The Magic of Poland – 7-day tour to join

Day 1 Saturday – Warsaw

(Welcome dinner)

Arrival at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Taxi transfer to your hotel.

At 6:00PM, meet your guide and the rest of the group in the hotel lobby. Take a drive along the beautifully restored Royal Route, showcasing its historical monuments and residences. Stop at Castle Square for a brief walk through the Old Town. Afterward, join us for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll enjoy traditional Polish dishes and the famous Polish vodka, “Zubrowka.”

Overnight in Warsaw.

 

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Day 2 Sunday – Warsaw

(Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning, you'll explore the key attractions of Warsaw on a half-day sightseeing tour. Begin with the Old Town, meticulously reconstructed after World War II, featuring the magnificent Royal Castle, once the residence of Polish kings. It was here that the May 3rd Constitution, the world’s second-oldest constitution after the U.S. Constitution, was declared in 1791. Stroll through the Market Square, where you'll find some of the best restaurants, gift shops, and galleries. Pass by the Barbican, a late-Gothic structure designed by John Baptist of Venice. Stop at Krasinski Square to visit the Monument of the Warsaw Uprising. Continue your tour with a drive past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Grand Opera House, and the National Theatre House, both designed by Antonio Corazzi, as well as the Ghetto Memorial. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the late afternoon, you'll embark on an unforgettable musical journey, experiencing the world-renowned compositions of Poland's greatest composer, Frederic Chopin, during a two-part piano recital.

Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 3 Monday – Warsaw – Czestochowa – Zakopane

(Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, we set off for Zakopane, a top vacation destination nestled in the Tatra Mountains. On the way, we will stop in Czestochowa to visit the Jasna Gora Monastery and the revered Black Madonna Shrine, famous for its miraculous icon. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant. By evening, we will arrive in Zakopane, a town beautifully located at the base of the Tatra Mountains, in the valley between Gubałówka and Giewont. Zakopane is Poland's most popular resort and is widely regarded as one of the most stunning locations in the country. Originally a small mountain village, it became a trendy retreat for artists in the early 20th century.

Overnight in Zakopane.

Day 4 Tuesday – Zakopane – Krakow

(Breakfast, Dinner)

In the morning, you'll embark on a tour of Zakopane, a town where the wooden architecture harmonizes with the natural surroundings, inspiring the Zakopane Style that has been replicated throughout Poland. You'll visit the Jaszczurowka Chapel, a prime example of Zakopane's wooden architecture, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima at Krzeptówki, built by the residents of Zakopane in gratitude to the Lady of Fatima for protecting the Pope after an assassination attempt.

Take in the stunning views of the Tatra Mountains from the top of Gubałówka* Mountain and browse the local shops for unique arts and crafts created by the Highlanders (Górale). After lunch on your own, we will continue our journey to Krakow, stopping along the way for a spectacular rafting adventure on the Dunajec River** in Pieniny National Park. Dinner will be served upon arrival at your hotel.

Important notes:

*The funicular to Gubałówka Mountain is subject to confirmation on the spot and depends on weather conditions and technical status.

**The Dunajec River rafting trip is also subject to confirmation on the spot and depends on weather conditions and the river's water level.

Overnight in Krakow.

Day 5 Wednesday – Krakow – Auschwitz – Krakow

(Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning, we will travel to Auschwitz-Birkenau to visit the Martyrdom Museum at the site of the former Nazi concentration camp, notorious as a factory of death. After the visit, we will return to Krakow for a light lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will explore Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter of Krakow, established in 1335 by the great Polish King Casimir the Great, who recognized the talents and contributions of the Jewish community in the development of the country. Once surrounded by defensive walls and boasting its own Town Hall, Kazimierz quickly became one of Europe's centers for Jewish religion, learning, and culture. Today, its narrow streets, quaint buildings, and sacred sites offer a unique glimpse into the history of Jewish and Polish coexistence.

The evening and dinner are at your leisure.

Overnight in Krakow.

Important notes referring Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum:

• Entering the Museum is possible with passport (or any other ID document) and the ticket with bar-code. In case of discrepancies between ID document and ticket, entering the Museum would not be possible.
• Tour of the Museum by children under the age of 14 is not recommended.
• While on the Museum grounds, visitors must follow to instructions of the Guide-Educator and the Museum staff. It is permitted to move only around the areas and structures specifically made available for this purpose.
• Persons entering the Museum grounds and their luggage may be subject to inspection with the use of electronic devices for detecting dangerous substances and materials. Persons who refuse to undergo inspection, will not be permitted onto the premises of the Museum. The maximum size of the handbag allowed to bring onto the Museum grounds is 30 x 20 x 10 cm. All larger bags should be left at the luggage storages or on the bus.

Day 6 Thursday – Krakow - Wieliczka

(Breakfast, Lunch)

The morning sightseeing tour will begin with a visit to Wawel Hill, where you'll explore the impressive Royal Castle and the Wawel Royal Cathedral, a revered site dedicated to St. Stanislaw and St. Jadwiga, Queen of Poland. The cathedral's 18 chapels are architectural masterpieces, and it houses the giant Zygmunt bell from 1520, one of the largest in the world. This historic location is where Polish kings were both crowned and buried.

Next, you'll continue to the Old Town, strolling through the restored Main Square, surrounded by magnificent houses and palaces. Here, you'll visit St. Mary’s Basilica to admire the stunning wooden altar crafted by Wit Stwosz. At the center of the square is the Cloth Hall, originally built before 1349 and renovated in the 16th century, now home to numerous shopping stalls.

After lunch on your own, we will drive to Wieliczka to visit the Salt Mine***, a remarkable underground world featuring saline lakes, majestic timber constructions, vast chambers, galleries, and unique Salt Works created by generations of Polish miners since the 13th century. The tour will take you through nearly 3 kilometers of winding corridors at a depth of 135 meters, showcasing sections that were worked from the 17th to 19th century.

In the evening, enjoy dinner with a folkloric show at a local restaurant in Wieliczka before we return to Krakow.

*Note: The lift down to the Mine is subject to confirmation on site, depending on the lift's technical conditions.

Overnight in Krakow.

Important notes referring Wieliczka Salt Mine:

• There are total 800 steps to climb of which 350 at the beginning taking you down into the mine. This 350 steps will be changed into lift service [the service depends on lift technical conditions].
• Make sure to put on comfortable shoes.
• The visit is always conducted under the supervision of local guide (the Miner) – obligatory.
• The temperature underground falls within the range of 17-18°C, regardless of the season. We advise you to dress appropriately taking the above in mind.
• Only a small carry-on luggage (with maximum dimensions 20 x 20 x 35 cm) is allowed during the tour of the Mine. Guests may leave larger luggage in a special luggage lockers, but keep in mind that the number of lockers and their size are limited. Museum cannot guarantee the availability of an appropriate locker.

Day 7 Friday – Krakow

Breakfast at a hotel and end of the tour.