The usual places to visit after Krakow would be Budapest ( and if you like hot springs you must try the Geller) and Prague which is a fabulous city - one of my favorites. While still in Poland visit Zakapone if you can. The architecture of the houses stands out with the strangely shaped roofs. These places are all drivable but it does take some time clipping across a corner of Austria.

Posted Jun 15, 2012

In Poland you will finde many interesting places. Depends on if you are going to travel by car or not. traveling by car makes everything easer, but you must be good driver. Roads in many places are under construction. If you start in Warsaw, then is good to go south to Czestochowa - the most important religious place in this country. Next is Krakow. Few kilometers away from Krakow is Wieliczka - salt mine- very old, world heritage site. Then jump to Zakopane - very nice mountain city- see Morskie Oko . Then I would go to Prague. Let me know how you are going to travel . By car , train or plane. There is many connections by plane from Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk so is easy to reach cities in Scandinavia, also Berlin, Prague, Budapest even Moscow. Finally Warsaw is ideal hub for central and eastern Europe.

Posted Jun 16, 2012

I took a train up to Lithuania from Warsaw and that was pretty cool. It was a bit of a train trip to get up there, but well worth it. It's far less touristy than places like Krakow, which can be full of tourists and cheesy attractions, but still fun. If you do head up to Lithuania I recommend going to Vilnius, as apposed to Kaunas, much more to see in Vilnius (make sure to see the Frank Zappa monument). I've also heard that the Baltic coast is very nice as well, but I didn't make it that far.

Posted Jun 16, 2012

Hello Bobbi,
Although, by American standards, Warsaw and Krakow appear close there is quite a bit of travelling between the two cities. I shall leave Warsaw for other respondents but shall try and offer a little advice about where you can visit from Krakow. It has already been mentioned but Zakopane is a very popular resort for the Poles. A 2 hour drive from Krakow (same by bus but 3-4 hours by train), it is primarily a ski resort/spa town. It has a wonderful atmosphere and thousands enjoy the walk up to Morskie Oko. The car park is about a 20 minute drive from Zakopane and the walk takes around 1:30 each way (rambling speed). If you are a little more adventurous, Morskie Oko is the base from which you could explore the Tatra Mountains.
Altough Budapest appears close to Krakow, you are best advised to head to Austria first.
If in Krakow, I advise you to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau. I wouldn't call it fun but I do think it is an essential part of a visit to Europe. http://en.auschwitz.org/m/
Hope I have been of assistance.

Regards,

Lee

Posted Jun 18, 2012