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SOLIDARITY
The New Poland
June 19 – 29, 2008

Heroic Character

After four decades of Soviet-dominated communist control, Poland rose up against its oppressors, beginning with a series of crippling strikes by workers at the Gdansk shipyards in 1980-1981. These events led to an agreement with authorities on the establishment of the Solidarnosc (Solidarity) trade union. The Soviets did not yet know it, but they had just sown the seeds of their own destruction within Poland. By the end of the decade, Solidarity had become the political embodiment of Polish nationalism.

     It was a very long time in coming. Ever since it was first settled in the Neolithic period, (4000 to 2000 B.C.), the region now known as Poland has seen other countries coveting it as prize to be won. Its prime location on the Baltic Sea to the north made it a desirable stop on maritime trading routes. By land, Poland provided easy access through the back door to the Russian states in the northeast, and to the rest of Eastern Europe in the south and southeast. For centuries, it has been fought over, conquered, controlled, divided, subdivided, obliterated as a political entity from the map, and nearly blasted to Kingdom Come during wartime.

     Following World War II, Poland had to contend with charges from the international community that it was anti-Semitic and had colluded with the Nazis. The truth of the matter is that few places in Europe suffered quite so harshly as Poland. The Nazis fired the first shots of World War II in Poland and used the country first as a staging ground for its offensive against Russia and then as repository for some of the most notorious concentration camps.

     In all, six million Poles (nearly 20% of the population) died during WW II, while the Nazis annihilated virtually all of Poland’s three million Jews in concentration camps. Anyone lucky enough to survive usually wound up serving as slave labor. When the Soviets arrived and pushed the Nazis out, they came not as liberators but as occupiers of a different sort.

     For nearly two decades now, Poland has been free from outside control and has gotten down to the business of rebuilding both its reputation and the physical landmarks of its long, rich history. Today, travelers admire the beauty of old cities like Krakow and the energetic vibe of a cosmopolitan metropolis like Warsaw. Nature provides a glorious array of wild scenery in national parks, nature reserves, mountains and lake districts. The country’s sad history is evident in the remains of Auschwitz and Birkenau.

     Show your solidarity with Poland’s great progress by joining Toto Tours as we journey to the New Poland for the very first time. This nation, risen from the ashes, still has a proud cultural heritage with strong traditions that will find their way into your heart.

Click here to view itinerary

2008 Solidarity Information

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)

Krakow: Sheraton Hotel

Lublin: Mercure Unia

Warsaw: Sheraton Hotel

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements—For U.S. Citizens a valid passport is the only document required to enter Poland, for stays less than 90 days.

Immunizations—No immunizations are currently required for travel to Poland, but it is wise to have your inoculations up-to-date. Is your tetanus booster current?

Exit Requirements—You must pay a departure tax equal to about $20 U.S. upon departure from the WarsawAirport (WAW airport code).

SUGGESTED VIEWING

Schindler’s List (1993)—filmed at Auschwitz, Krakow
Decalogue (1990)—a massive 10-hour TV miniseries filmed in Warsaw

WHAT TO BRING

In June the weather will be still fairly cool throughout Poland, with daily temperature ranging between 52 and 75 degrees F. You won’t need a suit jacket or tie, as the tour is informal and dinner attire will be nice casual. Try to pack light and bring only two small pieces of luggage. Pack for layering, and plan mix and match outfits! Pack any medications you require in a carry-on bag and leave expensive jewelry at home!

Suggested Packing List:

____ Passport

____ 5 pair long pants (mix blue jeans, cotton khakis or chinos)

____ 2 pair shorts for walking/hiking

____ Socks and underwear for 10 days

____ Light sweater and windbreaker

____ Inexpensive poncho for use in case of rain

____ Comfy walking / hiking shoes

____ Daypack or fanny pack

____ T-shirts (5 - 6)

____ Casual long-sleeved shirts (4 - 5)

____ Sleepwear (optional)

____ Sunscreen / lip balm / sunglasses

____ Personal toiletries

____ Swimsuit

____ Camera with extra batteries / plenty of film or digital memory

____ A good book for the long flights

MONEY MATTERS

The Zloty is the national currency of Poland (the code is PLN when looking up exchange rates), which is subdivided into 100 groszy. Notes are in denominations of PLN 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. The new coins are in denominations of PLN5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszy.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at all border crossing points, hotels and bureaux de change, some of which are open 24 hours. Cash can also be obtained from Visa credit cards at banks. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in larger establishments. As of May 31, 2007, the exchange rate was $1 U.S to 2.83 PLN.

RESERVATIONS

To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check. You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by March 31, 2008). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both the signed reservation form and your deposit check or credit card authorization.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500 maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.

LIABILITIES & DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
     We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Poland! We will provide the necessary forms upon receipt of your deposit, or you can apply online by following the link at the bottom of this page. You can also book your travel insurance with a phone call to Toto Tours.
     The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of ten participants.
     Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.

THE TOTO SPIRIT

Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified by certain traits. They are:

fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
eager to try new things & test limits;
punctual;
not whiners!

Start a Solidarity movement of your own by convincing a friend to join you on this tour of Poland! If you have any questions, please call toll-free: 800-565-1241.

THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)

Price: $2,895 double occupancy

Private Room: $800 extra, if available. (Not required. Toto Tours can match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone and prefer to share a room.)

Deposit: $500 (Due at time of registration for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)

Remaining Balance: $2,395 double / $3,195 single
(Assumes $500 deposit has already been made)

Remaining Balance Due: March 31, 2008
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)

Included: Nine nights hotel accommodations; one group airport transfer at the beginning and the end of the tour; Welcome Dinner; Farewell Dinner; meals, activities, and transportation as listed in the itinerary, fully guided and escorted tour.

Not Included: Round-trip air transportation to Krakow (KRK) and returning from Warsaw (WAW); meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers and guides not included.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow the link below or call us for more information.