Discovering Poland

Embrace the moving history of Warsaw, a city reborn after WWII, as you embark on a locally guided tour. Your journey through this capital city includes a stop at what remains of the Warsaw Ghetto. The afternoon is at leisure to take in the alleyways, the quaint cafés in Warsaw’s Old Town, explore a museum or simply relax.

  Breakfast    High  18°  Low  8°     Mercure Grand Warszawa Hotel

Day 3. Warsaw – Czestochowa – Krakow

Travel south to Krakow, an enchanting city famous for its well-preserved town centre. En route, stop in Czestochowa, the spiritual capital of Poland, where each year over 5 million pilgrims journey to pay their respects to the famous Black Madonna. Housed in the Jasna Góra monastery, journey inside for an up-close look at this miraculous image. Arriving in Krakow, enjoy some free time to get acquainted with the city. This evening you are introduced to traditional Polish culture during a folklore show and dinner, complete with wine and beer.

  Breakfast & Dinner      High  18°  Low  9°    Holiday Inn City Center Krakow

Day 4. Krakow

This morning we explore the city on a tour with a local expert that includes visits to Market Square, St. Mary’s Church and the university. You will also see the famous Wawel Castle, the former residence of Polish kings. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps you’ll stroll the quaint side streets of Krakow’s famous Old Town, have coffee in one of the largest squares in Europe or walk along the river for views of the new sections of the city. You may also visit the Schindler Museum or join your fellow travellers on an optional excursion.

  Breakfast     High  18°  Low  9°    Holiday Inn City Center Krakow

Today you embark on a poignant journey through history as you travel to Auschwitz. A local expert guides you through the former concentration camp where you will learn firsthand about the terrors as well as the resilience of the human spirit that occurred within those walls. Later this afternoon, arrive in the ancient city of Wroclaw. Tonight, join your travelling companions for some locally-brewed beer and a traditional “home-style” dinner at a local restaurant.

  Breakfast & Dinner     Art Hotel

Day 6. Linz – Wroclaw

A morning tour of Wroclaw brings you up close and personal to this large and ethnically diverse city. It could be the only location where you can find a Stare Miasto (Old Town) with a Synagogue, a Lutheran church, a Roman Catholic church and an Eastern Orthodox church standing near each other. The remainder of the day is at leisure to savour Wroclaw’s idyllic parks and captivating culture.

  Breakfast    Art Hotel

Day 7. Wroclaw – Torun

Today you travel to the town of Torun, a UNESCO World Heritage site and birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, the famous astronomer. Torun remains one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Europe and is one of the “Seven Wonders of Poland.” On arrival, walk past Copernicus’s house before stepping back into history while baking and sampling your very own gingerbread according to a 500-year-old recipe.

  Breakfast    High  18°  Low  9°     Hotel Bulwar

Day 8. Torun – Gdansk

This morning, join a local expert for a walking tour of this unspoiled town. Next, travel to the port city of Gdansk. Make a stop at the Gdansk Shipyards, site of the creation of the anti-Communist Solidarity movement in 1980 that helped liberate Poland from Soviet rule.

 Breakfast & Dinner     High  17°  Low  8°    Radisson Hotel Gdansk

Day 9. Gdansk – Choice of Activity

This morning, join a local expert for an introduction to this strategic and remarkable city. Get to know its deep history on your tour which highlights City Hall and St. Mary’s Church. Later, the choice is yours. Perhaps you will choose to join your Tour Manager on an excursion to the seaside resort town of Sopot. Or, perhaps you’ll choose to remain in Gdansk and join a local guide on an educational shopping excursion during which you’ll learn about Polish amber at a demonstration, followed by the opportunity to purchase the stone. The evening is at leisure. Perhaps you will take a stroll through a beautiful square, shop for local handicrafts or soak in the seaside atmosphere.

  Breakfast     High  17°  Low  8°    Katarzyna Czaykowskaguide

Day 10. Gdansk – Marienburg Fortress – Warsaw

Your journey through Poland comes full circle with your return to Warsaw. En route, stop in the town of Malbork, home to Marienburg Fortress, the largest castle in the world. A guided tour of this 700-year-old structure introduces you to the world of the Knights of the Teutonic Order. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner celebrating a fantastic journey.

  Breakfast & Dinner      High  12°  Low  4°    Mercure Grand Warszawa Hotel

Day 11. Warsaw – Tour Ends

Your tour comes to a close today.

  Breakfast