Explore Wild and Multicultural Poland
Arrival. Meeting your tour leader, your personal Poland travel expert. Transfer to hotel. Evening stroll in the Old Town listed on UNESCO World Heritage List after reconstruction from the rubble of World War II. We visit Old Town Market Square with the Monument of the Warsaw Mermaid, St. John’s Archcathedral, see the Royal Castle, Barbican and defensive walls.
Day 2 • Warsaw
The day starts with visit to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, which is a giant unique multimedia exhibition newly opened in 2013. It shows 1000 years’ history of Polish Jews – from the Middle Ages until today. In the afternoon we travel to the Royal Łazienki Park to have a walk through romantic park complex, Warsaw’s most attractive green area and a magnificent Palace on the Water.
Day 3 • Warsaw – Grabarka – Białowieża Forest
After breakfast we travel to Białowieża Forest which is the last and largest remaining parts of natural virgin forest in Europe (on UNESCO World Heritage List). On our way we stop at Grabarka – one of the most important pilgrimages places for Orthodox in Poland surrounded by plenty of votive crosses. Then in Białowieża Forest we take a stroll through forest preserve to see bisons, lynx, wild boars, wolves and almost 500 years old oak trees. Nature lovers will certainly never forget the experience. In the evening multicultural dinner comprises forest products.
Day 4 • Białowieża Forest – Białystok – Tykocin – The Great Masurian Lake district
After breakfast we have a ride in horse-drawn carriages or handcars (small railroad car propelled by hand) to see the most untouched landscapes in Białowieża National Park. After that we head to north-east Poland called “land of a thousand storks”. We have a stopover in Białystok to see Baroque Branicki Palace and the city, where Ludwik Zamenhof - the creator of the Esperanto language was born and spent his childhood. Then we go to Tykocin, a picturesque town with one of the best renovated synagogues in Poland. After sightseeing dinner with Jewish cuisine and transfer to The Great Masurian Lake district.
Day 5 • The Great Masurian Lake district – Olsztyn
The day starts with a canoeing on the Krutynia river, which is the most fabulous waterway in Poland, also well known in Europe. The route runs in the procted area of Masurian Landscape Park. The canoeing takes approx. 4 hours. After that we head to Olsztyn. In the evening we have a stroll through the old city and see the castle where Nicolaus Copernicus, the great astronomer who stopped the Sun and moved the Earth, worked and watched the sky.
Day 6 • Olsztyn – Elbląg – Malbork – Gdańsk
After breakfast we travel to the Elbląg Canal, which was built in 19th century to connect Masurian Great Lake district with the Baltic Sea. It is the worldwide class monument of hydro- -technical engineering. We take a half day ship cruise to see the unique canal system consisting of slides and locks. On our way we will ship on water as well as on grass. Then we go to Malbork to visit the largest medieval castle in Europe. Built in the late 13th century, as Marienburg, to serve as the residence of the Grand Masters of the Knights of the Teutonic Order. This imposing red-brick fortress consists in fact of three castles and is rightly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After sightseeing transfer to Gdańsk.
Day 7 • Gdańsk
After breakfast, on the way to the Old Town of Gdańsk, we stop at the famous Gdańsk Shipyard, the birthplace of the Solidarity movement led by Lech Wałęsa and see the European Solidarity Centre. Gdańsk’s past as the richest Polish port city has made it one of the top tourist destinations in Poland. Its Old Town is full of maritime atmosphere and packed with unique Hanseatic-style architecture. Think Amsterdam; tall and slim red-brick waterfront houses. Explore St. Mary’s church, climb to the top of the tower and see the magnificent view of the whole city. We visit Long Street and Long Market the Neptune Fountain and the Artus Court.
Day 8 • Sopot – Warsaw
After breakfast transfer to Sopot - the most popular Polish seaside spa and resort, known for being the ‘Monte Carlo’ of the Baltic. We have a stroll on the longest wooden pier in Europe. After, we take you to Oliwa with a beautiful 13th century cathedral famous for its set of incredible pipe-organs. Then transfer to Warsaw Chopin Airport.
package rate from 455 €*
* per person in twin/double, with minimum 40 persons, price includes: accommodation in 3* hotels on HB basis, coach transfers as per program, local English/German speaking guide, price does not include: flight tickets, travel insurance, entrance fees (approx. 100 EUR), other meals and beverages. Remark: this quote is subject to availability based on the final dates of the tour and needs to be confirmed.
