Poland Encompassed

Arrive in Warsaw and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival there may be time to explore the city independently. No meals or activities included today. Overnight Chopin Boutique B&B or similar.

Today explore the delights of Warsaw. This morning visit the Łazienki Garden and enjoy a guided walk to the Palace and the Frederick Chopin monument. After lunch explore the Old Town, beautifully rebuilt after World War II, with the impressive Royal Castle, the seat of the kings of Poland. Here the Constitution of May 3rd was proclaimed in 1791, the second oldest constitution in the world after the US Constitution. Later this evening enjoy a musical concert of Frederic Chopin’s music concert. Overnight Chopin Boutique B&B or similar (BL)

After breakfast we leave Warsaw and head south to Wroclaw. On the way we stop in Zelazowa Wola – the birthplace of Frederick Chopin. Visit the museum located at his family home – a beautiful manor house. Next, continue to Łowcz, a typical Mazovian town famous for folk art. Especially noteworthy are the colourful costumes and beautiful paper cut-outs. Visit the local museum and a separate open air museum. After lunch we continue to Wroclaw, where we expect to arrive early evening. Overnight Qubus Hotel or similar (BL)

Explore Wroclaw on a half day tour. Visit the Old Town, Ostrów Tumski Island, Centennial Hall. This afternoon we head to the city of Swidnica (approx. 30km from Wroclaw) where we visit the unique wooden Churches of Peace, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Return to Wroclaw where the rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight Qubus Hotel or similar (BL)

Today we head for Zakopane. Depending on the group, we make an optional stop in Zabrze to visit a museum located at the Old Coal Mine, where you learn about the history of coal mining in Silesia (additional cost to be paid locally). Arrive into Zakopane in the early evening, beautifully situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in the valley between Gubalowka and Giewont. It is the most popular resort and one of the most beautiful places in Poland owing to its picturesque location. Overnight Czarny Potok Hotel or similar (BL)

After breakfast we head to Morskie Oko lake located in the Tatra Mountains. Enjoy a walk along the trails and a short horse-drawn carriage ride to the shelter at Morskie Oko, where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the highest peaks of the Polish Tatra Mountains. After lunch we return to Zakopane where we take a drive around the city before returning to the hotel Overnight Czarny Potok Hotel or similar (BL)

After an early breakfast depart for Wieliczka to visit the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine (UNESCO). Continue to Krakow where we take a short city tour. Visit the Wawel Royal Castle, home to three dynasties of Poland’s monarchs. Its stately halls and exquisite chambers are filled with priceless art, valuable period furniture and rare ancient objects. The collection of monumental 16th century tapestries is matchless. We also visit Wawel Cathedral, the place of the cult of St. Stanislaw and St. Jadwiga, Queen of Poland. The 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. After lunch visit Krakow’s old town, with its restored main square of magnificent houses and palaces. Stop at St. Mary’s Basilica 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. Overnight Wit Stwosz Hotel or similar (BL)

Today visit Oswiecim, the site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp; an eerie and haunting place that drives home the terrible atrocities which took place here during World War II. There is an option to stop in Wadowice, the hometown of John Paul II before your visit to Auschwitz. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight Wit Stwosz Hotel or similar (BL)

After breakfast we leave Krakow and head to the city of Sandomierz, an example of Renaissance architecture in Poland. Take a walk through the streets of the old town and visit the castle and St. Jacob’s Church with its Dominican Monastery. We continue to Kazimierz Dolny, a beautifully located old town on the Vistula river banks, known also as a place especially cherished by artists. We take a short city tour before heading to your hotel. Overnight at Kazimierzowka Hotel or similar (BL)

Today we head to Gdansk. We stop in Torun – the city of Nicolas Copernicus, the famous Polish astronomer – where we walk through the streets of the old town and visit the museum, Copernicus’s home, Crooked Tower, and taste the local famous gingerbread. Arrive in Gdansk in the evening. Overnight Dom Muzyka Hotel or similar (BL)

Today take a guided tour of Gdansk’s old town. Visits include the St. Mary Basilica, Neptun Monument, Zuraw Gdanski, the harbour, the “Roads to Freedom” exposition and the “Monument of the Fallen Shipyard Workers”. Next visit the monument at Westerplatte, where WWII began. Visit the Gothic Cathedral in Oliwa where you can listen to a concert on a baroque pipe organ. After lunch continue to Sopot – a famous Polish spa at the Baltic seaside, and famous for the longest wooden pier in Europe. Overnight at Dom Musyka Hotel or similar (BL)

Early departure this morning to Malbork for a visit to the medieval fortress of Teutonic Knights, the largest brick castle in Europe. The Malbork Castle, a 15th c. powerful stronghold of the Teutonic Knights, is one of the best examples of medieval fortification in Europe. We then return to Warsaw. We break up the journey with a 2-hour cruise along the famous Elblag Canal which is considered one of the new seven Poland tourist wonders.  It was built in the 19th c. and renovated again but a few years ago. You cross 4 water ramps during the cruise also on… grass. We arrive into Warsaw in the evening. Overnight Chopin Boutique B&B Hotel or similar (BL)

At leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight (B)