Poland July 2025

Kraków is a city layered with history, beauty, and charm. It was Poland's only major city to escape World War II virtually intact, preserving its Old World vibes. The Nazis claimed it was an ancient German city and wanted it saved. We did a lot today, absorbing Kraków's sights, foods, and drinks; the tourist area is compact enough to walk to just about everything of interest in less than 15 minutes. Krakow's picture-perfect Old Town seamlessly blends a rich mix of European architectural styles amid a jumble of cobbled streets, churches and palaces, and medieval sights. At each sight Scott kept joking, "is this a church or a castle?" We are starting today at Wawel Castle, a complex on a hill with a historic castle, museum, and Poland's National church (like England's Westminster Abbey). We just walked around to view it from the outside. Perched on a hill overlooking the Vistula River, Wawel Castle tells the story of royal legacy, cultural endura...

Most visitors of Poland take a side trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the world's most powerful memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. At least 1.1 million innocent people were murdered here. A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is truly heartbreaking and shocking Auschwitz, the biggest and most famous concentration camp, is known for the Nazi slogan "Arbeit macht frei" on its entrance gate. "Work sets you free" was the cruel lie told by the gate. Death was the only way out for the prisoners. Two layers of electrified fencing surrounded the camp The average prisoner survival rate was 3 months Before World War II, 80% of Europe's Jews lived in Poland, which was crucial to the Nazis' plans. Located at the heart of Europe, Poland's central positioning made it logistically efficient for the Nazis to carry out deportations and mass exterminations. They brought their belongings because they were fooled into think...

Sitting on the border with Slovakia are the Tatras, a jagged mountain range that is popular with hikers and adventurous travelers. Zakopane is the large town that is the main gateway into the Tatras. If you've made it as far as Zakopane in July, there's a good chance that like us, you are here to hike to Morskie Oko in Tatra National Park. It is the most popular hike here - and the most crowded! The paved road, about five miles long, takes you gradually up to the lake. It's an easy walk. Morskie Oko in Tatra National Park Assuming there would be less crowds on a rainy day, we gave ourselves an extra hour of sleep. When we got to the trailhead, we sat in the car, willing ourselves to start the wet hike. If you're doing it in the rain, be sure to bring your sense of adventure with you! The hike takes about two hours. That is a long time to be getting drenched by the pouring rain! It isn't miserable to hike in the rain, but hiking without rain is a mil...

"Looks like a Monopoly day to me," Scott said as the nonstop rain kept coming down. That darn rain did indeed change our plans - but not to a good game of "Tatry" Monopoly. We were on our way to Slovakia! Only 16 miles away, it had more enticing rainy day options than Zakopane. Slovakia has one of Europe's largest concentrations of castles. Orava Castle, majestically perched on a cliff above the river, is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Slovakia - and only an hour from Poland. It has a significant number of stairs, which is precisely what drew me in. Constructed in the 13th century, Orava Castle features palaces, fortifications, and towers at varying levels Having Orava Castle completely to ourselves, except for one other guy, made it particularly fun to explore If you feel up to climbing at least 300 stairs, you can tour Orava Castle in an hour View over Slavokia's countryside from the castle's high perch A fun activity...