Michal is everything you could ask for from a tour guide and driver. First we had made a mishap with our arrival timing for pick-up but it was no worry for Michal. Instead of an angry tour guide, we were welcomed by a smiley, charming, forgiving and understanding gentleman who allowed us to reroute our pick-up location to amend our error.
Once we were all settled in the bus we were shown a 45 minute documentary to prepare us for what we were about to experience. The commute to the camps were comfortable which was ideal due to the distance we were having to travel.
On board was another tour guide named Yola who prepared our tickets for the entrance of Auschwitz. Once we had made it through the gates, Yola was then our tour guide throughout all the camps at Auschwitz. Despite being polish, her English speaking and guiding skills were enchanting and made history come alive.
Once we had finished at the first camp, Michal had made himself comfortable with everyone and had a nice chat with all of the passengers. Despite only meeting him for the first time an hour ago, I felt like I had known him for years.
Once we had arrived at Birkenau, Yola once again put her amazing skills to work and taught us everything we needed to know whilst we walked around the huge memorial site. Somehow she made us forget about the miles we had walked and had to walk with her captivating stories from history.
Sadly at end of Birkenau this was the last we saw of Yola but no bother, Michal had met us outside the gates and carried on with the tour as he guided us back to the minibus, giving us little bitesize chunks of what had happened on the grounds along the way.
He then escorted us to the salt mines, but first we needed a bite to eat. Michal brought us all to a local restaurant where we could experience real, traditional polish delicacies. He in fact shared a table and joined in with the meal, giving us recommendations of what to eat and drink.
Into the salt mines we go, this is where we left Michal for a couple of hours whilst we adventured round the mines. One of our team members unfortunately had an accident and needed medical attention but Michal thought quick on his feet and made sure they had the easiest seats and drove them to their drop off point first.
To summarize everything, Michal and Yola left us with such a positive and memorable experience to which I would recommend to anyone and everyone who visits Krakow.
Thank you Michal and Yola, sincerely Jade and Ash
