You'll likely have to be in Krakow anyway for flight logistics, but it's a great city.

For Auschwitz I recommend booking a tour that starts and ends in Krakow with a small group or private driver. The tours of the camp itself are only lead by their own guides and they offer them in many languages. Go earlier in the day to avoid the crowds. It's like a 90-120 min drive from Krakow. I have a great one I've booked before and can dig it up if you want.

Schindler Factory + Jewish Quarter is another popular spot. I recommend a guide here as well, but book in advance if you're going during a peak time of year.

I've done some Catholic pilgrimages to Poland and there are a ton of great spots for this:
- Krakow (St. Faustina, Divine Mercy, St. John Paul II),
- Wadowice (John Paul II's birthplace),
- Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (major pilgrimage site in a beautiful hilly setting),
- Czstochowa (Jasna Gora and the Black Madonna),
- Niepokalanw near Warsaw (St. Maximilian Kolbe).

Really great hiking in the Tatra Mountains, I've seen some adventure travel itineraries with hiking in Poland and Slovenia and they look beautiful!

Happy to answer questions or help with the trip if you're looking for it.

The salt mine in krakow

Krakow is one of my favorite cities in Eastern Europe.