​Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp, operated in German-occupied Poland during WWII. Over 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were murdered there. It remains a stark symbol of the Holocaust's atrocities.

​Visiting both Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine in a single day proved to be a mistake. While I anticipated the emotional weight of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the sheer scale of the tragedy and the long hours of the tour left me drained. The subsequent visit to the salt mine, though fascinating, felt jarring and disrespectful to the solemn experience I had just endured. It's a lesson learned: Auschwitz-Birkenau deserves its own day, allowing for proper reflection and processing of the horrors it represents. However the thing that affected me most with Auschwitz-Birkenau wasn't anticipated... 

The Wieliczka Salt Mine, near Krakow, Poland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's one of the world's oldest salt mines, operating continuously from the 13th century until 1996. Today, it's a popular tourist attraction, showcasing stunning underground chambers, intricate salt carvings, and centuries of mining history.

While the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a fascinating historical site, it's important to consider your energy levels, especially if you've the same day done the emotionally demanding Auschwitz-Birkenau tour as I did. Combining these two tours in one day can be quite tiring and may not allow for the full impact of each experience. So I wouldn't recommend doing that.