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 pm you will meet your guide and the rest of the group in the hotel lobby. The Royal Route and its buildings with historical value will be the first thing to explore. You will pass the Copernicus Monument, the University of Warsaw, and the Presidential Palace until you reach Castle Square. You will have a short walk around the Old Town. Afterward, a welcome dinner consisting of traditional Polish meals and the Polish vodka “Zubrowka” will be served for you at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Warsaw.

 

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Day 2 Sunday – Warsaw

(Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning we introduce you to the highlights of Warsaw. A half-day sightseeing tour includes Old Town, beautifully rebuilt after World War II, with the impressive Royal Castle, seat of the kings of Poland. Here the Constitution of May 3rd was proclaimed in 1791, the second oldest constitution, after the US Constitution, in the world. Walk through the Market Square full of finest restaurants, gift shops or galleries. Pass the late-Gothic structure by John Baptist of Venice - the Barbican. At the Krasinski Square stop by the Monument of Warsaw’s Uprising. Drive to see the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, building of Warsaw’s Grand Opera and National Theatre House erected by Antonio Corazzi and the Ghetto Memorial. Lunch will be served at the local restaurant. In the late afternoon you will take an unforgettable musical journey through the world famous compositions of our greatest composer, Frederic Chopin, at a two-part piano recital.

Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 3 Monday – Warsaw – Czestochowa – Zakopane

(Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, we depart for Zakopane – one of the most popular vacation resorts in the Tatra Mountains. Enroute we stop in Czestochowa to visit Jasna Gora Monastery and the Black Madonna Shrine with its miraculous icon. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the evening we arrive in Zakopane beautifully situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, in the valley between Gubalowka and Giewont. It is the most popular resort in Poland and one of the most beautiful places in all of Poland, owing to its picturesque location. Once, a small mountain village, Zakopane became a fashionable artist’s retreat at the beginning of the 20th century.

Overnight in Zakopane.

Day 4 Tuesday – Zakopane – Krakow

(Breakfast, Dinner)

In the morning you will have a sightseeing tour of Zakopane, whose wooden architecture blends with the natural landscapes and it is copied in other parts of Poland - known as Zakopianski Style. You will visit the Jaszczurowka Chapel, a great example of the wooden architecture in Zakopane, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima at Krzeptowki, which was built by the people of Zakopane to thank the Lady of Fatima for saving the Pope after an attempt on His life. Admire the breathtaking views of the Tatras from the top of Gubalowka* Mountain and shop for souvenirs of arts and crafts of the Highlanders (Gorale) in the local shops.

After lunch on your own, we continue on to Krakow. Enroute we take a spectacular rafting trip on the Dunajec River** in

Pieniny National Park. Tonight’s dinner will be served upon arrival at the hotel.

Important note:

*Funicular to Gubalowka Mountain (subject to confirm on spot; service depends on the weather and funicular technical

conditions)

**Dunajec Raft Trip (subject to confirm on spot; service depends on the weather and the level of the river)

Overnight in Krakow.

Day 5 Wednesday – Krakow – Auschwitz – Krakow

(Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning we drive to Auschwitz-Birkenau, to visit the Martyrdom Museum of the former Nazi concentration camp, the infamous factory of death. Following visit return to Krakow for lunch at the local restaurant. In the afternoon visit Kazimierz – Jewish Quarter of Krakow, that was established in 1335 by great Polish King Casimir the Greatest, who appreciated Jewish talents and usefulness for developing the country. Surrounded by defensive walls with its own Town Hall, soon the district became one of the European centres of Jewish religion, learning and culture. Today, the world of narrow streets and lines, small architectural buildings and sacral places show us an extraordinary trace of co-existence of Jewish and Polish communities.

Evening and dinner on your own.

Overnight in Krakow.

Day 6 Thursday – Krakow (optional Wieliczka)

(Breakfast, Dinner)

The morning sightseeing tour will feature Wawel Hill with its impressive Royal Castle and Wawel Royal Cathedral - the place of the cult of St. Stanislaw and St. Jadwiga, Queen of Poland. Its 18 chapels are true architectural masterpieces. The giant bell, Zygmunt from 1520 ranks with the world’s largest. This is the place, where Polish kings were crowned and buried. Continue the tour with the walk to the Old Town with its restored Main Square of magnificent houses and palaces. There, you stop at St. Mary’s Basilica, where to see the magnificent wooden altar by Wit Stwosz. In the middle of

the square is Cloth Hall built before 1349, but renovated in the 16th century with many shopping stalls inside. Lunch will be served at the local restaurant and afternoon on own. Afternoon optional regular tour to Wieliczka Salt Mine*** - an impressive and unique underground world full of saline lakes, majestic timber constructions, great chambers, galleries and unique Salt Works created by many generations of Polish miners and operated since 13th century. The tour leads through almost 3 kilometres of meandering corridors, at the depth of 135 meters – the part, which has been worked from 17th to 19th century. Evening and dinner on your own.

Overnight in Krakow.

Important note:

***Optional tour to Wieliczka Salt Mine – booking of the tour is requested 30 days prior tour departure.

- The regular tour of Wieliczka Salt Mine lasts 2-3 hours.

- There are approximately 800 stairs along the entire Tourist Route, 380 of which are at the beginning of the tour.

- 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.