Rebuilt Warsaw to walled Tallinn

Who it is for

For anyone interested in the Second World War who wants old cities at lower prices than western Europe.

Not for anyone who wants to travel overland only, since Kraków and Tallinn are far apart.

The strategy

Warsaw and Kraków form the first part, with the train chosen to suit your travel dates. To continue to Tallinn, check flights and any connections, including transfers. The contrast is between rebuilt Warsaw and medieval Tallinn; Tallinn also suffered bombing in 1944, so it did not escape the war.

What you will see

• Rynek Starego Miasta, Warsaw. The square's colorful row houses were rebuilt between 1949 and 1953 on the original foundations, with facades copied from the vedute Bernardo Bellotto painted between 1767 and 1780.
• Rynek Główny, Kraków. A square roughly 200 by 200 meters (3.79 ha) laid out under the 1257 charter, the largest medieval square in Europe.
• Raekoja plats, Tallinn. The Gothic town hall, completed between 1402 and 1404, is the only one of its kind preserved in northern Europe; atop its tower turns the Vana Toomas weathervane, installed in 1530.

Day by day

Warsaw

1. 1
   Day 1: The remade city

   1. 1Rynek Starego Miasta and the Old TownUp to half an hourEssential
   2. 7Krakowskie Przedmieście and the Royal RouteWorth a visit
2. 2
   Day 2: Ghetto and Uprising: POLIN and the memorials

   

Kraków

1. 3
   Day 3: The medieval ring

   1. 1Rynek Główny and Podziemia RynkuEssential
   2. Collegium MaiusUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 5Czartoryski MuseumWorth a visit
   4. 3WawelEssential
2. 4
   Day 4: Wawel, Kazimierz and Podgórze

   1. 3WawelEssential
   2. 7Ghetto Heroes SquareUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 4Schindler's Factory and MOCAKEssential
3. 5
   Day 5: Nowa Huta and both banks · if you have more time

   

Tallinn

1. 6
   Day 6: Old Town, with choices and breaks

   1. 1Raekoja plats and the RaekodaEssential
   2. 2ToompeaEssential
   3. 3NigulisteUp to half an hourEssential
2. 7
   Day 7: Kalamaja and the harbour, with choices · if you have more time

   1. 4Telliskivi and the Balti Jaama TurgEssential
   2. 8LennusadamWorth a visit
3. 8
   Day 8: Kadriorg and memory, with time to choose · if you have more time

   1. 7Kadriorg and the KumuWorth a visit
   2. LauluväljakUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 9MaarjamäeUp to half an hourWorth a visit