The Magic of Poland 2012

Day 1, Saturday, Warsaw
After arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. The afternoon is free. Meet your guide and the rest of the group in the hotel lobby at 6:00 pm. Drive along the beautifully renovated Royal Route with its historical monuments and residences. Stop at Castle Square for a short walk through Old Town. Afterwards, welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Your meal will include traditional Polish dishes and famous Polish vodka, “Zubrowka”. Overnight in Warsaw. (D)

Day 2, Sunday, Warsaw
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 May 3rd Constitution was proclaimed in 1791, the second oldest constitution, after the USA Constitution, in the world. You will admire some of its 300 rooms and visit the Canaletto Room with 23 of his paintings, the Throne Room; the magnificent Knight’s Hall with six large paintings by Marcello Bacciarelli; the Marble room with its 22 portraits of Polish kings and the largest and most impressive of all, the castle’s chambers, the Ballroom. After lunch served at a local restaurant in Old Town, we continue our tour with a drive to the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto. En route, you will see the building of the National Opera House and Town Hall. During your tour of Warsaw, we will invite you to the famous Warsaw café, to taste a traditional Polish type of pastry called “paczek”. In the evening, you will take an unforgettable musical journey through the world of famous compositions of Poland’s greatest composer, Frederic Chopin, at a piano recital. A glass of sparkling wine will be served during intermission. Overnight in Warsaw. (B, L)

Day 3, Monday, Warsaw – Czestochowa  - Zakopane
After breakfast, we depart for Zakopane, one of the most popular vacation resorts in the Tatra Mountains. En route, we stop in Czestochowa to visit the Jasna Gora Monastery and the Black Madonna Shrine with its icon that is associated with alleged miracles. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Czestochowa.  In the evening, we arrive in Zakopane, beautifully situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, in the valley between Gubalowka Hill and Mount Giewont. Zakopane is the most popular resort in Poland. Overnight in Zakopane. (B, L)

Day 4, Tuesday, Zakopane – Krakow
After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Zakopane. The city’s wooden architecture blends with the natural landscape. This style is copied in other parts of Poland and is known as Zakopianski Style. You will visit the Jaszczurowka Chapel, a great example of the wooden architecture in Zakopane. Later, we drive to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima at Krzeptowki, which was built by the people of Zakopane in appreciation to the Lady of Fatima for saving the Pope’s life after an assassination attempt. Admire the breathtaking views of the Tatras from the top of Gubalowka Hill and shop for souvenirs, arts and crafts of the Highlanders (Gorale) in the local shops. After lunch, you will have free time. Before we continue on to Krakow, take a spectacular rafting trip on the Dunajec River in Pieniny National Park. Tonight’s dinner will be served at a local restaurant in Krakow’s Old Town Market Square. Overnight in Krakow. (B, D)

Day 5, Wednesday, Krakow – Auschwitz – Krakow
The morning sightseeing tour will start with the Royal Wawel 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 unmatched. You will also visit the Wawel 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. Following a short break for coffee and pastries at the famous Krakow café, “Jama Michalika”, with an interior designed by local artists with beautiful stained glass windows and interesting drawings, we walk to Old Town with its restored Main Square surrounded with magnificent houses and palaces. Here, we will visit St. Mary’s Basilica, originally built in the early 13th century, to see the magnificent wooden altar by Wit Stwosz. The Renaissance Cloth Hall, originally built before 1349, is the focal point of the Market Square.  After lunch we drive to Auschwitz to visit the Martyrdom Museum of the WWII time Nazi concentration camp, the infamous factory of death.   Overnight in Krakow. (B, L)

Day 6, Thursday, Krakow – Wieliczka  – Krakow
In the morning time on your own.  Afternoon drive to Wieliczka Royla Salt Mine, an unforgettable tourist attraction with underground chambers, grottoes, and chapels carved in underground salt deposits. Dinner with a folkloric show will be served at a local restaurant in Wieliczka. Later, we return to Krakow. (B, D)

Day 7, Friday, Tuesday, Warsaw
After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

The tour price

• The tour price from $1,379/person
  based on double/twin accommodation
  Single supplement from $399                                          

Tour price includes:

• Accommodation, 6 nights:
  2 nights in Warsaw, “Novotel Centrum” 4*, or similar
  1 night in Zakopane, “Mercure Kasprowy” 3*, or similar
  3 nights in Krakow, “Novotel Bronowice” 4*, or similar
  Airport arrival and departure transfers
• English-speaking tour escort assistance
• Local English-speaking guides
• Private air-conditioned motor coach/minibus/car (depending on the group size)
• Meals as per itinerary:
  breakfast daily, total of 6; 3 lunches, 3 dinners (including one dinner with folkloric show in Wieliczka) served at local restaurants
  Cake & coffee/tea at famous Warsaw cafeteria
• Cake & coffee/tea at famous Krakow cafeteria