Itinerary
DAY 1, Tuesday -
Depart USA for Poland
DAY 2, Wednesday - Arrive in Warsaw
Arrive in Warsaw, Poland's capital and cultural center of the country on the banks of the Vistula River and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight's orientation meeting will be at approximately 6 pm with your Tour Manager on the upcoming journey that awaits you in Poland, followed by a Welcome Dinner.
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Dinner
Warsaw
DAY 3, Thursday - Warsaw City Tour
This morning, the tour of Warsaw includes both banks of the Vistula River. Visit Lazienki Park one of the jewels of the city, to view the Chopin Monument. Then travel along the Royal Route with its historic monuments and residences toward the Warsaw Ghetto. Stop at the inspiring Memorial that commemorates the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Walkthrough the cobbled streets of the Old Town to Market Square. View the Cathedral of St. John and the Royal Castle. Balance of the day is at leisure or, join the optional tour ($) to Wilanow Palace*. This former summer residence of the Polish kings was built at the end of the 17th century for King Jan Sobieski III and is situated just outside of Warsaw. The tour of the palace makes Polish history come alive. Later in the afternoon, attend an optional tour ($) Chopin concert, a highlight of the day. A piano recital of Chopin's most favorite works is performed in a stunning setting. Enjoy a glass of champagne during intermission
*Be advised that you might not be able to book this optional tour locally, due to limited ticket availability.
Optional Tour: ($) Wilanow Palace (PM)
Optional Tour: ($) Chopin Concert (PM)
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast
Marienburg Castle
DAY 4, Friday - Marienburg Castle, Drive to Gdansk
Today, travel north towards the Baltic Sea and enjoy the picturesque scenery. En route, stop in the town of Malbork, home to the imposing red brick Marienburg (Malbork) Castle, one of the largest Gothic castles in the world and a classic medieval fortress. It was founded in 1274 by the Knights of the Teutonic Order and is located on the bank of the river Nogat. Continue to Gdansk, Poland's principal seaport, renowned for its shipyards and industrial heritage. The city is the home of Solidarity, the worker's movement which started the breakaway of the country from the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Tonight after dinner, perhaps begin exploring the Old Town (Stare Miasto) with a leisurely stroll
Overnight: Gdansk
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Gdansk
DAY 5, Saturday - Gdansk City Tour
This morning, during the city tour, learn of Gdansk's trading past as one of the great ports of the Hanseatic League and discover the medieval town and its gabled buildings and city gates. See the Main City Hall, which now serves as a Museum of History, Neptune fountain and St. Mary's Church, the third-largest brick church in the world. Balance of the day is at leisure to further explore the city on your own and shop for high-quality Baltic Amber items and souvenirs. This evening, perhaps join the optional tour to the fascinating Kashubia region to enjoy a traditional meal
Optional Tour ($): Kashubia & Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Gdansk
Meals: Breakfast
Torun
DAY 6, Sunday - Visit Medieval Torun, Travel to Wroclaw
Depart Gdansk for enchanting Torun, located on the Vistula River, one of the “Seven Wonders of Poland.” Torun was founded by the Teutonic Knights and served as a trade center for the Hanseatic League. The Old Town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Europe. During the guided tour, view the house where world-famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was born. Continue your visit through the cobbled streets of the impressive Old Town (Starówka ). Don't forget to taste Torun's famous pierniki (gingerbread). Afterward, travel to Wroclaw, a culturally diverse city, having absorbed Bohemian, Austrian and Prussian influences. This city with its turbulent history has been under occupation by many rulers, kings, and emperors. Today, Wroclaw flourishes with scenic waterways, attractive buildings, bridges, and parks. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Wroclaw
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Wroclaw - City of Bridges
DAY 7, Monday - City Tour of Wroclaw
This morning, begin your day with a visit to the Panorama of the Battle of Raclawice. This monumental cycloramic painting depicts the Battle of Raclawice, during the Kosciuszko Uprising, one of only a few preserved relics of a genre of 19th-century mass culture, and the oldest in Poland. Continue with a guided tour of the city, known for its Market Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Poland. In the evening, perhaps check out Piwnica Swidnicka, Wroclaw’s most famous beer cellar
Overnight: Wroclaw
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Tuesday - Jasna Gora Monastery, Travel to Krakow
Depart Wroclaw and travel to Czestochowa, known for the famous Pauline monastery of Jasna Gora, home of the Black Madonna painting, a shrine to the Virgin Mary. Every year millions of pilgrims from all over the world come to Czestochowa to visit the shrine as it is said to have miraculous powers. After the visit, continue to Krakow, a former residence of the Polish kings. Tonight, perhaps join the optional tour ($) a festive dinner with a show of traditional Polish entertainment
Optional Tour ($): Polish Folklore Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast
Krakow
DAY 9, Wednesday - Krakow City Tour & Auschwitz
Morning tour of medieval Krakow begins at the historic 16th century Wawel Royal Castle District. Continue to the former Jewish district, with its ancient synagogues and main square of the former ghetto. View the remaining walls of the ghetto and visit the Ghetto Heroes Square to view the Jewish Ghetto Memorial, called "The Lonely Chairs." Continue to the Old Town and to lively Market Square. Stop at stately St. Mary's Church with its tall brick tower overlooking the square and the Renaissance Cloth Hall where traders offer a variety of wares as their predecessors did many generations ago. This afternoon journey to the town of Oswiecim where the Nazis built Auschwitz, their largest concentration and death camp. The stories of those who were sent there, and who perished in this place, emphasize the scope of Hitler’s extermination efforts. After an introduction and historic film, the solemn visit includes a guided tour of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp Museum. Stop at the former Birkenau Extermination Camp before returning to Krakow
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast
Wieliczka Salt Mine
DAY 10, Thursday - Full Day in Krakow
Today spend a full day at leisure in Krakow or join the optional tour ($) to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the oldest in Europe. The mine's historical importance, as well as the amazing works of art carved into the walls by miners, have earned the Wieliczka Salt Mine a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. Established by the royal decree, Wieliczka Salt Mine was the largest provider of table salt in the region and together with the Bochnia Salt Mine was one of the oldest salt mines in Poland. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers
Optional Tour: ($)Wieliczka Salt Mine (AM)
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11, Friday - Depart Poland
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home to the USA, after breakfast
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