Krakow Christmas City Break

What You'll Do

Enjoy the magical Christmas Market of Krakow. Experience the Christmas culture and traditions, tour the old city in a vintage car, learn about the history of this city and become a master in the local cuisine!

Your Christmas Market adventure starts with a transfer from the airport to your hotel. You will meet with your guide and head to the Christmas market where you can try traditional Christmas foods, and delicious mulled wine, there is nothing better than a vibrant Christmas atmosphere. In the evening, continue to browse the markets or head out into the city and try one of the many local bars and restaurants

On your second day after breakfast at the hotel you will meet your guide and embark on a journey back in time in a vintage Trabant car. You will learn about the communist era in Poland and about how locals lived their lives as well as visiting some vintage shops from the 1950s. In the afternoon you will take part in a culinary workshop and learn how to make traditional Polish bagels – or ‘obwarzanek’. You will learn about history of these delicious dough rings from medieval times and then get to make one of your own !

The next day will be a free day at your leisure. You can choose to explore the city on your own or take an optional extra activity.

Experience
Highlights

Experience the Magical Traditional Christmas market

Enjoy a journey back in time to the Communist era in a vintage car

Learn to make the traditional Polish Bagel

Experience Itinerary

Arrival and Christmas Market

On arrival at Krakow airport you will be transferred from the airport to your city centre hotel

Once you have settled in you will meet your guide and set off to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the traditional Christmas Market. Let’s try grilled Oscypek (smoked sheep’s cheese from the Polish mountains) accompanied by a cup of delicious mulled wine and then taste the wonderful array of Christmas treats, learn about Polish Christmas traditions and maybe buy some beautiful souvenirs to take home. You will really get into the Christmas spirit and you wander through the stalls and soak up the atmoshere.

The evening will be at your leisure, your guide will be happy to recommend places to visit and you can explore the city, where there are many great bars and restaurants to choose from.

Accommodation:

4* Rubenstein Hotel in Krakow

Communism Tour and Culinary Workshop

After breakfast at the hotel uou will join your guide for a journey back in time to the communism era. You will set off in a vintage Communist era Trabant car to experience the wonders of this one-of-a-kind city. Not only will you discover how the average Pole lived, worked and played under Communism, but stories and anecdotes from your fun and knowledgable local guide will bring the “good old days” back to life. The ‘Communism Tour’ includes walking around the district Nowa Huta, refreshments in an old-fashioned restaurant and a short visit to the local 1950s shop with unique, traditional souvenirs, truly Socialist interior design, and a small exhibition of real-life Communist items.

Following this you will have chance to bake your own traditional Polish bagel in a Culinary workshop. Wherever you are in Krakow you will be just moments away from one of the city’s famous food carts, and the aroma of delicious warm bread. These twisted, golden brown snacks are said to be the original bagel and are called Obwrzanek Krakowski . Learn how to make this local snack in the Live Obwarzanek Museum, where the chef will tell you about its origins ,the recipe and the techniques for making the best bagels and then you will have the opportunity to make your own!

The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Accommodation

krakow

Free day

Today is a tree day to spend as you wish , perhaps return to the markets, enjoy a leisurely stroll and discover more of this vibrant city on your own, or you can choose to take the optional guided tour of the famous Krakow Salt mine.

Optional tour:

Wieliczka Salt Mine

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to Wieliczka, around 14 km outside the city. The salt mine is the most beautiful and the oldest operating salt mine in the world and a UNESCO world Heritage site. For over 700 years it was a source of Polish fortune and today Wieliczka is the most visited Polish tourist site. Inside the cave you will see salt lakes, tunnels, chambers with beautifully carved salt sculptures and even chapels, some of them are quite spectacular! There are enormous chandeliers made from pure salt crystals and look just like the real thing. It’s really an incredible sight. Magnificent chapels, charming underground lakes and also a display of the original tools and equipment used in creating these masterpieces. There are up to 800 steps down into the chambers, so please consider whether this is suitable for your party.

Accommodation

Departure

After breakfast today you will collected for your journey back to the airport for your return flight. We are sure you will take home amazing memories of this wonderful festive time in Krakow, and probably a few traditional souvenirs in your suitcase!= to surprise friends and family with on Christmas Day!

Location Information

Kraków is known for its well-preserved medieval core and Jewish quarter. Its old town is ringed by Planty Park and remnants of the city’s medieval walls. A very history rich city, it’s a must visit for an avid traveller. With a vibrant atmosphere and great night life there is something for everyone in Krakow. Its traditional Christmas market is a wonderful experience with its many stalls selling traditional festive food, drinks, gifts and decorations. Take time to wander the market and immerse yourself in the Christmas atmosphere.

From £399 pp