Day 1 - Travel via short sea crossing to your first overnight stay, in Belgium.
Day 2 - Continue to eastern Germany for your second overnight stay.
Day 3 - Arrival in Zakopane late this afternoon.
Day 4 - Zakopane
Zakopane began attracting famous Polish artists and musicians over 100 years
ago and still has a magnetic appeal. A tour of the town and its surroundings
included this morning, culminating at the summit of Gubalowka hill via a funicular
ride, for some spectacular mountain views. The afternoon is free to discover
the town independently.
Day 5 - Tatra Mountains and Lake Morskie Oko
Located in the High Tatra at 1,450 metres above sea level is one of the most
picturesque mountain lakes. After breakfast, drive to the Slovakian border where
you board the horse and carts and are transported to within one 1.3 km of the
lake*. You will then walk to the lake shelter/restaurant. There are 3 hours of
free time when it is possible to follow the lakeside trail or walk further into
the mountains above Morskie Oko. A “hiker's” lunch is included and
you will return the same way as you arrived.
* Takes 1hr 15min, then a 30 min slightly uphill walk.
Please note: This
is a highly recommended day but for those who feel it may be too much, we have
listed an alternative:
Slovakia & Vampire Castle
After breakfast drive south for a quick border crossing into Slovakia to the
medieval town of Levoca, with its colourful architecture. You will discover this
pretty town with your guide and stop for lunch in a local restaurant (lunch is
included). Continue then to the Levoca’s vast UNESCO listed castle, which
towers over the local countryside for a guided tour.
Day 6 - Dunajec Gorge and
Niedzica Castle
First stop this morning is the 13th century Niedzica mountain castle which
protected the former Polish / Hungarian border. Along the way, the sight of
strip farming and horse drawn ploughs will transport you back to medieval times.
There is time for a look inside the castle before a short drive to Scromowce
where we board the wooden rafts for a two hour float down the Dunajec river
which winds its way through one of Europe's most spectacular mountain gorges
and is one of Poland's most popular tourist attractions. The rafts are steered
by boatmen dressed in regional costume, who follow the same traditions used
for nearly 200 years. Disembark at the spa town of Szczawnica for lunch in
the cozy castle restaurant. On the way back to Zakopane visit the 500-year-old
wooden church in Debno.
Please note: This day has a minimal amount of walking.
There are no steps on and off the raft.
Day 7 - Wieliczka Salt Mine and Krakow
Drive to Wieliczka for a tour through the ancient salt mine, one of the oldest
in Europe and a splendid example of Polish artistic talent. The site has been
placed on the UNESCO heritage list and the oldest part of the mine is now open
to the public. This walking tour visits chambers, figures and monuments all
carved out of salt and depicting various periods in the local and national
history. There is a short stop for shopping at the end of the tour before you
ride to the surface in the old mine lift. There is time for lunch before you
continue to Krakow to check into your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Please note: All of our groups are taken down into the mine via a lift, and
there are just a few steps during the tour.
Day 8 - Krakow Walking Tour & Auschwitz
This morning enjoy a two-hour walking tour through the historical highlights
of Krakow including Wawel hill and Cathedral - the coronation and resting place
for most Polish Kings and Queens. Follow the Royal route past the university
to the main market square, which is the largest Medieval square in Europe and
the hub of life in Krakow. Today there is an optional excursion to visit the
Auschwitz museum and camp, located in the village of Oswiecim (2.5 hours drive).
The first stop is the museum, originally Polish army barracks, then converted
by the Nazis into a slave labour camp for Polish prisoners. In 1942 it became
the main Nazi extermination centre of Jews from all areas of Europe. Your guide
will present a clear picture of life and conditions of the prisoners. Stop
for lunch then travel 1.5miles to the Birkenau camp, the largest of Hitler's
death camps, recognizable from many war films. Visit the remains of the crematoriums,
international monuments at the rear of the camp, several living huts and the “selection” points.
This is of course a sobering afternoon, but one that most find very worthwhile.
Day 9 - Travel to your first return overnight stay in eastern Germany.
Day 10 - Continue to your second overnight stay, in Belgium.
Day 11 - Travel homeward via short sea crossing from Calais.