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Discover the rich culture of Poland with Insight on this 9 day tour. See Krakow, Warsaw and more!
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVE KRAKOW
Welcome to Krakow, former seat of the Polish Kings and cultural capital of Poland. Transfers for the tour hotel depart Krakow Airport at 09:30 and 12:00 noon. This afternoon meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal, before enjoying an orientation walk into the Rynek Główny, Europe’s largest and most beautiful town square. See the famous ‘Sukiennice’ Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Church, and the many historic townhouses, palaces and churches. Be sure to listen for the trumpeters call!(Welcome Reception)
Day 2: KRAKOW SIGHTSEEING
Ascend the Wawel Hill with your local guide to see the Renaissance Castle and meet the ‘Wawel Dragon’. Visit the Cathedral, resting place of the Kings of Poland and former seat of Archbishop Karol Wojtyła, later known to the world as Pope John Paul II. Now across the former Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz to ‘Old Podgórze’, for a highlight visit to the Oscar Schindler Factory Museum, immortalized in the film ‘Schindler’s List’. The afternoon is at leisure, perhaps join an optional visit to the UNESCO Heritage listed Wieliczka Salt Mines?(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 3: KRAKOW – ZAKOPANE
A leisurely drive south brings you to the High Tatras of the Carpathian Alps and the resort town of Zakopane, famous for its wooden houses and winter sports. Spend time at leisure shopping for local specialties in the markets of Krupowki street, or ascend a nearby mountain for views across the Tatras into Slovakia. Tonight, enjoy a Highlight Dinner accompanied by local ‘Goral’ Highlander folklore entertainment.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 4: ZAKOPANE – OŚWIĘCIM – WROCŁAW
Travelling past the homeland of John Paul II, your first stop is the city of Oświęcim, better known throughout the world by its German name, ‘Auschwitz’. Here a moving visit to the memorials and museums of Auschwitz and Birkenhau bear witness to the terrible atrocities of the Holocaust. Now to the banks of the river Oder and the city of Wrocław, known in Polish as ‘Miasto Spotkań’, the ‘meeting place’. During its long history Wrocław has belonged to Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia and Germany. See the brightly coloured facades of the noble mansions and the flower markets on the Plac Solny, the Baroque splendour of the ‘Rynek’, and be introduced to Wrocław’s cheeky Gnomes. Tonight, perhaps dine at one of Europe’s oldest restaurants?(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 5: WROCŁAW – POZNAŃ – TORUŃ
Journey to the region of ‘Wielkopolska’, considered the birthplace of Poland in the 10th century. Stop in Poznań where there is time to explore the old market square before continuing to the lower Vistula valley and the historic town of Toruń, birthplace of Renaissance astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Toruń was founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1233 but today is distinguished as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Join your local guide to discover this outstanding example of medieval architecture, now a living museum. Tonight, join your friends and enjoy a Dine-Around evening from a choice of restaurants.(Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)
Day 6: TORUŃ – GDANSK & SOPOT
Follow the Vistula northward to the Baltic Sea and the port city of Gdansk. During your guided sightseeing tour see the Westerplatte, scene of the first fighting between Polish and German troops in 1939, and the Gdansk Shipyards, where Lech Wałęsa formed the anti-Soviet ‘Solidarnosc’ in 1980. This Solidarity movement was monumental in the fall of Communism in Poland and Eastern Europe. Afterwards visit the fashionable seaside resort of Sopot, former playground for Europe’s ruling classes. See the higgledy-piggledy ‘Crooked House’ before enjoying time at leisure to stroll the elegant beachside promenades or enjoy the sea air on Europe’s longest wooden pier.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7: GDANSK – MALBORK CASTLE – WARSAW
This morning visit the ‘Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork’, founded in 1274 on the banks of the Nogat river by the Teutonic Knights. The castle is a stunning example of a medieval fortress, and the largest brick Gothic castle in the world. Since 1997 both the castle and its museum have been UNESCO World Heritage sites. Now travel south across the beautiful Masuria - Iława lakes region and on to the capital Warsaw. This evening perhaps join us for a concert of Poland’s best-loved composer, Frederick Chopin?(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8: WARSAW SIGHTSEEING
During this morning’s sightseeing tour, see the Palace of Culture and admire the Chopin Monument in Łazienki Park. A visit to the Ghetto Memorial and the Historical Museum is followed by a walk through Warsaw’s old town, entirely rebuilt since WWII. This afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, join your new friends for a farewell Celebration Dinner with wine.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)
Day 9: WARSAW
Your tour comes to an end this morning. Departure transfers arrive at Warsaw airport at 7:30 & 10:00.(Buffet Breakfast) |
