Scenic Poland (Land Only)

DURATION: 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS ESCORTED
Warsaw • Czestochowa • Kracow • Zakopane • including 4 UNESCO Treasures

Saturday Day 1 WARSAW
Individual arrivals in Warsaw. Please proceed to the 5 star RADISSON SAS CENTRUM HOTEL for your 2 night stay. At 600 PM meet with your tour escort in the hotel lobby. Enjoy your evening Chopin concert in one of the historic buildings in Warsaw while listening to the most famous works of Frederic Chopin performed by one of the best pianists in a two part recital with a glass of wine being served during the intermission. Dinner will be provided at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for overnight. (D)

Sunday Day 2 WARSAW
After breakfast depart on a half day sightseeing tour of Warsaw featuring the highlights such as the Old Town, beautifully rebuilt after World War II with the impressive Royal Castle, the seat of the kings of Poland. It was here that the Third of May Constitution was promulgated in 1791. You will have a chance to admire some of the 300 rooms which have been carefully restored. 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 its 22 portraits of Polish kings and the ballroom, the most impressive of all of the castle chambers will also be seen. 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 you are invited for a home hosted dinner served by a young married couple of artists who will welcome you to their charming wooden cottage located at the Lowicz castle ruins. Meet with the family and enjoy typical Polish hospitality. There will also be an opportunity to see the regional paper cut-outs and to listen to a local folklore band. Return to the hotel for overnight. Lunch is not included. (B/D)

Monday Day 3 WARSAW/CZESTOCHOWA/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 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 concentration camp which stands as 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)

Tuesday Day 4 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 Stanislau 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 “Jana 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)

Wednesday Day 5 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)

Thursday Day 6 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)

Friday Day 7 WARSAW
The tour ends at the hotel after breakfast. Individual departure transfers. (B)

---

Scenic Poland (Land Only) 2009
Depart	Return	Cost (CDN)*
August 08, 2009	August 14, 2009	$1,587.00
September 05, 2009	September 11, 2009	$1,587.00
September 26, 2009	October 02, 2009	$1,587.00
Single Supplment $533.00 * Price in Cdn per person & double occupancy. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. would be happy to assist with securing airfares in conjunction with the above tour.

---

Booking Information and Conditions

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

• Air conditioned motorcoach throughout
• English speaking tour escort assistance throughout
• Local guides (where required) and entrance fees
• Six nights accommodation based on double occupancy based on 2 nights Warsaw, 2 nights Krakow, 1 night Zakopane and 1 night Warsaw at the end
• Breakfast daily
• 2 dinners in local restaurants, 1 home hosted dinner and 1 dinner in the hotel
• 1 lunch in a restaurant in Czestochowa and 1 light lunch in a local restaurant in Wieliczka
• Sightseeing tours – Warsaw, Krakow & Zakopane including Warsaw Royal Castle, Zelazowa Wola, Jasna Gora Monastery, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wadowice, Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral, St. Mary’s Church and Wieliczka Salt Mine
• Folklore show in Zakopane
• Coffee/tea and cake at the famous “U Bliklego” coffee shop in Warsaw
• Chopin concert with glass of champagne in Warsaw
• Local taxes and standard service charges

YOUR TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Airfare to and from Warsaw
• Departure taxes
• Documentation including passport fees and travel insurance
• Arrival and departure transfers in Warsaw – available on request
• Pre and post tour accommodation - additional pre tour nights in Warsaw at the 5 star Radisson SAS Centrum Hotel or post tour nights at the 4 star Best Western Mazurkas Hotel in Warsaw available on request
• Luggage handling at airports or hotels
• Meals and beverages not mentioned
• Optional tours
• Gratuities for individual services
• Tipping to tour director, driver and local guides

DEPOSIT & PAYMENT
A deposit in the amount of $600.00 Cdn. per person together with the single supplement and the insurance premium (if needed) is required at the time of booking. Written confirmation will be issued only after the deposit has been received. Should this deposit not reach us within 10 days of the booking, we will assume that you no longer wish to travel and will cancel any arrangements being held. The balance of payment is due 9 weeks prior to departure. Reservations received within 9 weeks prior to departure must be accompanied by full payment. Failure to comply with these provisions could result in the cancellation of the reservation by Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. without prior notice.

CANCELLATION CONDITIONS
All cancellations, changes or refund requests must be received in writing at the offices of Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. and shall be considered in effect as of the date received. Cancellation charges are per person and are based upon the date of the cancellation. Cancellation or changes made up to 90 days prior to departure will be subject to a penalty of $300.00 Cdn. per person. Those made between 89 and 60 days prior to departure will be subject to a penalty of $500.00 Cdn. per person. Between 59 and 30 days prior to departure, a penalty of 50% per person. Between 29 days and departure day, no refunds will be granted thereafter. Should a participant be unable to join the tour on the day of departure or leave the tour prior to its completion, no refunds will be granted for unused services. For those participants making their own connecting flights to coincide with the program, we suggest that ample time be allowed between flights. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. does not accept any responsibility for additional charges or expenses that result from a change of flight times or misconnections and no refunds will be issued for services not provided. No claim or refund will be considered unless submitted in writing and received by CTA within 30 days of the termination of the tour. Any substitution of a passenger(s) will be considered a cancellation of the original reservation and the applicable cancellation charges will apply. If you cancel your trip after receiving your final documents, please note that the complete set of final documents must be returned to Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. before we can process your request.

CANCELLATION BY CANADIAN TRAVEL ABROAD LTD.
We reserve the right to cancel a departure and offer an alternative departure should there be an insufficient number of participants to make the tour viable. Should the participant(s) elect not to travel on an alternative date, a full refund will be made. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. is not to be held responsible for any other individual arrangements affected by our tour cancellation.

ACCOMMODATION
Rooms with private facilities in hotels as indicated in the itinerary are assigned by local agencies. Should it become necessary, accommodation in similar categories may be substituted.

CHANGES
Once a booking has been confirmed, should a participant wish to change to an alternative departure or make changes to the reservation, a handling fee of $125.00 Cdn. per person would apply. NOTE: Changes or adjustments to a reservation will not be accepted within 28 days prior to departure. Should cancellation by one or more passengers change the room requirements of the remaining participant, the passenger must pay the applicable rate for the new accommodation to be required.

INSURANCE
Comprehensive trip cancellation insurance (to protect against loss of monies incurred through cancellation due to illness, etc.) as well as personal travel insurance for baggage and accident coverage is available through Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. and must be taken out at the time of booking with the premium being remitted with the deposit. Once paid, the premium is non refundable. A signed waiver will be required if insurance is declined.

BAGGAGE INSURANCE
Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. cannot be held responsible for damage to your baggage. It is recommended that each participant purchase baggage insurance to protect their belongings.

INSURANCE WAIVER
Insurance affords protection against penalties caused by cancellation of your trip due to injury, illness or death of a tour participant or a member of a participant’s immediate family. This insurance is underwritten by RBC.

COSTS
All costs quoted herein in Canadian dollars are per person and are based on tariffs, exchange rates and airfares (where applicable) in effect as of September 17th, 2008 and  are subject to change without prior notice. NOTE – There will be no refund provided for unused services.

INDIVIDUAL ARRANGEMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH A TOUR
For individual arrangements in conjunction with a tour, a non refundable booking fee of $50.00 Cdn. per person will apply.

GRATUITIES
While gratuities for services provided are customary including the end of tour gratuity for the tour escort and driver, the gratuities are not included in the cost of the tour and are based upon your satisfaction of the arrangements provided.

HOLIDAY CHANGES
During national or local holidays abroad, certain facilities such as museums and sightseeing tours may be limited. Where possible, slight itinerary adjustments may be made.

ITINERARY CHANGES
Your itinerary has been planned with the utmost care to ensure a pleasant trip. However, circumstances may arise whereby a slight change in the itinerary may be required due to business hours at a certain site. There will be no refund granted for any changes to the program.

MEALS
As specified in the itinerary. B = Breakfast, L= Lunch, D = Dinner. Meals are provided from a group menu.

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
Any physical disability requiring special attention or treatment must be reported when reservations are made. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd./and or their agents reserve the right to accept or retain any participant who may, in their sole judgement, require care and attention beyond that which can be provided. Please bring any health or mobility issues to our attention at the time of booking.

PORTERAGE
Each participant will be responsible for carrying their own luggage through customs. Since porters and/or luggage carts are not always readily available, you should be comfortable carrying your own luggage.

PRE OR POST TOUR ARRANGEMENTS
Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. would be happy to assist you should you wish to add additional arrangements to your tour program.

REFUNDS
There will not be any refunds granted on any unused portion of the tour not taken.

SIGHTSEEING
As indicated, including entrance fees to places of interest as well as the services of fully qualified local English speaking guides. The sequence of tours and the cities visited is subject to change where necessary.

SINGLE ROOMS
A limited number of single rooms may be available for an additional charge. In Europe, single rooms are generally much smaller than a double room. Single rooms are never guaranteed and are subject to availability.

SPECIAL REQUESTS
Must be placed in sufficient time and although Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. will do their utmost to accommodate these special requests, we cannot be held responsible if such requests are not fulfilled.

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
As indicated.

TAXES
All local taxes and standard service charges on accommodation and meals included in your tour price.

TOUR DOCUMENT DELIVERY
Travel documents are usually issued 21 days prior to departure provided that full payment has been received. In the event that late payment results in the late delivery of documents, Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. will not accept any responsibility for the consequences thereof and reserves the right to charge for courier expenses. Documents will be sent first class mail, however, should you prefer to have your documents sent by overnight courier, you will be advised of the additional charges which must be included with your final payment.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
All participants must be in possession of a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months after the duration of the tour and should have sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd.  cannot be held responsible should you be denied entry to any country due to non compliance of these arrangements. A copy of your valid passport is required to confirm any air reservations (if required). Due to increased security measures, passport information and emergency contact information is required for all passengers prior to the release of final documents.

TRAVELING ALONE, BUT WISHING TO SHARE
Tour participants traveling alone but wishing to share accommodation with a suitable roommate must pay the single supplement until such time as a roommate is found. The single supplement would then be refunded with the final documentation. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. cannot assume any responsibility should such an arrangement not be available or suitable.

VISAS
For participants holding passports other than Canadian, please check with your local travel agent regarding entry requirements for the country visited.

SPECIAL NOTE – The right is reserved to change or cancel the pre-arranged itineraries including designated hotels if reasons beyond our control arise. Pursuant to the Travel Industry Act Regulations if price changes cause an increase of over 7% of the confirmed price (except for government taxes) or there is a change in the standard of accommodation or a delay of over 24 hours in transport arrangements of which we become aware prior to departure, you will be notified and given 48 hours to advise us of your desire to cancel the tour with a full refund. Otherwise, you will be considered to have accepted the change(s).

 

OPERATORS RESPONSIBILITY
All arrangements for land accommodation, transportation and sightseeing are made by Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. and/or their appointed representatives, who act only as agents in obtaining transportation, accommodation and other services for the tour members. They shall not be liable or held responsible directly or indirectly for any delay, injury (including death) loss of damage to any person, company or association providing accommodation, transportation or other services in connection with the tour. The right is reserved to withdraw all or part of the tour should conditions warrant and to make such alterations in the itinerary as may be found desirable for the convenience of the tour members and the proper execution of the tour. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person(s) as member(s) of the tour in which case equitable refund will be made at the discretion of the operators.

 

E. & O.E.

VALIDITY: May 23, 2009 – October 02, 2009.

In accordance with the Ontario Travel Act, CTA is registered
(1040985 & 1039982).

W3C HTML 4.01 | CSS