Tour Dates: 16 - 26 May, 04 - 14 July, 2008
Our journey starts in the historic capital of Warsaw and continue to Czestochowa where we visit the Jasna Gora Monastery. We see the beautiful Jurassic valleys with unusual rock formations when we follow the Trail of the Eagles’ Nests on the way to the cultural city of Cracow.
During our stay in Cracow, we visit the former Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the UNESCO World Heritage site Wieliczka Salt Mine and the winter resort of Zakopane located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains.
We travel north to the charming city of Wroclaw and to Poznan – the cradle of Poland. On the way to the Hanseatic town of Gdansk, we visit Copernicus birthplace, Torun. While in Gdansk, we visit Sopot with its Art Nouveau buildings and head to the Slowinski National Park and see the migrating sand dunes as well as explore the Chequered Land. On the way back to Warsaw we visit the Teutonic castle in Malbork.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Friday Arrive in Warsaw. Arrive at Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport. Transfer from the airport to our centrally located hotel. Check-in upon arrival. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and savor the atmosphere of this historic city considered as the center of Polish art, science and culture for over a thousand years.
At 6 pm, meet our Tour Escort and the rest of our traveling companions for an orientation meeting at our hotel. We enjoy afterwards a delicious Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Radisson SAS Warsaw. Includes: (D).
Day 2: Saturday In Warsaw. After breakfast, an English speaking local guide will take us on a half-day sightseeing tour by private coach. Our tour includes a visit to Wilanow Palace, the baroque residence of King John III Sobieski, the famous conqueror of the Turks at the battle of Vienna in 1683.
Afternoon is at leisure. We attend this evening a piano recital in one of the historical interiors of Warsaw and listen to the most famous works of Frederic Chopin, performed by the best pianist in a two-part recital. A glass of wine will be served during the intermission. Overnight at Radisson SAS Warsaw. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Sunday Warsaw – Cracow via Czestochowa and The Trail of the Eagles’ Nests. We drive to Czestochowa this morning and visit the Jasna Gora Monastery, the religious and spiritual center of Poland. An English speaking local guide will take us on a guided tour and see the world famous Black Madonna, venerated as the “Queen of Poland” and also the country’s national symbol.
We travel afterwards to Cracow via the Trail of the Eagles’ Nests and visit the ruins of the Ogrodzieniec Castle. Check-in at our hotel upon arrival in Cracow. Dinner is served at a local restaurant. Overnight at Holiday Inn Cracow. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4: Monday In Cracow. This morning an English speaking local guide will take us on a sightseeing tour of Cracow. Our tour includes an inside visit to St. Mary’s Church as well as Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings were crowned and buried. After lunch, we continue to Oswiecim to visit the former Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
An English speaking guide will show us the exhibitions in some of the surviving prison blocks, the gas chamber and the crematorium. After a short break, we continue to Birkenau and go up the watchtower above the entrance gate to see the view of the biggest Nazi extermination camp. Return to Cracow afterwards. Overnight at Holiday Inn Cracow. Includes: (B).
Day 5: Tuesday In Cracow – Excursion to Wieliczka and Zakopane. Our sightseeing today includes a visit to one of UNESCO list of World Heritage site and one of the oldest salt mines in Europe, the Wieliczka Salt Mine. An English speaking guide will take us through galleries, salt lakes, chapels and chambers on three levels.
All altarpieces, figures and monuments are carved in salt. En route we stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we continue to the village of Zakopane, beautifully located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. We return to Cracow for our overnight. Overnight at Holiday Inn Cracow. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 6: Wednesday Cracow – Poznan via Wroclaw. We depart Cracow this morning and visit the city of Wroclaw. An English speaking local guide will take us on a sightseeing tour and show us the charming Market Square with the Gothic Town Hall and its characteristic 66 meter-high tower, ceramic gable, lovely portal and sculptures. We will also visit the University with the Aula Leopoldinum. We continue north to Poznan, the legendary cradle of Poland. Dinner is served at our hotel. Overnight at Sheraton Poznan. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7: Thursday Poznan – Gdansk via Torun. After leaving our hotel, we head to the city of Torun, one of the UNESCO sites in Poland and Copernicus birthplace. An English speaking local guide will take us on a tour of this beautiful city and see its wealth of Gothic architecture. We continue afterwards to the old Hanseatic town of Gdansk. Check-in at our hotel upon arrival. Dinner is served at our hotel. Overnight at Hotel Hanza. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: Friday In Gdansk. This morning we meet our English speaking local guide for a sightseeing tour of Gdansk. Our tour includes the wonderful Royal Route, leading from the Golden Gate along Long Street and Long Market to the Green Gate, passing richly ornamented old houses and public historical buildings. We see the Neptune fountain – a symbol of Gdansk. Our tour includes a visit to the 16th-century Artus Court and the famous Oliwa Cathedral, built as a Cistercian church in the 13th century.
We continue our sightseeing tour this afternoon by visiting the town of Sopot with its Art Nouveau houses and pier. A short drive will take us back to Gdansk for our overnight. Our dinner will be served at one of the local restaurants. Overnight at Hotel Hanza. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9: Saturday In Gdansk – Excursion to Slowinski National Park and the Chequered Land. A day full of impressions. Our first stop is Slowinski National Park. Lying in the central part of the Polish coast, it is known for its migrating sand dunes. Because of its unique character and the natural and landscape features, the park was included in UNESCO 1977 list of World Biosphere Reserves.
Afterwards we explore the Chequered Land, name given to the region of Central Pomerania. We visit the open air museum in the village of Kluki. Afterwards we continue to the village of Swolowo, a real showpiece of the chequered land. We return to Gdansk for our overnight. Dinner is served at our hotel. Overnight at Hotel Hanza. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10: Sunday Gdansk – Warsaw. After breakfast, we head to Malbork and visit Malbork Castle – the former residence of the Grand Master of Teutonic Knights. Malbork Castle is the biggest medieval castle in Europe and is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. An English speaking local guide will take us on a tour of the castle. Afterwards we continue to Warsaw. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy our last evening together with a delicious Polish dinner and a folklore show. Overnight at Radisson SAS Warsaw. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11: Monday Return Home. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Tour ends upon arrival at the airport. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 10 nights accommodation in twin-bedded rooms at centrally located deluxe and superior first class hotels.
- Meals: 10 breakfast buffets, 1 lunch, and 7 dinners as per program.
- Welcome drink during orientation meeting on day 1.
- Chopin Piano Recital with a glass of wine in Warsaw.
- Folklore show during dinner on day 10 in Warsaw.
- English speaking local guides.
- All entrances.
- English speaking Tour Escort throughout.
- Arrival and departure transfers.
- Transportation by deluxe motor coach thoughout.
Price Excludes:
- Airfare to and from Warsaw.
- Tips to Tour Escort, local guides and drivers.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Poland
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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