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Poland

Code: LE02EE
From: 1990.- EUR

DAY 1:

LONDON - WROCLAW

We pick you up at your selected hotel in London and drive you to the airport from where we take a flight to the city of Wroclaw, the central town of Silesia. You meet your DG at the airport, board your maxi-van and start this expedition. The first stop is in Wroclaw. Dinner and overnight in Wroclaw.

DAY 2:

WROCLAW

Breakfast. The cultural capital of otherwise industrial Silesia was returned to Poland after WWII. in a sorry state. But everything around the old market square Rynek has been beautifully restored and today it is a lively university town with a beautiful Town hall and several other interesting sights - namely the charming Botanical Gardens. Overnight in Wroclaw.

DAY 3:

CZESTOHOWA - OJCOWSKI NP - KRAKOW

Breakfast. Early in the morning we drive to the major pilgrimage center in Poland - the monastery of Jasna Gora where the most important icon of the catholic faith in Poland is kept - the Black Madonna. In the afternoon we hit the back roads and drive over the limestone plateau of Ojcow National Park on the so-called Eagles' Nests trail of castle ruins, outcrops of limestone and even Bledowski "mini desert". Before the evening we arrive to Krakow and check in the hotel in the city. Overnight in Krakow.

DAY 4 & DAY 5 & DAY 6:

KRAKOW & SURROUNDINGS

Breakfast. The next three days are dedicated to this extraordinary town. We stroll around the compact city center between the Wawel hill with the imposing castle and one of the largest and most beautiful Market squares anywhere with Cloth Hall, City Hall Tower and the church of St. Mary. On one of the days we visit a Wielizcka Salt mine - the two hour visit takes us to the underground chambers, saline lakes and sculptures and chandeliers. For those who wish, we can visit the infamous Nazi camp of Auschwitz. The third day is a full day excursion to the mountains where we can take a raft ride on the river Dunajec and visit the winter resort Zakopane and some beautiful rural architecture like a wooden gothic church in Debno. Overnights in Krakow.

DAY 7:

KAZIMIERZ DOLNY - LUBLIN

Breakfast. We leave Krakow behind and drive towards the eastern border and close to Ukraine and Belarus. We pass some interesting sights along the way, most importantly when we cross the mighty river Wisla - a delightful little town Kazimierz Dolny which is a holiday resort for artist. In the afternoon we arrive to Lublin, the largest city in southeastern Poland and the center of academic life. The most important sights are the Cracow Gate and Lublin Castle. Overnight in the Lublin area.

DAY 8 & DAY 9:

WARSAW

Breakfast. It is time to visit the capital of Poland. We arrive in time to do the panoramic orientation drive around this cosmopolitan city. Then we head to the Old town and to the completely restored Castle square with Royal Castle, a Cathedral and more churches. In the evening we stroll the Old town Square. On the next day we visit the New town and drive along the Royal Way. Those who wish can take the elevator to the top of the famous russian skyscraper - the Palace of Culture and Science or visit the former Jewish Ghetto with a vast Cemetary and Historical Institute. Overnights in Warsaw.

DAY 10:

PLOCK - TORUN

Breakfast. Our expedition continues to the west where we make a stop at the little village Zelazowa wola, where Frederic Chopin was born. His house is now a museum - a traditional gentle-folk country house. We continue our journey along the Wisla river, driving by the forner seat of the polish kings Plock, where we make a short stop. In the late afternoon we arrive to the University city of Torun. We take an evening stroll around the evocative old center, which miraculously escaped the ravages of recurrent wars. This is also a birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, whose house is still standing and it is turned into a lovely museum. Overnight in Torun.

DAY 11:

MALBORK - GDANSK

Breakfast. The first stop of today's expedition will be the mighty Teutonic Knight's Castle - Malnork. In the 14C this order has established their own independent state and this was their capital. In the afternoon we arrive to the old wealthy hanseatic port of Gdansk. Overnight in the Gdansk.

DAY 12:

GDANSK

Breakfast. The nicest part of this city is of course the Old town, with its tall narrow buildings, all made of brick. There is also the largest brick church in the world - St. Mary. But it is the overall feeling which makes it the most charming baltic town for many people. Dinner and overnight in Gdansk.

DAY 13:

GDANSK - LONDON

Breakfast. Driving to the airport from where we will fly to London. End of our expedition.