Help building Itinerary... 6 days in Warsaw + Krakow

The Warsaw Uprising Museum would be a good fit for you in terms of WWII activities. There is one day a week where tickets are free. Don't go no that day. I did. It's packed... in a way that degrades the experience.

The POLIN Museum (Jewish museum) would be an option, but if you're going to Auschwitz, that alone may be enough depression for your trip.

Not John Paul II related, but if you have time, read up on Father Jerzy Popiełuszko, a Warsaw priest who was martyred for his opposition to the Polish communist regime.

Do you have the Rick Steves Karakow, Warsaw and Gdansk guidebook? There is good coverage on the various John Paul sites.

With just six full days, and one for Auschwitz, you will want to choose carefully to maximize your time. Be sure to take the high speed train between Warsaw and Krakow - it should be approx 2.25 hrs plus time to/ from the stations.

In Warsaw there is a new branch of the Polish Army Museum, but it looks heavier on hardware than history. The uprising museum, POLIN and Auwchwitz may be enough.

When in Krakow I chatted with another American who had been to Schindler's the day before - she said it was so crowded that it was unpleasant - and this was early April. I skipped it.

If you're short on time, consider skipping the rebuilt old town square in Warsaw and concentrate on the original one in Krakow. You may find the Rynek Undergound in Krakow worthwhile. The better vegan choices may be farther afield from the touristic areas. It takes time to get around in Warsaw. Check out the food hall near the Uprising museum.

I was in both places last week. ```

Be ready for crowds.....I was unlucky at Polin as a group of teens numbering between 200-300 arrived and were given private tours of the museum. They were not spaced out so I could hardly see anything as they spread out and took up all the space. I tried to wait but it never stopped because the groups kept coming.

The parts of the museum I saw were excellent. When I mentioned something about spacing out groups so those not in groups could enjoy the museum I was told they were open to everyone. They didn't care.

As stated, Warsaw is intersting but it is all rebuilt. You might want to spend a little extra time in Krakow. My luck there was also bad as the day I had planned to spend in Old Town was blocked by a massive protest by farmers. Trams and buses couldn't get through. I was leaving the next day and the receptionist at my hotel told me he was caught in the middle and could hardly move even walking.

The high speed train between the Krakow and Warsaw is easy.

You might not think it, but I liked Poland. I'll probably return to check out other places.

If you are interested in WWII (and WWI?) history and Pope John Paul II, I suggest visiting the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow, has well preserved airplanes from WWI, WWII, and the Cold War. Including Hermann Göring's personal WWI airplane collection and Pope John Paul II's Papal Helicopter, located on the outskirts of Krakow (can take a taxi). I was there over last summer.

Also, no one interested in Pope John Paul II can pass up a daytrip to his hometown of Wadowice, about 1 hr west of Krakow. I've been there before several years ago, other than the beautiful Silesian baroque architecture, the town has a museum of Pope John Paul II in his family home which has been meticulously preserved - https://domjp2.pl/en/

Wadowice is also famous for a local puff pastry cake (kremówka), which was one of Pope John Paul II's favorites, that can be tasted today in many shops around town.

Both places are pretty off the beaten path and uncrowded with foreign tourists.

In Krakow be sure to visit the Old Kleparz market (Stary Kleparz). It's a 10 minute (or less) walk north of the Old Town. It's a beautiful market-incredible selection of fresh produce!