The Treasures of Poland – 11-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 the Castle Square. You will have a short walk around the Old Town. Afterwards, 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)

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, you will head to Czestochowa where you will visit Jasna Gora Monastery. It is the main Catholic center in Poland and its greatest pilgrimage destination, visited by more than 5 million pilgrims yearly. Every August, 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. You will have lunch at a regional restaurant in the city of Czestochowa.

You will spend the afternoon in Zakopane – a beautifully located holiday resort at the foothill of the Tatra Mountains, known as ‘the winter capital of Poland’ and a center of Goral (Polish highlanders) culture. Its picturesque location between Gubalowka and Giewont is a guarantee for breathtaking mountainous views.

Overnight in Zakopane.

Day 4 Tuesday – Zakopane – Krakow

(Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast, you will partcipate in Zakopane tour. You will admire the characteristic wooden architecture built in the so-called Zakopianski Style. One of its best examples is the Jaszczurowka Chapel. Another wooden church in Zakopane is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima at Krzeptówki – constructed by the Gorals after the attempt on Pope John Paul II’s life. Then, you will admire the amazing views from the Gubalowka Hill*. You will also discover local shops with souvenirs and regional products hand-made by Gorals. Afterwards, you will have time to arrange lunch by yourself and also some free time at your disposal. Make sure to taste traditional local specialties, especially the famous Oscypek sheep cheese.

Next, you will depart from Zakopane and go to the Pieniny National Park to participate in an exciting rafting trip on the Dunajec River**. Next, you will arrive in Krakow and have dinner at your hotel.

* Funicular to Gubalowka Mountain (subject to confirmation on the spot; service depends on the weather and technical conditions)

** Dunajec Rafting Trip (subject to confirmation on the spot; service depends on the weather conditions)

Overnight in Krakow.

Day 5 Wednesday – Krakow – Auschwitz – Krakow

(Breakfast)

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 the visit return to Krakow for lunch at the local restaurant. In the afternoon visit Kazimierz – the Jewish Quarter of Krakow, which 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 the co-existence of Jewish and Polish communities.

Evening and dinner on your own.

Overnight in Krakow.

Day 6 Thursday – Krakow (optional Wieliczka)

(Breakfast)

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 your 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 the 13th century. The tour leads through almost 3 kilometers of meandering corridors, at a depth of 135 meters – the part, which has been worked from the 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 to 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 a 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 locker, but keep in mind that the number of lockers and their size are limited. The museum cannot guarantee the availability of an appropriate locker.

Day 7 Friday – Krakow – Lowicz – Torun

(Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, we leave for Torun. On the way, we will stop in Lowicz, a typical Mazovian town famous for folk art: colorful costumes and beautiful paper cut-outs. You will be invited for a home-hosted lunch by a local family, whose charming cottage is located at the foot of the former Lowicz Castle. You will be welcomed in a typical Polish way, with bread & salt, and enjoy your meal served by the young married couple in their lovely house. You will have time to talk about their day to day life and have your dessert in a beautiful garden. We continue to Torun, where the balance of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Torun.

Day 8 Saturday – Torun – Gdansk

(Breakfast)

In the morning we see the highlights of Torun. It is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus and considered one of the most magnificent historic cities of Poland. Its Old Town has been included in UNESCO’s list for its impressive 13th century Town Hall, superb churches and historic streets preserving Torun’s past glory. A visit to Copernicus Museum. Following lunch on your own, we drive to Gdansk. Upon arrival, we take a brief walk through the town’s Old Town.

Overnight in Gdansk.

Day 9 Sunday – Gdansk

(Breakfast)

Today we tour Gdansk in depth. We start from the Upland Gate - a fragment of the city's former fortifications and one of its main gates. Just behind it, we pass by a baked-brick construction consisting of the Prison Tower and the Torture House - relics of the 15th century Gothic defense walls. The Golden Gate, situated next to the Prison Tower, opens onto Long Market - a magnificent street, with grand mansions decorated with late Renaissance and Baroque facades. A real feast for the eyes!!! It is here that the richest burghers of Gdansk once lived. Next, we come upon the Main Town and the

Artus Court - a building used for Hanseatic League meetings. It is renowned as the most beautiful court among all of Europe’s Hanseatic cities. Just behind it stands the tower of St. Mary's Basilica, a part of the most precious and largest red-brick Gothic churches in Gdansk. On our way back we pass by Mariacka Street, with its gabled terraced houses and elegant boutiques.

The balance of the day is free to give you time for shopping Baltic arts and crafts, including unique amber jewelry and trinkets.

Overnight in Gdansk.

Day 10 Monday – Gdansk – Gdynia – Sopot – Oliwa – Warsaw

(Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, you will head to the youngest town of Tricity complex – Gdynia. In this port town you will see famous Polish ships. Afterwards, you will visit Sopot – the most popular summer resort in Poland. There, you will have a chance to take a walk on Europe’s longest wooden pier.

Next, you will go back to Gdansk to listen to an organ concert at the Oliwa Cathedral. You will have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will head back to Warsaw.

Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 11 Tuesday – Warsaw

(Breakfast)

Breakfast at a hotel and end of the tour.