Wroclaw to where?

Hello,
I have never been to Poland before and am there for a family wedding next summer. We will be in Wroclaw for a few days and would like to use the rest of the time to explore somewhere else. We have 7-10 days. So far Krakow seems to be a popular suggestion, but I wondered whether anyone had any suggestions or advice? Or whether we might be able to fit more in?
We are going to be travelling by public transport and just want to explore Poland. We pretty much love doing anything, but for our first time, would like to see some of the culture and history, some of the landscape and wildlife or somewhere to chill, so I guess pretty much anywhere goes!!!

Thank you for any advice!

Wroclaw's a lovely city to start off with. Neaby the town of Swidnica is worth a visit, especially for the Unessco-listed wooden church. With a week, I would consider taking the train to Torun (Poland's best preserved medieval town, one day there is enough) and then on to Krakow (2-3 days), ending up in the mountains at Zakopane. There are lower mountains with less tourists nearer to Wroclaw by the way.

For the mountains nearer to Wroclaw: Karkonosze(Giant Mountains) 100 kilometers southwest
http://www.polandforvisitors.com/travel_poland/karkonosze
http://www.karpacz.pl/ Village near highest mountain
http://www.kpnmab.pl/ National Park of the Giant mountains southwest of Wroclaw

Lower and nearer mountains can be found south of Swidnica that poster #1 mentioned.

Now a quote of Andrew Smith in another recent thread of this branch(Gdansk or Warszawa?):
"When I had a few days spare in Wroclaw I headed south to Klodzko, Kudowa Zdroj and the Gory Stolowe national park. This is really impressive, and the psa town + countryside is a striking contrast to Wroclaw city life. And only a couple of hours by bus."

Yes, don't miss Klodzko. And from there visit Paczkow, 30 km to the east. It is one of the two places in Poland that has almost all their town walls remaining.

If you are interested in history, do not miss a "visit" the former concentration camp "Auschwitz-Birkenau" near the little town of Oswiecim, 70 km west of Krakow. Allow at least 4 hours for the guided tour (recommended).

You ll find some fotos of my visit here: http://www.enbicicletaporelmundo.net/auschwitz.html</a>

The Wielizka Salt mine just outside of Krakow is also worth a visit, but expect a load of tourists a that one - its UNESCO world heritage site, the entrance fee accordingly.

Enjoy Poland !

Auschwitz was one of the most moving vistis I have ever done, if not the top 1. I would not miss it.

The salt mine, Wielizka, was interesting, but a bit too touristic oriented.

Zakopane mountains were great.

and a bit far, but Torun was really nice.

I've been to both regions (Wroclaw/Klodzko in 2009 and Krakow/Zakopane in 2010) and though both lovely quite different.

Wroclaw is nice and mellow (2days is certainly sufficient), Krakow is more lively and you can spend more time (eg. visit Schindlers factory, 3 to 4 days including some nice shopping); Klodzko is low hills&spa, Zakopane is more ski&mountains. Zakopane is more high class, Klodzko is more blue colar.

But if you need to select ONE thing, go to Auschwitz.... certainly during winter it will be most touching.