Portrait of Poland

Day 1 : Depart the USA

Depart the USA on an overnight flight to Europe.

Day 2 : Arrive in Poland

We arrive in Poland’s largest city, Warsaw, and check-in for a two-night stay at our centrally-located hotel. Tonight we get to know our fellow traveling companions at a Holiday Vacations Welcome Dinner.

Day 3 : Warsaw & The Royal Castle

Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet every morning of our tour. An English-speaking Polish guide joins us for a tour of “The Phoenix City,” Warsaw. Located on the Vistula River, Warsaw is a complex city full of surprises. Founded in the 14th century and destroyed in World War II, this metropolis has since emerged as one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Visit the Warsaw Uprising Monument, a commemoration to Polish insurgents that resisted German occupation. Next, embark on a leisurely stroll through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy free time in the market square framed by traditional burgher houses and narrow cobbled streets. Visit the Royal Castle, former residence of Polish kings, the President, and the seat of Parliament. Faithfully rebuilt, the interior is simply spectacular. Highlights include beautiful inlaid wood floors, four throne rooms, the breathtaking Marble Room, and the opulent Great Hall. Following an included dinner in the city we gather for a delightful piano recital featuring the sounds of Poland’s premiere piano virtuoso, Frédéric Chopin.

Day 4 : The Black Madonna

We say “do widzenia” to Warsaw and travel southwest through the rural countryside to Częstochowa. Visited six times during John Paul II’s papacy, many Poles consider Częstochowa the country’s spiritual capital. At Jasna Góra Monastery we will follow in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims to gaze upon Poland’s holiest work of art, the Black Madonna. This evening we arrive in Kraków, Poland’s "Royal City,” and check-in to our centrally-located accommodations for a five-night stay.

Tonight we relive the day with an included dinner among our new friends.

Day 5 : Auschwitz Memorial

This morning we arrive at the town of Oświęcim for a tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, dedicated to the memory of the people and events surrounding the notorious concentration camp. An altogether profound and moving experience unlike any other, walk through the pages of history as we pass under the infamous “Work will set you free” gate, visit original camp buildings, and explore the museum’s permanent exhibitions. The events that transpired here must never be forgotten. This afternoon we visit the quaint village of Wadowice, the boyhood home of John Paul II. Here we will visit his family’s home and birthplace, which houses a collection of his family’s belongings and reveals the life he led before his papacy. Following more sightseeing in Wadowice, we return to Kraków for a relaxing evening.

Day 6 : Kraków City Tour

Today we discover Kraków, one of Poland’s oldest cities with origins dating back to the 10th century. While Warsaw had to be completely rebuilt after World War II, Kraków’s historic city center remains relatively undamaged. Begin with a guided tour of Wawel Castle, the largest castle in the country. The beautiful complex stands atop a limestone outcropping above the Vistula River and is also home to Wawel Cathedral, the site of coronations, royal burials, and John Paul II’s tenure as Archbishop. Our tour continues through the Old Town where we may hear the bugler play on the hour from the tower overlooking the Main Market Square with time to browse the shops at the iconic Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). Following our city tour, the afternoon is free for independent exploration. Tonight we relax and have fun at a traditional Polish dinner with folk dancing as our entertainment.

Day 7 : Zakopane

We venture into the countryside to the village of Zakopane. Nestled in the Tatras Mountains, Zakopane is Poland’s winter sports capital. We acquaint ourselves with the life and culture of the people living in Poland’s highlands with a tour of its Old Town. Witness masterpieces of wooden architecture at the Church of Our Lady of Częstochowa and the chapels of Saint Andrew and Saint Benedict. At the Tatra Museum we discover artwork and artifacts that illuminate the region’s highlander culture. Following an included lunch, ascend Gubałówka Mountain by funicular railway for breathtaking views of the Tatras Mountains.

Day 8 : Wieliczka Salt Mine

Tour the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a fascinating network of underground caverns and impressive salt carvings. We return to Kraków for an afternoon at leisure. This is the perfect opportunity for independent adventures or finding last-minute souvenirs. Tonight we celebrate our Polish getaway with our fellow travelers at a Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner.

Day 9 : Fond Farewells

We fly home from Kraków with a lifetime of wonderful memories.