DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Poland
Depart for Poland

DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Warsaw
Arrive in Warsaw, Poland's capital and cultural center, and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM followed by dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Monday - Warsaw City Tour
This morning, the tour of Warsaw includes both banks of the Vistula River. Visit Lazienki Park, one of the jewels of the city, to view the Chopin Monument. Travel along the Royal Route, lined with historic monuments and residences, toward the Warsaw Ghetto. Stop at the inspiring memorial commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Walk through the cobbled streets of the Old Town to Market Square and view the Cathedral of St. John and the Royal Castle. The balance of the day is at leisure, or join the optional tour to Wilanow Palace*. Situated just outside of Warsaw, this former summer residence of the Polish kings was built at the end of the 17th century for King Jan Sobieski III. The tour of the palace makes Polish history come alive. Later in the afternoon, attend an optional Chopin Recital, a piano recital of Chopin's most favorite works performed in a stunning setting. Enjoy a glass of champagne during intermission*Be advised that you might not be able to book this optional tour locally due to limited ticket availability.
Optional: Wilanow Palace (PM)
Optional: Chopin Recital (PM)
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Tuesday - Marienburg Castle, Drive to Gdansk
Travel north toward the Baltic Sea and enjoy the picturesque scenery. En route, stop in the town of Malbork, home to the red brick Marienburg (Malbork) Castle, one of the largest Gothic castles in the world and a classic medieval fortress. It was founded in 1274 by the Knights of the Teutonic Order and is located on the bank of the river Nogat. Continue to Gdansk, Poland's principal seaport, renowned for its shipyards and industrial heritage. The city is the home of Solidarity, the worker's movement which started the country's breakaway from the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Tonight after dinner, perhaps begin independently exploring the Old Town (Stare Miasto) with a leisurely stroll
Overnight: Gdansk
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Wednesday - Gdansk City Tour
During this morning's city tour, learn of Gdansk's trading past as one of the great ports of the Hanseatic League and discover the medieval town's gabled buildings and city gates. See the Main City Hall, now serving as a Museum of History, Neptune fountain, and St. Mary's Church, the third largest brick church in the world. The remainder of the day is on your own to sample local delicacies and shop for high quality Baltic amber items and souvenirs
Overnight: Gdansk
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Thursday - Visit Medieval Torun, Travel to Wroclaw
Depart Gdansk for enchanting Torun, located on the Vistula River, one of the "Seven Wonders of Poland." Torun was founded by the Teutonic Knights and served as a trade centre for the Hanseatic League. The Old Town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Europe. During the guided tour, view the house where the Renaissance astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was born. Continue your visit through the cobbled streets of Old Town (Starówka). Don't forget to taste Torun's famous pierniki (gingerbread). Afterward, travel to Wroclaw, a culturally diverse city, having absorbed Bohemian, Austrian, and Prussian influences. This city has a turbulent history, occupied by many rulers, kings, and emperors. Today, Wroclaw flourishes with scenic waterways, attractive buildings, bridges, and parks. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Wroclaw
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Friday - City Tour of Wroclaw
Begin your day with a visit to the Panorama of the Battle of Raclawice. This monumental cycloramic painting depicts the Battle of Raclawice during the Kosciuszko Uprising, one of the few preserved relics of the 19th-century mass culture genre, and the oldest in Poland. Continue with a guided tour of the city, including Market Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Poland. In the evening, perhaps check out Piwnica Swidnicka, Wroclaw's famous beer cellar
Overnight: Wroclaw
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Saturday - Jasna Gora Monastery, Travel to Krakow
Depart Wroclaw and travel to Czestochowa, known for the famous Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora*, home of the Black Madonna painting, a shrine to the Virgin Mary. The shrine is said to have miraculous powers and draws millions of pilgrims from all over the world every year. After the visit, continue to Krakow, a former residence of the Polish kings. Tonight, perhaps join the optional festive dinner with a show of traditional Polish entertainment*On Aug 15, the shrine will be very crowded and viewing of the Black Madonna painting will be from afar.
Optional: Polish Folklore Dinner & Show (PM)
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Sunday - Krakow City Tour & Auschwitz
This morning's tour of medieval Krakow begins at the 16th century Wawel Royal Castle District. Continue to the former Jewish district, home to ancient synagogues and the main square of the former ghetto. View the remaining walls of the ghetto and visit the Ghetto Heroes Square to view the Jewish Ghetto Memorial, called "The Lonely Chairs." Continue to the Old Town and the lively Market Square. Stop at St. Mary's Church, with its brick tower overlooking the square, and the Renaissance Cloth Hall where traders offer a variety of wares as their predecessors did many generations ago. This afternoon, journey to the town of Oswiecim where the Nazis built Auschwitz, their largest concentration and death camp. After an introduction and historic film, the solemn visit includes a guided tour of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp Museum. Stop at the former Birkenau Extermination Camp before returning to Krakow
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Monday - Full Day in Krakow
Today spend a full day at leisure, or join the optional tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. The mine's historical importance, as well as the works of art carved into the walls by miners, have earned the Wieliczka Salt Mine a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. Tonight at dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: Wieliczka Salt Mine (AM)
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Tuesday - Depart Poland
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast