DAY 1Arrive Gdansk, Poland Welcome to Poland. You are met on arrival in Gdańsk, and taken by limousine to your hotel in Old Town.
This afternoon, your city tour includes the key historic landmarks including the splendid interiors of the gothic Town Hall, Artus Court, a decorative mansion inspired by the courts of King Arthur, and The Crane, the oldest documented crane dating back to 1367, which was used to place masts on ships.
Radisson Blu, Gdansk
DAY 2Gdańsk Tri‐Cities Sightseeing The ‘Tri‐Cities’ are Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot ‐ together the country’s biggest industrial, academic and cultural center, with more than 1,000 years of history. Start today’s touring with a visit to Westerplatte Peninsula, site of the start of WWII, and the Monument of Solidarity, along with the impressive Oliwa’s Cathedral. Next, see the ‘Roads to Freedom’ exhibition at the Gdańsk Shipyard, which focuses on the history of Poland from 1956 – 1989. Take a relaxing stroll along the longest wooden pier in Europe in Sopot, while enjoying the view of the bay of Gdańsk and the Tri‐City coastline. You will also see the young port of Gdynia, where you visit an amber polishing workshop to learn the history and polishing process of these gems called the “Gold of the North.”
After a traditional lunch with local food and Goldwasser vodka at the Grand Hotel, one of the largest and most impressive hotels in Poland, the rest of your day is at leisure. (B, L)
Radisson Blu, Gdansk
DAY 3Gdańsk to Malbork & Warsaw This morning depart for Malbork Castle, one of the largest gothic fortresses in Europe. Enjoy a historic tour of the castle, and then continue the drive to Warsaw, the capital of Poland.
Arrive at your luxury hotel by late afternoon and spend your evening at leisure. (B)
Le Regina, Warsaw
DAY 4 Warsaw Sightseeing Today explore the capital visiting important landmarks including Old Town, completely rebuilt after WWII, the historic Jewish Ghetto and the elegant Royal Route with the Palace on the Water in Lazienki Gardens. Stand on the observation deck of the huge socialist Palace of Culture, and visit the new Warsaw Rising Museum. (B)
Le Regina, Warsaw
DAY 5Warsaw to Kraków This morning enjoy the scenic drive through the Mazovia region to Żelazowa Wola, the birthplace of Polish composer Frédéric Chopin. Explore the museum home of this national hero, before continuing south to Częstochowa. Here you will also tour the 15th century gothic Jasna Gora Monastery, a cherished pilgrimage site and home of the miraculous Black Madonna Icon.
Arrive in the ancient city of Kraków by early evening and stay at your boutique hotel in Old Town, which was the center of Poland’s political life beginning in 1038. (B)
Hotel Stary, Kraków
DAY 6Kraków & Auschwitz This morning see the city of Kraków on a private horse‐driven cart with private guide. Your tour includes Wawel Royal Castle, which houses a priceless collection of ornamental Arras and Renaissance Gobelin tapestries. Explore Market Square, the biggest medieval square in Europe, with the gothic St. Mary’s Church and the yellow Sukiennice Cloth Hall, with its 13th century market stalls.
This afternoon, make the solemn journey to visit the impressive Holocaust Memorial at the Auschwitz‐Birkenau concentration camps. (B)
Hotel Stary, Kraków
DAY 7Wieliczka Salt Mine Your morning is at leisure to relax or explore delightful Kraków. In the afternoon, take a drive to the amazing Wieliczka Salt Mines. Created in the Middle Ages, these mines are a labyrinth of almost 200 miles of underground chambers and galleries with lakes, chapels and intricate salt sculptures. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can explore part of the mine caverns including the incredible Chapel of St. Kinga. (B)
Hotel Stary, Kraków
DAY 8Zakopane & the Tatras excursion Drive to Poland’s winter capital, the mountain resort of Zakopane. Celebrated for its unique wooden architecture, see the Old Cemetery, and stroll 19th century Kościeliska Street, with its plethora of wooden sculptures, handicrafts and unique highland cheese shops.
Have a lunch of local specialties, with time left for relaxing in the town, a carriage ride or visit to the local ethnographic museum. Enjoy captivating views of the Tatra Mountains on your ride back to Krakow. (B,L)
Hotel Stary, Kraków
DAY 9Depart Kraków Today you are taken to the Krakow airport for your departing flight home or on to your next destination. (B)
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Explore Poland and see the sights in Gdansk, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Warsaw and the colorful displays of glass at the Borowski Glass Studio in Bolelawiec on this 11-day Independent Journey.
- Join Travcoa on this ready-to-book Independent Journey