You will never forget about it
POLAND
Day 1
Kraków – Auschwitz - Wrocław
tour specification
Krakow – the capital of Poland is one of the important centers for Polish culture. The city was relatively unharmed during World War II. Therefore, much remains of the history, art and civilization of Poland.
Starting 8:30 am you will drive with your driver and English speaking guide to the infamous Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Auschwitz, the site of the German Nazi concentration camp, has been preserved as a memorial for the 4 million people of 28 nationalities who perished here.
Throughout the years of the holocaust, the camp was expanded to include 3 main camps; Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, and Auschwitz III-Monowitz. Another 40 lesser camps have been scattered throughout the general area.
Many of the original buildings still stand in this most infamous of Nazi death camps with about a dozen of the surviving prison blocks still remaining. Some house a museum; several others provide general exhibitions; and some of the blocks are dedicated to victims from particular countries, which perished at this location.
After lunch you will continue the journey to the city of Wrocław, the capital of Lower Silesia.
From the many open-air cafes and popular beer taverns you may admire the beautifully restored Old Town. Some of the bars have functioned in the Main Square since the 13th c.
The dominant accent of the city skyline is the architectural complex of Ostrów Tumski including the Gothic Cathedral Romanesque elements from 1149.
Another impressive site is the University‘s main assembly hall – “The Aula Leopoldina” decorated with sculptures, stuccoes and trompe oil paintings by J.A.Siegwitz, F.J.Mangoldt and J.K.Handke
This evening you will enjoy dinner in the local restaurant to get the feeling of the authentic Polish cuisine.
Day 2
Wrocław – Częstochowa - Warsaw
tour specification
Before leaving Wrocław let’s drop to the National Museum to be impressed by the largest collection of polish paintings “The Panorama Racławicka Battlefield” an immense work done by J.Styka and W.Kossak.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant on- route.
Stop in Czestochowa, located 74miles from Warsaw, to visit the famous Pauline Monastery as Jasna Gora which houses the Black Madonna, the holiest icon in Poland. This 15th century painting brings pilgrims from all over Poland, some on foot. After your tour you will continue to your hotel in Warsaw
Day 3
Warsaw
tour specification
Today, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour (eight hours) in Warsaw with your local guide and private vehicle. The beginning of Warsaw’s story can be found throughout the Old Town, with its Gothic churches, defensive walls, and fairy tale facades of the Renaissance and Baroque tenement houses. It is a tragedy that the Nazis destroyed Warsaw’s city charter, a magnificent historical document, but the Old Town complex was painstakingly reconstructed after the war.
Visit the Royal Castle, a symbol of Polish Statehood; and the 14th century Cathedral of Saint John. Afterwards follow the Royal Route from Castle Square to the 18-acre Lazienki Park. See the Chopin Monument and visit the magnificent neoclassical Lzienki Palace, the summer residence of the last Polish king, Stanislaw August Poniatowski. The palace was faithfully reconstructed after the war and now houses fine 18th century furnishings. Afterwards, return to your hotel.
Day 4
Warsaw – Puławy – Kazimierz Dolny – Lublin
tour specification
Today you will visit one of the oldest University in Central Europe established in 1364 by King Kazimierz the Great. Among its students were Nicolaus Copernicus, king John III Sobieski and John Paul II. The tour includes: visit of Collegium Maius – the oldest University’s building, Church of St. Anne whose history has been inextricably linked to that of the University, Collegium Novum and Nowodworski College.The tour ends with a tour of the Mariacki Church as a witness to the culture of the city’s inhabitants.
Duration: 3 hours
Entrance fee: included
Transport: No (walking tour)
Day 5
Lublin – Łańcut – Albigowa – Zalipie - Kraków
tour specification
Lublin located at the borderland of Poland and Ruthenia, from the end of 14th century. It was a scene of one of the most important events in polish history- the Polish-Lithuanian Union signed in July 1569. The historic part of the town has been preserved, together with the market square, Old Town Hall and burgher houses. The highlight of the tour is a visit of the castle with the Gothic Chapel of the HolyTrinity .
Important, but gruesome part of the tour is the visit of the State Museum of Majdanek the former Nazi concentration camp.
Let’s enjoy the visit of Łańcut – the estate of Potocki family and his Distillery Museum of Liquers, Rosoglios and Rum with a tasting many kinds of local liquors.
On a way back to Kraków we will stop for a lunch in a country house in Albigowa and Zalipie
Your journey concludes today as you are transferred back to Kraków.
Transport: Yes
Accomodation: 4 overnights in **** hotels
Entrance fee: included
Assistance of an English speaking guide
Meals: FB