Travelled from Edinburgh Airport with Ryanair, have read lots of complaints about this airline, but to me it was great value and I'll go with them again.

On arrival at Krakow the arranged shuttle bus was waiting and only 30 minutes later I was in the city.

Finding my accommodation was easy and as was to be proved, walking round especially the Old Town is simplicity itself.

Next day I went on an organised trip to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. Both of these places attract around 7000 visitors every day and are therefore very busy.
We had a fantastic English speaking guide and everyone was provided with headsets to hear all the commentary.
Both camps are horrific places but in my opinion well worth the visit. Most of Birkenau or Auschwitz II as it was known, has been destroyed and all that is left are the hut chimneys, a few conserved huts and ruins of the gas chambers and crematorium. Definitely a cold and chilling place to see.

Back in Krakow there are free walking trips around the old town and to the Jewish Quarter where many parts of the film Schilndler's List were shot. The guides all spoke English and very amusing too.

Another trip I made this time without organised transport was to the Salt Mine at Wieliczka. I went on the train and came back on the local bus.
The visit to the mine most definitely involves a lot of walking, descending around 400 steps into the 2 kilometers of corridors.
There are 20 chambers to visit are many sculptures made from salt and the sight of the Chapel of St. King is simply amazing. Fortunately the return to the surface is by lift.

The city of Krakow is very beautiful and I was lucky with the weather, cold wind but lovely sunshine.

Eating out is comparatively cheap, and worth a try is one of the "Milk Bars" For the cost of a few coins you can eat like an orphaned street urchin, albeit an extremely well-fed one.

Just by the railway station there is an enormous shopping centre with shops to suit everyone, even McDonalds, Subway KFC and the like. Ideal for a wet day.

I had a great time there, lots of happy memories and always felt safe, would most certainly go back again.