Vacation
overview
A rich cultural heritage, fascinating history, and beautiful landscapes make Poland an interesting place to discover. On this Poland tour, you’ll spend two nights in Warsaw and Gdansk, three nights in Kraków, and one night in Poznan. Along the way, learn about Poland’s history and visit some of its historic cities with their charming old towns, and some UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide—an expert in the city’s history, sights, culture, and secrets—in Warsaw, Gdansk, Torun, Poznan, and Kraków. Torun is the birthplace of renaissance astronomer Copernicus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Middle Ages, it was a prominent trade hub as a member of the Hanseatic League. Dating back to the 7th century, Kraków is known as Poland’s most beautiful city and cultural capital. Here, the sightseeing tour features the Market Square, one of Europe’s loveliest squares, along with Wawel Hill. Gdansk is a beautiful port city on the Baltic Sea, which played an important role in recent history by facilitating the events that brought to the fall of the Berlin wall. You’ll visit the monastery of Jasna Góra in Czestochowa, an important pilgrimage spot. Its Black Madonna, a painting of the Virgin Mary, is a symbol of the country and venerated as the "Queen of Poland." You'll also visit what is left of the Auschwitz concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust. Take a breath of fresh air on the included excursion to Zakopane, a mountain resort in the Tatras, a favourite holiday spot for locals and visitors. You’ll have a chance to do a little hiking or to relax taking in the spectacular views. You’ll arrive home from this value-minded tour through Poland with a new appreciation of Poland’s history, culture, nature, and wonderful cities—an enriching adventure!
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Itinerary
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Day 1
ARRIVE IN WARSAW, POLAND Check into your hotel. Explore the Polish capital with the help of the CosmosGO app. In the early evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
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Day 2
WARSAW–GDANSK Today’s included sightseeing tour with a Local Guide is an excellent introduction to Warsaw. Magnificently reconstructed after WWII, Warsaw is a rich tapestry of nearly every European architectural style, from Gothic to Neoclassical, with wide, modern avenues in striking contrast to the narrow lanes of the old section. Continue to Gdansk on the Baltic Sea, one of the most important Hanseatic cities in the 14th and 15th centuries. Today’s Distance: 261 mi/ 420 km (B,D)
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Day 3
GDANSK Among the most important shipping ports in Northern Europe, Gdansk (formerly known by its German name, Danzig) is the birthplace of “Solidarity,” the Polish trade union that revolutionized Polish modern politics. On the included city tour this morning, your Local Guide will explain the city’s past and present. Spend some time exploring on your own or join the optional excursion to the town of Malbork, founded in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights, and visit its Gothic Marienburg Castle, one of the most striking fortified castles in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,D)
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Day 4
GDANSK–TORUN–POZNAN First stop today is medieval Torun on the Vistula River, birthplace of renaissance astronomer Copernicus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your Local Guide will introduce you to the many captivating highlights, including the starówka (Old Town) with the ruins of a 13th-century Teutonic Knights’ castle, as well as many samples of Gothic architecture. Head west to Poznan, one of the country’s oldest cities and a part of Polish history for the past 1,000 years. This afternoon, discover the main attractions on your included city sightseeing tour with a Local Guide. Today’s Distance: 2305 mi/ 370 km (B,D)
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Day 5
POZNAN–JASNA GÓRA–KRAKÓW Stop at Jasna Góra in Czestochowa for a guided visit of the Monastery that withstood the repeated onslaughts of overwhelming Swedish forces during the religious wars of the 17th century. Since then, its Black Madonna has been venerated as the “Queen of Poland” and has become the country’s national symbol. Continue to Kraków. Today’s Distance: 304 mi/ 490 km (B,D)
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Day 6
KRAKÓW Dating back to the 7th century, Kraków is revered by many as Poland’s most beautiful city. It was the country’s capital for over 500 years. On your included guided tour, see the Market Square, the Jewish Quarter, Wawel Hill, and visit the Cathedral. Continue exploring on your own or book an optional visit to the spectacular Wieliczka Salt Mines, a subterranean maze of tunnels and chambers—some of them richly decorated. This evening, consider joining an optional traditional dinner. (B)
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Day 7
KRAKÓW. EXCURSION TO ZAKOPANE Get a breath of fresh mountain air today on the included excursion to Zakopane. Located in a picturesque valley at the base of the Tatra mountain range, Zakopane has developed into a beautiful, pristine resort. Typical of this area are the highland wooden houses, cafes, restaurants, and the local shops on Krupowki Street. Enjoy a little hiking or browse around the small market for authentic souvenirs. Return to Krakow. Today’s Distance: 137 mi/ 220 km (B,D)
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Day 8
KRAKÓW–AUSCHWITZ–WARSAW Encounter sobering history this morning on your visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust. In the afternoon, continue to Warsaw. Tonight’s optional dinner is a great way to round out your fascinating adventure in Poland. Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km (B)
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Day 9
WARSAW Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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