Highlights of Poland (Premium)
11 Days from $2,550 per person
Poland today is probably Europe's best kept secret. Appreciate the wealth of medieval fairy tale cities and scenic wonders on this enthralling journey and enjoy the warm-hearted hospitality of the Polish people themselves.
Overview
Poland today is probably Europe's best kept secret. Appreciate the wealth of medieval fairy tale cities and scenic wonders on this enthralling journey and enjoy the warm-hearted hospitality of the Polish people themselves.
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Day 1: Your Journey Begins.
Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included). -
Day 2: Welcome to Kraków.
Transfers to your hotel depart Kraków airport at 10:30, 12:30 and 15:00. Meet your Travel Director at 16:30 for a walk around the Rynek Główny, Europe's largest and most beautiful town square. See the famous Sukiennice Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Church and the many historic townhouses, palaces and churches. Be sure to listen for the trumpeter's call! Later, enjoy getting to know your fellow guests over a fabulous Welcome Dinner.
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Day 3: The Damsels and Dragons of Kraków.
In the morning, why not discover the Wieliczka Salt Mine? Alternatively, relax until your ascent of Wawel Hill to see the Renaissance castle with a Local Expert. Then visit the cathedral, the final resting place of the Kings of Poland and the former seat of Archbishop Karol Wojtyła, later known to the world as Pope John Paul II. Head across the former Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz to Podgórze to see Ghetto Square. Visit Oskar Schindler's Factory Museum and gain a fascinating insight into his factory and the fate of its Jewish workforce in Nazi-occupied Poland. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps spend time browsing the shops for traditional folklore products? By night, don’t miss the chance of enjoying a Polka Party with dinner and wine.
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Day 4: Across the High Tatras Mountains to Zakopane.
Journey into the Tatras, the highest range of the Carpathian Mountains. Stay in the resort town of Zakopane, famous for its wooden houses and winter sports. Spend free time shopping for local specialties in the markets of Krupówki Street or ascend a nearby mountain for panoramic views across the Tatras into Slovakia. In the evening, enjoy a rousing Highlight Dinner accompanied by local Goral Highlander folklore entertainment.
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Day 5: Reflect on Auschwitz then on to Wrocław, the Venice of Poland.
Travelling past the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, your first stop will be the city of Oświęcim, better known throughout the world by its German name, Auschwitz. With a Local Expert, experience a moving visit to the memorial and museum of Auschwitz and a stop at Birkenau. Travel along the Oder River to the city of Wrocław, known in Polish as Miasto Spotkań or the meeting place. During its long history, Wrocław has belonged to Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia and Germany. See the brightly coloured facades of the noble mansions and the flower markets on the Plac Solny. Take in the Baroque splendor of the Rynek, and be introduced to Wrocław's cheeky gnomes. In the evening, perhaps take the opportunity to dine at one of Europe's oldest restaurants?
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Day 6: Poznań, Cradle of the Polish nation.
In the morning perhaps join a Local Expert to explore Wrocław's Old Town and ride a historic 1900s Breslauer tram? Journey to the region of Wielkopolska to meet a local resident of Poznań who knows every nook and cranny of the Old Town. After a pleasant walking tour, drive out to Ostrów Tumski, known as Cathedral Island. It's considered as the birthplace of Poland in the 10th century and is a fascinating place of legend, often overlooked by other visitors.
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Day 7: Toruń, the Gothic Glory on the Vistula and Gdańsk.
Stop at Gniezno to visit the cathedral and see the famous winged bronze doors. Then continue to Toruń, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1233 and birthplace of astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus. Join a Local Expert to discover this outstanding example of medieval architecture, now a living museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow the Vistula River north to the Baltic Sea and Gdańsk a beautiful seaside town, with a lovingly restored Old Town. As evening descends, a dinner of Baltic specialties is highly recommended, followed by a walk through Gdańsk's illuminated Old City.
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Day 8: The Baltic Belles of Gdańsk.
Spend the morning with a Local Expert. See the Westerplatte, scene of the first fighting between Polish and German troops in 1939, and the Gdańsk Shipyards where Lech Wałęsa formed the anti-Soviet Solidarność in 1980. Continue through the medieval city, where buildings date back to the time of the Hanseatic League. Enjoy a free afternoon and perhaps choose to visit the elegant seaside town of Sopot?
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Day 9: Malbork Castle and Warsaw.
With a Local Expert, visit the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, founded in 1274 by the Teutonic Knights on the banks of the Nogat River. The castle is a stunning example of a medieval fortress and the largest brick Gothic castle in the world. Next, travel south across the beautiful Masuria Lake District, passing Iława and on to the capital of Warsaw. With the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps attend an evening concert of Poland’s best-loved composer, Frédéric Chopin?
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Day 10: Exploring the Proud Polish Capital of Warsaw.
"See the Palace of Culture and the Chopin Monument in Łazienki Park with a Local Expert. Visit the Ghetto Heroes Monument and the Historical Museum, followed by a walk through Warsaw’s Old Town, entirely rebuilt since World War II. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Perhaps visit Wilanów Palace, once the home to Poland's most famous King Jan Sobieski III? At your Celebration Dinner, enjoy a fine selection of local dishes with wine at a cozy Warsaw restaurant.
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Day 11: Depart Warsaw.
Your tour comes to an end in the morning. Departure transfers arrive at Warsaw Airport at 07:30 & 10:00.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Aug 18 | 9 Sep 18 |
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$2,550pp | Call 1-877-622-9109 |
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $630 p.p.
Triple Room Discount $10 p.p.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $116 per person.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
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Personal Flight Options
INCLUDED QUALITY DINING
9 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 Dinners with Wine (DW) all with tea or coffee.
Signature Experiences
Kraków:
- The medieval heart of Kraków is rich in legend, a kind of Polish Camelot. Join your Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of
this historic Holy Grail. On top of Wawel Hill see the Renaissance castle and visit the cathedral. Cross the former Jewish Quarter of
Kazimierz to Podgórze and see the Ghetto Square and remains of the Ghetto Wall. - Visit Oskar Schindler's Factory Museum and gain an insight into the vital part he played, saving the lives of so many during the Nazi occupation.
Warsaw:
- Your Local Expert guides you through this fascinating city to see the Palace of Culture and the Chopin Monument in Łazienki
Park. Visit the Ghetto Heroes Monument and the Historical Museum and walk through the re-built Old Town, destroyed in World War II.
Auschwitz:
- Experience a powerful and moving visit, with a Local Expert, to the memorial and museum of Auschwitz and a stop at Birkenau, which bears witness to the terrible atrocities of the Holocaust.
Toruń:
- Led by your Local Expert, explore this outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1233 and
now a living museum.
Poznań:
- Meet a local resident of Poznań who will share their insights of local life as they walk you through the Old Town. Visit Ostrów
Tumski, Cathedral Island, the birthplace of Polish Catholicism and a fascinating place of legend often overlooked by other visitors.
Gdansk:
- Enjoy an exploration with your Local Expert. See the historical sights of Weterplatte and the Gdańsk Shipyards along with the
medieval city.
Malbork:
- Visit the 13th century fortified monastery belonging to the Teutonic Order and the largest Gothic brick castle in the world.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
Reviews
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
The currency in Poland is the Zloty (zł). While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive in Poland, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in Poland. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
Polish cuisine is rich, hearty, and heavy on the meat. Local dishes include Bigos (sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, onions and meat), kotlet schabowy (breaded pork cutlet) and klopsiki (meatloaf with tomato sauce). Poland’s faworki pastries (pastry twisters) and chocolates are definitely worth a try. Beer is becoming increasingly popular and of course there is vodka, which is served chilled before, during and after meals.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Keep in mind that your shoulders and knees should be covered while visiting religious sites. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
At restaurants in Poland it’s appropriate to leave up to 10 percent gratuity for good service. Try to have extra change handy as it is not common practice to add it to your credit card receipt.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Krakow
Salt Mines Excursion
Adult Price: € 54.00
A visit to the 600 year old salt mines on the outskirts of Krakow, where we view an underground world of chambers filled with absolutely unique salt sculptures, sculpted by the miners themselves (placed by UNESCO on the World Heritage list).
Krakow
Polish Karczma Dinner & Polka Party
Adult Price: € 59.00
Enjoy a generous selection of traditional Polish cuisine and drinks in the countryside outside Krakow. A local, beautifully-dressed folk group and live band will entertain you with songs and dances and you might even get to join them for a polka or two! Don't miss this enjoyable evening.
Zakopane
Treasures Of Zakopane
Adult Price: € 58.00
Join your local expert for a visit to the wooden shepherds' huts called ‘bacówka’ where the traditional sheep’s cheese ‘oscypek’ is made. This is followed by a tasty lunch in a mountain ranger restaurant and a delightful horse carriage ride through the Chocholowska Valley. Next visit the Papal sanctuary at Krzeptówki, the Old Church and nearby cemetery with its sorrowful Jesus and wooden statues. On the way back, travel through the Tatra National Park to experience the beautiful mountain panoramas and the famous Jaszczurówka Chapel.
Wroclaw
Historic Tramway Tour of Old Wroclaw
Adult Price: € 39.00
Join our local expert for a leisurely stroll through Wroclaw's old town to meet the Gnomes and see the highlights of Stare Miasto. Then, step back in time as you climb aboard to ride a historic early 1900’s Breslauer tram into the Wroclaw of the past. See the Ulica Świdnicka, the Jewish quarter, and the Ostrów Tumski Cathedral island. Finally, we'll cross the Oder river to see UNESCO-listed Centennial Hall and a performance of the musical fountains. A great way to enjoy this historic city!
Gdansk
Dinner In Gdansk
Adult Price: € 55.00
Enjoy a superb dinner of Baltic fish specialities (meat & vegetarian alternatives available) with all drinks included, followed by a walk through the illuminated Old City. During the late middle ages, Gdansk was one of the wealthiest ports of the powerful Hanseatic League and its fine buildings have been painstakingly rebuilt after the devastation of WWII.
Gdansk
Sopot By The Sea & Oliwa Organ Concert
Adult Price: € 35.00
Join our local expert for a relaxing trip to Sopot, Polands beach capital. Famous for its Art Nouveau cafes and grand turn of the century resorts, we'll enjoy a walk along the longest wooden pier in Europe, stretching into the Bay of Gdańsk. Then enjoy a performance of the famous Oliwa Cathedral Organ. Built between 1755 and 1780 by organ master Johann Wulf, the Oliwa Cathedral Organ was at the time the largest organ of its type in Europe. It features moving cherubs, trumpet-playing angels and has a staggering 7,896 pipes and 110 registers allowing for an incredible range of pitch and sounds including rippling water, animal cries and human voices; hear it for yourself to believe it!
Warsaw
Chopin Concert
Adult Price: € 46.00
The spirit of Warsaw and the music of Chopin go hand in hand. In a concert venue located in the centre of Warsaw, enjoy an exclusive private recital of his music performed by a celebrated Polish pianist. Champagne is served during the intermission.
Warsaw
Wilanów Palace
Adult Price: € 34.00
To the Polish people, Wilanów is more than just a palace – it's a national treasure, the embodiment of an era from which much has been lost. Join a local expert for a guided visit to the ‘Polish Versailles’. Walk within the baroque royal residence to admire the stunning collection of furniture, portraits and china which forms part of the National Museum.
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
