Wonders of Poland

Upon arrival at the Warsaw airport - airport code WAW (remember you are flying home from Krakow), take the provided shuttle to the group's hotel. The 4-star Novotel Warszawa Centrum is located close to historic sites, monuments and shops. Tonight we meet and greet and get an optional something to eat.

After breakfast get ready to explore the parks, palaces of this Polish capital on our morning guided tour. Pass the Monument of Warsaw Uprising, the Belvedere Palace and view the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. See historical sites such as the Ghetto Memorial, Grand Theatre and Chopin’s Monument. Stroll around the Old Town and learn more about Warsaw’s tumultuous history.
Visit the Royal Castle that was reconstructed from a pile of rubble at incredible cost between 1971 and 1984. Dating back to the 14th century, the castle has been the residence of Polish kings, then of the president and then the seat of parliament. Our tour will take us through the Kings' apartments and chambers.
Let's see Warsaw from the river perspective on a river cruise. Discover the secrets of Praga Port, see the beautiful panorama of the Old Town and Powi?le district on a one hour cruise up the river.

Then you will have time to discover Warsaw your way. Visit a museum, relax at an outdoor cafe, ask our tour leader for suggestions or book a pre-arranged tour activity here - Warsaw optional tours & activities
Tonight we enjoy our welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning we depart Warsaw for Gdansk stopping enroute in the town of Malbork to tour Malbork Castle, located on the bank of the River Nogat. The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork or simply Malbork Castle is a 13th-century Teutonic castle and at 52 acres is the largest castle in the world. Since its construction, the castle has been used as a fortress by the Teutonic Order, a Polish royal residence, a poorhouse by the the Prussian army, was heavily destroyed during WWII and has since been entirely restored. Tour the Grand Masters Palace and the Great Refectory, see the different chambers and towers and view the medieval armor and weapons.

Although much of Gdansk was destroyed by war, it has emerged as one of the most beautiful Baltic cities. We will explore the Old Town to see a unique blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Mannerist architecture lining the streets and squares. Our local guide will show us the old harbor with its Crane Gate, the Long Market with its Neptune Fountain and Artus Court. See the Main Town Hall with the famous Gdansk carillon, the magnificent Arsenal, the Millennium Tree, St. Mary's Church with its astronomical clock. Visit the Museum of Solidarno??, devoted to the history of Solidarity, the Polish trade union and civil resistance movement, and other opposition movements of Communist Eastern Europe.

optional tours
Tonight discover how to make a homemade Pierogi. Packed with tasty fillings, these Polish dumplings are can't-get-enough treats. But there are some tricks to making homemade pierogies and we will learn how to do it right.

After breakfast we board our bus for a two hour drive to Toru? located on the Vistula River and famous for its native son, the astronomer Copernicus. Torun was founded by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century and we can still see the ruins of their castle, left pretty much unchanged from when it was destroyed by disgruntled medieval townsfolk. Torun was one of the few Polish cities to escape major damage in World War II. Its beautifully preserved Old Town is a UNESCO.

World Heritage Site and is part of our afternoon tour.
The highlight of our afternoon is a visit to the Gingerbread Museum and workshop. We will learn all about the history of gingerbread starting with a medieval market stall and gingerbread moulds and ovens. Then we get to participate in a gingerbread workshop, during which we will be able to bake our own gingerbread made from original dough and spices. Tasting is a must but don't get too full as tonight's dinner is at a local restaurant and included.

Sit back and relax on our morning drive to Wroclaw, a city on the Oder River in western Poland, known for its Market Square, lined with elegant townhouses and featuring a modern fountain. Gain valuable insight into the history and culture of Wroclaw on our guided tour of this vibrant city. See the city highlights such as the medieval market square, the Town Hall, the Jewish neighborhood, Ostrow Tumski, and Centennial Hall. Admire the Gothic grandeur of Cathedral Island; ascend to the top of St John the Baptist Cathedral's colossal tower; and capture the ambient spirit of the Main Market Square.
Tonight we enjoy a Polish feast at a local restaurant.

Our morning drive will take us to the next destination on our vacation, Auschwitz. We have three hours to visit the former concentration camp Auschwitz – Birkenau, listed since 1979 as a UNESCO’s World heritage site. Once the largest and most notorious complex of Nazi extermination camps. KL Auschwitz, was transformed by the occupying Nazis into an efficient forced-labor camp. It became the center for the systematic murder of Jews, Gypsies, Russian POWs and others considered undesirable by the Nazis. Over the years the camp was extended and eventually consisted of three main parts and more than 40 su­b-camps. The Nazi murders were stopped when the Soviet Army entered the camp in January 1945.

Our tour begins with a 15-minute documentary about the liberation of Auschwitz. See exhibits in surviving prison blocks, the gas chamber and the crematorium. Next we visit the larger Auschwitz II, better known as Birkenau. This portion of the complex was specifically designed to carry out the extermination of European Jews. The Martyrdom Auschwitz Museum was established on the site in 1947 and was added to UNESCO in 1979. At Birkenau go up to the watchtower above the entrance gate to see the view of the biggest Nazi extermination camp.
In the late afternoon we arrive in Krakow, a beautiful city whose fairy-tale castle and Market Square is spread out like a living museum.

This morning we have a guided half day walking tour of the Royal City. The unique atmosphere of the beautiful and mysterious streets of the Old Town still exist in The Market Square, center of the Old Town, one of the biggest in Europe, is a reminder of the power and wealth of medieval Krakow, Saint Mary's Church, dating back to the year 1221, boasts the precious 15th century Witt Stwosz altar. Wawel Royal Castle is the pride of racow and the heart of the nation as it’s cathedral is the final resting place of monarchs and wordsmiths. Jewish Quarter Kazimierz where the film "Schindler's List“ was made. From the 16th century it became the main cultural center of Polish Jewry with its unique Oriental atmosphere. Its soul perished during the traumatic events of the Second World War, but many of the buildings, some still with Yiddish inscriptions, survived.

Today we visit the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine, an amazing Unesco underground world of wonders. The mine has been worked for 900 years and was one of the largest salt mines in the world with underground passages and 2000 caverns of various sizes. Legend has it that the salt mines were part of the dowry of the Hungarian princess, Kinga, when she married Boleslaw the Shy over 700 years ago. Our guided tour starts with a spiraling walk down 360 steps from and walks from 210 to 440 feet underground passing through galleries and chambers on three levels. This afternoon is your last chance to explore Poland, visit a museum or purchase those last minute souvenirs. Here's a link to optional tours in Krakow.
Tonight we get to have our Farewell dinner together while enjoying a Polish Folklore Show.

After a final breakfast we have to say goodbye to all our new single travel friends as our vacation comes to an end and we are transferred to the airport and our flights home.