Poland In Style

Itinerary

• Poland

  Poland is bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea to the north. The establishment of a Polish state is often identified with the adoption of Christianity by its ruler Mieszko I in 966 when the state covered territory similar to that of present-day Poland. Poland became a kingdom in 1025, and in 1569 it cemented a long association with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania by uniting to form the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Commonwealth collapsed in 1795, and its territory was partitioned among Prussia, Russia, and Austria. Poland regained its independence in 1918 after World War I but lost it again in World War II, occupied by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Poland lost over six million citizens in World War II, and emerged several years later as a socialist republic within the Eastern Bloc under strong Soviet influence. In 1989 communist rule was overthrown and Poland became what is constitutionally known as the "Third Polish Republic". Tourism is centered primarily in Warsaw and Krakow.

• Gdansk

  Gdansk is the fourth-largest metropolitan area and Poland's principal seaport. The city lies on the southern edge of the Baltic Sea. This gives the city a unique advantage as the center of Poland's sea trade. Together with the nearby port of Gdynia, Gdansk is also an important industrial center. Historically an important seaport and shipbuilding center, Gdansk was a member of the Hanseatic League. The city was the birthplace of the Solidarity movement which, under the leadership of Gdansk political activist Lech Walesa, played a major role in bringing an end to communist rule across Central Europe.

• Krakow

  Kraków is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. It has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural and artistic life and is one of Poland's most important economic centres. After the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany at the start of World War II, Kraków was turned into the capital of Germany's General Government. The Jewish population of the city was moved into a walled zone known as the Kraków Ghetto, from which they were sent to extermination camps such as Auschwitz and the concentration camp at Plaszów. In 1978, UNESCO placed Kraków on the list of World Heritage Sites.

• Warsaw

  Warsaw (Poland’s capital and largest city), was almost completely destroyed during World War II. Following massive and painstaking reconstruction, Warsaw’s Old Town (Stare Miasto) on the west bank was authentically reconstructed from original plans and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the most notable landmarks of the Old Town are the Royal Castle, King Zygmunt's Column, Market Square, and the Barbican. The Polish capital plays an important role in the country’s cultural life, and now features over 20 museums. One of the best is the Warsaw Historical Museum, which traces Warsaw’s history and shows films shot by the Nazis showing their systematic destruction of the city. In 2004,

• • Gdansk
  • Mercure Hevelius

  Day 1: Gdansk

  Avail of an airport transfer with a private vehicle and driver in Gdansk.

  A welcome package with your vouchers, train tickets (if applicable), a city map and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

  Accommodation: Mercure Hevelius (4*)

  Hotel Mercure Hevelius (4*) is situated in the centre of Gdansk, at the edge of the Old Town, a few minutes walk away from the railway station, with direct connection to the Gdansk Trójmiasto Airport. The view to be admired from the hotel extends to the picturesque Old Town or famous Gdansk Shipyard.

• • Oliwa Cathedral

  Day 2: Gdansk

  Enjoy a tour in the city of Gdansk featuring the Historical Museum with enlightening and grandiose exhibits and the famous Red Room – once the main council chamber of the city. Continue to the Oliwa Cathedral a 13th century building with splendid organs. Conclude your tour with Sopot Pier. Entrance fees are included in the price.

  Accommodation: Mercure Hevelius (4*)
• • Warsaw
  • The Royal Castle
  • Polonia Palace (4*)

  Day 3: Gdansk - Warsaw

  Meet your driver for a private train station transfer in Gdansk today.

  Train transfer to Warsaw.  The trains run throughout the day.

  Meet your driver for a private train station transfer.

  Tour Warsaw, Poland’s capital and largest city, seat of the president, government and parliament, the country’s commercial centre. A city with a stormy history, including the march of Napoleon’s army, national uprisings and tsarist repressions, and the Second World War, all had their imprints yet didn't stop its development. Learn about life during the Warsaw Uprising and under communism, about business centres and issues that absorb the attention of Warsaw’s citizens today. Listen to legends from the old times, learn about elections of Polish kings and the secrets of enclosed courtyards of Varsovian houses, uncover the former location of a mausoleum of a Russian tsar, learn what is original housing and what was rebuilt 70 years ago, and find where the Warsaw Pact was signed. The sightseeing route leads through the pictureque Old Town, restored after being completely destroyed during WWII, a UNESCO Heritage sight. Visit the Old Town Market Square, the New Town, the Barbican, St John’s Cathedral and the Royal Castle. Visit the Saxon Gardens with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the imposing Palace of Culture and Science. Observe the Great Theatre with its interesting Apollonian Quadriga and stroll along the Royal Route to the Holy Cross Church.

  Accommodation: Polonia Palace (4*)

  Polonia Palace (4*) is a stylish and elegant luxury hotel, located in downtown Warsaw. As the leading and most prestigious Grand Hotel in Warsaw since 1913, it is superbly located facing the Palace of Culture and Science, business districts and shopping areas. After its recent renovation, the hotel blends a revitalized sense of charming history with state-of-the-art facilities. Enjoy a comfortable stay in one of the splendid guest rooms and dine at the elegant Strauss Restaurant before sipping on a delectable cocktail at the trendy Bojangles Bar & Lounge. Check out the state-of-the-art fitness room, including two saunas, and relax both your mind and body as you truly get the most out of your stay at the beautiful Polonia Palace Hotel.

• • Royal Castle

  Day 4: Warsaw

  Enjoy a private, half day tour to the Royal castle in the company of local guide with private transportation. The Royal Castle was the seat of the Mazovian Princes, residence of the Polish kings, seat of the Senate, and the place where the Polish Constitution was signed. The site is a symbol of Polish statehood, where many historic events took place, including the passing of the first Polish constitution on 1791. The castle dates back to the 13th century, though it owes its current shape to the early Baroque period. Sigismund Tower, 60m tall and crowned with a high cupola, dominates over the façade. Enjoy a tour of the castle which showcases its magnificant interiors: the Court rooms, the Parliamentary rooms and the Royal appartments. Numerous paintings displayed include portraits of Polish monarchs and the works of Canaletto.

  Accommodation: Polonia Palace (4*)
• • Saint Mary's church
  • Wavel Castle
  • Amadeus Hotel Krakow

  Day 5: Warsaw - Krakow

  Meet your driver for a private train station transfer.

  Take the train to Krakow.  Trains run roughly every hour.

  Meet your driver for a private train station transfer today.

  Krakow, A beautiful medieval city, draws its identity from the multicultural heritage: it is associated with the late John Paul 2nd, hosting Jewish music festival, and having a huge student population, making it a vibrant city all year round. The tour will start at the Market Square, one of the biggest in Europe, a reminder of the power and wealth of medieval Krakow. The 13th century Cloth hall, rebuilt in Renaissance style, houses collection of Polish paintings and handicrafts. Saint Mary's Basilica, dating 1221, boasts a 15th century precious altar. Collegium Maius with Gothic arcades, expanded in Renaissance style, was home to Jagiellonian University, the second oldest university in Central Europe. Visit Czartoryski Museum collection, which contains Da Vinci and Rembrandt paintings among others. Continue to Wawel Hill. This Gothic Royal Castle was built on the remains of a 10th century settlement. 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. Famous Sigismund Chapel with gold-plated dome is one of them. Cathedral is also a necropolis of Polish Kings, Dukes and noble citizens, buried in numerous crypts, sarcophaguses, tombs and chapels. A walk down the river concludes the tour, and leads to a limestone cave, shelter of a legendary dragon.

  Accommodation: Amadeus (4*)

  This Mozart-inspired hotel is in a historic 16th century townhouse, next to Rynek Glowny (Market Square) in Krakow’s Old Town. Amadeus (4*) features 20 guestrooms and two suites, all of which include Baroque decor with period-inspired furnishings, cable/satellite TV, telephones, air conditioning, and Internet access, Minibar, Wake-up calls, Housekeeping, Hair dryer, In-room safe, Window opens, Iron/ironing board (on request) and Smoking rooms.

• • Barbed wire fence at Auschwitz

  Day 6: Krakow

  Auschwitz has become one of the symbols of civilisation and 20th century history. Visiting Auschwitz is a deeply personal experience, since the place shows expressively the anatomy of evil, both the obvious along with the hidden, everyday evil. It was the largest Nazi extermination camp, and site of the biggest genocide. The area is well preserved and nowadays it houses the Holocaust Museum, listed as being UNESCO Heritage site. The tour will include a 15-minute documentary movie serving as an introduction, then a visit to the brick-mortar barracks in Auschwitz I, and the extensive area of the large wooden extermination camp at Auschwitz II – Birkenau.

  Accommodation: Amadeus (4*)
• • Wieliczka Salt Mine

  Day 7: Krakow

  Wieliczka Salt Mine is a unique attraction, included in the UNESCO "Human Heritage" List. The Mines, a fascinating monument of engineering dates back to the 13th century. The subterranean universe is comprised of over 300 km of galleries hewn in rock and salt deposits. The tour of the Mine includes visit to the beautiful chapels sculpted in salt, spacious chambers, crystal grottoes and underground ponds, all at the average depth of 250 m below ground level.

  Accommodation: Amadeus (4*)

• Day 8: Krakow

  Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Krakow international airport - end of itinerary.

Accommodation

• • Mercure Hevelius

  Mercure Hevelius (4*)

  Hotel Mercure Hevelius (4*) is situated in the centre of Gdansk, at the edge of the Old Town, a few minutes walk away from the railway station, with direct connection to the Gdansk Trójmiasto Airport. The view to be admired from the hotel extends to the picturesque Old Town or famous Gdansk Shipyard.

  • More information
• • Polonia Palace (4*)
  • Polonia Palace - Lobby

  Polonia Palace (4*)

  Polonia Palace (4*) is a stylish and elegant luxury hotel, located in downtown Warsaw. As the leading and most prestigious Grand Hotel in Warsaw since 1913, it is superbly located facing the Palace of Culture and Science, business districts and shopping areas. After its recent renovation, the hotel blends a revitalized sense of charming history with state-of-the-art facilities. Enjoy a comfortable stay in one of the splendid guest rooms and dine at the elegant Strauss Restaurant before sipping on a delectable cocktail at the trendy Bojangles Bar & Lounge. Check out the state-of-the-art fitness room, including two saunas, and relax both your mind and body as you truly get the most out of your stay at the beautiful Polonia Palace Hotel.

  • More information
• • Amadeus Hotel Krakow

  Amadeus (4*)

  This Mozart-inspired hotel is in a historic 16th century townhouse, next to Rynek Glowny (Market Square) in Krakow’s Old Town. Amadeus (4*) features 20 guestrooms and two suites, all of which include Baroque decor with period-inspired furnishings, cable/satellite TV, telephones, air conditioning, and Internet access, Minibar, Wake-up calls, Housekeeping, Hair dryer, In-room safe, Window opens, Iron/ironing board (on request) and Smoking rooms.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
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  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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