Journey into Polish History and Culture

We’ll start the day with a panoramic tour of WARSAW with a local guide. Home to nearly two million people, this political and economic hub of Poland boasts a blend of modern architecture and meticulously restored historic buildings. We’ll stroll through the charming old town, featuring many old buildings, the Royal Palace, and cobbled streets, all restored after their destruction in World War II and now declared a World Heritage Site. We’ll visit the Palace of Culture, a skyscraper gifted by the Soviet Union, reflect on the history of what was once the largest Jewish ghetto in Europe, and wander through Lazienki Park, home to the Chopin Monument.You’ll have free time in the afternoon to visit museums, such as the National Museum and the Warsaw Rising Museum, or to explore the lively city center filled with shops and activities.Note: Depending on the number of passengers, the city tour may be operated on a regular tourist service.

We’ll depart for the forested, hilly region of Lesser Poland, often known by its Polish name Małopolska. Our first stop will be in Kielce, a vibrant town founded in the 11th century, with an elegant center featuring its cathedral, bishop’s palace, and charming gardens. There will be time to explore the city and enjoy lunch. Traveling along smaller roads, allowing us to fully appreciate the villages and landscapes, we’ll continue travelling through Lesser Poland. We’ll discover the magnificent small town of Tarnow, founded in the 14th century, with its spacious central square, medieval streets, and Renaissance and Gothic architecture influenced by Polish, Jewish, and Hungarian cultures. Before World War II, nearly half of the city´s population was Jewish, and its ethnographic museum serves as a reminder of the Roma community, who were persecuted during the European conflict. We’ll then continue to Krakow, arriving in the late afternoon. We recommend taking a stroll through the lively Market Square.

We head south of the CZECH REPUBLIC to discover the landscapes of Bohemia. We visit České Budějovice, with its charming historic center, and then Český Krumlov, a medieval gem declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After free time, we return to PRAGUE, arriving in the mid-afternoon.In the morning we include a panoramic visit with a local guide in KRAKOW, the capital of “Little Poland,” founded in the 7th century, whose old town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During our visit, we will see, in addition to its beautiful medieval streets, the Market Square, one of the largest in Europe and the heart of the city, as well as Wawel Hill, the former residence of Polish kings.After lunchtime we travel to AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU, the former concentration camp that reminds us of dark moments in Europe’s history. We will visit Camp II, Birkenau, where trains arrived from all over Europe.Later in CZESTOCHOWA, we visit the Monastery of Jasna Góra, home to the Black Madonna, a highly frequented pilgrimage site.Arrival in WARSAW at the end of the afternoon.Note: Sometimes it can be difficult to obtain the required entry tickets for Auschwitz. In such cases, the program may be modified (usually by entering the concentration camp at a later hour and visiting Wadowice instead of Czestochowa).

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.