Duration: 11 days Dates: September 27, 2020 - October 8, 2020 Total Distance: 800 miles Arrival: Warszawa Departure: Warszawa
We offer you an unforgettable tour to Poland , that includes:
11-day program prepared especially for members of FALCONS, based on our 12 -year experience in organizing tours to ancestral homelands. 10 nights in the most beautiful cities in Poland: Warszawa (3 nights), Gniezno (1 night), Gdansk (3 nights), Ryn (2 nights), Augustow (1 night)
Towns will be visited: Warszawa, Gniezno, Torun, Gdansk, Gdynia, Sopot, Malbork, Ryn, Kętrzyn, Augustow, Bialystok DAY 1 September 27, 2020 Sunday
Flight to Poland. You can choose one of the departure places: New York , John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Chicago , O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
We offer a direct flight operated by a Polish carrier LOT
DAY 2 September 28, 2020 Monday
Welcome to Warsaw, Poland!
We meet you at the airport and transfer to a comfortable hotel. After some rest, we invite you for an introductory walk around the Old Town of Warsaw which was destroyed in nearly 85% during WW2. Carefully and beautifully rebuilt by the nation became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That is where the traditional Polish welcome dinner will be provided.
Overnight: Warsaw 3* hotel in the center of the city.
DAY 3 September 29, 2020 Tuesday
In the morning we visit the Royal Castle. Originally erected in the 14th century, it served as the official residence of the Polish monarchs until 1944 when it was completely destroyed by the Nazis. Rebuilt and reopened to the public in 1984. Inside we can see: the royal apartments and the Throne Room, original paintings by Rembrandt, hundrends of pieces of art and the Senator’s Hall, in which in 1791 the 3rd May Constitution was passed – the first constitution in Europe and the second in the world.
After lunch we continue sightseeing of the Old Town. We walk along Krakowske Przedmiescie street, admiring the Presidential Palace, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Saski Park.
The rest of the day is a free time.
Overnight: Warsaw 3* hotel in the center of the city. DAY 4 September 30, 2020 Wednesday
After check out, we visit The Warsaw Rising Museum – a tribute to those who fought and died for the freedom of Poland and its capital in 1944. After lunch we drive through the current business district, that used to be a Jewish Ghetto during World War 2. Then, we slowly leave Warsaw and head to Gniezno the city that is considered as the first capital city for the Kingdom of Poland. We arrive there in the evening.
Overnight: Gniezno 3* hotel in the center of the city.
DAY 5 October 1, 2020 Thursday
In the morning we pay a visit to the hill of Lech, the oldest part of the town with cathedral of Gniezno that became the coronation site of the first Polish kings (X and XI century). We must see famous Gniezno Doors made around 1175, and explore the amazing underground where the remains of the first Catholic church from 11th century are preserved.
For lunch we invite you to Torun, a city known mostly as the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus and the best- preserved Polish medieval town. It was built in the 13th century as a headquarter base for the conquest and evangelization of Prussia. The Old Town impresses with its buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries including the House of Copernicus. After walk around the old town we continue our journey to Gdansk.
Overnight: Gdańsk 3* hotel in the center of the city.
DAY 6 October 2, 2020 Friday
Today, we discover the most suprising city by the Baltic Sea as Gdańsk is often described. Destroyed during WWII, today it is a colorful place that’s becoming increasingly popular among tourists. Over the centuries Gdansk was a strategic port on the Baltic shore and one of the richest cities in Europe, its monuments such as the Artus Court, the Golden Gate or Neptune’s Fountain, cathedral are a testament to it. In the afternoon we pay a visit to the European Solidarity Centre. The main part of the building is occupied by the permanent exhibition, devoted to the history of the 'Solidarność' movement, and to changes that occured in Central and Eastern Europe. A huge number of archival exhibits, documents, manuscripts, photographs, video presentations and interactive installations help us understand the political situation and the 'wind of changes' back then.
Overnight: Gdańsk 3* hotel in the center of the city.
DAY 7 October 3, 2020 Saturday
Today, we visit the Emigration Museum in Gdynia. For hundreds of years, people moved from here to different parts of the world for a better life, freedom, and stability. More than 20 million people of Polish descent live outside Poland’s borders. This exceptional museum depicts that phenomenon in Polish history, telling amazing stories about their journey and a new life after emigration.
After lunch we spend a while in the Sopot resort. After a smooth walk on the longest wooden pier in Europe, we go back to Gdansk to enjoy some free time in that amazing city.
Overnight: Gdańsk 3* hotel in the center of the city.
DAY 8 October 4, 2020 Sunday
After breakfast, we check out and head to Malbork. We visit there the medieval castle of the Teutonic Order – the most complete and elaborate example of a Gothic brick building from the 13th century and the largest castle in the world measured by land area. It was built in the 14th century by German Teutonic Knights who carried out crusades against the pagans on the Baltic coast. In the afternoon we continue ride to Mazury area. As an option (depending on the time) we may stop at the Marian Sanctuary in Swieta Lipka. This is a historical monument of significant value considered to be one of the greatest architectural examples of the late baroque in Poland with unique masterpiece organs.
Overnight: Ryn 4 * hotel
DAY 9 October 5, 2020 Monday
After overnight in a medieval castle and some relaxing time in a hotel wellness, or a nearby marina, we start the day with sightseeing of the Wolf’s Lair – one of Adolf Hitler’s military headquarters. That The top-secret, high- security site is mostly known of the assassination attempt against Hitler in 1944. The name derived from "Wolf", a self-adopted nickname of Hitler.
Lunch is served in the nearby town of Kętrzyn where we also visit a gothic castle from 14th century and cathedral from the same times. We also have an opportunity to climb to the bell tower of the church and admire the view from the highest point of the town.
Overnight: Ryn 4 * hotel
DAY 10 October 6, 2020 Tuesday
Today we check out and head further east to the Augustow area. A city named in honor of king Sigismund II Augustus is mostly known for the nearby Augustów Canal that was the first summit level canal in Central Europe. We join there a canal cruise and admire the beauty of the nature of the Rospuda Valley.
Overnight: Augustow 3* hotel DAY 11 October 7, 2020 Wednesday
The final day of the trip begins with a visit to the city of Białystok. It is the tenth-largest city in Poland but also the fifth-most forested city in the country. It is also known as the birthplace of Ludwik Zamenhof, a founder of the Esperanto language. We are going to see the old town and splendid Branicki Palace, which also known as the “Polish Versailles”. It is one of the best-preserved magnate residences in Poland. Next, we drive to Warsaw where we have a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Warsaw 3* hotel DAY 12 October 8, 2020 Thursday
The last glance at the capital city of Poland, free time, shopping and relaxing before departure.
Departure from the Chopin Airport in Warsaw
Tour Fee and Inclusions/Exclusions:
Trip cost and registration information will be available soon.
Includes: Flight tickets. We have two options: - departure Chicago arrival Warsaw or - departure New York FJK arrival Warsaw Comfortable air-conditioned transportation Accommodation in 3- or 4-star hotels, buffet breakfast included (10 nights) Meals as per itinerary (9 x lunch, 1 x welcome dinner, 1 x farawell lunch) English-speaking tour escort assistance Entrance fees to all the places mentioned in the itinerary and obligatory local tour guides