Day 1
Arrival in Krakow. Our guide greets the group at the airport. Private coach transfer to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay in Krakow.
Day 2
After breakfast we enjoy the sightseeing of Krakow. We walk around Kazimierz, the former Jewish town, that has become world famous due to the film The Schindler’s List made here by Steven Spielberg. We admire the famous Szeroka Street with its numerous synagogues, cemetery and the old mikveh house. Then we stroll around the Old Town of Krakow (UNESCO). We explore all its highlights: Main Market Square (the largest medieval square in Europe), splendid St. Mary’s Basilica (with the biggest medieval altar of Europe!), the Cloth Hall (famous among souvenirs hunters) and the Wawel Hill with the magnificent Royal Castle and the Cathedral – the main Coronation church of the Polish kings. After lunch break we go on a trip to Wieliczka to see one of the oldest and biggest Salt Mines in Europe (UNESCO). During the underground tour we discover the treasures of the mine: chambers, lakes, chapels, including famous St. Kinga’s Chapel with its magnificent decoration carved in salt. Return to Krakow. Dinner, overnight stay.
Day 3
After breakfast we enjoy the landscape tour around the region of the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountain range in Poland. We stop in Zakopane – the ski resort, known as the winter capital of Poland. Located in a picturesque valley at the foot of the Tatras, Zakopane attracts visitors with its unique atmosphere, traditional wooden architecture, magnificent cuisine and the folk culture of the local mountaineers. We see the traditional wooden church here, the best example of the Zakopane style, famous local market (time for souvenir hunters!). We also go by the funicular to the top of Gubalowka Hill (1123 m) to admire the panoramic view of the Tatras (if the weather is fine we go back by chair lift). We also stop in Chocholow – a traditional village with the wooden cottage houses that are more than 100 years old. After the tour we enjoy some free time in Zakopane! Return to Krakow, free time. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4
After breakfast we leave for Wroclaw. On the way we stop at Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. First we visit the area of the former concentration and extermination camp in Auschwitz, where we see the exhibition in the brick blocks (where the prisoners were kept), the gas chamber and the crematorium. Then we go to Birkenau (Auschwitz II), the largest Nazi extermination camp. Here we see the Gate of Death, the unloading ramp and the wooden barracks. After lunch break we head to Wroclaw, the city on the Odra river and the capital of Silesia region. After check-in at the hotel we enjoy the tour in the Old Town of Wrocław. We see Ostrów Tumski (The Cathedral Island) with its impressive Cathedral, the medieval churches and the Episcopal Palace. We walk around the picturesque medieval Square with the magnificent gothic Town Hall. Dinner, overnight stay.
Day 5
After breakfast we go to Swidnica, to see the unique Church of Peace (UNESCO) the largest timber-framed religious building in Europe and one of the two Churches of Peace that have remained in Europe. It was erected in the 17th by the Lutheran Protestants who were allowed to build their own church in the period just after Thirty Years’ War in Europe. Then we go to Ksiaz, where we admire the magnificent castle, one of the largest in Poland. It is often called the Pearl of Silesia region. Here we have a brief tour of the castle and a stroll through the beautiful gardens. We also enjoy the tour of the Karkonosze Mountains. We visit the holiday resort Karpacz and the unique medieval wooden church Wang, that was transferred from Norway. Return to Wrocław. Overnight stay.
Day 6
After breakfast we leave for Warszawa. In the afternoon we start sightseeing of Warszawa (UNESCO). We walk around the Old Town and see its highlights: the Royal Route, Royal Castle and the most famous monument – the Sigismund’s Column, St. John’s Cathedral and the picturesque Main Square with the monument of Mermaid – symbol of Warszawa. We drive around the city centre admiring all the landmarks of the capital, among them the well known Palace of Technology and Science (a ‚compulsive’ gift from Stalin). We also visit the beautiful Lazienki (Baths) Park with the famous statue of Fryderyk Chopin and the 18th century Palace on the Water, the suburban residence of the last king of Poland. Arrival at the hotel, dinner, overnight stay in Warszawa.
Day 7
After breakfast we enjoy the trip to Wilanow Palace, known as the Pearl of Baroque. We visit the 17th century residence of the Polish king Jan III Sobieski. The Palace represents one of the best examples of the baroque suburban residences in Poland, surrounded by the beautiful park in French style. Here we have a brief guided tour of the Palace and some free time for a walk around the gardens. Return to Warszawa, afternoon at leisure. Dinner, overnight stay.
Day 8
After breakfast transfer to the airport