Krakow is a city that reveals itself slowly, and the more you explore, the harder it is to leave. Warsaw may be Poland's political capital, but many Poles will tell you Krakow is its cultural heart. The first time you step into the vast medieval Main Market Square, you'll know you've found the spot where much of your trip will happen, with cafes, restaurants, shops and bars lining every side.

Getting your bearings is simple. The Main Market Square sits at the center of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), which is the center of the city itself. Most of the top sights are in and around the Old Town and just to the south in Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter now full of galleries, cafes and character. Two powerful day trips are well worth the time: the remarkable underground chambers of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, a sobering and essential visit.

Krakow is walkable, affordable and full of history. I'll find you a hotel steps from the square and arrange guided day trips with timed entries, so the logistics are handled and you can focus on the experience.