A comprehensive tour that will show you almost the entire country of Poland. Extensive traveling around Poland's most interesting regions: besides the must-see places featured in Poland in One Go, we also visit the largest Teutonic castle in Malbork, the captivating city of Gdansk and the Baltic Sea, we will drive to Lodz (the Polish Manchester) and the exquisite Silesian capital Wroclaw.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival, Warsaw. In the evening, you meet with the tour leader and our representative for a welcome dinner in a vibrant Old Town restaurant.
Day 2: Warsaw. We start the day with Warsaw sightseeing and a visit to the Old Town, the former Jewish district, the Palace of Culture and the famous Blikle Café. In the evening you are invited to an exclusive Chopin piano concert in the Royal Lazienki Gardens.
Day 3: The Day Of Teutonic Knights. In the morning we depart north to the Elblag Canal, a marvel of 19th century German engineering. We continue to Malbork Castle, the most famous Teutonic Knights' stronghold and one of the biggest medieval castles in Europe. In the evening, we arrive in Gdansk and check in to a comfortable hotel.
Day 4: Gdansk. We start with Oliwa, a district of Gdansk, where we visit a beautiful Cathedral and enjoy an organ concert. Then you have free time in Gdansk. Afternoon: On the way to the magnificent Old Town of Gdansk, we stop at the famous Gdansk (formerly Lenin) Shipyards where the Solidarity movement was founded in 1980. After an introductory tour of the city and a presentation on amber, we go on a cruise on a replica of a historical galleon ship between Westerplatte (the place where WWII started) and the Gdansk harbor.
Day 5: Copernicus & Cotton Mills. Sightseeing in the historical town of Torun with a local guide, gingerbread tasting, and an optional visit to the Copernicus House. Later on, we depart for Lodz, the enigmatic city of Art Nouveau and the Polish Film School, and then complete the day with a short evening city tour.
Day 6: Black Madonna & Jurassic Castles. Morning: After breakfast, we move further south to Czestochowa. After Rome, Fatima in Portugal and Lourdes in France, the Jasna Gora Monastery towering over the city of Czestochowa is one of the most vivid and important pilgrimage sites of the entire Christendom. We will see not only the famous Black Madonna but also the whole monastery premises.
Afternoon: A romantic trail of Jurassic Castles starts in the vicinity of Czestochowa. Though in ruin, the castles are very scenic - we will climb up to one of the most beautiful among them - Olsztyn. Later on we go to Tychy: a city famous for its brewery where the delicious Tyskie beer is produced. During the tour we will learn the secrets of brewing great beer, and adults will have an opportunity to taste the beer right on the spot. Evening: Arrival in Krakow and overnight stay in the beautiful Old Town.
Day 7: Krakow - Royal Capital. Morning: Krakow city tour. We explore the spectacular medieval town, the largest square in Europe - the Main Town Square, the grounds of the University (founded in 1364), the fascinating churches and the most interesting streets in Krakow. At noon sharp, the world's biggest wooden altar opens its wings in the Church of the Virgin Mary. We will not miss this captivating moment. Afternoon: Free time. Evening: A sumptuous dinner in a legendary restaurant. A horse-carriage ride in Krakow to round up all the experiences of the passing days.
Day 8: In The Footsteps Of John Paul II & Salt Mines. Morning: We take a comfortable walking tour of the legendary Wawel Castle, covering the Royal Apartments and the Cathedral, the Royal Tombs and the Belfry. Afternoon: A half-day trip to the environs of Krakow. First, we see Kalwaria Zebrzydowska with a Baroque Pilgrimage Church listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site; a short lunch break will follow. Next, we head to Wadowice that is located nearby: we see the home of John Paul II and the football pitch where he played. Evening: Wieliczka Salt Mines. It is a great experience to take part in an evening tour of the medieval galleries and halls hewn in rock and salt deposits. We have arranged for dinner 100 metres under the ground in the salt mine restaurant. Afterwards we return to the Old Town of Krakow for overnight stay.
Day 9: Tatra Mountains. Shortly after breakfast, we go south towards the towering Tatra Mountains and arrive in Zakopane, the principal Polish mountain resort located at the foot of this majestic Carpathian mountain range (above 2000 meters above sea level). Afternoon: In Zakopane, we sightsee the local wooden architecture and make a cable car trip to one of the most beautiful mountain peaks in the Tatras, Mt. Kasprowy, to enjoy the dramatic scenery. During the day you will also have enough time to walk down Krupowki Street and shop for local crafts. Evening: An upbeat highlander show with live music and dance. You have the opportunity to see the customs still alive in this region and get a taste of the local cuisine. Overnight stay in Zakopane.
Day 10: Auschwitz-Birkenau. Morning: Travel towards a totally different and poignant experience. Oswiecim, a small Silesian town, is notorious worldwide as Auschwitz. At the border of the town are the three gruesome areas of the former Nazi death camps that now make up an impressive Holocaust Memorial. We visit Auschwitz I as well as Birkenau, the second and less frequently visited extermination camp. Afternoon: We will continue west to Lower Silesia region and the marvelous medieval city of Wroclaw. Accommodation at a centrally located hotel. Evening: Free time.
Day 11: Lovely Silesia (Wroclaw & The Church Of Peace). Morning: Judging from experience of the last three seasons, we believe Wroclaw (Breslau) is a very pleasant surprise for anyone visiting Poland. Shortly after breakfast we take a short walk through the Old Town with a local guide. Later, we view the beauty of Wroclaw from on board a riverboat.
Afternoon: You can either have free time (there is a lot to do) or go on a complimentary trip to Swidnica, a small town located 1 hour's drive from Wroclaw. In the town there is an enormous wooden Church of Peace listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was one of the three places in Silesia where Protestantism was allowed after the Thirty Years' War. On the way back from Swidnica, we pay a quick visit to Ksiaz - an old fairytale-like castle. Evening: Return to Wroclaw and a lively evening in the famous Piwnica Swidnicka restaurant located in the cellars of the medieval town hall - it is arguably the oldest restaurant in Europe (founded in 1274). Overnight stay in Wroclaw.
Day 12: Wroclaw, Return To Warsaw. Morning: A visit to Wroclaw's Japanese Gardens, the eclectic Peoples' Hall and the stadium in which Hitler intended to hold the Olympic Games. Afternoon/ Evening: Arrival in Warsaw (approx. 6 p.m.) where we can arrange for accommodation for you in the airport hotel at a discount rate.
Notes:
- Accommodation:
* Warsaw 2 nights : *****Radisson SAS
* Gdansk 2 nights: ***+ Wolne Miasto
* Lodz 1 night: ***+ Grand
* Krakow 3 nights : ***+ Columbus or ***+ Red Brick
* Zakopane 1 night : ***+ Czarny Potok
* Wroclaw 2 nights: ***+ Europejski.
- If these dates do not suit you, make a request anyway - we will organize a private tour or inform you on additional tour dates.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Hotel accommodations as above or similar
- Transport (Isuzu (25 seats) or Mercedes Medio (25 seats)
- Driver
- Parking
- Professional English-speaking tour manager while on tour
- 20 diversified meals, including breakfasts and 9 three-course dinners
- City tours of Warsaw, Gdansk, Lodz, Krakow, Zakopane, and Wroclaw (licenced guides), sightseeing of Malbork Castle, Jasna Gora Monastery, Wawel Castle, St Mary’s Church, Auschwitz, Wieliczka Salt Mines, Swidnica Peace Church, Raclawicka Panorama, the Japanese Garden
- Entrance to the Palace of Culture, private piano concert in Lazienki Palace
- Organ concert in Gdansk-Oliwa
- Cable car to Mt. Kasprowy
- Highlander show in Zakopane
- City taxes in Krakow, Sopot, and Zakopane
- Information booklet
- Tour organization and travel documents
- Health insurance & tour insurance, all taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Poland
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
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