Wieliczka (Veel-litch-ka) is located about 15km from the centre of Krakow, I am not sure why but I always thought it was further away and difficult to get to by public transport. I was so mistaken - there are two trains an hour from the main station in Krakow and it costs just 3.50 Polish Zloty (or about 75p) to make the journey. The train also connects Wieliczka with Krakow Airport!

Wieliczka is home to the famous Salt Mines which have, over hundreds of years, not only been extracting salt but also the miners have been carving statues, artwork and a church in their spare time!

We had pre-booked in the 17.00 tour, the last of the day and this did seem to mean less people on both the tour itself and down the mine. The entrance price was 84.00 Polish Zloty, or £17.50.

It really is most impressive and provided you can get down the 700+ steps you will have around two hours or more with a guide at up to 135 metres below ground. There is a lift that takes you back to the surface so there is no need to panic about getting back above ground . . . . unless you don't like small cramped miners lifts.

The masterpiece of the underground carvings is the St Kinga's Chapel (one of four that are within the wider mine complex), with massive chandeliers made from salt crystals, ornate carvings - including a copy of The Last Supper as well as a carved and polished tile floor. It took the miners and artists 67 years to complete and that was after they had created the massive void in the first place by removing the rock salt.

In addition to the mines there is also an attraction called the Graduation Tower. This massive wooden construction creates a seaside atmosphere (but without the slot machines, donut stands and chip shops) as very salty water (brine) is pumped into the walls via an irrigation system. The effects of breathing in the salty air, they say, will cure many illnesses from respiratory problems to headaches.

I am not too sure whether this is true or not but listening to the trickling of water as it passes through and over the walls is fairly relaxing and the views from the tower aren't too bad either!

One night was enough in Wieliczka for us to do the salt mines 'Tourist Route', see the town itself and do the Graduation Tower in the morning before leaving. Our hotel, adjacent to the salt mines, was really nice and great value too at £50 for the night including breakfast and not staying in the centre of Krakow was nice as Wieliczka is much quieter.