Scenic Poland                                • Warsaw • Czestochowa • Krakow • Zakopane •

DURATION: 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS                                                                        • Including 4 UNESCO Treasures •       

One of the largest countries in Europe, with broad access to the Baltic Sea, situated in the middle of the European continent on the crossroads between West and East. A journey across Poland is an opportunity not only to visit historical points of interest, but also to taste local cuisine, as many Polish dishes may by be genuine novelties even for connoisseurs. It is also an opportunity to take advantage of Poland’s strong ties to the
European tradition of contemporary culture and art. Come and visit a land of Frederic Chopin, Krzysztof Penderecki, Lech Walesa and Holy Father John Paul II.   

Day 1 - Saturday - WARSAW
Arrival assistance and transfer from airport to the 5-star Radisson SAS hotel. At 6:00 PM meet with your tour escort in the hotel lobby. Enjoy your evening Chopin concert. You will listen to the most famous works of Frederic Chopin performed by the best pianist in a two-part recital with a glass of wine that will be served during the interval. This will be a splendid evening to celebrate 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth. Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. (D)

Day 2 - Sunday - WARSAW
A half day sightseeing tour of Warsaw including the city highlights, such as: the Old Town beautifully rebuilt after the WW II with the impressive Royal Castle, the seat of kings of Poland. It was where the 3rd Of May Constitution was promulgated in 1791, the second constitution, next to the US Constitution, ever in the world. You will admire some of its 300 rooms. All interiors where carefully restored and look like it was centuries ago. See the Canaletto Room with 23 paintings by Bernardo Bellotto, the lavishly decorated Throne Room and the magnificent Knight’s Hall which is adorned by six large paintings by Marcello Bacciarelli depicting important events in Polish history. The Marble room with 22 portraits of Polish kings and the largest and most impressive of all the castle’s chambers, the Ballroom. Then it’s time for a short break to enjoy typical Polish donuts known as “paczek” at the famous Warsaw coffee shop “U Bliklego”. In the late afternoon drive to Zelazowa Wola, birthplace of Frederic Chopin to visit the interior of the manor house, now a museum devoted to the great composer. See memorabilia of Chopin and his family.
Afterwards, we invite you for a home-hosted dinner served by the young couple of artists who will welcome you in their charming wooden cottage based of Lowicz castle ruins. Meet with their family and enjoy the typical Polish hospitality.  Return to the hotel for overnight. Lunch is not included. (B, D)   

Day 3 - Monday - WARSAW - CZĘSTOCHOWA - OSWIECIM - WADOWICE - KRAKOW
This morning leave Warsaw and drive to Czestochowa, one of the most important places of religious worship in the Christian world with pilgrimages going back to the 14th century. Stop at the Jasna Gora Monastery, a religious and spiritual center in Poland to see the famous Black Madonna, a painting on a wooden panel that depicts the Virgin Mary with the Child. Also see the Treasury Room with its collection of precious gifts given to the Monastery over the years.

Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Oswiecim to visit Auschwitz, the former Nazi concentration camp - the biggest factory of death in the history of humanity and a silent witness to an immense human tragedy. A short stop will be made in Wadowice to see the Basilica and the house of Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla). The day ends in Krakow, the capital of kings, where kings were crowned and laid to rest. Transfer to the 5 star Best Western Premier hotel for your 2 night stay. Dinner is not included. (B, L)

Day 4 - Tuesday - KRAKOW

This morning a guided tour of the ancient capital of Poland, a royal city on the Vistula lying at the foot of Wawel Hill on whose peak a splendid royal palace and the Cathedral Church of St. Waclaw and Bishop Stanislaus can be found. Your tour begins with a visit to the Royal Castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill which was remodeled according to the new Renaissance taste at the beginning of the 16th century. Afterwards drive to the Old Town with the Main Market Square with its magnificent houses and palaces. In the middle of the square is the Cloth Hall built prior to 1349, but altered in the 16th century with many shopping stalls located inside. A short pause for cake and coffee at the famous Krakow coffee shop “Jama Michalika” designed by local artists with beautiful glass painted windows and interesting drawings. The afternoon is free for further optional visits or relaxation. Lunch and dinner are not included. (B)

Day 5 - Wednesday - KRAKOW - ZAKOPANE

Leaving Krakow this morning drive to Zakopane, the capital of the Polish Tatra Mountains located in the valley between Gubalowka and Giewont. This is the most popular resort in Poland and one of the most beautiful places due to its picturesque location. Zakopane has become a fashionable resort for artists, writers and musicians. You will see many beautiful wooden churches and chapels, each with its own history. The afternoon is free for shopping on the famous Krupowki Street where you will find folk art and crafts. Dinner this evening at a local restaurant with folk dances. Overnight at the 3 star Mercure Kasprowy hotel. Lunch is not included. (B, D)

Day 6 - Thursday - ZAKOPANE - WIELICZKA - WARSAW

Morning departure for Warsaw. Stop en route in Wieliczka to see the oldest salt mine in Europe and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Poland. Here you will see the gorgeous underground world of salt lakes, galleries and chapels created by many generations of Polish miners. See up to 20 excavated chambers on 3 levels, full of beautiful statues sculpted from salt as well as the Salt Works Museum. After a light lunch at a local inn in Wieliczka, continue driving to Warsaw arriving at the 4 star Best Western Mazurkas hotel for overnight. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Friday - WARSAW
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. (B)

° Air-conditioned motor coach services throughout

° Arrival and Departure Transfers

° 2 dinners at a local restaurants, 1 home-hosted dinner, 1 dinner at the hotel, 2 lunches at a local restaurant
° Cake & coffee/tea at famous “U Bliklego” coffee-shop in Warsaw
° Folklore show in Zakopane
° Chopin concert with glass of champagne

° English & Spanish speaking tour escort assistance throughout
° Obligatory local guides and entrance fees
° Sightseeing tours: Warsaw, Cracow & Zakopane including: Warsaw Royal Castle, Zelazowa Wola, Jasna Gora

   Sanctuary, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wadowice, Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral, Cracow St. Mary’s Church and

   Wieliczka Salt Mine
° Taxes and service charges