Poland with Luxury & Style (13 Days): Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-P-13-8-21-10-RAIJ
DAY
1: Arrive Gdansk, POLAND
You are met on arrival and taken to your hotel in Old Town. This
afternoon your city tour includes the key historic landmarks
including the splendid interiors of the gothic Town Hall, Artus
Court a decorative mansion, and St. Mary’s Basilica, the largest
gothic church in Poland.
►Suggested hotel:
Radisson Blu, Gdansk
DAY 2: Gdansk’s Tri-Cities, POLAND
The Tri-Cities are Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot, together the country’s
biggest industrial, academic and cultural center, with more than
1,000 years of history. You visit Westerplatte Peninsula, site of
the start of WWII, and the Monument of Solidarity, along with the
impressive Oliwa’s Cathedral. See the Gdansk Shipyard and the young
port of Gdynia, where you visit an amber polishing workshop to learn
the history and polishing process of these gems called the “Gold of
the North.” After a traditional lunch with local vodka, the rest of
your day is at leisure.
►Suggested hotel:
Radisson Blu, Gdansk
DAY 3: Malbork to Warsaw, POLAND
This morning depart for Malbork Castle, one of the largest gothic
fortresses in Europe. After your tour, continue to Warsaw, arriving
by late afternoon. The capital of Poland, Warsaw is an active and
attractive city with a rich history and cultural life.
►Some suggested Warsaw hotels (in alphabetical order): Le Meridien Bristol, Warsaw (V) Le
Regina, Warsaw (V)
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 4: Warsaw, POLAND
Today’s city tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site includes its
Old Town, completely rebuilt after WWII, the Jewish Ghetto and the
elegant Royal Route with the Palace on the Water in Lazienki
Gardens. Stand on the observation deck of the huge socialist Palace
of Culture, and visit the new Warsaw Rising Museum.
►For Warsaw hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 5: Zelazowa Wola & Czestochowa to Krakow, POLAND
Enjoy the scenic drive through the Mazovia region to Zelazowa Wola,
the birthplace of Polish composer Frederic Chopin. Explore the
museum home of this national hero, before continuing south to
Czestochowa. Here you tour the 15th century gothic Jasna Gora
Monastery, a cherished pilgrimage site and home of the miraculous
Black Madonna Icon. Arrive in the ancient city of Krakow by early
evening.
►Suggested hotel: Hotel Stary, Krakow
DAY 6: Krakow & Auschwitz, POLAND
This morning travel aboard a private horse-drawn carriage for a tour
of beautiful and medieval Krakow. Visit Wawel Royal Castle, which
houses a priceless collection of ornamental Arras and Renaissance
Gobelin tapestries. Explore Market Square, the biggest medieval
square in Europe, with the gothic St. Mary’s Church and the yellow
Sukiennice Cloth Hall with its 13th century market stalls. This
afternoon make the solemn journey to visit the impressive Holocaust
Memorial at the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration amps.
►Suggested hotel: Hotel Stary, Krako
DAY 7: Wieliczka Salt Mine, POLAND
Your morning is at leisure to relax or explore delightful Krakow. In
the afternoon, take a drive to the amazing Wieliczka Salt Mines.
Created in the Middle Ages, these mines are a labyrinth of almost
200 miles of underground chambers and galleries with lakes, chapels
and intricate salt sculptures. Today a UNESCO World Heritage site,
you can explore part of the mine caverns including the incredible
Chapel of St. Kinga.
►Suggested hotel: Hotel Stary, Krakow
DAY 8: Zakopane & the Tatras, POLAND
Drive out to Poland’s winter capital, the mountain resort of
Zakopane. Celebrated for its unique wooden architecture, you'll see
the Old Cemetery, and stroll 19th century Koscieliska Street,
Krakow’s Market Square with its plethora of wooden sculptures,
handicrafts and unique highland cheese shops. Have a lunch of local
specialities, with time left for relaxing in the town, a carriage
ride or visit to the local ethnographic museum. Enjoy captivating
views of the Tatras Mountains on your ride back to Krakow.
►Suggested hotel: Hotel Stary, Krakow
DAY 9: Wroclaw to Karpniki, POLAND
Today drive west into castle-filled Lower Silesia, an area that has
been under the control of Poles, Czechs, Austrians, Hungarians and
Germans. Stop in the scenic medieval city of Wroclaw - Set along the
Odra River, the city is cut into 12 islands by the river’s
tributaries and countless canals. Your fascinating walking tour of
the city center and the gothic island of Ostrów Tumski, includes the
Old Town Market and some of the most beautiful sacral architecture
in Europe. Take a relaxing riverboat cruise to get a different
perspective of this unique city. Your afternoon drive ends at your
19th century former Prussian mansion accommodations in the Jelenia
Gora Valley near Karpniki.
►Suggested hotel: Oak Manor in Karpniki
DAY 10: Karpacz, POLAND
Today explore the beauty of the Jelenia Gora Valley as you make your
way to Karpacz, a mountain resort. Visit the Wang Temple, a 12th
century Scandinavian-style church built in Norway, then delicately
moved to Karpacz in the 10th century by command of Countess
Fryderyce von Reden. Explore the Karkonoski National Park and the
Kamienczyk waterfall en route back to your luxurious hotel.
►Suggested hotel: Oak Manor in Karpniki
DAY 11: Jawor, Boleslawiec & Kliczków, POLAND
Today’s excursion takes you first to see the elaborately carved 17th
century wooden Church of Peace in Jawor. Next, visit the colorful
displays at the Borowski Glass Studio and workshops, before
continuing to the ceramics center of Boleslawiec, to tour a working
ceramics factory. Relax with lunch in beautiful Kliczkow Castle to
learn more about the noble history of Poland’s unique Lower Silesia
region. Enjoy some time relaxing at your hotel this afternoon.
►Suggested hotel: Oak Manor in Karpniki
DAY 12: Karpniki to Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
This morning depart for a relaxing drive across the border into the
Czech Republic and to Prague. In the afternoon, your sightseeing
tour includes the highlights of this city of bridges, cathedrals,
gold- plated towers and church domes. See the medieval Charles
Bridge adorned with baroque statues of thirty saints, Wensceslas
Square, the Gothic Town Hall with its astronomical clock, St.
Nicholas Church, and Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in
the world.
►Some suggested Prague hotels (in alphabetical order): Four Seasons Hotel Prague (V) Hotel Aria Mandarin Oriental, Prague (V) Rocco Forte Augustine Hotel, Prague (V)
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 13: Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
Today you are taken to the airport for your flight home or on to
your next destination.