Poland...

SCENIC POLAND

Escorted motorcoach tour featuring the most interesting sites of Poland including four Unesco treasures.

Day 1                     SATURDAY, WARSAW (D)

Individual arrivals in Warsaw. A meeting with your tour escort at your hotel at 6:oo p.m. Dinner at the local restaurant. Enjoy your evening Chopin concert. You will listen to the most famous works of Frederic Chopin performed by the best pianist in a two-part recital with a glass of wine that will be served during the interval. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2                     SUNDAY, WARSAW (B/D)

A half day sightseeing tour of Warsaw including the city highlights, such as: the Old Town beautifully rebuilt after the WW II with the impressive Royal Castle, the seat of kings of Poland. It was where the 3rd Of May Constitution was promulgated in 1791, the second constitution, next to the US Constitution, ever in the world. You will admire some of its 300 rooms. All interiors where carefully restored and look like it was centuries ago. You can see there Canaletto Room with 23 paintings of his, Throne Room, magnificent Knight’s Hall with six large paintings by Marcello Bacciarelli, the Marble room with 22 portraits of Polish kings and the largest and most impressive of all the castle’s chambers, the Ballroom. 

 Short break for typical Polish doughnut [paczek] at the famous Warsaw's coffee shop "U Bliklego". Late afternoon drive to Żelazowa Wola, a birthplace of Frederic Chopin. Visit the interiors of the manor house, now a museum devoted to our great composer, where you will see memorabilia of Chopin and his family. Afterwards, we invite you for a home-hosted dinner served by the young couple of artists who will welcome you in their charming wooden cottage based of Lowicz castle ruins. Meet with their family and enjoy the typical Polish hospitality. You will also have a chance to see the regional paper cut-outs and listen to a folklore band.  

Day 3                     MONDAY, WARSAW � CZĘSTOCHOWA � OSWIECIM �KRAKOW (B/L)

A morning departure for Krakow. Drive to Czestochowa to visit the Jasna Gora Monastery, religious and spiritual center of Poland, place of many pilgrimages coming from all over the world to see the world famous Black Madonna Picture. You will also visit the Treasury Room with nice collection of many precious gifts given to the monastery. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Auschwitz to see the former Nazi concentration camp - the biggest factory of death in the history of humanity and a silent witness to human tragedy. Continue your drive to Krakow.  After arrival accommodation at the hotel.

Day 4                     TUESDAY, CRACOW (B)

A guided sightseeing tour of the ancient capital of Poland, a royal city on the Vistula lying at the foot of Wawel - a limestone hill on whose peak rise a splendid royal palace and the cathedral church of St. Waclaw and bishop Stanislaus. You will start with the Royal Castle and Cathedral on the Wawel Hill which were remodeled according to the new Renaissance taste in the beginning of the 16th century. It is the place where Polish kings were crowned and buried here.

Afterwards, drive to the Old Town with the Main Market Square with magnificent houses and palaces. In the middle of the square is the Cloth Hall built before 1349, but altered in 16th century with many shopping stalls inside.  Short break for a cake and coffee at the famous Cracow coffee shop "Jama Michalika', a place designed by local artists with beautiful glass-painted windows and interesting drawings. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 5                     WEDNESDAY, CRACOW � ZAKOPANE (B/D)

A morning departure for Zakopane.  A half day tour of Zakopane beautifully sited at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in the valley between Gubałówka and Giewont. It is the most popular resort in Poland and one of the most beautiful places owing to its picturesque location and find a spa architecture which blends in with the natural landscape and involves characteristic elements of the local building. Once a small mountain village Zakopane became fashionable winter resort for artists at the beginning of 20^th century. You will see many beautiful wooden churches and chapels. Afternoon on your own - time for shopping in the famous Krupowki street full of folk art and craft.  Dinner at a local restaurant with folklore dances. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6                     THURSDAY, ZAKOPANE � WIELICZKA �WARSAW (B/L/D)

A morning departure for Warsaw. En route stop in Wieliczka to see the oldest Salt Mine in Europe. Visit the unique underground world of salt lakes, chambers and chapels created by many generations of Polish miners.  We can see up to 20 excavated chambers on 3 levels, full of beautiful  statues sculpted from salt as well as sthe Salt Works Museum. Light lunch will be served at a local inn and continue your drive to Warsaw. After arrival check-in at the hotel. 

Day 7                     FRIDAY, WARSAW (B)

After breakfast departure transfers to the airport.

Guaranteed departure dates: 

MAY                                        20-26, 2006

JUNE                                       10-16, 2006

JUNE                                       24-30, 2006

JULY                                       15-21, 2006

AUGUST                                 05-11, 2006

AUGUST                                 19-25, 2006

SEPTEMBER                           02-08, 2006

SEPTEMBER                           23-29, 2006

RATES: PER PERSON DOUBLE SHARING: $1,125.00

Single supplement please add $330.00

This is a land only program. Please add international airfares.