Welcome to Warsaw! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink at the hotel
Royal Ceremonies Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour to get you acquainted with Warsaw, Poland’s capital city. Visit the medieval Stare Miasto (Old Town) and see the Cathedral of St. John. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to explore more of the city. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITIONS Explore the historic city of Warsaw where you’ll see the medieval old town and the impressive 14th-century Cathedral of St. John. The Cathedral has witnessed coronations of Polish kings, royal weddings, and funerals throughout Polish history. During World War II it suffered heavy damage as it was in the midst of the Warsaw uprising
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Polish Treasures Depart Warsaw and drive to Poznan, one of Poland’s oldest cities. Follow your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour that includes the city’s main monuments, plus an inside visit to St. Peter & Paul’s Cathedral. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM The university town of Poznań sits on the Warta River with beautiful Renaissance-style buildings in its Old Market Square. Every day at noon, visitors are amused by the Town Hall clock, featuring mechanical goats who butt heads!
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Legends & Landmarks This morning, drive to the vibrant and colorful city of Wroclaw, beautifully reflected in the waters of the Oder River. Join your Local Guide to learn about the city’s turbulent history and see its main landmarks including Market Square with the elegant townhouses, Gothic Old Town Hall, and astronomical clock. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LITTLE FOLK While strolling through the streets and squares of Wroclaw, keep an eye out for the local Krasnoludek — miniature, mythological gnomes that are common in many Polish folk tales. While small in stature, these 800 or so unique bronze sculptures are impishly scattered throughout the city as symbols of the 1980s communist resistance
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
The Shining Mountain En route to Czestochowa stop in Opole, one of Poland’s oldest towns. Enjoy some free time to browse the historic center, perhaps check out one of the museums, stroll along the streets and squares, and sample local specialties. Arrive in Czestochowa, the most popular pilgrimage site in Poland, and visit the Monastery of Jasna Góra famous for its Black Madonna. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE Founded in the 13th century, the city of Czestochowa merged with Jasna Góra (meaning “Shining Mountain”). Here, the beautiful Jasna Góra monastery is a global pilgrimage site, home to stunning frescoes and the famed painting, Our Lady of Czestochowa – also known as the Black Madonna
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
History Lessons Depart Czestochowa and travel to Auschwitz/Birkenau for a moving guided visit of both former concentration camp sites. See the ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ gates and other haunting reminders of the atrocities that took place here. Later, continue to Krakow. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NEVER FORGET A visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau is a sobering and moving experience; a chilling reminder of an era in human history we shall never forget. This opportunity to see the sites where so many lives were affected by the cruelty of the Third Reich during WWII is an unforgettable lesson in history and a cautionary tale for the future. In fact, the subject of the Holocaust is a mandatory part of German school curriculum, with almost all students having visited a camp or memorial
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Heroic Figures Today, meet your Local Guide for the city sightseeing tour which comprises a walking tour of the Kazimierz, the Old Jewish Quarter, visit the Remuh Synagogue and take an orientation drive with a photo stop at Wavel Castle and a visit of St. Mary’s Church. Enjoy a half day at leisure to explore more of Krakow. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Since its beginnings in the 7th century, Krakow has been a vital cultural city. The whole of Krakow was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its incredible history and ancient architecture which remained virtually unscathed before its liberation from World War II. Today, you’ll revel in its large market square, vibrant streets, historic sites, and restaurants
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Return to Warsaw Today, travel back to Warsaw. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in the city before joining your travel companions this evening for a farewell dinner in the hotel. (B,D)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE of Warsaw this afternoon with time to linger in the center; perhaps take a stroll along the Nowy Świat (New World Street), or admire the local architecture, from the world’s narrowest house (careful you don’t miss it!) to the imposing Soviet-era Palace of Culture and Science with its panoramic observation deck, alternatively, visit a museum or purchase some last minute gifts
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Safe Travels Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
