Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

There simply is no way to tour Europe & not be awestruck by its natural beauty, epic history, dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. From soaring mountains to golden sands, Central / Eastern Europe reveals a tapestry of quaint & contemporary cultures – always with enough rough edges to keep you intrigued.

Welcome to incredible Poland – with its beautiful Cities, stately Castles & of course, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Elsewhere, woods, rivers, lakes & hills beckon for some fresh-air fun.   

Arrive in Warsaw. A phoenix arisen from the ashes, Poland's capital impresses with its resilience, respect for history, contemporary style & sheer joie de vivre.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Warsaw Chopin International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel unless advised.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the morning / afternoon is at leisure to relax or independent exploration or optional activities (we shall be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements). 

Diverse Architecture |Outdoor Spaces |Cultural Treasures |Eat & Drink

The capital of both the Mazovia province & of Poland itself, Warsaw situated right in the heart of Europe, at the intersection of Europe’s east-west & north-south transport routes, is a truly extraordinary city with a dazzling array of historical sites & tourist attractions that captivates everyone who visits.

A major economic, academic, cultural, political hub, Warsaw is the epitome of a dynamic European metropolis, its trademarks - besides a rich history - being its open-minded residents, the River Vistula & exceptional cuisine. It has now become one of Europe's most dynamic metropolitan cities, ranked as one of the most liveable in Europe.

Once believed to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Warsaw has endured the worst history could throw at it, including near destruction at the end of World War II. Much has been rebuilt & the fragments that survived are now preserved in a superb selection of Museums & cultural storehouses. The exhibitions at the Warsaw Rising Museum & POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews leave practically no stone unturned on their respective subjects, while the National Museum will astound you with its art & design collection.

Then, there is Chopin, Warsaw's favourite son, who has his own Museum & whose romantic & dramatic music is played at nightly recitals.

Rather than being centred on an old Market Square, modern-day Warsaw is spread across a broad area & includes an eye-catching range of architecture: restored baroque, Gothic, neoclassical & Renaissance in the Old & New Towns; gems of the post-WWII socialist realist period, such as the phenomenal 3,000 room Palace of Culture & Science built in an Art Deco-meets-Stalinism style in the very heart of Warsaw has become a modern icon of the city. Towering over 230 metres into the sky, it is visible from practically every corner of the capital & houses a theatre, cinema, museums, cafes & the main Tourist Information Point. An unbeatable panorama of Warsaw can be viewed from the Observation Deck on the 30^th floor, including some spectacular new skyscrapers & both banks of the River Vistula.

After World War II, this socialist-realism style of architecture was applied to most newly built monuments, public buildings & even entire districts. Examples include the Marszałkowska Residential District (MDM) & contemporary beauties like the Copernicus Science Centre built on the ruins of the Warsaw Ghetto.  This jumble reflects the city’s tumultuous past & makes for a fascinating collection of neighbourhoods & landmarks.

As the seat of Polish rulers for several centuries, Warsaw is blessed with impressive historical buildings lining the well-known Royal Route. The Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Culture & Art, the Academy of Fine Arts & the University of Warsaw as well as elegant former royal residences.

Among these is the stunning Baroque Royal Castle, the official residence of Polish kings from 16^th century onwards, where you can see royal insignia & thrones as well as paintings by famous artists, including Rembrandt, Canaletto & Matejko.

Another royal residence is the chic, serene classical Palace on the Water in royal Łazienki Park. If you visit its lavish interiors, do check out the paintings from the collection of Poland’s last king, Stanisław Poniatowski. Free piano concerts take place at the Fryderyk Chopin monument in the Park every Sunday in summer, which draw in people from near and far.

The nearby Sigismund Column is Poland’s most famous monument & a favourite meeting place of Warsovians & visitors alike.

The Royal Route ends at the former residence of King Jan III Sobieski in Wilanow aptly described as Poland's Versailles. In this vivid yellow Baroque palace surrounded by spacious gardens, richly decorated & furnished chambers show how the Palace’s successive wealthy owners lived & how they upheld the memory of the King who famously won the Battle of Vienna. Interestingly, this was one of the only buildings not damaged during the war.

The right or east-bank part of Warsaw was culturally, ethnically & religiously diverse for centuries. As it was, almost miraculously, not destroyed during World War II, it is now considered to be the most authentic part of the city. Whilst taking a walk along its streets, look out for surprises in the most unexpected of places - discover shrines hidden away in the courtyards, seek out the original murals found in the area & of course, pop along to visit the Polish Vodka Museum in the renovated Koneser centre in Praga district, fittingly a former distillery.

Not to be missed is a stroll beside the Vistula River: on the west bank runs the Vistulan Boulevard, a contemporary promenade dotted with waterside bars & cafes, while on the eastern Praga side nature holds sway with meandering, wooded pathways leading to sandy beaches.

If the city's architectural flourishes, lush outdoor spaces & cultural treasures haven't already seduced you, expect all resistance to fall at its superb selection of dining spots. Among its many titles, Warsaw is also the undisputed culinary capital of Poland with many bars & restaurants including “milk bars” established back in communist times.

As evening falls, the Saska Kępa neighbourhood is a great place to combine taking in some stunning examples of modernist architecture with a well-deserved stop at one of the many great eateries serving flavours from around over the world. Home to everything from bargain-priced, retro-trendy milk bars to chic Michelin star restaurants serving cutting-edge molecular gastronomy. No shortage of cool cafes or bars for creative cocktails, craft beers & vodka shots.

Anyone with a sweet tooth is really going to enjoy this city: local bakeries & cafes serve Warsaw’s traditional wuzetka cakes (a yummy chocolate & cream layered combination), Wedel chocolate & natural ice cream. Breakfast markets & food truck rallies as well as the Fine Dining Weekend & Restaurant Week festivals are also quite popular.

Greenery also abounds at the central Saxon Garden, Krasinski Garden & the rooftop garden of the University Library.  

Overnight. 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09:00 am & proceed for a 4 hour sightseeing tour.

There is no better place to start your tour of Warsaw than the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town, whose history goes back 700 years. And it will feel as though the buildings are ancient as well, even though the truth, however mind boggling it is to comprehend, is that this incredible part of Warsaw was reconstructed after it was completely destroyed during World War II on - wait for it - the basis of paintings by Canaletto. It was recreated with such attention to detail.

Today, the Old Town is a beguiling, charmingly cosy area with a unique atmosphere & original architectural details, which becomes especially enchanting after nightfall. The Old Town Square is its lifeblood, packed in summer with outdoor cafes & people strolling around, making it one of capital’s most popular spots.

A statue of the Warsaw Mermaid, the city’s symbol, stands proudly in the centre. It may well be the only mermaid wielding a sword & shield you will ever see. According to legend, a mermaid was resting on the riverbank near the Old Town when local fishermen heard her song & fell in love with the fabulous creature. When a rich merchant trapped & imprisoned the mermaid, a young fisherman heard her cries for help & released her. By way of thanks, she promised to provide all fishermen with help if needed. Since then, the mermaid, armed with a sword & a shield, has been ready to protect the city and its residents.

Old Town Market Square is one of the most beautiful places in the city. Warsaw's main square has been in constant use since the late 13th century for celebrations & markets were held here. All of the Square's buildings were reconstructed following complete destruction in World War II & are supposedly a perfect match for the Square's original form in the 17^th & 18^th centuries.

Around the Square, the Historical Museum of Warsaw occupies a dozen buildings reconstructed after World War II. Its exposition & collections of historical artefacts presents the incredible story of the city & its residents since the dawn of its history to modern times.

Another historical treasure trove is found in the nearby Gothic 14^th century St. John’s Cathedral, built as a parish church for royal weddings, coronations & funerals with crypts housing the tombs of the last Dukes of Mazovia, plaques in memory of Polish patriots & statesmen, and the Chapel of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, often referred to as “Primate of the Millennium”.

A tourist route running through the historical Jewish district will take you to the uber-modern multimedia POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the Umschlagplatz (from where the Germans transported Warsaw’s Jews to the Treblinka concentration camp), a fragment of the wall separating the ghetto from the “Aryan side”, & plaques in the pavement marking where the ghetto boundary used to be.

The eventful & dramatic history of the city can also be experienced at the interactive Warsaw Rising Museum which documents the 63 day heroic struggle of Warsovians against the occupying forces during World War II. The tragic events of 1944 changed the Polish capital in every possible way forever & heavily influenced its present-day character. 

You will be driving along the Royal Route with a few photo stops at vantage points.

The sightseeing concludes & you will return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is free for independent exploration. Or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Alas, the experience comes to an end & it is time to say good-bye to the warm Polish hospitality & heritage and go home.

Check-out of the hotel by 11: 00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

You say: ‘Europe’, you think: ‘Poland’. Still Europe’s secret, a hidden treasure on the touristic map with beautiful clean cities. It is where East meets West, North meets South – literally & lyrically. It is where you can see influences of different cultures intertwine.

Because over 1000 years of history give you over 1000 reasons to come. Because every brick of old Castle walls has a fascinating story to tell. Because of the well-preserved nature & picturesque landscapes. Because of the tasty food & friendly people. Because a visit to Poland will give you a more profound understanding of the history of Europe. Not to forget the 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites out of more than a thousand historical remnants.

Enough reasons, we are sure, that will entice you to come back to Polska.

“When you leave Poland, as the plane lifts, you feel that more than leaving a country you are leaving a state of mind. Whatever awaits you at the other end of your journey will be of a different order of existence”  – Anonymous

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Warsaw Chopin International Airport for your onward journey.  B

 .

 .

***        End of Services      ***