We are a family of 4 with two teenagers. We have not bought tickets yet but are arriving Jun 13 and leaving Jun 21. We plan to go to munich/bavaria but are trying to decide between adding salzburg or krakow. Would fly to krakow. Do you think there is enough time to go to Krakow as well or should we focus on Bavaria for the full 8 days? Not interested in concentration camps (the kids are very sensitive.) We like scenic areas, picturesque cities, less so museums or WWII sites. Would be interested in the salt mines in Krakow. Thanks for any help :)
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9263 posts
With your short time, I'd go to Salzburg, which also has salt mines.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
22030 posts
You have 6.5 days on the ground. Munich is good for 2 or 3 depending on your interests. Now you have maybe 4 days. If you flew to Krakow thats a day. Now you have 3 and I imagine there is more in Bavaria to see.
As for Krakow, I was looking at going to Krakow early this summer, but since there isnt just a whole lot there if you rule out the Holocaust and the Salt Mine, I decided to go elsewhere (debating between Corfu, Strbske Pleso and Nessebar ... has to do with discount airline routes).
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
22030 posts
Edit I didnt answer your question. Sorry. Go to Salzburg. You almost time for that if you dont see much of Bavaria.
Posted by
London
311 posts
I love both those cities but considering how much easier it is to get from Munich to Salzburg than to Krakow, I would definitely go with Salzburg. It's only 1hr 45m on the train which is very straightforward. As mentioned above, you can even do a day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt, which has a huge salt mine. I've not yet been to Wieliczka salt mine but the one in Hallstatt is very good and the town is lovely, too (tho can get crowded).
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1851 posts
Vicky,
Arrival and departure days are kind of lost to all the necessities of arriving. locating and checking into lodgings, orienting yourself to Munich, and possibly jet lag. You will have seven full days and maybe two half days at the beginning and end. Arrival day is a good day to walk around and familiarize yourself with Munich before dinner and getting a good nights sleep. Munich itself needs at least four days to get the most out of it. (Marienplatz, Deutsches Museum, the Treasury at Nymphenburg Palace, Viktualen Market, Englischer Garten, St. Peter's church, Asamkirk, a beer garden meal, esp. one with music.) And lots of tasty food!
By the way, the Deutsches museum isn't an art museum, but has tons of scientific artifacts. Kind of hard for me to explain, but oh so interesting! And the Nymphenburg Palace would be a great palace experience, worth having, especially the Treasury.
We and our teen children did visit Dachau and, although sobering, we all felt it was perhaps the most important stop on our trip. You know your own kids best, of course, but sometimes those who get the most out of these visits are those who are most sensitive. However, it is important to do some preparation beforehand.
Bavaria is a beautiful part of Germany and you can easily fill your time within the region. I think you would lose too much time going to Krakow, and it deserves a good chunk of time on its own. In Bavaria there is Rothenburg ob der Tober, worth a full day; the drive there is on what's called the Romantic Road...just beautiful! And Salzburg is another good choice only 2-3 hours away by train.
In summary, Bavaria deserves plenty of time, with maybe a couple of days in Salzburg. Poland deserves more time by itself.
Have a wonderful trip. Enjoy!