|
 The holiday season is one of the most picturesque times of the year in Poland. Hand-carved wooden ornaments, festive wreaths, and aromatic candles line the booths of Christmas Markets. Heavenly scents of fresh-baked goods, gingerbread, cinnamon, sausages, and sweet roasted almonds waft through town squares, enveloping you with a sense of warm homey comforts as you stroll through, cradling a cup of hot mulled wine or cider.
Take advantage of the Euro's current low rates and great airfares for an affordable opportunity to see two of Poland's most vibrant destinations – Warsaw and Krakow – during this festive time of year. These magical cities will be dressed up in colorful lights, welcoming us to dive into their celebrations. Enjoy three nights in Warsaw plus three nights in Krakow, a guided tour of both cities plus a day trip to the Auschwitz and Birkenau Concentration Camps near Krakow, first class train travel between cities, and a special welcome dinner and farewell Christmas feast...
Warsaw Highlights:
• Historic Center of Warsaw *
• Lazienski Park
• Chopin Monuments
• Royal Castle
• Sigismund's Column
• Christmas Markets
• Barbican Fortification
Krakow Highlights:
• Krakow Old Town *
• Auschwitz & Birkenau concentration camps *
• Barbican Defensive Bastion
• 14th century Market Hall
• Royal Cathedral
• Wawel Castle
• Christmas Markets
* UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Day 0 - Monday, December 19, 2016
Arrange your international flight to leave your home city sometime today, arriving in Warsaw, Poland tomorrow. (Search for flights using the airport code: WAW). If you are not able to arrive by 3pm tomorrow, we suggest you plan to depart a day early, on Sunday, December 18th, and arrive on December 19. For those who wish to arrive a day early, please indicate this on your reservation form so that we can hold a room for you at our group hotel.
Day 1 - Tuesday, December 20, 2016
 Arrange your flight to arrive in Warsaw by mid-afternoon today. Collect your luggage, go through customs and exit to the taxi queue. The price of a taxi to our centrally located hotel is about 20 Zloty ($5) and takes less than 30 minutes. Late this afternoon, our group gathers for the first time in our hotel lobby and ventures out to explore the charming Old Town. Then we head to a restaurant near the historic quarter for our Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Warsaw.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Novotel Centrum Hotel, Warsaw, 4*
Day 2 - Wednesday, December 21, 2016
 After breakfast we take a 4-hour Warsaw highlights tour. 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. See the Royal Castle, visit Chopin Memorial Park containing a number of Warsaw palaces, make a photo stop at the Barbican Fortress, and view Sigismund's Column. The afternoon and evening are free for personal exploration. Overnight in Warsaw.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Novotel Centrum Hotel, Warsaw, 4*
Day 3 - Thursday, December 22, 2016
 Today is an entirely free day to explore in more depth some of the sights we saw yesterday afternoon, and to visit some of the city's excellent museums. Not to be missed is the excellent Chopin Museum and the Baroque splendor of St. Anne's Church. You may also want to venture to one of the Christmas markets either in the Old Town or in front of the Palace of Culture (not far from our hotel). It will put you in a festive mood, with street vendors, carol singers, and mulled wine. We will alert you in advance to any cultural concerts available. Overnight in Warsaw.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Novotel Centrum Hotel, Warsaw, 4*
Day 4 - Friday, December 23, 2016
 After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to Warszawa Centralna train station, the city's largest and most centrally located train station, to board our morning train to Krakow. We are met by our driver and English-speaking guide. Since hotel check-in is not available until 3:00 pm, we will take advantage of the motorcoach and embark on a Krakow highlights sightseeing tour.
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. Tour Wawel Castle and its State Rooms, visit the 14th century Cloth Hall and Market Square. The evening is free to relax or to visit the Christmas Market in the Old Town. Overnight in Krakow.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Galaxy Hotel, Krakow, 4*
Day 5 - Saturday, December 24, 2016
 This morning we drive to the west of the city to visit the notorious concentration camps of World War II. 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Galaxy Hotel, Krakow, 4*
Day 6 - Sunday, December 25, 2016
 Enjoy a leisurely morning at our hotel. Since today is Christmas, most shops will be closed and there will be a sense of tranquility in the usually bustling Old Town. A perfect time to soak up the historical atmosphere. The Christmas Market will be open today, as will other tourist-oriented venues. This evening we gather in the hotel bar for gifts and awards, followed by a glorious Christmas feast celebrating our time together in Poland's Winter Wonderland cities of Warsaw and Krakow.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Galaxy Hotel, Krakow, 4*
Day 7 - Monday, December 26, 2016
 The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. We will organize small group transfers to the airport by public taxis (optional). If you wish to extend your stay in Krakow, please let us know on your reservation form so that we can keep your room available for another night.
Meals: Breakfast
|
|
• 6 nights hotel accommodations:
- 3 nights at Novotel Centrum Hotel in Warsaw;
- 3 nights at Galaxy Hotel in Krakow
• Hotel breakfasts daily plus Welcome & Farewell Dinners;
• Ground transportation in climate controlled motorcoach;
• First class train travel between Krakow and Warsaw;
• Sightseeing activities and entrances as listed in the itinerary.
• This is a fully escorted tour, with guides added during tours.
• International airfare to Warsaw, Poland (WAW) and returning from Krakow, Poland (KRK);
• Hotel transfers;
• Ground transportation for sightseeing on your own (taxis, local guides, etc.);
• Meals and optional activities not specifically listed in the itinerary;
• Camera fees, laundry, telephone calls, faxes, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
• Alcoholic beverages;
• Travel Insurance;
• Alcoholic beverages;
• Tips to drivers and guides and other conveyance attendants are not included; tipping guidelines for our group tips will be provided prior to departure.
Novotel Centrum Hotel, Warsaw
 Offering panoramic views of Warsaw, the modern-looking Novotel Warszawa Centrum is located in central Warsaw, a 5-minute walk from the Central Railway Station. The hotel serves a varied breakfast. WiFi is offered throughout this 4-star hotel. All areas are non-smoking.
The air conditioned rooms at Novotel Warszawa Centrum come with a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee facilities, and a safe. There is a minibar at a surcharge.The rooms also have a work area and armchairs or a sofa. All feature a spacious bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer.
 Novotel's air conditioned restaurant and bar, NOVO2, serves international dishes and a wide variety of drinks. Front desk staff is available 24 hours a day. The hotel also offers a Wellness Centre with a sauna and a wide choice of fitness equipment. It is located on the top floor, where guest can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Polish capital.
Novotel Centrum is situated opposite the Palace of Culture and Science. Guests can enjoy good transport connections, with the Centrum Metro Station and many bus and tram stops only steps away.
Galaxy Hotel, Krakow
 Located over the Vistula River, in Kraków's Podgórze district, the luxurious Galaxy Hotel offers a spa centre. The rooms feature an LCD TV with satellite channels.
The rooms at the Galaxy come with tea and coffee facilities and a large work desk. All are modernly furnished and air-conditioned. The elegant bathroom is fitted with a hairdryer.
 The price of all rooms includes access to the hot tub, saunas, swimming pool, fitness centre. The spa offers a wide range of beauty and relaxation treatments. Guests have access to a computer with a printer and an internet connection in the lobby.
Galaxy Hotel is situated just 10 minutes' walk from the Kazimierz Jewish District, full of atmospheric pubs and cafés. The walk to the Main Market Square takes only 25 minutes, while the Wawel Castle is 20 minutes' walk away from the hotel.
Entry Requirements
For U.S. Citizens a valid passport is the only document required to enter Poland for stays of up to 60 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
There is currently no separate departure tax required of visitors leaving Poland other than that included with the cost of your airline ticket.
What to Bring
In December, average daily temperatures in Krakow and Warsaw range from a low of 25 degrees F to a high of 35 degrees F, and both cities almost always have snow on the ground at Christmas. You won't need a suit jacket or tie, as the tour is informal and dinner attire will be casual, but you will want nice outfits for concerts and the Christmas Dinner. We'll be touring and outdoors for extended periods of time, so winter gear is essential. Try to pack light and bring only one piece of luggage plus your carry-on. You should be able to carry whatever you bring, as we won't have porters getting on and off the train. Create mix and match outfits, and think about layering! Pack any medications you require in a carry-on bag and leave expensive jewelry at home.
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 January 5 2016, the exchange rate was $1 U.S to 3.99 PLN.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory in Poland, but it is recommended for good service. We will offer a group tip to guides and drivers, and more details will be provided before departure.
Travel Insurance
We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Poland.
|
|
