ITINERARY
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Travel Day / Bound for Krakow
Arrange your international flight to leave your home city sometime today, arriving in Krakow, Poland tomorrow morning. (Search for flights using the airport code: KRK) As with most of our international tours, we recommend that you consider arriving one day early to get over jet lag. We will be happy to reserve an additional night at our group hotel if you decide to arrive in Krakow early.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Arrival in Krakow/ Welcome Dinner
Because we are not flying as a group, we will scheduled one airport pick-up at the Krakow International Airport, timed to accommodate the greatest number of arriving tour participants. Please try to arrive no later than 4:00pm. If you arrive at a time when it is not convenient to utilize our group transfer, we will provide tips on the best way to get to the hotel by public transportation.
After checking in at our hotel the afternoon is at leisure. This evening we gather in the hotel for a welcome cocktail, with introductions all around. Afterwards, Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at a local Restaurant. (Welcome Dinner included)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Krakow Sightseeing
After a hot buffet breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Krakow’s major sites. Krakow is one of Poland’s oldest cities, dating back to the 7th century, and it is the only one whose old architecture survived World War II intact. No other city captures its intriguing past like Krakow, with the Old Town encompassing Gothic church towers and an imposing castle.
Our tour includes a view of the Barbakan defensive bastion, a visit to the 14th century market hall (still in operation), St. Mary’s (containing the best example of 14th century gothic art in its huge alterpiece), the Royal Cathedral which served as the coronation and burial place of Polish royalty, and Wawel Castle to see 16th century Flemish tapestries and other works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free. (Breakfast)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Auschwitz & Birkenau
This morning we drive to the west of the city to visit the notorious concentration camps. Oswiecim, more familiar by its German name “Auschwitz”, was originally established as a barracks to hold Polish political prisoners, but with Hitler’s encroachment in the country, the camp developed into the largest center for the extermination of European Jews. The second camp, Birkenau, was largely destroyed by the retreating Nazis at the end of the war, but the size of the place is staggering with barbed wire enclosures stretching off to the horizon almost as far as the eye can see. We return to Krakow in the afternoon and the remainder of the day is free. (Breakfast)
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wieliczka Salt Mines
Today’s adventure finds us journeying outside the city to visit the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines. This eerie world of underground pits and chambers was hand carved from solid salt. We take a lift down and back, and enjoy a guided tour by a miner.
The highlight of the tour will be the Chapel of St. Kinga, a massive underground temple carved out over the course of 30 years. Every feature, from chandeliers to altar pieces, is made from salt. We enjoy lunch together, then return to Krakow where the remainder of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sandomierz / Lublin
This morning we depart Krakow for the medieval town of Lublin. En route, we stop for lunch in the town of Sandomierz, an extraordinary medieval center dating back to the 10th century. Arriving in Lublin, enjoy a guided city tour. Part of the afternoon will be spent making a panoramic walking tour through the old town with a photo stop at Lublin Castle. Dinner is included this evening at our hotel. (All Meals)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Zamosc
Enjoy a full day excursion to the town of Zamosc, founded at the end of the 16th century and once an important center on the trade route linking Northern and Western Europe to the Black Sea. Its Old Town has recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Our excursion includes is a guided panoramic walking tour of the Old Town, with entrance to the Zamoyski Palace. Take time to explore the town and enjoy lunch on your own. In the afternoon, we return to Lublin for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Zelazowa Wola / Warsaw
Our journey takes us to Warsaw today. En route, we stop to stretch our legs and enjoy free time for lunch at Zelazowa Wola. The town is known for its picturesque landscape with numerous winding streams surrounded by willows and hillocks. More importantly, it was the birthplace of a Polish national icon—composer Frederic Chopin.
Following a lunch break, take a guided city tour on foot, including entrance to Chopin’s birthplace and the surrounding park. Continuing on to Warsaw, we check in at our hotel by late afternoon and the evening is at leisure. (Breakfast)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Warsaw Sightseeing
Take a guided sightseeing tour of Warsaw this morning. Nearly bombed to rubble in World War II, the city has been almost entirely rebuilt, which accounts for modern architecture having struck an uneasy truce with the more classic lines of the restored landmarks. The driving portion of the tour will pass the Palace of Culture and Science as well as the Barbakan. Then we disembark for a panoramic walking tour of the Old Town, the Royal Way, including entrance to the Royal Castle. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day is free. Tonight will be a good time to venture out to sample gay nightlife in Poland! (Breakfast)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today is entirely free to explore Warsaw in more depth and see the places that interest you most. Tonight we celebrate the strength of our group solidarity, forged during our adventures in Poland, with a Farewell Dinner hosted by Toto Tours at a local restaurant. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast. Arrange your international flight to depart at any convenient time today. We provide one group transfer to the airport, scheduled to accommodate the greatest number of departing tour participants. If this transfer does not meet your needs, we will assist you in arranging a private transfer by taxi to the airport. (Breakfast)
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