For
centuries Poland has played a vital role in the growth
of European history and culture. Its contribution is
evident from the many sons and daughters of this beautiful
country. These include individuals like Frederic Chopin,
Nicolaus Copernicus, Karol Szymanowski, Krzysztof Penderecki,
Jan Matejko, Pope John Paul II etc. With this rich
history, Poland hosts 13 UNESCO recognized World Heritage
Sites – and in this tour, The Heritage Of Poland,
we visit 6 of the most well known sites.
Day 01 Friday: Arrive Warsaw
Upon arrival in the historical city of Warsaw, we
are warmly received and transferred to our hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Warsaw is a delightful
city with friendly people and this is a good opportunity
to browse the Old Town with its beautiful architecture.
Overnight: Hotel “Mercure”, Warsaw
(2 nights)
Day 02 Saturday: Warsaw
Morning we take a typical European style tour – walking
tour of this historical city to include the
Old Town, Royal Castle and Square with King Sigismund
III Vasa Column, St John’s Cathedral, the Old Town
Market Square and the imposing Barbican building of the
Grand Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the Tomb of an
Unknown Solider.
The Royal Castle - from the early 17th century until
the late 18th century was the seat of the Kings of Poland.
Erected in place of the former castle of the Dukes of
Mazovia Province. After the capital had been transferred
from Krakow to Warsaw, the castle became also the seat
of legislative and executive authorities and was the
scene of many important events of the Polish history.
Afternoon is free at leisure. This evening we are entertained
at welcome dinner at a local restaurant known for it’s
delicious Polish cuisine. (B, D)
Day
03 Sunday: Warsaw / Tricity Our morning tour starts with an exploration of the Warsaw
Old Town. We explore this World Heritage Site with its
majestic Market Square, St. John's Cathedral, Barbican
and Castle Square with King Sigismund Waza Column. We
then drive along the Royal Route: Krakowskie Przedmie_cie,
Nowy _wiat and Aleje Ujazdowskie, with its numerous churches
(Holy Cross Church where Chopin's heart is kept in the
pillar), monuments, historic buildings and palaces -
many of them now housing embassies and ministries. Walking
through Lazienki Park with its famous Palace on the Water
we see one of the last 18th century court theatres in
Europe in Old Orangery, Chopin's monument and the Belvedere
Palace. Later in the afternoon we drive to Tricity (Gdansk,
Sopot, Gdynia)
Overnight: Hotel “Gdynia”, Gdynia (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day 04 Monday: Gdansk / Gdynia
Gdansk was once known as Danzig – a name etched
deep in European history. It is a major harbor, first
German, then Hanseatic, Polish, Prussian, Free City and
finally Polish. Desired by many, the city was often fought
over. Indeed, it was in the nearby Westerplatte that
heard the first shots fired in 1939 leading to World
War II. Late in the 1970s the city’s Lenin Shipyard
saw the birth of the Solidarity Trade Union that made
Lech Walesa a household name and began the process of
transformation across the entire region. Gdansk has not
forgotten its history. The lovingly restored buildings
of the Old Town and waterfront provide picturesque and
interesting surroundings. The Gdansk area is as varied
and eternally fascinating as the sea that brought its
fame and fortune. We have time to take a stroll, dine
or shop for the city’s famous amber jewelry. We
will also have a sightseeing tour of Gdynia and the harbour. (B, D)
Day 05 Tuesday: Malbork / Torun / Poznan (drive)
A short scenic drive gets us to Malbork where the largest
Teutonic castle in Europe is located. Malbork (Marienburg)
was seat of Teutonic Order Grand Master of the 13th C
and an outstanding example of a medieval defensive construction.
The fortification consists of three parts: Lower Castle
(armory, chapel, Gothic houses), Middle Castle (guest
apartments, hospital, knights' chamber, Grand Master's
apartments) and High Castle (treasury, sleeping rooms,
refectory, convent room). We see the unique Gothic ornaments
and smart traps, which Teutonic brothers created to “get
rid of” inconvenient guests and members. Another
unique site of medieval heritage is the town Centre of
Torun . Torun is one of the most magnificent historic
cities in Poland besides being the birthplace of Copernicus,
the well-known Polish astronomer. Its Old Town has been
included in the UNESCO list thanks to the most impressive
13th century Town Hall, superb churches and streets uncovering
Torun’s past glory. After touring Torun we continue
to Poznan.
Overnight: Hotel “Novotel Centrum” or “Polonez”,
Poznan (1 night) (B, D)
Day
06 Wednesday: Poznan / Wroclaw (drive)
This morning, after a short visit to Poznan’s old
Market Square and downtown, we continue to Wroclaw. Here
we tour Ostrow Tumski – the oldest part of Wroclaw
including the Old Town Centre and the famous Aula Leopoldina
at the University of Wroclaw.
Overnight: Park Plaza Hotel, Wroclaw (1 night) (B, D)
Day 07: Thursday: Wroclaw / Czestochowa / Auschwitz
/ Krakow (drive)
Another day into history, as we drive to Czestochowa
- one of the most important sites in the Christian world
and often referred to as the Religious Capital of Poland.
Millions of pilgrims from all over the world come here
every year to pray at the miraculous Black Madonna Shrine.
Historians date the shrine to the 14th century; however
legend has it that it was painted by Saint Luke on a
piece of wood from the table used by Virgin Mary in Nazareth.
Now the famous icon is a part of the Baroque altar. The
altar is opened twice a day with organ music accompaniment.
The painting is covered with precious decoration, forming
royal gowns for Virgin Mary and her Child.
Later today we depart , to visit the former Nazi concentration
camp Auschwitz. A grim reminder of Nazi terror and holocaust,
the "death factory" now Museum of Martyrdom
consists of brick barracks filled with hair, shoes, glasses
and other belongings of victims. Close to Auschwitz,in
Birkenau we see hectares of wooden barracks and gas chambers.
Later we continue for the beautiful city of Kraków.
Overnight: Hotel “Cracovia”, Krakow
(2 nights) (B, D)
Day 08 Friday: Krakow
We begin our tour today with Krakow Old Town and Florianska
Gate, built around 1300. Today the area resembles an
open-air art gallery, with numerous paintings and watercolors
displayed for sale by local artists. Housed in the 13th
century Cloth Hall is the largest collection of Polish
paintings. Saint Mary's Church, dating back to 1221,
is an interesting piece of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque
architecture. Collegium Maius with Gothic arcades, expanded
in Renaissance style, was home to Jagiellonian University,
the second oldest university in Central Europe. The Czartoryski
Museum collection contains two of the most precious paintings
in Poland: "Lady with an Ermine" by Leonardo
da Vinci and "Good Samaritan" by Rembrandt.
We continue to see another of Poland’s World Heritage
Sites, the Wawel Castle. This Gothic royal castle was
built on the remains of the 10th century settlement and
extended in Renaissance style in the 16th century. Magnificent
Renaissance interiors contain numerous paintings, furniture
and national memorabilia. Collection of famous "Wawel
Tapestries" designed and made in Flandre, especially
for Wawel interiors, is truly unique. In the afternoon
we visit the historical and interesting Wieliczka Salt
Mine is a unique world-class attraction, included in
the UNESCO "Human Heritage" List. According
to legend the salt resources were brought here from Hungary
by the “Blessed Kinga”, who married a Pole
and dropped a ring down the Hungarian salt mine shaft
to say "farewell" to her homeland. Salt reserves
were soon discovered in Wieliczka. When excavation started,
Kinga's ring was found in the first salt lump. A tour
of the Mine includes beautiful chapels sculpted in salt
- at a depth of 250m below ground level. (B, D)
Day 09 Saturday: Krakow / Departure
After a journey into the heritage of Poland, we are transferred
to Krakow Airport for our departure flight. This is
an ideal opportunity to join one of Bestway’s tours
to other countries in the region. Please ask for details. (B)
Departure Dates
2008 English Speaking Departures Jun 20, Jul 04 & 19, Aug 01,
08, 15 & 23,
Sep 05
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes
Tour Price Does Not Include
Hotels as per itinerary
All transfers & tours with private transportation (minivan or minibus)
Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner)
Entrance fees to all Sites and Museums
Services of English Speaking local guide and escort
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate.
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast
CA $ 1400
USA - West Coast
US $ 1200
Canada - East Coast
CA $ 1200
USA - East Coast
US $ 1000
Participants
This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants
and average 20 participants
Notes
Customised Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.
THE
HERITAGE OF POLAND
Day 01 Friday: Arrive Warsaw 
Day 04 Monday: Gdansk / Gdynia 
Day 08 Friday: Krakow 
