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History in Auschwitz and Krakow

Overview

"For the dead and the living, we must bear witness."  Elie Wiesel.  September 30, 1928 – July 2, 2016

There is no better destination for studying the Holocaust than Krakow.

Visits to the deeply affecting Holocaust memorials (including the most poignant of all, the Auschwitz concentration camp), sensitively restored synagogues, as well as meeting Holocaust survivors, are essential to understanding 20th century history.

The story of the persecution of the Jews of Europe in the 1930s through to the tragic events of the Holocaust is brought vividly to life during this trip. A truly unforgettable experience.

Our Suggested Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Morning flight to Krakow and transfer to your accommodation. 

    In the afternoon, take part in a guided walking tour of Kazimierz (the Jewish district) and Podgorze (Wartime ghetto).

  2. Day 2

    In the morning, visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. A guided tour will take your students through both parts of the former concentration camp.  It includes the ruins of the gas chambers, a visit to selected national exhibitions and a visit to the prisoner barracks.

    Once back in Krakow, head into Krakow Old Town for some souvenir shopping and sightseeing.

    See the city from a new perspective at the top of Wawel Hill, with a visit to Wawel Castle.  

  3. Day 3

    Take a guided tour of the Galicia Jewish Museum - Your students will take part in a guided tour of the Traces of Memory exhibition. The exhibition pieces together a picture of Jewish culture in Poland, and explores the ways in which the tragic events of the Holocaust are remembered.

    After your tour you'll have the opportunity to take part in a Q&A Session with a Holocaust Survivor. 

    In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the Schindler's Factory, a museum showcasing Oskar Schindler's efforts to save 1200 Jews. Originally an enamelware factory, Schindler employed Jews to work at the factory to prevent them from being deported to concentration camps. Today, you can see the world through their eyes by stepping back in time into recreated settings of hairdressers, train stations and labour camps. 

    Evening flight back to the UK. 

  4. Optional Day 4

    Add on an extra day to your trip to include the stunning Wieliczka Salt Mine! A UNESCO World Heritage site, this salt mine is comprised of 9 levels, 245km galleries and is up to 327m underground. The mine is so large, you can actually only visit 2% of the salt labyrinth! 

School Trip Accommodation

Accommodation

In Krakow we work with both hostels and hotels, please let us know if you have any preference. Most of our schools tend to stay at the Hotel Royal or the Premium Hostel and Atlantis Hostel.  All accommodation we use is audited, and our auditing regime is verified by independent experts.