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I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, near Krakow, and I can say that everything was organized flawlessly from start to finish. The meeting point in Krakow was easy to find, and pickup by minibus happened exactly on time, with no delays. Our guide, Polina, was extraordinary. She was kind, highly professional, and extremely knowledgeable historically, managing to convey the information in a clear and respectful way, fitting for the gravity of the place. We were given all the time we needed to go through both Auschwitz I and Birkenau, without ever feeling rushed. The logistics were just as good — transportation, the audio headsets for hearing the guide, the travel time between the two sections, everything ran smoothly. We returned to Krakow exactly on schedule. I confidently recommend this experience to anyone who wants to visit this place of immense historical and emotional significance, in a well-organized setting with an outstanding guide.

A tour operated by Cracovia Visit, with the final departure time confirmed the day before. The tour leader from escursionicracovia.it, Salvatore, was exceptionally kind, always paying attention to everyone and organizing the experience in an exemplary manner. Many people complain about schedule changes and, at times, pick-up times that are much earlier than what was chosen during the booking process. It’s important to remember that the Auschwitz complex confirms guide slots the day before, and, paradoxically, it’s actually better to be picked up very early in the morning and being among the first to enter—rather than having a leisurely breakfast and perhaps spending hours going through security checks... I was lucky enough to enter at 7:30 a.m. after being picked up at 5:40 a.m., and entering among the first groups in the camps allows you to tour everything in the silence that a memorial like this deserves.

The organization was perfect! They moved our tour up by about an hour and a half, but we knew that could happen. Otherwise, the bus transfers and the tour itself were exceptionally well organized. In August, there are so many people, so the tour moves along a bit quickly. But our guide, Margherita—who spoke perfect Italian—led us with great professionalism, expertise, and deep respect. Needless to say, the tour was truly moving—we were moved to tears several times. Seeing those places in person—the children’s hair and shoes—stirs something deep inside you; it’s impossible to explain. We were so eager to take this tour that we recommend it to everyone! In fact, it should be mandatory for all schools.

The minibus was on time for the pickup. We were 8 Italian tourists plus the girl who was driving the minibus. It takes a while to get to the camps because the road is single-lane and you can't go fast. When we arrived, entry was pretty simple and quick. Our guide, Margherita, was exceptional and always available for questions. We could really sense how touched she was by the tragedy. Birkenau is a much quicker visit, almost entirely outdoors: a gigantic camp that leaves you with profound reflections.

The most compelling moments of the tour were the sections where the guide recounted historical events in an extremely respectful, clear, and compelling manner. In particular, seeing the camp sites, barracks, and exhibits of personal belongings made the magnitude of history feel much more vivid. Rather than a mere “pleasure” trip, it was an extremely thought-provoking, educational, and unforgettable visit.

To trip was well worth going and we learnt so much about all prisoners in the camps including the Russians. One real annoyance though. We booked a 8am trip but the day before were told to get to pick up at 05.05am. Frustrated to say the least. This seems to be a regular occurrence with feedback. So tourists beware.