Welcome to Enchanting Journeys
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Poland
Polska KaleidoscopeFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Warsaw * Czestochowa * KrakowIncludes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• Accommodation for 13 nights on HB• Services of English speaking Tour-guides• Entrance fees, wherever applicable• Private A/c transport• Government Taxes & Service Fees• 24 / 7 Contact Support
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Poland
Jewish Heritage of PolandFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Warsaw * Lublin * Lezajsk * LancutIncludes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• Accommodation of 9 nights with B/fast• Services of English speaking Tour-guides• Entrance fees, wherever applicable• Private A/c transport• Government Taxes & Service Fees• 24 / 7 Contact Support
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Poland
Hello WarsawFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : WarsawIncludes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• Accommodation of 2 nights with B/fast• Services of English speaking Tour-guide• Entrance fees, wherever applicable• Private A/c transport• Government Taxes & Service Fees• 24 / 7 Contact Support
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Poland
Classic PolandFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Warsaw * Gdansk * Torun....Includes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• Accommodation of 7 nights with B/fast• Services of English speaking Tour-guides• Entrance fees, wherever applicable• Private A/c transport• Government Taxes & Service Fees• 24 / 7 Contact Support
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Enchanting Poland…the time to go is now…..
Polska Kaleidoscope
Come…be inspired & discover the World with us
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Polska Kaleidoscope |
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Day | Date |
City |
Transfers | Sightseeing |
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Any Day |
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01 | 00 | 0 |
Warsaw |
✈ Arrival 🚗 Transfer | Free (balance of the day) |
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02 | 00 | 0 |
Warsaw |
AM Warsaw | PM Chopin Piano Recital | Free (balance of the day) |
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03 | 00 | 0 |
Krakow |
AM v Transfer + Jasna Gora Monastery + Auschwitz | Free (evening) |
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04 | 00 | 0 |
Krakow |
AM | PM Krakow | Free (balance of the day) |
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05 | 00 | 0 |
Zakopane |
AM Wieliczka Salt Mine + vTransfer | Free (balance of the day) |
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06 | 00 | 0 |
Zakopane |
AM Zakopane | PM Folkloric Show | Free (balance of the day) |
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07 | 00 | 0 |
Wroclaw |
AM v Transfer + Wadowice | Free (balance of the day) |
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08 | 00 | 0 |
Poznan |
AM Wroclaw | PM v Transfer | Free (balance of the day) |
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09 | 00 | 0 |
Torun |
AM Poznan | PM v Transfer | Free (balance of the day) |
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10 | 00 | 0 |
Gdansk |
AM Torun | PM v Transfer | Free (balance of the day) |
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11 | 00 | 0 |
Gdansk |
AM | PM Gdansk + Gdynia + Sopot | Free (balance of the day) |
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12 | 00 | 0 |
Olsztyn |
AM v Transfer + Malbork Castle | Free (balance of the day) |
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13 | 00 | 0 |
Warsaw |
AM Olsztynek | PM v Transfer + Lowicz | Dinner at a Home |
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14 | 00 | 0 |
Warsaw |
Departure 🚗 Transfer ✈ |
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Enchanting Poland… the time to go is now….
Polska Kaleidoscope
Warsaw * Czestochowa * Krakow * Wieliczka * Zakopane * Wadowice * Wroclaw * Poznan * Torun * Gdansk * Gdynia * Sopot * Olsztyn * Olsztynek * Lowicz * Warsaw
Day 01 - | Arrive ✈ Warsaw at ????
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 on a more sombre note, 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 30th 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 16th 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.
Evening, around 06.00 pm, accompanied by a Journeys Rep, proceed for an exciting ‘Polish’ dinner with other Group members who would be travelling with you.
Drive along the beautiful Royal Route with its historical monuments & residences. Stop at Castle Square for a short walk through Old Town to enjoy a sumptuous welcome dinner at a restaurant.
Your meal will include typical Polish cuisine accompanied by the famous Polish vodka. Some of the more prominent dishes are bigos, pierogi, kiełbasa, pork loin kotlet schabowy breaded cutlet, gołąbki cabbage roll, zrazy roulade, sour cucumber & mushroom soup,
Come back to the hotel by 10.00 pm.
Overnight. D
Day 02 - | Warsaw
Morning meet the Tour-guide at 08:00 am & proceed for a full day 8 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 17th & 18th 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 14th 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.
Time for lunch (not included - direct payment) at a nearby ‘kosher’ restaurant.
Post lunch, hit the Jewish trail to discover centuries of Judaism in Poland.
You will learn about the everyday life in the Ghetto, collaboration with the Poles, resistance against the Nazis & about the Jewish Ghetto Uprising – the first such an attempt in the occupied Europe.
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.
Poland holds an important place in Jewish history. Prior to World War II, the country was home to the world's largest Jewish community & consequently, had the largest number of Jewish sites & institutions in the world. Numbering more than 3 million, it was the largest Jewish population of Europe & 2nd largest community in the world. The atrocities of World War II drove Poland's Jewish population closer to 3,000 mainly in Warsaw, but also in Cracow, Lodz, & Wrocław. A very significant number of American & Canadian Jews can trace their heritage back to Poland.
The restored Nozykow Synagogue (only one in Warsaw that is still in use) & Jewish Historical Institute is a good place to learn all about the history & culture of Polish Jews past & present.
A walk around the former Jewish district will be memorable journey to the past.
Start at the Warsaw Ghetto, a prewar Jewish district in Warsaw does not exist today.
You can see only the remnants of the Ghetto but the essence of this part of the city has disappeared into oblivion, now hidden from us by earth, asphalt & foundations of new buildings.
The fragments of Ghetto Wall that once enclosed the Ghetto is also an interesting sight.
Follow the Path of Remembrance - a walk through the heart of what was once the city’s vibrant Jewish community & view the Ghetto Heroes Memorial commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising (first armed clash of the uprising took place here) of 1943 during the Second World War.
See Ulica Miła 18, the headquarters "bunker" (actually a hidden shelter) of the Jewish Combat Organization, a Jewish resistance group in the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland during World War II. The 23 year old commander of the Organization, Mordechai Anielewicz committed suicide here in 1943.
If time (& Tour-guide) permits, we recommend, a brief visit POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
The edifice, facing the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, surrounded on all sides by grey apartment buildings raised after the war on the ruins of the Ghetto, illuminates a Square that was once was the heart of Jewish Warsaw, a hub of city life, with cafes, theaters, cinemas, cabarets, shops & boutiques, schools, synagogues & markets crowded into every corner. One could hear laughter, shouting & conversations: in Yiddish, Hebrew, Polish. During World War II, the Germans turned this area into the Warsaw Ghetto. After the war, it became a place haunted by ruins.
The simple, cool, static mass, clad in copper & glass, is split by an undulating, living, dynamic fissure. The monumental main hall will be where visitors begin & end their journey. A bridge suspended over it connects the two parts of the structure, as if binding the past with the future, bridging the rift.
In June 2009, two years after the design was selected, an official ground breaking ceremony took place and the construction of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews began. It was completed in 2012. The Museum comprises 12.8 thousand square meters of usable space, of which approximately one third will be occupied by the core exhibition, while the remainder will support various types of program activities: temporary exhibitions, a multifunctional auditorium that will also serve as a 450-seat cinema & concert hall, two screening rooms, an Educational Center complete with workshop rooms, a Resource Center, a children's area, a restaurant & a shop.
Stroll through a testimony to hundreds of years of Jewish life in Poland. Okapova Cemetery is one of the largest Jewish cemeteries (called kirkuts) in terms of the number of tombstones & containing an estimated 250,000 individual graves as well as mass graves of thousands of residents of the Warsaw Ghetto. Located on Okopowa Street & abutting the Christian Powązki Cemetery, the Jewish necropolis was established in 1806 & occupying 33 hectares of land, it has been in continuous use since then.
You will also visit another invaluable repository of Polish Jewish records, the Jewish Genealogy & Family Heritage Center at the Cemetery & meet with the Director for a family roots' discovery. Thousands of individuals, from Poland & abroad, turn to the Genealogy Center to help them uncover documents, contact long-lost relatives, or research their ancestral home.
Walk to the former old railway station, called Umschlagplatz from where in 1942 - 1943, 300,000 Jews were transported by the German military to the extermination camp in Treblinka.
Umschlagplatz was a general term used during The Holocaust to denote the holding areas adjacent to railway stations in occupied Poland where Jews from Ghettos were assembled for deportation to Nazi death camps.
On 18 April 1988, on the eve of the 45th anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, a stone monument created by architect Hanna Szmalenberg & sculptor Władysław Klamerus, resembling an open freight car symbolic of the cattle trucks into which the prisoners were herded, was unveiled here.
The entry gate is surmounted by a syenite grave stone (donated by the government & society of Sweden) with a motif of a shattered forest - a symbol of the extermination of the Jewish nation. The selection & sequence of colours of the monument (white with the black stripe on the front wall) refer to the Jewish ritual clothing. It replaced a commemorative plaque unveiled in the late 1940s.
The rectangular monument’s marble walls are carved with 400 most popular Jewish-Polish first names from Aba to Zygmunt. The inscription on 4 commemorative plaques (each commemorating 1,000 victims of the Warsaw Ghetto) in Polish,Yiddish, English & Hebrew reads: ‘Along this path of suffering & death over 300,000 Jews were driven in 1942 - 43 from the Warsaw Ghetto to the gas chambers of the German extermination camps’.
Last stop will be neo-Romanesque style Nozykow Synagogue (the last remaining pre-Holocaust synagogue in Warsaw) built in 1898 - 1902 and was restored after World War II.
As the sole surviving synagogue of Warsaw, the Nozyk Synagogue stands as a reminder of how Jewish Warsaw used to be before the Shoah. Visitors to the Synagogue imagine the past: the times of glory, the praying crowds, the great rabbis & the brilliant cantors, as well as the desolation that followed their disappearance.
Zalman Nozyk, a Warsaw retailer & his wife Rivka built the Synagogue in the Romanesque Revival style incorporated with Byzantine & Moorish style ornamentation. The seating capacity of the men’s section on the ground floor & the women’s section on the balcony stands at 350.
In 1940 the Synagogue was shut down by the Nazis & converted into horse stables & a feed storehouse. But, in May 1941 on the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the German authorities authorised the ceremonial re - opening of Nozyk Synagogue in the Warsaw ghetto.
During the Warsaw Uprising, Nozyk Synagogue was severely damaged, but remained structurally sound & did not collapse. The provisional repairs carried out immediately after the war allowed it to function once again as a place of prayer. In the years 1977 to 1983 the Synagogue building underwent a major renovation with the aim of restoring it to its original appearance of the early 20th century. Its handsomely restored interior features grand metal chandeliers & tall vaulted colonnades.
The Nozyk Synagogue organises lectures & celebrations of the Sabbath & other Jewish holidays. Joint prayers are also held on the occasion of extraordinary events, threats or disasters, important anniversaries, etc. Whilst praying within its walls, it is difficult not to sense the immense scale of the crimes committed in this city.
One more interesting place to stop at before returning to the hotel.
We invite you to the famous Wedel Chocolate Factory to taste their delicious hot chocolate.
Located at the infamous Praga distinct in Warsaw, the Wedel Chocolate Factory permeates the air of the area with an intense smell of chocolate.
The Wedel is the oldest brand in Poland & its story started when Karol Wedel left Berlin & moved to Warsaw. During 1851, with his wife Karolina he started his own business, serving hot drinking chocolate in a small shop. The Wedel Company passed to Emil, Karol's son in 1865 as a wedding present who continued the family tradition.
They met with success as big crowds were very interested to try the sophisticated taste compositions that had been previously unknown to them. Wedel’s Chocolate became very famous in Poland & consequently, a lot of counterfeit Wedel Chocolates started a appearing in the market. As a solution, Emil started to add his own handwritten signature on each product in the factory.
The family moved the factory to its present location on 1931 & progressively improved the manufacturing & logistics processes, setting up a branded Wedel shop & a cafe.
During WWII they were forced to manufacture sweets only for the Germans but the 3rd generation, Jan Wedel - refused to co-operate with Germans. Consequently, Jan was arrested & deported to Pruszkow Camp, while the valuable factory’s possessions were stolen by the Soviet army. During the Warsaw Uprising, the factory facilities were destroyed.
The Factory was rebuilt after the War & continues producing Chocolates to this day. Wedel Cafe in the factory premises, with its warm classic Viennese coffee house ambience with regal pictures, is a nice contrast to the cold & dreary Warsaw weather. You are going to see couples, families, & business people in this popular Cafe, which is full all the time.
The famous Factory also offers Chocolate making Workshops for the connoisseurs & annually organise a Wedel Chocolate Weekend, a popular free event for the locals, when they open the doors of the Factory to enable fans to learn the history of Chocolate & see how all those amazing products are made. Their chocolate artists meticulously hand-craft decorations as well as eye-popping painted & carved sculptures entirely from Chocolate. There are also different contests where people can participate.
Warm-up with a cup of hot chocolate, which comes in different flavors in Wedel Chocolate Lounge (included).
The sightseeing ends & you are transferred back to the hotel.
Relax for a while.
How can we miss a classical music concert while in Warsaw ? In time, around 06.00 pm or before, meet the Journeys Rep & proceed to Dean's Palace, part of the Archdiocese Museum in the Old Town, to enjoy works of Fryderyk Chopin performed by professional, experienced pianists, virtuosos & artists who tour around the world.
The enchanting splendor of the restored Dean's Palace offers a great opportunity to listen to music surrounded by painting collections of outstanding well-known artists. The Concert Hall (80 seats), with its perfect acoustics, is equipped with the highest-quality new KAWAI concert grand piano. The instrument sound is clear, transparent & rich, resulting in an emotional & comfortable reception of the 55 minute Recital & ensuring a close contact with artists, as in the times of Chopin.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight. B L
Day 03 - | Warsaw v Czestochowa vAuschwitz vKrakow Drive: 220 + 98 + 66 km
Early morning at 07:00 am, Check-out & depart for Krakow, making a couple of Stops enroute.
First stop will be at Czestochowa to visit Jasna Gora Monastery.
Czestochowa on the Warta River in southern Poland, is considered the spiritual capital of Poland & the country’s most popular pilgrimage site.
A former industrial-powerhouse turned cultural hub, its rich mining & manufacturing history is explored in a number of interesting museums, whilst the legacy of its philanthropic industrialists can be seen in the vibrant cultural community in the town.
Bordered with parks, cafes & historic Mansions of local industrialists, walking is the perfect way to explore this pretty town.
Staszic Park & 3 May Park covers almost 12 hectares between them & are home to more than 1,500 specimens of trees. Staszic Park is also home to the Astronomical Observatory - a multimedia attraction for children & teenagers; the only model peasant homestead in Poland ; Museum of Iron Ore Mining - a unique underground experience in subterranean tunnels dug below Staszic Park in the 70s - where exhibits explore the centuries-old tradition of ore mining that is characteristic of this region of Poland.
Bordering either side of the pedestrianised Ill Aleje, they have fountains, play parks & pavilions to explore. Look out for photo opportunities on the bench / statues dedicated to actor Marek Perepeczko, who died in Częstochowa & lyrical poet Halina Poswiatowska, who was born in the city & has the House of Poetry - dedicated to her. Wieza Babel mural & National Remembrance Square are also popular with sightseers.
Another interesting place to visit is the Museum of Match Production, only one of its kind in Europe, where Visitors can learn about match making (not the romantic kind), as well as see an exhibition of vintage Matchboxes & Match art. There is also the Museum of Railway History in the Częstochowa station building.
Częstochowa is home to a large number of Churches. The beautiful red-brick neo-gothic Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family; the oldest parish St Sigmund’s Church & St Barbara’s Church noted for its part in the Hussite desecration of the Black Madonna.
Częstochowa also has a rich Jewish heritage & the Jewish cemetery, set in woodland with overgrown greenery & tumbledown tombstones, is a popular & evocative place to visit.
Osrodek Promocji Kultury, Gaude Mater is the town’s centre for culture & music, holding regular programme of summer concerts & art exhibitions, including European folk culture days & the World Congress of Czestochowa.
They also co-organise the famous International Festival of Sacred Music in May which features an international competition for young composers.
Some other notable events include the Bach Family Music Festival; the annual ‘Night of Culture’; the Frytka OFF-jazz Festival of Alternative Culture; the Hip Hop Elements Festival; the Retro Festival; Summer Chill; the Aleje - Tu Się Dzieje summer street event; Bronislaw Huberman Philharmonic performance.
However, the city is best known for the famous Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora, home of the Black Madonna painting, a shrine to the Virgin Mary which attracts 4 - 5 million visitors from around the world who come with offerings for the Virgin. Some walk for 20 days over hundreds of kilometres to fall at the feet of the Black Madonna.
The image of Our Lady in Czestochowa is among that small group of Black Madonnas recognized throughout the entire world, largely due to the recent manifestations of public piety shown by the previous Polish Pope, John Paul II who journeyed to Czestochowa.
Poland’s spiritual heartland is not just for the faithful. With a rich religious, cultural & industrial history, it has plenty to offer tourists & pilgrims alike. The Monastery, one of the most beautiful in Eastern Europe, is the country’s national Shrine & one of the highlights of the region. During pilgrimage times - particularly the Day of Assumption on 15 August - hordes of devotees become a main attraction for people-watchers & a deterrent for crowd-weary wanderers.
From the inspirational Shrine to the stunning architecture of religious & historic landmarks, and a rich calendar of arts & music events, Częstochowa is a popular daytrip from Krakow. Following an influx of resources from the EU, renovations have been working their way up the main thoroughfare towards the Monastery, adding new pride to ancient reverence.
The 14th century Painting by Luke the Evangelist, featuring Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, housed in the Chapel of Our Lady in the Baroque cathedral, is the focus of any visit to Jasna Gora. It is unveiled to visitors during daily mass at specific times, with a special musical accompaniment called the ‘royal intrada’. The Painting has been credited with numerous military successes, including the defeat of Swedish forces at Jasna Gora in 1655 & the victory in the Battle of Vienna in 1683.
The heavily fortified 14th century Complex dominates the skyline from its hilltop perch at the end of Ill Aleje, a tree-lined avenue bordered by 2 Parks.
The Armoury building is a reminder that the Shrine had to defend itself from enemy attacks many times in its history, including a raid by Hussites who cut the painting so badly it had to be repainted. The ramparts & arsenal with cannons are still in place to explore today.
The iconic Steeple - the tallest in Poland - can be seen from across the city. For visitors willing to scale the 519 steps, the view from the top is worth it.
A Clock Tower overlooks the complex. Every 15 minutes, the 36 bells play hymns about the Blessed Virgin Mary or, depending on the season, Christmas carols & Easter songs.
The somewhat unassuming exterior of the Chapel belies the inspirational interior. Stunning frescoes adorn the walls & ceiling of the chancel, which is hung with chandeliers. Ornate statues glisten in white, gold & silver against the dramatic dark ebony Alter.
There is also the Museum of the 600th Anniversary of Jasna Gora with a collection of Polish national treasures featuring 3 of the 12 dresses decorating the miraculous image; a collection of instruments of the Jasna Gora Ensemble that played music during the liturgy at the shrine from the 17th century onwards; the Monastery’s foundation deeds.
Spend time at the Monastery & the city before continuing on. .
Lunch will be served a local restaurant in Czestochowa.
Next stop will be at Auschwitz.
UNESCO World Heritage listed Auschwitz & Birkenau Concentration Camp became the symbol of Holocaust & the “centre of the world’s conscience”.
Poland was the site of several Nazi Concentration Camps & Auschwitz-Birkenau established in April 1940 on the outskirts of Oswiecim, was the most notorious due to its enormous size & the number of prisoners who met their unfortunate end there. The first transports came in June of the same year.
In 1942-1945, approx. 1.5 million people lived & died here in gas chambers, crematories & as a result of the horrendous & inhuman conditions. Most of them (90%) were Jews, others were Poles, Gypsies, Russians & prisoners from 28 nationalities of Europe and a myriad of political & religious persuasions.
Block no. 11, known as the Death Block, was where people were murdered & also at the “Wall of Death”. Outside the Camp, there is a Crematoria & Gas Chamber, where an estimated 70,000 people were killed in 1940-1943. Since 1944, transports of prisoners from all over the continent entered directly through the “Gate of Death”.
The main extermination center & the world’s largest Cemetery, Birkenau, was built in the suburbs of Oswiecim in 1942. Some barracks & ruins can be seen there today.
Today it is the site of Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum & Memorial where visitors can learn about the things that transpired there during its years of operation. Heads of state on official visits to Poland & visitors come here to pay homage to the victims of Nazi genocide. Visitors can see displays & exhibits related to daily life in the Camp & pay their respects. It is an educational & emotional experience that serves as an important reminder that hatred cannot be allowed to proliferate.
After entering the site through the Camp Gate with the inscription “Arbeit Macht Frei” (Work Makes Free), the visitors tour prison blocks in which an exhibition of the Auschwitz- Birkenau State Museum was arranged. The display contains evidence of the genocide, including personal items taken from the victims as well as photographs and documents. A film made after the liberation of the Camp is shown in various languages, in the Museum.
The tour ends & you drive on to the final destination.
Arrive at your hotel in Krakow & Check-in.
Situated on the famous River Vistula, Poland's former royal capital Krakow is one of the oldest & 2nd largest Polish city dating back to 7th century.
Riveting History| Stunning Architecture| Cultural Treasures |Eat & Drink
Traditionally Krakow, named the European Capital of Culture in 2000, effortlessly fuses medieval pomp & pageantry with modern-day, student-fuelled fun into a harmonious whole & is one of the leading centers of Polish academic, cultural & artistic life and an important economic hub.
Alternating themes of destruction & rebirth run throughout Krakow's history, all the way back to the 13th century, when marauding Tatars sacked the city & pierced the town crier's throat with an arrow. A century later, Krakow was back on top as Poland's capital & then dashed again in the 16th century when the capital moved to Warsaw. In more recent times, Krakow re-emerged after WWI only to be occupied by Nazi Germany 20 years later. After that came Communism & another chapter of rebirth.
Krakow may no longer the political capital, but it makes a strong case for being the country's cultural capital. The annual list of festivals & events features a celebration of theatre, the arts, music, film, dance, literature and, yes, food almost every week. Outside the festival calendar, Cracovians are inveterate theatre-goers, jazz aficionados, poetry lovers, film buffs & klezmer listeners, and seemingly every corner of the city, every dark basement & hidden garden, buzzes with artistic anticipation.
It’s hard not to admire Krakow. Over the 1,000 years of Krakow's existence, all of the great European architectural styles - Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque & art nouveau - have left their traces behind.
The number of monuments & places of cultural importance are almost intimidating. Delighted by the Jagiellonian-Habsburg glamour of the city, foreign tourists happily stroll through the narrow streets.
The Old Town district alone is home to about 6,000 historic sites & works of art. The most popular landmarks include the Main Market Square, St. Mary's Basilica, the Sukiennice Cloth Hall, Wawel Castle.
National Art Museum is just one of the over 25 Museums & public Art Galleries throughout the city. Luckily Krakow escaped from most of the destruction that many other parts of Poland suffered in the 20th century wars.
Because of this, the rich history of Krakow can be seen today and provides a showcase for it' historic styles of architecture which are easily recognizable throughout the city as you travel outward from the center.
See the world's largest late-Gothic Altarpiece within the darkened interiors of St Mary's Basilica & then step out into the sunshine to see the gleaming 16th century Renaissance Cloth Hall, built at a time when Krakow's royal authority was at its apex.
Balance of the day is free for independent exploration. Or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).
Overnight. B L
Day 04 - | Krakow
Morning, meet the Tour-guide in the lobby at 08.00 am for a 4 hour sightseeing tour.
The capital of Małopolska province is a veritable gem of national cultural heritage, overflowing with legends, priceless historical architecture & art, as well as fabulous leisure & entertainment options.
The rich history of Krakow can be seen today & provides a showcase for its historic styles of architecture which are easily recognizable throughout the city as you travel outward from the center. Luckily Krakow escaped from most of the destruction that many other parts of Poland suffered in the 20th century wars.
The city is famous for its unique Nativity scenes (this local craft is included on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity), the biggest collection of which can be found at the National Art Museum Krakow, just one of the over 25 Museums & public Art Galleries throughout the city.
Krakow’s greatest artistic treasure is the Princes Czartoryski Collection, which includes paintings by Leonardo da Vinci & Rembrandt.
Another must-see is the magnificent, modern, timber & glass fronted Małopolska Garden of Arts, which combines sound, theatre, installation & multimedia art. It also happens to be the experimental space of the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre, an institution founded more than a century ago & the 2nd oldest in Krakow after the Helena Modrzejewska National Stary Theatre.
Before you leave the communist town, the Nowa Huta Culture Centre, the Ludowy Theatre & the Cistercian Monastery in Mogiła are all worth a visit.
The Nowa Huta Meadows in particular is an attractive protected area with educational paths where you will find Jan Matejko’s manor house, with an original porch designed by the artist himself, as well as several mementos of him and also constitutional reformer & educationalist Hugo Kołłątaj.
Start the tour by following the traces of the medieval route, from Barbican & St. Florian’s Gate, which in the Middle-Ages was the main gate of the city. The second you pass the Gate, you will find yourself in a completely different world: the oldest part of Krakow, which somehow survived the turmoil of war.
The 16th century Renaissance Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) built at a time when Krakow's royal authority was at its apex, where trade continues to flourish today as it has throughout the ages. You could even pick up traditional regional costumes or opt for other more typical souvenirs (that may be easier to fit in your suitcase!).
The Art Gallery located on the 1st floor of the Cloth Hall features 19th century Polish Art that includes Władysław Podkowinski’s famous painting Frenzy, depicting a naked woman on a black horse as well as paintings by Jan Matejko, Jozef Chełmoski & Henryk Siemiradzki, among others. Treat yourself to some amber & silver goods, arts & crafts or even miniatures of the unique Krakow-style nativity scenes.
Venture underground, underneath the main Square, to enjoy an interactive multi-media exhibition called “Following Traces of Krakow’s European Identity”, that takes you back through 1,000 years of history of the city’s beginnings.
Poland's impressive pearl of Renaissance architecture & national shrine - the Wawel Cathedral (Metropolitan Basilica of St. Stanislaus & St. Wenceslaus) - shelters plenty of superb church art with every inch of its ideally proportioned stone walls & dome covered with fine sculptures.
The royal tombs under the floor Cathedral below their sarcophagi, dating back to 16th & 17th century entomb 10 Polish monarchs together with their spouses & occasionally children. The National Bards’ Crypt, where several famous Poles are buried, including Jan Długosz, Stanisław Wyspianski & Czesław Miłosz, are worth seeing. It also contains a symbolic tomb of Cyprian Kamil Nowid, another great poet & a plaque commemorating Frederic Chopin.
Continue onto its necropolis to the National Pantheon at the striking, cream-walled-green-roofed Church on the Rock
The tour concludes & you are transferred back to the hotel or continue exploring on your own.
* (above details are for info only & the places you will visit from inside or outside, will be strictly at the discretion of the Tour-guide).
Balance of the day is free for independent exploration. Or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).
Evening around 06.00 pm, meet a Journeys Rep & proceed for dinner in a restaurant.
Come back to the hotel.
Overnight. B D
Day 05 - | Krakow v Wieliczka v Zakopane Drive: 14 + 66 km
Early morning at 07:00 am, Check-out & depart for Zakopane, making an interesting halt enroute.
Reach the small town of Wieliczka just outside Krakow, initially founded in 1290 by Premislaus II of Poland.The historic Old Town core is listed as one of National Polish Monuments.
Salt was being extracted in this area since Neolithic times. Brine - salt water drawn from the springs to the surface, used to be boiled on modest hearths in small clay vessels or iron pans until the pure evaporated salt remained.
In the centuries that followed, the secret of evaporated Salt production was passed down from generation to generation & the people involved were a specialised professional group. The salt obtained served as a preservative for meat & fish and with time it became a means of payment in trade with those who did not possess this valuable raw material.
At the turn of the 11th & 12th centuries, when the salt springs began to weaken & disappear, an active search for brine was started through the construction of wells. The region of Wieliczka developed around this time & there were 3 residential settlements & 2 stone churches. Trade & craft flourished.
In the 13th century, while one of the saline wells was being dug, the first lumps of rock salt were accidentally found. The discovery of the valuable raw material turned out to be revolutionary & made it possible to obtain salt by mining methods - the first shaft leading underground was struck as early as the 2nd half of the 13th century. The latest research suggests that the extraction was carried out by local specialists, but the technological knowledge was brought from Western Europe.
Due to the huge scale of production in the vicinity of Krakow, a shortage of firewood occurred, which led to the import of this raw material. When this was deemed to be too troublesome, the salt water was simply transported even to very distant cities, such as Torun, to convert brine into salt there. A large amount of salt was also produced in salt works on the surface, where brine was evaporated in special pan furnaces.
The lack of lumber also made it difficult for the miners to work because they could not build box cribs, the wooden structures that secured the underground workings. Finally, in the face of these complications, in 1724 salt evaporation was abandoned and only mining methods were used.
Mining was still seasonal, & the Mine was open only in the months when no agricultural works were carried out. Until the end of the 15th century, there were only 4 mining shafts & one underground level in the mine. The Mine contains many large, original wooden machines to lift salt, which have been beautifully preserved in the salty protected underground environment.
Wieliczka had already gained fame & renown by this time. The first tourist probably who descended to the underground mine in 1493 was the brilliant astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. In remembrance of this event, a monumental salt statue was set up in a chamber named after him.
Every traveller who wanted to visit the underground had to obtain a personal royal permit at that time. Despite this, the number of tourists grew steadily & mentions of Wieliczka by eminent scientists, travellers & diplomats appeared more frequently in European literature.
Shortly before World War II, a system of leaching - obtaining brine by dissolving salt rocks with water - was developed. After the war, the miners returned to using the system.
Eventually, the mine grew to 9 levels, with a maximum depth of 327 metres & after the war, the Mines were developed very dynamically & in 2 ways. Salt production increased steadily & reached its maximum level in the 1970s. Tourist traffic was becoming more important & awareness of the cultural significance of the site was growing. The idea that preserving the Mine for future generations could be a task of much greater importance than industrial salt production & current profits was slowly taking root.
1978 proved to be important for the contemporary history of the mine when it was designated a UNESCO World Cultural & Natural Heritage site signifying that the historic mine is a priceless monument. In 1996 a decision was made to end industrial salt production in underground Wieliczka.
Cessation of production does not mean that Miners no longer work underground. On the contrary! Every day, several hundred Miners make sure that the Mine is a safe place & that it survives in the best possible condition for future generations. Miners protect the historic areas of the Mine, backfill in the so-called post-mining voids in its non-historical parts, as well as manage fresh water leaks. New attractions for tourists are also constantly being prepared - historic chambers, corridors & shafts are being renovated.
Throughout history, the way of thinking about the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine“ has changed from an industrial plant to a world-famous tourist attraction, a place of unusual events & a health resort.
Today, the most important goal set by the Miners working here is to preserve the monument to the history & culture of the Polish nation for future generations & make available the achievements of generations of free, educated miners.
Wieliczka Salt Mine - one of the world's oldest operating salt mines - is often included in the plans of official state visits of politicians, heads of state & members of royal families, artists, scientific authorities. They wander along the beautiful subterranean labyrinth of tunnels, chambers & galleries - about 300 km distributed over 9 levels, the deepest being 327m underground.
Only a small part of the salt underground is open to the public & is visited annually by nearly 2 million visitors. The 2.5 km route takes about 2 hours.
The underground journey at Wieliczka starts at the Daniłowicz Shaft, which was used to pull salt up to the surface starting in the 18th century & where courageous tourists in the past descended on special saddles. The tour takes you down 380 stairs of the 17th century shaft to a depth of 64 metres - the first level of the mine.
Take a deep breath, taste the salt on your lips, experience the silence, then listen to the stories of the 700-year history of the mine. You will pass through 23 beautiful chambers surrounded by salt in all shades of grey, black, and white.
Explore the magnificent chambers chiselled in salt, underground saline lakes & unique statues at Poland's most visited tourist site. You will admire the raw beauty of the lofty vaults & the play of light, shadow & darkness. See mysterious nooks & closed-off side tunnels. You can even lick the wall & taste the raw salt.
Every single element here, from chandeliers to altarpieces, is made of salt. It took over 30 years for 3 men to complete this underground temple & about 20,000 tonnes of rock salt had to be removed.
The salt-hewn formations include chapels with altarpieces & figures, while others are adorned with statues & monuments - & there are even underground lakes.
The heart of the mine is the vast ornamented Chapel of St. Kinga filled with beautifully illuminated religious bas-relief sculptures, carved in salt at the turn of the 19th & 20th century. It is the most beautiful & best known chamber in the Mine, with excellent acoustics. You will be mesmerised by the salt chandeliers, floor made of salt but polished like marble, or a brief multimedia spectacle in the Chapel. The splendid Chapel contains altars, a carved pulpit, a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" & a statue of John Paul II. The salt figural compositions are true works of art.
The vast Michałowice Chamber was visited by tourists from the beginning of the 19th century. Almost all techniques of securing the mine were applied here: cribs, beam pillars, wooden casing, walls made of salt blocks & bolting.
In the St. Anthony, Janowice & Holy Cross Chapels, visitors will see beautiful altars & free-standing sculptures of religious, historical, or mythical subjects, sculpted in salt & in wood by miners over the last 300 years.
Other highlights are the salt lake in the Erazm Barącz Chamber, whose water is denser than the Dead Sea & the awe-inspiring 36m high Stanisław Staszic Chamber.
In other Chambers (Urszula, Spalone, Sielec) the work of miners & methods of extracting salt over the centuries are evidenced - the digging tools & the devices used to transport and lift salt from the mine.
On the 3rd level, at the depth of 135 metres where the ‘guided’ tour ends, you can quench your hunger in the Karczma Gornicza restaurant in the Budryk Chamber. From here, it is another 15 minute walk to the lift that takes you back up to the real world. You can buy a souvenir or even send a postcard using the underground postal services.
Outside, if you are not ‘salted out’ by then, there is the Saltworks Castle nearby which features reconstructed Gothic architecture & a collection of antique salt cellars.
After the underground tour, enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant.
After lunch, depart for Zakopane beautifully situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains.
Arrive at the hotel by afternoon & Check-in.
Most Polish travel itineraries start in Warsaw & / or end in Krakow. However, venturing 2 hours further south brings you to one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe. Zakopane is a resort town of 30,000 in southern Poland at the foothills of the majestic Tatras Mountains, known for its turn-of-the 20th century wooden chalets, symbols of Zakopane-style architecture.
Characterized by its distinct culture, created by architecture, regional costumes, music, cuisine & dialect, it is a popular departure point for winter sports & summertime mountain climbing & hiking. The unusual location of the town, hidden between a gentle range of Gubałowka & the rocky Tatra summits was a decisive factor in its avatar as a popular tourism centre.
In1898 the construction works on a railway track were finished & the first train from Cracow reached the town, resulting in a rapid gradual increase in tourism to over 3 million currently. 20th century was a period of a sudden skiing boom. Before the outbreak of the Second World War 2 huge projects secured Zakopane's status as the winter capital of Poland.
In 1936 a cableway to Kasprowy Wierch (1,998 m above the sea level) was constructed in just 6 months. Soon afterwards, in 1938 a chair rail took the tourists from the centre of Zakopane to Gubałowka, where they could admire beautiful views over the Tatra Mountains stretching away from the hill, was opened.
As early as at the end of the 18th century Zakopane, a small & remote village located at the southern end of Poland, started to attract the first summer holidaymakers. The visitors arrived mainly from Kracow in horse carts, often carrying various domestic equipment, which they couldn't find in the modest highland peasant cottage.
In 1889, the village obtained the status of a health resort attracting patients suffering from tuberculosis.
There is a lot going on in the summer - cultural & recreational events are organised, the most distinguished of all being the Mountain Folklore Festival, being held for over 50 years now in the 3rd week of August.
After the war, till the end of the 80s, Zakopane was mainly visited by Polish tourists because traveling abroad was very difficult to organize until 1989. After the collapse of the Communism, more international visitors began to come to Zakopane, in addition to Polish tourists.
Zakopane plays an important role in development of Polish culture - here is the place where most prominent Polish writers, artists, musicians & journalists come for rest & for work. Tatra Mts - the highest chain in this part of Europe & the highlanders' culture influenced the evolution of whole-country culture. Till today, the folklore of Podhale region is one of greatest tourist attractions.
Balance of the day is free for independent exploration. Or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).
Overnight. B L
Day 06 - | Zakopane
Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & embark on a 4 hour sightseeing tour of Zakopane, whose wooden architecture blends with the natural landscapes.
Visit Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jaszczurowka, a great example of wooden architecture built by the Uznanski family in 1904-1907 by the famous architect Stanisław Witkiewicz & is one of the best examples of the Zakopane style.
The building was erected by goral carpenters under the supervision of Aurelian Blacha, who was probably the designer of the main altar. On both sides of the wood-carved altar there are colourful stained-glass windows, the one on the right depicting Our Lady of Częstochowa with the Polish emblem. On the left is Our Lady of Ostrobrama with the Lithuanian emblem. The side altars by the folk sculptor Jozef Janos from Dębno were added in 1954.
Drive on to see the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptowki built by the people of Zakopane to thank the Lady of Fatima for saving the Pope after an attempt on his life in 1981. The Church was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in June 1997 during his pilgrimage to Poland. The Altar at which Pope John Paul II celebrated mass during the same pilgrimage was also taken to what is known as the Park of Fatima. Next to the Altar stands a statue of Pope John Paul II. In 2005 the Chapel was dedicated to & commemorates the death of the Polish Pope & attracts thousands of pilgrims each year.
But, the Shrine’s origins can be traced back to 1961 when Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski gave to the Pallottine Order in Zakopane a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, originally donated by the Bishop of Fatima. It was housed in a Chapel built in 1951 next to the Pallottine residence in Krzeptowki.
Then, proceed to the Funicular station & enjoy the cable car ride to the summit of Mt Kasprowy Wierch (1985m) & on a clear day to enjoy picture perfect breathtaking views of the Tatras & of the surrounding valleys. Once there, stand with one foot in Slovakia & one in Poland. Admire the beautiful views from the best viewpoint in the heart of the Tatra Mountains or enjoy lunch (not included - direct payment) at the highest located restaurant in Poland. You can even mail a post card from here.
Come down & the tour ends.
Continue exploring on your own or return to the hotel.
You may want to stroll around Krupowki Street. The pedestrian only 1100m long Street paved with granite cubes, is the heart of Zakopane. The name came from Krupowki Glade, belonging to the Krupowski family. Initially around 1913, it was a narrow path connecting with Kuznice Ironworks in widely dispersed buildings, in the middle of meadows & marshes & through the original forest.
On sunny mornings, which tourists spend on the ski slopes or mountain trails, it becomes empty & come alive only in the evening. On the rainy days, Krupowki Promenade is crowded all-day round. This is where most of most of Zakopane's restaurants, pubs, clubs, discos & shops are located. You can shop for arts & crafts of the local Podhale Gorale Highlanders. And a place where you can buy both Oscypki (sheep's cheese - is a traditional Podhale delicacy) & exclusive clothing from the world's most expensive Designers.
Evening, get ready for another exciting adventure. Meet the Journeys Rep at 06.00 pm & proceed to a Highlanders’ Inn to enjoy a Folkloric Show & a typical Polish dinner.
Highlanders culture & folklore in Zakopane & Podhale Region is very unique.
Podhale Region is a separated culture region. Highlanders have strong sense of belonging to community & proudly flaunt their tradition & culture. They are not ashamed of speaking in local dialect in house, but also at work & school (in schools only during breaks, they study in Polish) & wear traditional dress even when they venture outside the Podhale Region.
Traditional music of Podhale Region passed from generation to generation, without musical notations, is different from the other Polish ethnicities and integrates elements of Slovak, Hungarian, Romanian & Moravian folklore. It has evolved but still, retains much of its traditional & characteristic elements. Instrumental music & singing was present during all family ceremonies, celebrations & important events, an inherent element of cultural life.
There are 2 kinds of traditional dances you will see: Highlander & Zbojnicki (meaning ‘bandit’s dance’ - zbojnik is a bandit from Tatras, who robs the rich & helps the poor, a kind of Robin Hood).
Highlanders’ dances come from culture of Vlachs shepherds & are usually masculine, presenting strength & dexterity. Female role in dancing is only decorative. Performed by individual couples, because people danced in their houses, in small rooms, Starting with a refrain, sung before music, dancers do not touch each other, but only move around each other, getting closer & further apart. The man’s solo figures predominate & the woman is on the side when at the end, the man turns to his partner, kneels on one knee & bows with his hat.
Zbojnicki (bandit’s) dance is very attractive, energetic & yes tiring. Performed only by men, from 4 to 16 of them at the same time, moving in a circular perimeter and synchronising the moves. This dance contains high jumps, deep squats with legs dropping forward & bounces.
Now, both steps of Highlander & Zbojnicki dances are fused, mostly for increasing the Shows attractiveness for tourists.
Highlanders wear their traditional clothes during important ceremonies or events (weddings, funerals), but in the past, it was their casual garments. But still when you are in Zakopane & Podhale Region, you will notice women & especially man wearing the traditional clothes.
The art in Podhale is primarily of a functional nature, although it does not neglect decorative elements, sometimes very rich. The women create colorful embroideries & you may notice every man in Zakopane & Podhale is a sculptor. Some create sculptures & wood carvings for living & you may buy these as souvenirs.
The Artists present their work in Art Galleries & you will also find their amazing artworks in local Museums.
When you are walking around pay attention to the wooden houses on the streets, most of them have very original carvings made by the owners of these homes. Wooden carvings here were first noticed by the visitors. There were ornamentation of everyday objects made of wood: chairs, shelves, spoons etc. as well as saints’ figures sculpted in wood for churches, chapels & cemeteries.
Zakopane Highlanders are also famous for wonderful ‘reverse’ glass paintings. Very characteristic element strongly identified with Podhale Regional art for hundreds of years originally, it probably came from Slovakia. Glass paintings were, and still are the decoration of houses, churches & chapels
Highlanders’ villages were quite extensive & long, characterized by scattered buildings & clusters of several cottages were relatively rare. The village center (call it today’s downtown) was 2 rows of huts with farm buildings, while the other houses were scattered on the slopes & valleys.
With walls made of wooden logs, roofs made of shingles or planks, windows & doors of the homes were orientated to the south. Later, just next to west wall of the houses, Highlanders started to build sheds which protected them from severe cold western winds. The ceiling inside the house was balanced on special beams & on it was carved the year of construction & the name of the head Carpenter.
The 2 hour Show ends & you return to the hotel.
Overnight. B D
Day 07 - | Zakopane vWadowice vWroclaw Drive: 94 + 262 km
Morning, Check-out by 07.00 am & depart for Wroclaw in western Poland.
En route, we stop in Wadowice, the birthplace of John Paul II.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we will see the house where He was born and grew up.
Continue to Wroclaw, a gem of Gothic-Renaissance architecture.
Arrive in Wroclaw by afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.
Balance of the day is free for independent exploration. Or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).
Overnight. B L
Day 08 - | Wroclaw vPoznan Drive: 181 km
Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceed for a 2 hour sightseeing tour of Wroclaw.
Wrocław is full of monuments of its thousand years of history & today, it is also one of the most visited Polish cities. Magnificent manor houses, churches, the university & a whole gamut of Nobel Prize winners are all witnesses of the town’s past & present splendor.
Bearing the traces of the Czech, German & Polish rule, the present-day city of Wrocław is a true European melting pot.
First stop will be to see Panorama Raclawicka - a single painting arranged along the interior walls of a rotunda as one unbroken circle and viewed from an elevated central balcony.
Wrocław’s pride & joy is this giant painting of the battle for Polish independence fought at Racławice on 4 April 1794, between the Polish army led by Tadeusz Kosciuszko & Russian troops under General Alexander Tormasov. The Poles won but it was all for naught: months later the nationwide insurrection was crushed by the tsarist army.
The 15m by 114m Canvas is wrapped around the internal walls of a purpose-built rotunda.
The Painting came into being when, a century after the battle, it was commissioned by a group of patriots in Lviv (then the Polish city of Lwow). The 2 main artists, Jan Styka & Wojciech Kossak, helped by 7 other painters who did the background scenes & details, completed the monumental Canvas in just over 9 months, using 750kg of paint.
After WWII the Painting was sent to Wrocław, but since it depicted a defeat of the Russians (then Poland’s official friend & liberator), the Communist authorities were reluctant to put it on display. The pavilion built for the Panorama in 1967 sat empty until 1985, when the Canvas was put on public display for the first time ever.
Visits are by guided audio tours & the small rotunda behind the ticket office features a model of the battlefield & the uniforms of forces engaged in the battle.
Walk around on your own exploring the vibrant city (we will be happy to offer suggestions).
Come back to the hotel & Check-out.
Get ready to depart for Poznan.
Arrive in Poznan by late afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.
Poznan is a city on the Warta River in western Poland known for universities as well as its old town, with Renaissance-style buildings in Old Market Square.
One of Poland's most populous & 5th biggest city in the country, the picturesque capital of Wielkopolska province, is today a major economic, commercial, scientific, cultural & tourism hub. . Make no mistake, this 1,000 year old birthplace of the Polish nation, on the River Warta has much to be proud of - it even has its own local dialect. Poznan has a rich, multicultural history, a city where Poles, Germans & Jews lived happily side by side.
As home to the country’s most important trade-fair complex & possibly the most spectacular Town Hall you will ever see, the combination of international business travellers attending its numerous trade fairs & the city's huge student population has created a distinctive vibe quite independent of tourism.
But don't worry about getting overwhelmed by its size - most of the interesting things are located in the Old Town or within a walkable distance from there. In addition to its energetic personality, Poznan offers many historical attractions. And, its plentiful transport links make it a great base from which to explore the quieter surrounding countryside.
Any talk of Poznan inevitably begins with a mention of its Town Hall, its front decorated with a 3 tiered arcaded loggia - understandably considered the most beautiful north of the Alps, you will be hard pressed to find a more exquisite example anywhere. The Town Hall also houses the Historical Museum of Poznan on the top floor, with exhibits on the city & a gallery of portraits of Jagiellonian kings.
Among its Town Hall's extraordinary features, is a charming mechanical Clock. On a small platform directly above the Clock, the figures of 2 white billy goats figures popping out to butt heads at noon as a bugle call sounds. Legend has it that centuries ago, the animals escaped from under a Chef’s knife, when he was about to turn them into the main course for dignitaries celebrating the installation of the Town Hall’s first Clock mechanism.
Stroll into the Old Town square on any evening & you will receive an instant introduction to the characteristic energy of the city. The city centre is buzzing at any time of the day & positively jumping by night, full of people heading to its many restaurants, pubs & clubs.
The Market Square is surrounded by stunningly vibrant, Baroque-style tenements & boasts no less than 4 fountains: an 18th century one with a statue of Proserpine & 3 with modern-day figures of Apollo, Mars & Neptune.
Poznan residents often, perhaps bizarrely, choose to meet up at the statue bearing the sombre figure of an Executioner, in front of the Town Hall. Infinitely nicer to look at, the Bamberg Woman Well, with a statue of a woman in folk costume carrying 2 large containers of water, is slightly hidden from sight & is a reminder of the time in the 18th century when settlers from beyond the River Oder, who are locally referred to as Bambers, chose the city as their new home.
If you have got a sweet tooth, you are going to love the iconic St. Martin croissants made from Danish pastry dough according to a very strict recipe with the main filling of white poppy seeds, often topped with icing.
Although sold by many cake shops throughout the country, only the Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) region actually has the right to bake them. Why? Because the European Commission has officially listed them as a Protected Geographical Indicator.
To give you an idea of its importance, there actually exists an interactive Poznan Croissant Museum in a 500 year old Renaissance style tenement in the Old Town Market Square. Under a polychromed wooden ceiling of the room, you can learn the story of just how this baked goodie became the sweet symbol of the Wielkopolska province, by watching an animated cartoon version of the “Croissant history of Poznan”.
Before you ask, yes, of course you get to taste the famous Croissants - you can even take part in making them if you fancy it (workshop not included - direct payment).
The Museum resounds with the local Poznan dialect, a mixture of local dialect & German, which, although not heard much on the streets today, was extremely popular during the 19th century. A legacy of the times of the Prussian partition & also the Bamberg settlers who accepted an invitation to Poznan some 300 years ago.
Poznan has several other drawcards, of course, including Poland’s only painting by Claude Monet - “Beach in Pourville” -, linked to a story straight out of a thriller movie plot.
In broad daylight, the Painting disappeared from the imperial National Museum in Poznan & the thief replaced the Impressionist’s work with a poor fake in 2,000. The crime was noticed it only after a few days, when the ineptly made forgery began to peel off. The perpetrators cut the painting out of the frame & replaced with a copy. As the Painting was too expensive to be sold (one of Monet’s Painting sold for $110.7M at an auction in New York) it was assumed that it could have been stolen at the behest of a wealthy Collector. Today, in addition to alarm systems, monitoring cameras are also installed in each room.
The Painting was recovered on January 12, 2010 & after several months of maintenance, “Beach in Pourville” returned to the walls of the Museum & is one of Poznan’s tourist attractions.
The Museum of Applied Arts, meanwhile, lets you touch & even smell bygone times. It is located in a reconstructed royal castle with a tower from which you can enjoy an almost unrivalled panorama of the Old Town.
The oldest part of the city is Cathedral Island (Ostrow Tumski), situated in the fork of the River Warta & its tributary, the Cybina. A powerful fortified town existed here from at least the 9th century - some even say it is the birthplace of Poland itself.
The country’s oldest, the majestic Gothic & baroque Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, stands there to this day. There are remnants of tombs in its vaults - probably the resting place of Poland’s first rulers, Mieszko I & his son Boleslaus the Brave.
Where better to learn about the ancient history of a city than in one of its most ultramodern buildings? The dramatic white Porta Posnania Interactive Heritage Centre, which you enter via a spectacular footbridge that crosses the river, has won several architectural competitions
Like to engage in some retail therapy? The best place for a good old shopping spree is Stary Browar, which the International Council of Shopping Centres chose as the world’s best medium-sized shopping centre in 2005. The giant, modern, red-brick complex combines retail space with an art gallery of modern sculptures & installations and also hosts many cultural events.
When it comes to sport, leisure & cultural activities, you really are spoilt for choice in Poznan.
You won’t be surprised to learn that the incredible yet artificial Lake Maltanskie (Malta), located almost in the heart of the city, attracts crowds of water sports enthusiasts.
If you prefer dry land, there is plenty for you too; the area around it includes a year-round ski slope with ski-lifts & a toboggan run as well as other sports-related attractions. Adults & children of all ages will love the Malta Thermal Baths, one of the largest waterparks in Poland.
If the tropics are more your thing, the 100 year old Poznan Palm House located in the Art Nouveau part of the town, offers a hot & humid environment & an exciting journey to faraway continents among as you wander through lush vegetation from different climate zones. The experience is made even more authentic by the sound of rushing water, aquariums with exotic fish & a rich programme of events, including a fabulous night-time tour. It is also the chosen venue for several exhibitions & concerts.
And don’t forget the food! The local cuisine should definitely not be overlooked. After intense sightseeing, it is time to try the local dishes, which include pyra z gzikiem (local dialect for potato with cottage cheese dip) or something a little fancier, like Poznan-style duck, which comes with delicious potato dumplings, baked apple & red cabbage.
Balance of the day is free for independent exploration. Or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).
Overnight. B D
Day 09 - | Poznan vTorun Drive: 163 km
Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceed for a 2 hour sightseeing tour of Poznan.
The first settlement here can be traced back to the early 9th century. The first ruler of Poland, Mieszko I, who baptized the country, founded his Church right here. In the 15th century it took on a Gothic shape & had to be rebuilt after the war.
With a deep and typically complex history, Poznan is rife with historical monuments & has much to offer those who enjoy outstanding architecture & diverse cultural attractions. While part of the beauty of Poznan lies in aimlessly roaming the streets & alleys, making chance findings from one turn to the next, there are a number of must-see sights whose discovery should not be left to chance.
A great way to experience the one of Poland’s most ancient & exciting cities is to travel on the popular tourist Royal-Imperial Route which links Cathedral Island with the Old Town & city centre.
Poznan also boasts 2 Castles. First up is the Royal Castle, dating from 1249, located just west of the Rynek, which was the seat of the first Polish kings. It was neglected for decades & largely destroyed during the Second World War but has since been partly rebuilt.
Until recently, the Castle’s rich historical value as the seat of early Polish royalty, numerous royal births, weddings & treaty signings seems to have been undervalued, but that is in the past now. Between 2010 – 2016, the Castle underwent a total restoration & some parts are now open is to the public, including the castle tower, observation decks & Prince Przemysł I Hall.
The Royal Castle also hosts the Applied Arts Museum transforming from medieval craftwork & princely decorations exclusively to applied arts, rolling out a 2000 piece exhibition of furniture, fabrics, ceramic.
Among other sights you will see along your way is the early 20th century neo-Romanesque style Imperial Castle. More a palace than a 'castle,' work began on Poznan's fearsome 'Zamek' in 1905 to serve as the provincial residence of Prussian ruler Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1910 who didn't stay long before WWI & the following Wielkopolska Uprising in 1918 which culminated in Poznan switching from German to Polish hands once again. There is a Wielkopolska Uprising Museum chronicling same.
Considered to be Europe’s youngest castle built for a crowned ruler, it was designed in the neo-Romanesque style by Franz Schwechten. The west wing held Wilhelm's living quarters, the east wing his immaculate Throne Room, with the northern part of the complex consisting of service rooms & beautiful gardens based on the Alhambra's Courtyard of the Lions. The Castle was badly damaged during the Soviet liberation & there was even a post-war campaign to have the structure bulldozed.
Today the underground chambers & cellars of this large intimidating complex house numerous restaurants & bars including the popular Dubliner Irish Pub, as well as the Museum of 1956 Poznan Uprising honouring the first armed resistance the Communist regime faced.
Hidden down a side entrance, this basement masterpiece features stretchers used to carry the wounded, a tank, a display of arms & rifles, a room of Socialist propaganda posters, a typical Poznan family's flat from the 1950s & a direct copy of a detention cell. Most poignant of all, though, was the space set aside for 13 year old Roman Strzałkowski, the youngest freedom fighter to die. Exhibits include his harmonica & domino set and newspaper clippings showing Strzałkowski picking up prizes for his piano skills.
A monument commemorating this first mass workers’ protest in 1956, which was bloodily suppressed by Communist rulers, can be found in the nearby Adam Mickiewicz Square, one of two most elegant Squares in Poznan.
Between the wars, the Zamek became the seat of Poznan University, before the Third Reich swooped in & Albert Speer, Hitler’s favourite architect, transformed the tower chapel into the Fuehrer’s office, & the 2nd floor into the residence of Arthur Greiser (Nazi governor of the district).
Used by the University in the 2 years following the war & then as the seat of local government, the Castle complex encompasses one of Poland's biggest cultural institutions, the Zamek Culture Centre since 1962, offering spaces for experimentation to creative personalities from many different arts and hosting hundreds of theatre performances, concerts, film screenings etc. in its palatial halls & courtyard, often collaborating with other cultural institutions.
Walk around the Old Town & the glorious Stary Rynek, its main Square.
The gem of the Old Town is the impressive Lesser Basilica of St. Stanislaus, created as a Jesuit temple in the 17th century. It boasts an interior by a veritable who's who of Roman Baroque artists, with some fine period ornamentation found in the Chapels of the Holy Cross (which features a 16th century crucifix) & the Virgin Mary (which has a precious copy of the painting of The Mother of God of Incessant Help). The Basilica hosts organ concerts played on an instrument dating from 1876 on Saturdays.
Once you have finished strolling the Old Town, spend time (if the Tour-guide permits) to enjoy the medieval ambience & relative tranquillity of Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island).
Just north of the Old Town, Citadel Park’s 89 hectares of public greenery are stuffed with interesting monuments & even 2 Museums focussed on the city’s military history.
The sightseeing concludes & you proceed for a sumptuous lunch (included).
Proceed to the hotel to Check-out & depart for Torun.
Arrive at the hotel in Torun by early evening & Check-in.
A wealthy Hanseatic port, Torun was one of the most important trading & cultural centers of Europe. Testifying to its past splendor as one of the most beautiful European old towns, UNESCO World Heritage listed Torun is widely known in Poland & beyond for its historic core, represented by a unusually well preserved walled Complex of medieval architecture & the Gothic buildings in their original urban layout on the banks of Vistula River. Throughout the ages, both in Teutonic & Polish times, Torun has welcomed Polish kings on several occasions.
The town was established in 13th century by Teutonic Knights - but not here, somewhere else! The reason it was later moved, according to the Teutonic Order’s chronicles, was constant flooding. Within a short time, 2 towns had developed: The Old & the New and the Teutonic Knights built their Castle very logically between the two.
Today, the presence of 2 historical Market Squares serves a reminder that 2 towns once stood here. In the middle of the Old Town Square stands the monumental Town Hall, an absolute showstopper, one of the most imposing old town halls in northern Europe, today occupied by the regional Museum featuring valuable collections. Above its gate you can see the city’s symbol: an angel holding a key & a gate with 3 towers.
Visitors with keen eyes notice that in the gate is a door, which is permanently left half-open & half-closed. Why, many ask? Well, the explanation is actually rather simple: the city is closed to cruel enemies, but open to guests.
As Polish chronicler Jan Długosz described it back in 15th century. “With its decorative buildings & brick tiles covering its roofs, Torun shines so wonderfully that few towns can match its beauty & magnificence”.
In the past, the city’s wealth was evident by looking at its defensive walls, town halls, burgher houses & numerous churches. Today, many of these relics of former glory remain for you to admire when you stroll around. Not all the town gates, walls & churches have survived the ravages of time, understandably, yet what is left is more than enough to captivate even the most demanding of visitors.
The medieval old town complex of Torun includes ruins of the Teutonic Knights’ castle, gates & towers of the long defensive city walls once protecting Torun from the Vistula side as well as many other buildings dating back to medieval times.
Its wealth of historic buildings & city defences, were all left mercifully untouched by WWII.
With good reason, it’s also known as a city of peace: 2 Peace Treaties ending Polish-Teutonic wars were signed right here in 1411 & 1466. Under the latter treaty, Torun became a town belonging to the Kingdom of Poland.
The city is big on many bizarre legends & traditions involving animals.
Near the Town Hall, there is a frog (not real ones) fountain. Don’t leave without giving their backs a stoke - a small price to pay for, according to legend, happiness. Standing near the fountain, look upwards & around until you spot the black cat on the roof of one of the tenements. It is said to be the defender of the city.
Then, there is the donkey. Yes, donkey. Many visitors are surprised to stumble upon the figure of a donkey standing near the Market Square. It may look cute, but its symbolism is actually quite dark: it is a reference to a former punishment site. In the olden days, unruly guards were seated on a donkey’s back, with a metal rod to inflict pain & weights tied to their feet to make the punishment even worse.
A statue with a nicer story is found on the other side of the Square. Filus, the flappy-eared dog, sits playfully next to a lamp post, its master’s bowler hat in its mouth. They say that if you stroke its head, you will get wiser & if you grab its tail, you will be lucky in love. Why choose? Do both!
Beyond architecture, Torun is also well known as the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543), one of the most important names in history. His name (Mikołaj Kopernik in Polish) is all over the town & visitors can even buy gingerbread shaped in his image.
It remains a great mystery, even to this day, in which house exactly the great astronomer was born. But there is no mystery surrounding the font he was baptised in - that stands in the Copernicus Chapel at the imposing Cathedral of St. James’ the Baptist with its Gothic murals & spectacular stellar vaults. In 1500, a bell was hung in the tower. Dubbed “Tuba Dei” - God’s Trumpet, it was the biggest bell in the entire Kingdom of Poland at the time. Weighing over 7 tonnes, it is 2 metres high & over 2 metres in diameter. You can get a good look at it by climbing the Church tower. Up-close, its size is really rather imposing. From the Vistula side, you can also see the famous “raftsmen’s clock” on the same tower, unique in that it only has one hand.
A stunning red-brick Gothic house that actually belonged to the Copernicus family, features the Museum of Copernicus that traces the life of the famous astronomer.
One attraction you shouldn’t miss is the remains of the Teutonic Castle. Built on a horseshoe plan, its construction started way back in the 13th century, making it the first Teutonic castle on the right bank of the Vistula. Mostly demolished by Torun’s burghers in the mid-15th century, it is a stark reminder of the consequences of the abuse of power.
Torun is also well-known for its sublime gingerbread, which forms an important part of the city’s heritage. The oldest known recipe for Torun gingerbread actually comes from a medical book.
Museum of Torun Gingerbread & the Living Museum of Gingerbread invite guests to create their own gingerbread to take home as a souvenir (or, more likely, eat before you leave!) under the watchful eyes of master gingerbread bakers, surrounded by the aroma of spices. Visitors can obtain knowledge once kept very secret.
Modern Torun is a quickly developing large academic center with its Nicolaus Copernicus University & the city that hosts a great number of attractive artistic events. One of the many new tourist attractions is the Planetarium equipped with a high-tech auditorium & presenting diverse shows several times daily.
To really appreciate the city in all its glory, visitors need to either take a boat tour along on the Vistula, or cross the bridge to the left bank, where there is an observation deck especially for this purpose & one can catch spectacular views of the vivid orange roofs, the majestic cathedral & the entire silhouette of this beautiful city. This panorama is considered one of the Wonders of Poland.
Balance of the day is free for independent exploration. Or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).
Overnight. B L
Day 10 - | Torun vGdansk Drive: 169 km
Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceed for a 3 hour sightseeing ‘walking’ tour of Torun.
The Tour finishes & you proceed for lunch.
Immediately, after, proceed to the hotel to Check-out & depart for Gdansk.
Arrive at the hotel & Check-in.
As the dynamic capital of the Pomorskie province, the port city of Gdansk on the Baltic coast of Poland offers an enticing contrast of rich history & attractive modernity. Like a mini-state all to itself, Gdansk has a unique feel that sets it apart from other cities in the country. Centuries of maritime ebb & flow as one of the largest ports on Baltic sea, streets of distinctively un-Polish architecture influenced by a united nations of wealthy merchants who shaped the city’s past.
With a tradition spanning over 1,000 years, Poland’s maritime capital toing & froing between Teutonic Prussia & Slavic Poland & the destruction wrought by WWII have all bequeathed a special atmosphere that makes Gdansk into a unique metropolis that has always been characterised by a spirit of freedom & courage. The city’s motto, the Latin saying “Nec temere, nec timide” (meaning“neither rashly nor timidly”) perfectly expresses the character of this former Hanseatic city.
In the aptly named Solidarity Square, 3 solemn 42 metre high Crosses tower overhead with anchors attached to them. This striking Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970 stands right next to the European Solidarity Centre, an interactive Museum recounting the Polish people’s aspirations to freedom. Theirs is a fascinating story about the long, hard fight against the communist regime, about the many sacrifices made by nations imprisoned behind the Iron Curtain & above all, about hope. Ultimately, it is a story about their greatest victory; one that forever changed the history of Poland and, in fact, the whole world.
Right next door in the Gdansk Shipyard, was where, in August 1980, the famous strike began that “set Poland on fire” & forced the Communist authorities to make numerous concessions, including the legalisation of the Solidarity Trade Union & the eventual elevation of Union leader Lech Walesa to the position of the first elected President of Poland & subsequently, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Visitors throng in ever greater numbers for a weekend city-break to one of the prettiest seaside cities on Poland's northern coastline & wander historical thoroughfares lined with grand, elegantly proportioned buildings & to enjoy a treasure trove of characterful bars & cafes, seafood restaurants, amber shops & intriguing Museums, not to mention pleasure-boat cruises along the river & a wealth of maritime history to soak up in between brews at dockside beer gardens.
It boasts several important historical attractions, such as the Royal Way, a famous promenade street of Polish kings.
One of the more recent additions to Gdansk’s already broad educational & tourist offering is the unmistakably modern Museum of the Second World War, home to one of the biggest exhibitions on Earth related to that world-changing conflict. Situated some 14 metres underground its enormous slanted entrance, the main exhibition shows the horrors of war from many different nations’ viewpoints, as well as telling the story of the heroes of Westerplatte & the Polish Post in Gdansk, who were the first to offer heroic resistance to the Nazi invaders.
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).
Overnight. B L
Day 11 - | Gdansk vGdynia v Sopot vGdansk Drive: 12 + 11 + 13 km
Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & proceed for a full day 8 hour sightseeing tour of Gdansk & surroundings.
Gdansk’s Old Town is straight out of a storybook. Anyone arriving in the city inevitably gravitates towards the Main Town, the city’s most historical, most popular & most important destination for locals & tourists alike to take in the views across the extremely popular River Motława, as tourist boats sail past.
The riverside is also dotted with tenements, including a restored Granary Island. Here you will find perhaps the most iconic symbol of the city - the Crane - the largest port crane in the whole of Europe during the Middle Ages & today part of an interesting Museum.
If the Main Town as a whole can be considered picturesque, the Royal Way looks like it is straight out of a storybook: a colourful, exquisite, vibrant promenade bursting with life & character with historic cathedrals, medieval ports & oodles of cool cafes. It officially starts from the Golden Gate, through which the city was triumphantly entered in the past before proceeding along Długa (Long) Street to the colorful facades of Long Market, now home to shops & restaurants.
You can also enter Royal Way at the other end through the confusingly named Green Gate - which is neither green, nor really a gate, although its Dutch-Mannerism style design is undeniably spectacular.
Positively begging to be posted on Instagram, the Royal Way is composed of a few dozen tenement houses that were meticulously restored after the war. The ground floors of the buildings are home to a variety of characterful & cosy venues, including children’s favourite: the Ciu Ciu handmade sweets “factory” in Długa Street.
Standing guard like a proud, protective parent, there is the majestic tower of the Main Town Hall, which never fails to captivate all who see it, as does the nearby Neptune Fountain & Golden House.
Directly behind Neptune Fountain is Artus Court with its stellar & palm vaulting, many paintings & statues, which has been an important landmark in the city’s history. It was actually where the first Gdansk beer was ever served, masquerade balls were held, various fraternities had their headquarters, court trials took place & even monarchs were received.
For one of the finest examples of the brick-Gothic architecture characteristic of the Baltic coast, visit the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with its turquoise spires & imposing bell tower.
Inside, you will discover clean white walls, sparse decoration & a serene, humble ambience. All attention goes to a Gothic statue of the beautiful Madonna of Gdansk, a Pieta & the stunning 5 metre Altar of the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Those energetic enough to climb to the top of the 82 metre tower are rewarded with breath-taking views across the city when the weather is good.
Another feature of the historical centre that will almost certainly grab your attention are the Perrons - entrance terraces accessed by a small series of stairs, located above basement spaces.
Along these charming cobbled streets, you will pass by several stalls selling all manner of souvenirs, including items made from amber, Gdansk’s original treasure, not to be found anywhere else. Gdansk is a center for the world’s amber trade; boutiques throughout the city sell the ossified resin. Larger & smaller pieces of amber - fossilized resin of coniferous trees growing 40 million years ago - end up on the shore as the tide rolls in.
Exploring the unique Amber Museum is well worth a visit. The Museum features both old & contemporary works of distinguished designers & its multi-media exhibition takes visitors to an amber forest, letting them indulge in the perfume of amber oil scent & take part in an amber jewelry fashion show. Every year, Gdansk hosts the International Fair of Amber, Jewelry & Gemstones “Amberif.” Amber jewelry in all price ranges can be purchased around the country in jewelers’ boutiques, galleries & souvenir markets. The most famous, chic boutiques & galleries selling amber of all shapes & sizes are in Gdansk & the streets are collectively known as the “5th Avenue of Amber.”
Another eye-catching building, the purpose of which is almost impossible to guess from looking at, is the extraordinarily unique Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre, home to the famous annual Shakespeare Festival.
Take a relaxing walk around the beautifully maintained Oliwa Park, which features charming ponds, immaculate flowerbeds & winding paths. The Oliwa Stream cuts across the park, even forming a waterfall in one place.
Proceed to the famous Oliwa Metropolitan Cathedral dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Blessed Virgin Mary & St. Bernard. The first surprise as you approach the Cathedral is the facade, a striking composition of 2 slim octagonal Gothic towers with a central baroque portion wedged between them. The interior looks extraordinarily long, mainly because of the unusual proportions of the building - the nave & chancel together are 90m long but only 8.3m wide. At the far end of this ‘tunnel’ is a baroque high altar from 1688 & a marble tombstone of the Pomeranian dukes from 1613.
The showpiece of the church is the famous rococo organ. This glorious instrument, begun in 1763 & completed 30 years later, is renowned for its fine tone & the mechanised angels that blow trumpets & ring bells when the organ is in action. It is made up of as many as 7,876 pipes & a multitude of moving elements. Recitals take place on some evenings & up to six times a day over the summer.
One of the city’s greatest & lesser-known assets are the beautiful, wide, sandy beaches in Sobieszewo, Jelitkowo, Stogi & Brzezno, all located close to numerous city hotels, restaurants & bars offering live music.
Then, drive to nearby Gdynia.
Gdynia for centuries remained a small farming & fishing village. At the beginning of the 20th century, Gdynia attracted visitors as a seaside resort town.
Collectively, the cities along the Baltic Coast - Gdansk, Gdynia & Sopot are denoted as Tri-City. The surrounding hills & the coastline attract many nature lovers.
After Poland regained its independence in 1918, the government decided to construct a seaport in Gdynia, between the Free City of Danzig (a semi-autonomous city-state) & German Pomerania, making Gdynia a primary economic hub. In 1926 Gdynia was granted city rights, after which it enjoyed a rapid demographic & architectural development.
This was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, during which the newly built port & shipyard were completely destroyed. The population of the city suffered heavy losses, as most of the inhabitants were evicted & expelled by the German occupiers. The locals were either displaced to other regions of occupied Poland or sent to German Nazi concentration camps throughout Europe.
Gdynia is known for its modernist buildings, is a small town with a vibrant waterfront & beach, a harbor & several unique Museums. A 1.5 kilometre long promenade leads from the Marina in the City center, to the beach in Redłowo. It is a regular stopover for luxurious passenger cruises & is always bustling with tourists.
The Museum of the City of Gdynia has exhibits about local history.
Gdynia, "a window to the world" & the pride of the Second Republic of Poland, was a key element of the government's emigration policy. There is an interesting modern cultural institution - Emigration Museum in the historic Marine Station building near the harbour, where one can learn about the history of Emigration from Polish lands from the 19th century to the present day. In the 1930s a complex system of emigration services was created here, From the pre-war Baltic sea, the legendary ocean-liner Batory & the stories of millions of emigrants all in one place.
The main Kosciuszki Square, with a distinctive fountain as its center, leads to the waterfront. WWII destroyer ORP Błyskawica & 1909 tall ship frigate Dar Pomorza moored on the Southern Pier have been converted to Museums. You can see Sharks & Piranhas in the Gdynia Aquarium.
Gdynia is a relatively modern city but does have some ancient sites including the 13th century St. Michael the Archangel's Church, the oldest building in the city.
There is a 17th century neo-Gothic manor house located on Folwarczna Street in Orłowo. The city also holds many examples of early 20th century buildings feature, especially monumentalism, early functionalism & modernism architecture styles. A good example of modernism is PLO building.
A leisure pier & a cliff-like coastline in Kępa Redłowska, as well as the surrounding Nature Reserve, are also popular locations.
Gdynia hosts the Gdynia Film Festival, the main Polish film festival. The International Random Film Festival was hosted here in November 2014. Since 2003, the city has been hosting the Open'er Festival, one of the biggest contemporary music festivals in Europe welcoming many foreign hip-hop, rock & electronic music artists every year.
Another important summer event here is the Viva Beach Party, which includes a large 2 day techno party concert CudaWianki. For the more intellectually inclined, there is an annual Gdansk Shakespeare Festival. In the summer of 2014 Gdynia hosted Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
You will have 2 hours to explore on your own before hopping in the vehicle & driving on to Sopot.
The growth of Sopot from a small fishing village into Poland’s premier health & leisure destination was driven & built upon a few natural factors.
Situated 750m above the St Wojciech Spring (or Adalbert) the waters from which flow up into the centre of the town. Along with the fresh & iodine-rich sea air, the long sandy beaches & the beautiful lush forested hills, it has been the therapeutic water that has attracted visitors for close to 200 years. The waters are a 4.3% bromide & iodine natural brine which also contain significant amounts of potassium, magnesium & iodine. The waters are reportedly as saline as those of the Red Sea, which makes them about 4 times as salty as the waters of the Baltic Sea.
It was these factors that encouraged Jean Georg Haffner to settle here at the end of the Napoleonic Wars instead of returning to his native France & to set in motion the construction of what has evolved into one of Poland's most famous & beloved seaside communities.
The village of Sopot, which later became the namesake for the whole city, was first mentioned in 1283 when it was granted to the Cistercians. At that time it was part of Poland until the 14th century Teutonic invasion. By 1316, the Abbey had bought all villages in the area & became the owners of all the area of the city. After the Second Peace of Thorn (1466) the area was reincorporated into the Kingdom of Poland.
The junior partner in the Tri-City set-up (along with Gdansk & Gdynia), Sopot nicknamed the 'Polish Riviera', is a kind of Incongruity-on-Sea, a mix of elegant villas & marauding clubbers, an overdeveloped 21st-century seafront just streets away from typically Polish soot-cracked facades.
Like the British seaside towns of Brighton & Eastbourne rolled into one, Sopot is about moneyed Poles flashing their cash in ritzy restaurants standing alongside old Polish literary-themed cafes, a strutting club scene, illuminating pensioners taking to the waters while kids on the beach build sandcastles.
Whatever Sopot has become, it certainly remains popular, with international visitors mingling with the Slavic waffle & ice cream crowds on hot summer days then getting down at the beachside clubs on balmy Baltic eves.
Among its main attractions is a Fountain of bromide spring water, located in Marii Lecha Kaczynscy Park, known as the "Inhalation Mushroom.
The medicinal spring water, which is sourced from 800 metres underground, is believed to assist with various ailments such as Rheumatism when the vapours are inhaled. You will see locals circling the fountain, washing their hands & faces. This healing water has been put to great use in Sopot’s spa hotels. An industry has sprung up around these waters over the past 2 centuries & these days undiluted spring waters are used in natural brine baths to treat a multitude of disorders relating to the muscle & respiratory systems.
Another famous attraction is the 511.5 metre Long Pier - the longest wooden boardwalk in Europe, originally constructed in 1827 & expanded to more than half a kilometre stretching out into the Bay of Gdansk in 1928. The walk to the furthest point of the Pier is also believed to have healing properties, as the iodine levels are higher there than they are at the beach & consequently, it has become known as a ‘health walk’.
In contrast with Gdansk, where Gothic & Renaissance architecture is king, one of the most photographed buildings in Sopot dates from just 2004: - the so-called ‘Crooked House’ (Krzywy Domek) - a surreal building modeled on fairy-tale illustrations.
Built by the design team of Szotynscy & Zaleski, this 4,000 sq. meter commercial building, part of the Rezydent Shopping Center, is a popular landmark for tourists & photographers.
Appearing almost as though warped by a person playing with Photoshop, tourists are often hesitant to enter the vertigo-inducing entrance of this unusually shaped building. The Krzywy Domek honours its guests in a special way. It is the tradition of this mysterious place that people who participate in cultural events put their signatures on the “The Wall of Fame” inside,
“Crooked House” and is home to many popular shops, restaurants & even a radio station. It is the place where some of the largest Polish & global companies - from finance to health to media - opened their offices willingly.
Opposite on Monte Cassino ‘pedestrian’ Street always full of tourists & artists, is a fascinating sculpture of a fisherman holding a fish whilst balancing on a tightrope. You can buy in small street shops & street markets original hand-made bracelets, necklaces, rings & earrings made of amber & other minerals.
Check out the old manor houses & villas, including the 18th century Sierakowski Mansion, Spanish Manor & the early 20th century Sopot Belvedere where Presidents & Prime Ministers of Poland have stayed.
Sopot is also famous for its Sopot International Song Festival, the largest such event in Europe after the Eurovision Song Contest.
Sopot offers a variety of restaurants, bars & other dining options including those inspired by the concept of Slow Food; by regional produce; author’s kitchens; by traditional Polish recipes as well as those presenting dishes from other regions of Europe & from around the world.
Atmospheric spots are aplenty with beautiful views of the sea or hidden in small streets, parks or on pedestrian promenades all of which adds to their charm. Particular attention is paid to the rich offer of seasonal Baltic fish along the coast whether in the small fish bars or in one of the many high-class restaurants.
Every year, at the end of June, the Slow Food festival takes place on Sopot Pier, an event involving dozens of outstanding chefs, cooking enthusiasts, well-known artists, journalists & politicians, which promotes the rich bounty of the Baltic Sea & the entire Pomeranian region and offers a unique opportunity to taste various dishes served at a 200 meter long table.
Walk around for an hour before driving back to the hotel in Gdansk.
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).
Overnight. B L
Day 12 - | Gdansk v Malbork v Olsztyn Drive: 63 + 138 km
Morning around 07.00 am, Check-out & depart for the picturesque town Olsztyn.
Enroute stop in Malbork, a town in northern Poland, within the historical region of Pomerelia.
Commence your self-guided (audio-guided) tour.
The best outside view is from the opposite side of the Nogat River (you can get there via the footbridge), especially in the late afternoon when the brick turns an intense red-brown in the setting sun.
The visitor experience has been much improved recently with a new, chattier style of audio guide that works using GPS, a set route (no more getting lost & seeing only half the rooms) & several new exhibitions. The ticket office has left-luggage lockers, toilets & refreshments.
The entrance to the Complex is from the northern side, through what used to be the only way in. From the main gate, visitors walk over the drawbridge, then go through 5 iron-barred doors to the vast courtyard of the Middle Castle.
On the western side is the Grand Masters’ Palace, which has some splendid interiors including the kitchen with its 6m-wide fireplace & the Great Refectory, the 450 sq metres chamber, largest in the Castle. The remarkable ceiling has its original palm vaulting preserved.
Peek into the Grand Master's private loo before heading to the other side of the courtyard where there is a collection of period weapons & armour on display and an excellent Amber Museum - the latter would be a major place of interest in its own right, were it anywhere else. Amber was an important source of revenue for the Teutonic Knights - they controlled the entire Baltic coast where it is found.
The tour then continues to St Anne's Chapel where 12 Grand Masters were buried.
The clever audio guide then leads you to the High Castle, over another drawbridge and through a gate to a spectacular arcaded courtyard that has a reconstructed well in the middle. This was the monastical part of the castle where monks would sit in session in the Chapter House before heading for their meat & mead in the striking refectory.
Another memorable halt is the gdaniska, the knights’ loo perched high atop its own special tower & connected to the Castle by a walkway. Perhaps it was one of the Order who coined the phrase ‘long drop’ as he reached for the cabbage leaves they used for toilet paper.
One of the most striking interiors here is St Mary’s Church, accessed through a beautiful Gothic doorway, known as the Golden Gate. This is where the brothers would have met to pray every 3 hours, 24 / 7, but it was the part most damaged during the bombardment of 1945. Renovation ended in 2016, the walls left as bare brick as a powerful reminder of the Red Army shells.
Throughout the Castle, look out for the interesting underfloor heating system in many of the rooms & the little Gothic stucco figures pointing the way to the nearest WC. New exhibitions along the way examine conservation efforts over the last 200 years, oriental weaponry & views of Malbork under the Polish Crown.
The 3 hour tour concludes & you continue on to Olsztyn, a picturesque town encompassed by lakes & forests.
Arrive by late afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.
Stunningly situated among lakes, rivers & forests, Olsztyn - the capital of Warmia-Masuria province offers a great many historical sites to discover as well as a jumping-off point & transport hub for many other towns & attractions in the vicinity.
The town was founded in the 14th century as an outpost of Warmia & only came under Polish control following the Treaty of Torun in 1466. With the First Partition of Poland in 1772, Olsztyn became Prussian (renamed Allenstein) & remained so until the end of WWII. Once a bit of a backwater, no other settlement in northern Poland has improved as much in recent years.
Enveloped in a sea of greenery, surrounded by deep blue waters of 11 lakes & sprinkled with a touch of lunar dust, Olsztyn offers visitors many treasures worth exploring, scattered all across the city.
Olsztyn’s main tourist attractions are scattered all across the city, which gives you time to take in the glorious surroundings as you move around.
Any exploration of cobblestoned Old Town encircled by a set of fortified walls, with a laid-back feel, usually starts from the Gothic High Gate - the only surviving entrance of 3 that once led to the oldest part of the town. Also called the Upper Gate, this beautiful red brick entrance is the most important remaining fragment of the medieval fortifications. From the Old Town side of the gate, a niche just above the centre of the entrance is decorated with a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary made from hundreds of coloured glass tiles, funded by Pope John Paul II. The magnificent mosaic is created in the workshops of the Vatican Mosaic Studio under the watchful eye of the director, Dario Narduzzi. The same kind of mosaic is also found at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Although it has retained its medieval grid street plan, the Old Town was actually largely rebuilt after the war. The colourful tenement buildings found around the Market Square, with the Gothic, orange-roofed Town Hall at the centre, have Baroque features but completely contemporary decorations.
The bright, stylish houses located by the Fish Market were built in the early 21st century. Nearby, the 2 storey reconstructed brick building, with a plaque commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Polish national anthem, used to house the editorial office & pre-war printing house of Gazeta Olsztynska, a newspaper that promoted Polish national culture; today it forms part of the Museum of Warmia & Mazuria.
As you pass by the houses, prepare to be tempted by all manner of mouth-watering smells emanating from the many restaurants located there. The exceptionally attractive prices are almost as good as the aromas & make eating here almost irresistible.
A short walk from the gate will take you to Olsztyn’s oldest religious building: the magnificent Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle which houses relics of St. Adalbert, the throne of the Bishops of Warmia & a 19th century Organ once played by the great Polish composer Feliks Nowowiejski, who wrote the music to the patriotic song Rota (The Oath). To appreciate the instrument in all its splendour, one must time the visit during summer to coincide with the annual Olsztyn Organ Concerts.
Next to the Cathedral, the Warmia Archdiocese Museum offers you the chance to check out exhibits that form the heritage of this diocese: church & religious art dating all the way back to 14th century. Among the many fascinating items, the most valuable are a gold reliquary of St. Andrew & the manuscript of Ignacy Krasicki’s mock-heroic poem Monachomachia (War of the Monks).
Without doubt, the most distinguished resident of the Warmia Chapter Castle was Nicolaus Copernicus. Besides performing his duties as administrator of the Warmia Chapter estates, it was here that the great scholar wrote the first version of his monetary treatise, a work famous for outlining the “Copernicus Law” stating that “bad money drives out good”. Most importantly, however, it was here that he produced the first volume of his revolutionary work “On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres”. His observations were based on a special Astronomical Table designed by Copernicus himself, which is partially preserved in the Castle gallery to this day.
Ah! And before you leave the Castle, at the entrance you will come upon a bronze figure of Copernicus himself, sitting on a bench gazing up towards the sky. Apparently, touching his nose brings good luck. Wouldn’t want to miss out on some good fortune, would you?
Learning about Copernicus isn’t the only thing that will leave you open-mouthed on your visit: the panoramic views over the city can be admired from the Castle tower are also a sight to behold!
Don’t miss another of Olsztyn’s most famous sights while you are here - on the soft green grass of the Castle courtyard you will find the mysterious statue of the Prussian Woman, one of only a handful of such surviving mementos of the tribes that lived here many centuries ago. But, expect a statue of a woman with long hair & flowing skirt though, no. Despite the name, it actually portrays a man holding a horn in his right hand & a short weapon in his left. The symbolism of this curious figure continues to divide historians, who speculate whether it represents an Old Prussian chieftain or in fact a god. From the River Lyna side, the Castle is surrounded by the charming & serene Podzamcze Park .
The Astronomical Observatory is the only place in Poland that has some of the actual lunar dust gathered by the crew of the first manned mission to land on the moon, Apollo 11. Pretty cool, right?
The Museum of Modernity - Centre for Technology & Regional Development, set up in the striking red-brick former Raphaelson Sawmill, is a fabulous reminder of the important industrial district that existed here at the turn of the 19th & 20th centuries.
The only trace of Olsztyn’s Jewish community left today is the Bet Tahara, the Pre-Burial House. Don’t be fooled by its sombre, modest exterior. Inside, the single-storey building designed by world-famous architect Erich Mendelsohn boasts breath-taking, meticulously reconstructed interiors, showing the human journey after death.
The stately, white, early 20th century Art Nouveau Palace that houses the Nature Museum is another ‘must visit’ where the rooms are packed with over 19,000 exhibits, all related to zoology, botany & geology. Check out the impressive Herbarium of German traveller & naturalist Hans Steffen!
For a feel of what the city looked like before the 19th century, a wooden wattle & daub Granary at the edge of the Old Town is now the sole surviving example of the architecture that dominated in Olsztyn.
Like poetry? Love cheese? Enjoy a bit of street theatre? Olsztyn has it all. The most interesting cultural & entertainment events include the Olsztyn Artist Summer, the Let’s Sing Poetry National Castle Meetings, the Demoludy International Theatre Festival, the Olsztyn Festival of Street Theatres, the Warmia-Mazury & Powisle Culinary heritage festival, Olsztyn Days, the Cottage Cheese Festival of Polish Dairy, and Kortowiada - Poland’s biggest student rag event. Even the hardest to please will find something to enjoy in this vibrant, beautiful city!
Be prepared to move around when you embark on sightseeing in this vibrant, beautiful city, though: the distances to some of the more remote tourist attractions are a little too ambitious to undertake on foot but can easily be shortened thanks to bicycle routes.
If a bike seems too energetic, visitors can also take a short ride on the electric eco-bus connecting the Old Town with Lake Ukiel or one of the impressive and very shiny new trams.
Balance of the afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Evening, meet the Journeys Rep & travel to Gietrzwald village, a popular Roman Catholic pilgrimage destination.
There is a Community Cultural Centre responsible for taking actions in social & cultural animation, education & art workshops, frequently organising various events. People can find tourist information there & buy handcrafts in the Gallery.
Come back to the hotel.
Overnight. B L D
Day 13 - | Olsztyn v Olsztynek vLowicz v Warsaw Drive: 26 + 192 + 87 km
Morning around 07.00 am, Check-out & depart for Warsaw.
Enroute, stop at a couple of interesting points.
First stop is at Olsztynek, a small town with one big attraction.
Here, you will see one of the oldest ethnographic open-air Museums in Europe.
Museum of Folk Architecture features about 70 examples of regional timber architecture from Warmia & Masuria, plus a cluster of Lithuanian houses. There is a variety of peasant cottages complete with outbuildings, various Windmills & a thatched-roof Church. A number of buildings have been impressively furnished & decorated inside in traditional period manner
The origin of this Ethnographic Park date back to 1909, when in Konigsberg, the then capital of East Prussia, a decision was made to establish a Museum of Rural Architecture in the nearby Krolewiecki Zoological Garden. The development plan assumed the transfer of the most characteristic buildings for each of the regions included in East Prussia.
But, due to the poor condition of the buildings intended for translocation, in 1910 - 1913 it was decided to build a copy & about 20 buildings were built illustrating residential, religious, industrial & economic themes from 18th - 19th centuries. There were also 2 archaeological sites on the Museum grounds.
Spend an hour or 2 & then continue driving onwards.
Stop at Lowicz, a typical Mazovian town renowned for keeping alive the old folk art & crafts like weaving & wood carving, especially the colorful costumes, intricate paper cutting & pottery.
Lowicz boasts a long & important connection to the Catholic Church - for over 600 years it was the seat of the Archbishops of Gniezno, the supreme Church authority in Poland. It was a residence of Polish Primates in the Polish -Lithuanian Commonwealth. They served as Regents when the town became a temporary "capital" of Poland during the inter-regnum. As a result, Lowicz has its own Bishop & a Basilica in spite of its considerably small size. The ruins of a former Bishop's Castle can be found on the outskirts of town.
Napoleon Bonaparte is believed to have stayed in one of the country manor houses on the Main Square. The town was at the centre of the largest battle of the German invasion of Poland, the Battle of the Bzura River, in the opening campaign of World War II.
In 1940, during the Nazi Occupation of Poland, German authorities established a Jewish Ghetto here to confine its Jewish population for the purpose of persecution and exploitation. It was liquidated in March 1941, when all its 8,000 - 8,200 inhabitants were transported in cattle trucks to Warsaw Ghetto, which the largest in all of Nazi occupied Europe with over 400,000.
In recent times, Lowicz was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1999. In 2012, due to its historical, artistic, material & spiritual values, the Cathedral Basilica complex was listed as a Historic Monument of Poland.
The vast 15th century originally Gothic Lowicz Cathedral underwent several renovations and is now a melange of styles, including Renaissance, baroque & rococo. 12 Archbishops of Gniezno & Primates of Poland are buried here. The interior - if it is open - glitters from all the elaborate gold embellishments.
There is Museum in Lowicz housed in a 17th century Missionary College designed by Dutch architect Tylman van Gameren; its highlight is the former priests' Chapel, with its fading 1695 baroque frescoes by Italian artist Michelangelo Palloni. The 1st floor features archaeological finds from the region such as Stone Age tools & mammoth Tusks. In the back garden are two old farmsteads from the region, complete with original furnishings, implements & decoration.
Just outside on the outskirt Lowicz has an important ethnographic Museum exhibiting Polish folk art as well as historical artifacts & archaeology from the region dating back to 19th & 20th centuries. The vast open-air display of historical structures depicting traditional Polish village-life & traditional old wooden country houses spread over a 17 hectare site. Living & household buildings are full of typical costumes, paper cuttings, embroidery, furniture & tools. There is a forge, an Inn & roadside Chapels.
Here, learn Wycinanki, the art of paper-cutting which comes from a centuries-old tradition, where vividly colored paper is cut to create masterful works of art. With one of the local folk artists, under a watchful eye of your instructor, you may avail a chance to craft your very own Polish memento. A popular souvenir worth commemorating your Polish visit is the unique, generously-sized transparent folding umbrella, decorated with the Polish folk art, which protects yourself from rain or UV rays, in style.
You can see the Maurzyce Bridge, the first welded road-bridge in the world, built in 1928 across the river Słudwia, designed in 1927 by Stefan Bryła from the Lwow University of Technology.
Normally, Lowicz is laid back for much of the year but it comes alive during Corpus Christi (Boze Ciało) festival. The huge flamboyant procession circling the Stary Rynek (Main Square) & the Cathedral is one of Poland's oldest & grandest celebrations. This feast in honour of the Holy Eucharist falls on a Thursday in May or June & is celebrated with gusto and participants dress in pasiaki (traditional brightly coloured & embroidered costumes). Adults carry elaborate banners & floral wreaths and children carry decorated pillows. Stalls are set up with a food & drink and artists sell traditional creations made from paper cutouts.
Stroll around the Town Centre & look for plaques on buildings detailing their history.
Finally, experience legendary Polish hospitality when you are invited for a home-hosted dinner of Polish cuisine by a local family, sitting in their beautiful garden in a charming cottage located in the vicinity of the ruins of Lowicz Castle. And discover what Poles mean when they say, “Guest in the house, is God in the house”.
In time, get ready for the short drive to Warsaw.
Arrive by evening & Check-in at the hotel.
Overnight. B L D
Day 14 - | Depart ✈ Warsaw at ????
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
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Enchanting Poland… prepare to be charmed
Polska Kaleidoscope
- Transfers to / from Hotel / Airport & City Tours / Excursions by A/c vehicle*
- Services of a Journeys Rep for assistance on all Arrival / Departure Transfers
- Accommodation for a total of 13 nights in the selected Hotels
- Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch & D=Dinner)
- Services of English speaking local Guides for all Sightseeing Tours / Excursions as per Itinerary*
- Entrance Fees at the Monuments, wherever applicable
- Warm-up with a cup of hot chocolate Wedel Chocolate Lounge in Warsaw
- Chopin Piano Concert in Warsaw
- Home-hosted dinner in Lowicz
- Pre-paid rechargeable SIM Card (Data & Voice) to enable a 24 / 7 connection with family
- All Government Taxes & Service Fees, wherever applicable
- 24 / 7 Emergency Contact
- Farewell Gift
- International Airfare
- Visa or Visa Fee for Poland (Canadian & US Citizens do not require a Visa)
- Airport Tax payable on final departure, if any
- City Hotel Tax to be paid directly at the hotels
- Camera / Video Fees, wherever applicable, at the Monuments
- Items of personal nature i.e. Room Service, Laundry, Telephone Calls, Internet, Fax, Beverages, Medical or Evacuation Expenses, Insurance, Gratuities & Tips
- Any Meals not specifically listed in the itinerary
- Any optional Programs / Services
- Any items not specified under Inclusions
* Seat in Coach. Guaranteed departures with minimum 4 guests. There may be other participants for the Sightseeing / Excursions / Transfers & group size may vary. Participants may come from all over the world & most of them will be English speaking. Private services with English speaking Tour-guide & vehicle can be arranged with a supplement cost. For less than 10 guests, the Tour will be guided by Tour-guide cum Driver. For 10 +, there will be a separate Tour-guide, in addition.
** Please note that the Program highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Some, you will see from outside only. The sightseeing tours combine ‘walking’ & driving. Some Monuments / places may require extra Entrance Fees to be paid for accessing some of the areas.
*** It is extremely rare that Programs need to be changed but it can occur. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the Itinerary if required, for example, occasionally the tour sequence & duration of time spent in each place can change due to local conditions which are out of our control or due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather. The Price will not be affected.
Conditions related to specific Tours will be advised in due course, if required.
Enchanting Poland… prepare to be charmed
Polska Kaleidoscope
Where you will stay:
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Polska Kaleidoscope |
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City |
Nights |
Superior *** |
First Class **** |
Deluxe***** |
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Warsaw |
2 |
T B A |
Novotel Centrum |
T B A |
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Krakow |
2 |
T B A |
Novotel Centrum |
T B A |
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Zakopane |
2 |
T B A |
Mercure Kasprowy |
T B A |
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Wroclaw |
1 |
T B A |
Mercure Centrum |
T B A |
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Poznan |
1 |
T B A |
Novotel Centrum |
T B A |
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Torun |
1 |
T B A |
Mercure Centrum |
T B A |
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Gdansk |
2 |
T B A |
Mercure Old Town |
T B A |
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Olsztyn |
1 |
T B A |
Omega |
T B A |
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Warsaw |
1 |
T B A |
Novotel Centrum |
T B A |
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13 |
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The Journeys has carefully selected each hotel based on overall quality, location, price, food, service, and cleanliness. All rooms are standard rooms with two beds and private facilities, unless you have specifically requested and paid for an upgrade. Room selection is strictly at the discretion of the hotel management. We reserve the right to make hotel substitutions with those of equal standard due to non-availability of the selected hotels.
Check-in time is usually 2:00 pm or later. Check-out time is 11:00 am. If you will be arriving early in the day or departing in the evening, hotels will usually allow you to store your luggage in their luggage room. We will ask at the front desk on your behalf, if the hotel can check you in earlier, or let you stay later.
Enchanting Poland… prepare to be charmed
Polska Kaleidoscope
And last but not least:
Departure:
Arrival in Warsaw on Any Day (minimum 6 people)
Validity:
→ December 2021
Prices:
We offer several accommodation choices for this tour. The price varies by selected accommodations. The itinerary remains unchanged.
Exchange rates fluctuate with great frequency. Please contact us for current Pricing and we will respond
within 24 hours.
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Polska Kaleidoscope |
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Price Per Person - C$ |
Superior *** |
First Class **** |
Deluxe ***** |
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Occupancy - Double |
On request |
On request |
On request |
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Single |
On request |
On request |
On request |
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Triple |
On request |
On request |
On request |
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Airfare - International |
On request |
On request |
On request |
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Miscellenous |
If required |
If required |
If required |
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Some important notes
- Flights are subject to constant modifications / delays and cancellations. In such cases, we will do all possible to find the best available alternative / solution but will not accept any liability, whatsoever.
- Our rates only include those items which are specified in the Itinerary / Inclusions.
- The cost has been calculated on the existing tariffs / conditions and in case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to revise the tour price accordingly.
- Our quotations are calculated on base category of accommodation at each property and are subject to modification, if the same hotel / category of room not available at the time of reservation. In that case, we will confirm a superior category of room at a comparable or better hotel and supplement charges, if any, shall be advised accordingly. Final Itinerary will illustrate updated information and / or it would be furnished at the time of confirmation.
- All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability at the time of booking. The from price reflects the lowest available price at time of publication, which is valid for a specific start date or dates and also based on availability at the time of booking.
- Room availability is getting saturated due to heavy demands from the tourism industry, international Fairs and Congresses. Due to these constant sold- out situations the hotels are applying the cancellation rules more stringently. Once the reservation is guaranteed, the booking will be subject to full cancellation charges as per our Terms & Conditions (details will be advised at the time of deposit). We strongly recommend obtaining Insurance to protect yourself against any unforeseen scenarios.
- Additional services including Optionals, if any, can be paid directly by the clients to our local offices.
The Journeys strongly recommends that all Guests purchase appropriate Travel Insurance (Trip Cancellation / Interruption & Medical) to protect your travel investment and cover any eventuality & / or Emergency.
