The Experience

Poland’s location is at a geographic crossroads of Europe that links the forests of northwestern Europe to Atlantic Ocean sea-lanes to the Russian steppes. This makes this unique country a special destination where western and eastern cultures mix to create a truly unique experience for you.

On your Avanti Destinations Krakow and Warsaw complete vacation, you’ll experience both modern Poland and the history of a people and culture that has maintained a proud cultural and national identity despite a tumultuous 20th century.

Includes:

• 3 nights each in Krakow & Warsaw hotels
• City tours Private Transfers
• Daily breakfast
• 1st class rail with seat reservations from Krakow to Warsaw

Day 1 – Krakow:
Arrive in Krakow, the pearl of Poland, with a private transfer to your. Krakow, formerly the royal capital, is a beautiful medieval city with Old Town and Wawel Hill listed as UNESCO1. World Heritage sites. While Krakow was the home of the late Pope John Paul II, it also is home of the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz with its wealth of Jewish heritage, plus a 16th century cemetery, and seven synagogues, one of which houses the Jewish Museum and so much more of historical and cultural importance.

Days 2 & 3 – Krakow:
After your included breakfast, you will be picked up in your hotel lobby for a four-hour city motor coach tour with English speaking guide for an orientation to the city and an introduction to the city’s main sites. Some sites you will see includes the Florianska Gate, the 13th century Cloth Hall, Saint Mary’s Church (dating to 1221), and the 14th century Town Hall Tower and Market Square. Return to hotel at end of tour. Then with one and one half days on your own, you have plenty of time to explore Krakow or you can add options tours or excursions from Avanti to such sites as:

Wieliczka Salt Mines ,“ tour a labyrinth of galleries and caverns with sculptures all carved in rock salt.

Auschwitz-Birkenau ,“ a moving experience at one of the most recognized concentration camps, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 4 – Krakow to Warsaw:
After breakfast, a private car and driver whisks you to the train station for your comfortable 2½-hour journey to Warsaw to be met by your driver on the train platform for a private transfer to your hotel for two nights. While much of Warsaw, today’s capital of Poland, was destroyed during World War II, the Old Town and the Royal Castle were rebuilt, and are now on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List.

Days 5 & 6 – Warsaw:
After breakfast depart on a 4-hour (with hotel pick up) to see Old Town with Market Square, St. John’s Cathedral, Barbican and Castle Square, and the King Sigismund Waza Column, with a photo stop at Parliament and a visit to Lazienki Park and the Palace on the Water, Chopin’s Monument, and the Belvedere Palace. Return to your hotel at end of tour. You’ll discover a Warsaw that is a lively arts center and Poland’s cultural capital, with world-class theaters, cinemas, museums and galleries to contribute to your rich, high-quality experience.

A few to consider: the National Museum, Royal Castle, Zacheta Gallery, and National Opera. Of the many optional Avanti excursions we offer in Warsaw, we highly recommend a visit to:

Treblinka: A memorial to over 800,000 undesirables, from across Europe who were put to death in the Nazi gas chambers. Daily, lasts 5 hours with pick up and return to your hotel.

Day 7 – Warsaw:
Your personal Krakow – Warsaw experience concludes with your private transfer to the airport for your flight home with a lifetime of wonderful memories to keep and cherish.