orders and where he was staying during his pilgrimages to motherland, we continue to Jagellonian University, where Wojtyla lectured in theology. On our way we pass Blonia, where over million of people gathered each time he was conducting a mass and finally we visit the Shrine and Basilica of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, concecrated by the Pope during his last visit to Krakow.

Vistula River Trips 

We organize cruises on Vistula River, which has two versions. The longer one (3 hours) starts in the city center and terminate in Tyniec, known for its Benedictine abbey, founded in 1075. Everyday at 3 p.m. monks are chanting Gregorian Chorals. Shorter cruise takes one hour and gives an opportunity to admire many of Krakow's monuments in easygoing atmosphere.

Nowa Huta tour (2 hours)
Nowa Huta was conceived as a purely socialist town. It was founded in 1949 and centred on Poland's first integrated steelworks. The city plan is based on a half of a classical Renaissance city. The streets run radially out of one centre - Plac Centralny - situated on the brink of the Vistula embankment and are linked together forming a web. Architecture was meant to be based on the Renaissance actually became a mixture of Renaissance, baroque and classicism. The city was supposed to be the contradistinction to Krakow. It was built by simple workers who, at the same time, were building both the steal mill and the blocks of flats. For people of Krakow Nowa Huta was a symbol of Communism. Paradoxically a place designed to be a bastion of socialism became one of the strongholds of Solidarity. Now Nowa Huta is a part of Krakow, old resentments have passed away and the district is becoming more and more popular. On our tour we will visit most interesting places of Nowa Huta and will tell the story of its construction, its planners and of course its dwellers - common people, who escaped from being a "part of the plan".

Excursions in the vicinity of Krakow

Wieliczka (5 hours) 

The Wieliczka Salt Mine lies at the outskirts of Krakow. This is the oldest of the functional salt mines in Europe, being in operation for more than 700 years. The mine houses one of the largest mining museums in Europe and finds a place in UNESCO'S First International List of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The prime lure of the place is in its museum, which lies below the ground and many other structures, which have been carved out of salt. The highlight of a mine is richly ornamented Chapel of the Blessed Kinga.

Auschwitz Death Camp (8 hours)

The camp was first built in 1940 as a place to house Polish political prisoners but later became the largest concentration and extermination site in Europe. Two other camps, Birkenau (Auschwitz II), and Monowice, were also built several miles away and people were forced onto trains headed there from all over Europe. Between 1.5 and 4 million Jews and other Nazi "undesirables" like the disabled were killed in the camps in this small town of Poland. The Auschwitz camp has been preserved as it was at the time of Allied liberation as a memorial to those who suffered and died there, while also serving as a constant reminder of the potential of evil to those who live today.

Zakopane and Tatra Mountains National Park (whole day) 

Zakopane is called Polish winter capital, however it is popular all along a year. This is the highest located city in Poland. Its centre lies at about 840 m above sea level. Being only a two hours drive from Krakow, Zakopane and adjoning magnificent mountain range - the Tatras offer everything that a mountain vacation should. - dramatic views, emerald lakes, scented forests, cascading waterfalls, the best skiing in winter and other recreational activities like hiking, rock climbing, cycling etc. throughout the year. The Tatras range of mountains is the highest and most beautiful section of the Western Carpathian mountain range, which are located on the border of Poland and Slovakia. Apart from natural values it is still very traditional area, that has preserved its local customs, specific art and architecture as well as regional cuisine.

Wadowice (4 hours) 

Wadowice, a small town o not more than 20.000, is proud to be the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, an event which has put Wadowice on the map in many respects. Pilgrim-tourists are attracted to the town where the Pope was born and grew up and come to trace his childhood and early adult life. Visits to the house where he was born and to the church where he worshipped are popular, often rounded off with the sampling of the local delicacy "Papieskie Kremówki".

Czestochowa (6 hours) 

The town is known for the famous Paulite monastery of Jasna Góra that is the home of the Black Madonna painting, a shrine of the Virgin Mary. Every year, millions of pilgrims from all over the world come to Czestochowa to see it. The shrine has a special place in Polish history and it has a reputation of being a miracle worker and an underwriter for Poland's very existence.