Pearls of Poland 13-day - tour to join

DAY 1 – WARSAW

Morning arrival at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Transfer to your hotel. In the early afternoon, a half-day Warsaw city tour. You will explore the modern capital of Poland impressively rebuilt after the World War II, the seat of Polish government since the 16th century, the business, political and cultural heart of Poland. You will see the Old Town, Lazienki Park (with its Frederic Chopin monument and the Palace on the Water), the Warsaw Uprising Monument and the Royal Castle. Afterwards, a welcome dinner in one of the best restaurant in the Old Town. 

Overnight in Warsaw.

DAY 2 –WARSAW – MASURIA LAKES – KRASICKI CASTLE – WOLF'S LAIR

After breakfast, you start the journey up north to the Masuria, called The Region of Thousand Lakes. After a 4,5 hour drive, you will visit the Wolf's Lair - one of Hitler's headquarters during WW II. Next, a ride to Lidzbark Warminski – a small town located in the Masuria and Warmia regions and check-in at a hotel located in the 14th century renovated castle. You have free time here to enjoy some activities like swimming at the castle pool, sauna, bowling, biking (paid extra). Later that evening, a dinner at the castle restaurant. 

Overnight in Lidzbark Warminski.

DAY 3 – ELBLAG CANAL – MALBORK - GDANSK

After early breakfast, you head to Buczyniec, where you have a unique 2-hour cruise along the Elblag Canal. The Canal is considered one of the new seven tourist wonders of Poland. It was built in the 19th century and renovated a few years ago. From here, you will go to Malbork to see the medieval fortress of Teutonic Knights – the biggest castle in Poland. After the tour, you depart to Gdansk.

Overnight in Gdansk. 

DAY 4 – GDANSK - SOPOT

After breakfast, Gdansk city tour. The program includes top sites in the Main City: the Long Market, the Neptun’s Fountain, the Artus Court, St. Mary’s Basilica, Zuraw Gdanski and others. Afterward, transfer to Westerplatte, where World War 2 began. Finally, visit at the gothic Oliwa Cathedral where you will listen to the organ concert. Later that day, you visit Sopot, a health resort with the longest wooden pier in Europe. Here, you have time for a relaxing walk along the Baltic seaside. Dinner is on your own today. Return to Gdansk in the evening.

Overnight in Gdansk.  

DAY 5 – GDANSK - TORUN

Departure from Gdansk and transfer to Torun, the city of Nicolaus Copernicus and the best gingerbread in the world. One of the oldest cities in Poland, an outstanding example of a medieval gothic town, a UNESCO heritage site, called one of Seven Wonders of Poland. Torun city tour. The program includes the gothic Old Town, Monument of Nicolaus Copernicus, the Town Hall, gothic churches, the New Town, and The Nicolaus Copernicus’ House.

Overnight in Torun.

DAY 6 – TORUN - GNIEZNO - POZNAN

After breakfast, a departure from Torun. Transfer to Biskupin and visit at one of the oldest archeological sites in Poland – nowadays an open-air museum. You will see a fully reconstructed settlement from Bronze Age dating back 750 B.C. Next, drive to Gniezno – the first capital of Poland. You will see the Cathedral with the famous romanesque Gniezno Doors portraying the life of st. Adalbert – the saint patron of Poland. Afterward, transfer to Poznan.

Overnight in Poznan.

DAY 7 - POZNAN – CITY TOUR - CZESTOCHOWA

After breakfast, a half-day private Poznan city tour. You will see the highlights of the bustling business and cultural center of the Wielkopolska Region. The program includes the Old Town with the impressive Town Hall and the country’s oldest cathedral with the tombs of the first Polish rulers.

In the afternoon, a departure from Poznan and transfer to Czestochowa. You will be able to celebrate an evening mass at the Jasna Gora Monastery. Dinner is on your own today.

Overnight in Czestochowa.

DAY 8 - JASNA GORA MONASTERY IN CZESTOCHOWA – AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU

After breakfast, a visit to the famous Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora. It is the main Catholic center in Poland. Every August, thousands of people join walking pilgrimages to Jasna Gora to pray in front of the famous Black Madonna painting – one of the most recognizable sacred images in Poland. 

After the visit to Jasna Gora Monastery, transfer to Auschwitz Nazi Camp – a primary symbol of the Holocaust. It was a concentration and extermination camp built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany. The museum exhibition contains original documents, suitcases, shoes, and other belongings of murdered prisoners. 

Overnight in Oswiecim.

DAY 9 – WADOWICE - DUNAJEC RAFTING – NIEDZICA CASTLE - ZAKOPANE

After breakfast, transfer to Wadowice – the hometown of Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II). You will visit his family home, later converted into a museum, and the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After sightseeing, you will taste the famous “kremowka”(cream puff cakes), the favorite cake of young Karol. Next, you will visit the Pieniny National Park, where you will join the rafting on the Dunajec River. You will enjoy a view of the two beautiful castles of Niedzica and Czorsztyn and you will enter the deep gorge, surrounded by white limestone peaks.

After the river rafting, transfer to Zakopane.

Overnight in Zakopane.

DAY 10TH - ZAKOPANE CITY TOUR – TATRA MOUNTAINS

After breakfast, Zakopane city tour. You will visit the main sights of “the winter capital of Poland” located at the foothill of the Tatra Mountains. You will see Wielka Krokiew Ski Jump, the best examples of wooden architecture characteristic of the Zakopane region, and others. Next, a ride to Gubalowka Hill by funicular railway. From this viewing point, you will admire the panorama of the High Tatras. The afternoon is time to relax and visit local shops. For those interested, a 2-hour guided walk to one of the valleys of the Tatra National Park. In the evening, dinner in a regional restaurant with live music. 

Overnight in Zakopane.

DAY 11 - ZAKOPANE – WIELICZKA - KRAKOW

Departure from Zakopane and transfer to Wieliczka Salt Mine, a world-famous UNESCO site. It is visited by more than 1 million tourists each year. It was built in the 13th century and produced table salt continuously until 1996. In the depth of 135 meters underground and during a trip through almost 3 kilometers of meandering corridors you will see chambers chiseled out in rock salt, saline lakes inside, timber constructions, and unique salt sculptures. You will also enter the only underground church in Europe.

An afternoon of relaxation and private walks. We suggest a visit to the Museum located in the Undregrounds of the Old Town Market Square, presenting the history of Krakow in a very interesting way (entry must be booked in advance). Dinner is on your own today, and we stay overnight at a hotel.

Overnight in Krakow.

DAY 12 - KRAKOW CITY TOUR – OSCAR SCHINDLER FACTORY MUSEUM

After breakfast, Krakow city tour. As the city was not destroyed during World War 2, Krakow is a treasure house of architecture and art, some being around since the 10th century. The walking tour will start with Wawel Hill, where you will visit the Royal Castle and the Cathedral - the burial place of kings. In the Royal Chambers, you can discover a priceless collection of Flemish tapestries. The tour also includes the Old Town that is still surrounded by its defensive walls, the Barbican, the Market Square with St. Marys Church, and Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) housing numerous souvenir shops. Next a time for one hour visit to the Schindler Factory Museum. Afternoon is a time to relax, to taste privately Krakows unique Old Town atmosphere or to visit Kazimierz – the former Jewish district. Finally, there is a farewell dinner, and we rest over night at our hotel.

Overnight in Krakow.

DAY 13

Transfer to Krakow airport/train station or extension of the tour.

DAY 13 - ZALIPIE - SANDOMIERZ (extension)

You can prolong the tour and move on to the city of Sandomierz in Central Poland. On the way there you will stop in Zalipie – famous as the “painted village” because of its colorfully painted cottages, barns, walls, fences, and kennels. You will visit a small museum, located in the old house, painted in- and outside, with colorful, decorative patterns. A local guide (the resident of the village) will tell you about local folklore traditions and will describe life in the Polish village hundred years ago.

Next, you will follow the Vistula river valley till you reach Sandomierz. In the afternoon, Sandomierz city tour. This charming town at the Vistula River is a fine example of Renaissance architecture. The program includes a walk through the streets of Old Town, a visit to the Sandomierz Royal Castle, and the Underground Tourist Route.

Overnight in Sandomierz.

DAY 14 - KAZIMIERZ DOLNY - WARSAW (extension)

Departure from Sandomierz and drive to a nearby town of Kazimierz Dolny. Situated by the Vistula river and surrounded by local vineyards, loess ravines, and forests, it is considered one of the most picturesque towns in Poland. The program includes the Old Town, the Goldsmith Museum, and the Franciscan Monastery, famous for its picturesque view of the city. A 1-hour tourist cruise along the Vistula river will end your tour of the Kazimierz Dolny region.

In the afternoon, a direct transfer to Warsaw. In the evening, farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants in Warsaw.

DAY 15TH - RETURN FLIGHT FROM WARSAW