Visiting Krakow and Warsaw in tandem encompasses both sides of Polish history. Krakow was untouched during WWII and as a result still has a fascinating combination of gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture, while Warsaw was completely destroyed prior to the allied liberation, and has been rebuilt with a strong Soviet influence.

Although many visit Krakow to see Auschwitz, Birkenau and the nearby salt mines, the town itself has one of Europe’s largest medieval squares and over the last 20 years has enjoyed a gentrification of the Jewish quarter making it well worth the extra day to visit.

In Warsaw, the old town around the palace has been reconstructed painstakingly and the city itself gives a good understanding of post war Poland.

I recommend 4 nights in Krakow and 3 nights in Warsaw, with the high speed train between the cities which takes just 2 ½ hours.