Warsaw - Kazimierz Dolny - Lublin - Zamosc - Lancut - Rzeszow - Zakopane - Wadowice - Auschwitz - Krakow - Czestochowa

Starting in Warsaw: Aug 1, 2014

INCLUDED SERVICES:

• Airport transfers in Warsaw
• English speaking tour escort assistance
• English speaking local guides
• Private air conditioned motor coach
• meals as per itinerary: B= breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
• Sightseeing & entrance fees as per itinerary
• Hotel charges and taxes

YOUR HOTELS:

• 3 nights in Warsaw at Sofitel Victoria
• 2 night in Lublin at Grand Lublinianka
• 1 night in Rzeszow at Hotel Bristol
• 3 nights in Zakopane at Grand Stamary
• 3 nights in Krakow at Radisson Blu
• 1 night in Warsaw at Manor House Spa

 

FRI, AUGUST 1ST WARSAW (Dinner)

Arrival in Warsaw and transfer to our hotel to enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Warsaw at the Victoria Sofitel.

SAT, AUGUST 2ND WARSAW (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast we will drive along Warsaw’s Royal Route which starts at the Castle Square and then continues along: Krakowskie Przedmiescie, Nowy Swiat, Trzech Krzyzy Square , Ujazdowskie Avenue, past the Royal Lazienki Park and on to the Royal Palace in Wilanow on the outskirts of Warsaw. Often referred to as the "Polish Versailles", it was originally built in the late 17th century for King Jan III Sobieski. We will visit the Palace as well as the magnificent gardens where you can spend some free time. The world’s first Poster Museum opened in Wilanow in 1968 and is worth a visit for those interested in this art form. We will have lunch in Wilanow and then in the late afternoon return to our hotel. Free time to relax or explore Warsaw on your own.
* Optional visit to the Warsaw Rising Museum this afternoon .
This Museum depicts life in Warsaw during the Uprising of 1944 and is regarded as one of Warsaw’s finest Museums . In the evening please join us for a Sound & Light show at the the Multimedia Water Fountains near the Vistula River. Show starts at 9.30 pm (time to be re- confirmed). Overnight in Warsaw at the Sofitel .

SUN, AUGUST 3RD WARSAW (Breakfast, Dinner)

Time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast today and attend Mass at one of the many lovely churches close to our hotel if you wish. At 10.00 am we will meet our local guide and start our tour by bus to drive past the Old Jewish Ghetto , Ghetto Heroes Monument , the Warsaw Uprising Monument, and then to Lazienki Park with its famous Chopin Monument, Palace on the Water and Belvedere Palace. During the summer months there are free Chopin Concerts every Sunday at noon and 4 pm for any one that is interested. Our bus will leave us by the Old Town where we will continue our tour on foot . We will start with a short film at the Historical Museum which will be a good introduction to Warsaw as it was before World War II , during and after. On a short walking tour of the Old Town we will see the Barbakan, Castle Square with the famous Sigismund Column. We will end our tour at the Castle Square wher you can spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Our hotel is a short walk from the Castle Square. At 7pm we will meet in the lobby to go out for dinner . Overnight in Warsaw at the Victoria Sofitel.

MON, AUGUST 4TH WARSAW - KRZESK - LUBLIN (Breakfast, Lunch & Vodka tasting)

After breakfast we leave Warsaw and drive east towards Krzesk. Here tucked away on 17 acres of farmland is the the small historic Krzesk distillery which produces the premium Chopin Vodka. We will have a tour of the distillery with an introduction to how the Vodka is produced. Each bottle of Chopin Vodka contains only three ingredients: the highest quality, naturally grown potato, rye or wheat , yeast, and purified artesian well water. No additives. After our lunch and vodka tasting we continue our drive to Lublin. After checking in to our hotel the rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at the Grand Lublinianka Hotel.

TUE, AUGUST 5TH LUBLIN - KAZIMIERZ DOLNY - LUBLIN (Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast we will join our guide for a walking tour of Lublin. Since our hotel is in the very heartof the town, it is a short stroll to the pedestrian area in the Old Town , where you will see the Rynek (Market Square), Trinity Cathedral, the Krakow Gate and then on to the Castle.
In the early afternoon we will drive to the picturesque town of Kazimierz Dolny on the banks of the Vistula River. You will see for yourself why this town has been a haven for artists and craftsmen. A short orientation of the Old Town and then free time to stroll through the quaint streets filled with many shops where you can find unique gifts and jewellery. Dinner in Kazimierz and then we return to Lublin. Overnight at Grand Lublinianka Hotel.

WED, AUGUST 6TH LUBLIN – ZAMOSC - RZESZOW (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today we leave Lublin towards Rzeszow . Enroute we will stop will be at the town of Zamosc which was founded in the 16th century. Often referred to as a “Pearl of the Renaissance”, the Old City of Zamosc was placed on the UNESCO Heritage list in 1992. We have some free time to explore the Market Square before we continue on our way to Rzeszow. After checking in to our hotel we will have a short walking tour after which the rest of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Rzeszow at the Bristol Hotel.

THU, AUGUST 7TH RZESZOW – SANOK - ZAKOPANE (Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast we head south to Sanok where we will visit Poland’s largest open air Museum. There are about 100 traditional buildings here providing insight into the cultural heritage and mix of the ethnic groups which inhabited this Polish-Ukrainian borderland. Continue to Zakopane for dinner and overnight at the Grand Stamary Hotel.

FRI, AUGUST 8TH ZAKOPANE (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today we will discover Zakopane. Morning sightseeing of this lively resort town including cable-car ride to top of Gubalowka Mountain for a panoramic view of the surrounding area. After lunch you have free time to enjoy the highlander hospitality and to wander the market place where you can find local specialties such as artistic leather works wood carvings, and local cheeses. Dinner tonight at a local highlander Inn. Overnight at Grand Stamary Hotel.

SAT, AUG 9TH ZAKOPANE - DUNAJEC RIVER RAFTING - ZAKOPANE (Breakfast, lunch)

Today we take a short drive for today’s adventure - a rafting ride on the Dunajec River through the Pieniny mountain range . This is definitely not “white water “ rafting but a very leisurely and scenic 2 hour ride on a highlander wooden raft winding through the mountains and meandering back and forth across the Slovak border. After our ride we will have lunch at a local Inn. Return to Zakopane and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Zakopane at Grand Stamary Hotel.

SUN, AUG 10TH ZAKOPANE - WADOWICE - AUSCHWITZ - KRAKOW (Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning we leave Zakopane and travel north again. Our first stop will be Wadowice, home of our beloved Pope John Paul II. During your free time enjoy a “kremowka” , a tasty cake and John Paul’s favorite , at one of the local cafes . We then continue to Auschwitz to visit the former Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp and a UNESCO Heritage site since 1979. Now, a Museum it is a symbol of humanity’s cruelty to its fellow human beings. Lunch on the outskirts of Auschwitz. Continue to Krakow for overnight at the Radisson Blu.

MON, AUG 11TH KRAKOW (Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast we will meet in the lobby for half day sightseeing tour of Krakow with our local guide including: The Royal Wawel Hill, the Royal Route and the Old Town area with the Old Town Market Square, the Cloth Hall, the Barbican, St Mary's Church with 15th c . Witt Stwosz Altar inside, and Florianska Gate. We end our tour at the Market Square where you can spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Krakow at the Radisson Blu.

TUE, AUG 12TH KRAKOW - WIELICZKA SALT MINE - KRAKOW (Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning we will take a short drive to the outskirts of Krakow to visit the oldest salt mine in Europe which has been operating since the 13th century and is a UNESCO Treasure. Our tour of the mine will take approx.2.5 hours. After the visit will have lunch at a local Inn close to the mine and then return to Krakow to enjoy the rest of the afternoon on your own. Overnight in Krakow at the Radisson Blu.

WED, AUG 13TH KRAKOW –CZESTOCHOWA - CHLEWISKA ( Breakfast, Dinner )

Today we will leave Krakow and travel north. We will stop in Czestochowa for a short visit to the Jasna Gora Monastery and the Black Madonna Shrine. Continue to the Manor House where the rest of afternoon will be at your leisure to enjoy the facilities or just relax in the country atmosphere. Farewell dinner and overnight at the Manor House Spa.

THU, AUG 14TH CHLEWISKA - WARSAW AIRPORT (Breakfast ) END OF TOUR.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner