Sample Itinerary
Poland - Krakow and the High Tatra Mountains
Two of Poland's most spectacular sites are brought together in this holiday of contrasts. The medieval city of Krakow is combined with Zakopane, set amidst the spectacular Tatra Mountains.7 to 10 days
Spring, Summer, Autumn
2 to 5 star
Arrival in Krakow, Poland:
Poland's cultural capital is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In the Middle Ages, Krakow's walls had 55 defensive towers. The 14th century main gate survives and is the starting point of the "Royal Road", which ends at Wawel Castle, and passes by the Town Square, St. Mary's Basilica and the Ctartoryski Museum. They claim the museum contains fragments from the grave of Romeo and Juliet, as well as the chair Shakespeare sat on to write about them!
Day trip to Auschwitz:
From June 14th, 1940 until January 1945, Auschwitz Concentration Camp was the site of some of the worst atrocities of WWII. The visit includes a film showing the liberation of the camp and the chance to see the infamous Death Wall, the national memorials and the cells where the inmates were held. Over 1.1 million people are thought to have died at Auschwitz and the visit is both moving and thought provoking. Krakow to Wieliczka:
Salt has been mined at Wieliczka since the 13th century. The result of centuries of mining is a huge network of underground passages, corridors and chambers whose crowning jewel is the Kinga's Chapel, 600 ft underground and carved entirely out of rock salt - even the chandeliers are made of salt!
Wieliczka to Zakopane:
Zakopane lies in the heart of the Tatra Mountains, a mountain range that many people believe to be among the most beautiful in the world. The scenery is spectacular and mountains impressive - they were shaped by glacial erosion, which helps to explain the magnificent peaks, lakes and valleys.
Tatra National Park:
The Tatra National Park was created in 1955 and hosts abundant flora and fauna, including bears and golden eagles. You can also join an optional excursion across the border into Slovakia, Poland's southern neighbor. You go to Stary Smokovec, from where a cable car leaves for the mountain town of Hrebienok, 4,000 ft up and site of several waterfalls.
Morskie Oko:
Board horse-drawn carts that will take you on a scenic ride up to Lake Morskie Oko (Sea Eye). The lake is located in the Tatra Mountains at Dolina Rybiego Potoku (Fish Stream Valley) with post-glacial origins and is truly stunning. The crystal clear water gives it an amazing emerald color. Music lovers should visit the Villa Atma, former home and museum to the composer Karol Szymanowski, almost unknown outside of Poland but considered second only to Chopin.
Zakopane to Krakow:
Enjoy a Chopin concert at the Bonerowski Palace (home to Europe's longest crystal chandelier) followed by a farewell dinner and drink in the city.
