Poland
In spite of a turbulent history and the dramatic changes shaping Polish society today, Poles have vigorously maintained a distinct sense of culture and community. It is the homeland of Chopin, Pope John Paul II and Lech Walesa, leader of the 'Solidarity' movement which shook the entire communist system and changed the shape of Central Europe in recent years.

TREASURES OF POLAND

An introduction to Poland's history, painstakingly restored old town centres, Royal Castles, and open and hospitable people.

Tour Highlights Warsaw Royal Castle and Palaces • Wieliczka Salt Mine • Krakow Old Town • Wawel Hill Cathedral • Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau

DAY 1 ARRIVE AT WARSAW
Today we will fly from the UK direct to Warsaw, we shall be met by your tour guide and a coach from the airport, that will take you to your accommodation for check in and some time to relax. You will then travel by coach for an escorted orientation tour of the city. Tonight your evening meal will be at an atmospheric Old Town restaurant. After dinner your coach will transfer you to your hotel.

DAY 2 WARSAW
Today we will find out about the history of Poland ‘s tragic days of Warsaw during WW II showing a documentary “Warsaw Remains” at the Warsaw Historical Museum. The Old Town, Royal Castle and Palaces have all been lovingly reconstructed after the painting of the great 17th century Venetian artist, Canaletto, who was fascinated with the beauty of Warsaw. We will take a guided walk through the lovely Old Town, where our sightseeing tour will involve visits to the Market Square, St. John's Cathedral - venue of the coronations of Polish Kings - enclosed by Baroque style houses, and the Royal Castle. This evening a Guest Lecturer will present an overview of Polish history throughout the 20th century.

DAY 3 WARSAW, KRAKOW, WIELICZKA
This morning En route to Krakow visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a world-class tourist attraction. Over 700 years, many generations of Polish miners created the underground world, exceptional in its beauty, with the rich interior decoration of the chapels, the original linings of the galleries and workings, and the underground salt lakes. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is on the List of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites. Transfer to Krakow, formerly Poland’s capital, a cradle of Polish culture, famous for its priceless, historical monuments of art and architecture where legends, history and modernity intertwine. Check in to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

DAY 4 KRAKOW
Today we will get acquainted with Krakow, which retains the largest concentration in Poland of historical monuments and cultural treasures, and was named the European City of Culture, 2000. We will stroll around the Old Town with a local guide. Continue to Wawel Hill included on UNESCO List, with its Castle and Cathedral where Poland’s kings were once crowned. The highlights are the Royal Chambers restored in their original Renaissance and Baroque style and the most valuable items – the magnificent 16th century Flemish tapestries, probably the largest collection of its kind in Europe. At the Wawel Cathedral the pearl of the Renaissance is the Sigismund Chapel. We will stroll around Kazimierz, a former Jewish district town with its own Market Square and Town Hall as well as thriving culture. We will visit the renovated Tempel Synagogue, decorated with stuccoes, paintings and stained glass and the Remuh Synagogue with adjoining 16th century, Renaissance cemetery. The wealth of artistic forms, rich floral and animal decoration of the gravestones and sarcophagus is of a particular interest. For the rest of the day we will have free time to explore Krakow and do some shopping. This evening a Guest Lecturer will give a fascinating and insightful talk on Poland and the Holocaust.

DAY 5 KRAKOW, AUSCHWITZ - BIRKENAU
We start the morning with a coach excursion to the concentration camp at Auschwitz and Auschwitz- Birkenau. All over the world, Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a symbol of the Holocaust. It was established by the Nazis in 1940, in the suburbs of the city of Auschwitz, which like other parts of Poland was occupied during the Second World War. The name of the city of Oswiecim was changed to Auschwitz, which became the name of the camp as well. This grim reminder of Nazi terror, “Death factory” with crematoria, Auschwitz – now Museum of Martyrdom – consists of brick barracks with tons of hair, shoes, glasses and other belongings of victims. In Birkenau there are remains of hectares of wooden barracks and gas chambers. The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
Once we arrive back in Krakow you have free time to explore the Old Town of Krakow and do some shopping.

DAY 6 DEPART BACK TO UK
After breakfast you will have some time for further sightseeing or shopping before transferring to Krakow airport for the return flight back to London.

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