Azorcan Tours

DAY 10 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
KRAKOW - WIELICZKA SALT MINE – FOLKLORE SHOW

In the morning, we departed for the Wieliczka Salt Mine. The guided tour is a surreal experience exploring an underground world carved from salt, with winding tunnels, vast chambers, underground lakes, and elaborate sculptures deep beneath the earth. Highlights include the stunning Chapel of St. Kinga, where even the chandeliers are made of salt crystal, creating an atmosphere that feels both historic and otherworldly.

The mine dates back to the 13th century and was one of Poland’s most important economic resources for hundreds of years, producing salt continuously until 2007. Miners spent generations expanding the labyrinth by hand, turning parts of it into chapels and artworks, and today it stands as one of Poland’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In the evening we went to the folklore evening at Skansen Smaków for our farewell dinner. It is designed as a full “Polish countryside feast” experience rather than just a stage performance. It takes place in a large wooden highlander-style inn near Kryspinów Lake, about 15 minutes outside central Kraków, with rustic interiors, long communal tables, live musicians, dancers in traditional costumes, and a very energetic dinner-party atmosphere.

DAY 9 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
KRAKOW

Our group met outside the Kraków Barbican in the morning. The guide began by explaining how the Barbican and the old city walls protected Kraków hundreds of years ago. Once we walked through St. Florian’s Gate and into the Old Town, we walked on the cobblestone streets, passing colorful buildings, tiny cafés, and hidden courtyards. The guide mixed history with local stories, so it never felt too formal or overloaded with dates.

Reaching the Main Square was probably the moment that stood out most for all of us. The square is huge, and seeing the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica up close was impressive. Horse carriages moved through the square while people sat outside cafés and walked between the market stalls, which gave the whole area a lively atmosphere. We also stopped to listen to the trumpet call from the church tower, which was one of the highlights of the walk.

The walk toward Wawel was quieter. We passed buildings belonging to Jagiellonian University and heard stories about students, kings, famous people, and enjoyed a stop at an underground university café. Then we learned about Pope John Paul II, who was closely tied to Kraków, where he served as Archbishop before becoming pope in 1978. Sites like Wawel Cathedral and the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy reflect his lasting influence on the city.

Walking around Wawel Royal Castle was one of the best parts of the tour. The castle courtyards were surprisingly calm compared to the busy Old Town, and the guide explained how Polish kings once lived there and why the site is still so important today. We spent some time around Wawel Cathedral hearing stories about royal coronations and burials, and from the ramparts we could see the famous dragon statue down by the river.