The city of Krakow dates all the way back to a Stone Age settlement, and has grown into Poland’s second largest city. With legends of dragons and medieval architecture throughout the city, Krakow is a place that feels like it belongs in a storybook. Perhaps the best starting point is Main Square in the Old Town, home to the Town Hall Tower and the massive Cloth Hall. Stroll down Florianska Street to browse the shops and taste the local treats on the Old Town’s main road.
Make your way to the crest of Wawel Hill to visit Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral, a 900-year-old church that has served as the coronation site for many Polish monarchs. Essential to any trip to this part of Poland is a short ride to Auschwitz, possibly the worst of the Nazi concentration camps in World War II. Over a million people were killed here, and a tour of the camp uncovers the horrifying ways in which they lived and died. It’s a heavy experience, but one you’ll never forget.
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