SEIGHTSEEING AND EXCURSIONS

NEW WINTER PROGRAMS !!!

Skiing in Zakopane - Tatra Mountains

Hotel accommodation in Zakopane 8 days & 7 nights

The best thing to do during the winter in Poland is to go skiing. There are mountains all along the southern border of Poland just waiting for you, and there is a plenty of snow and optimal skiing conditions from December until the end of March. The Polish mountains include a wide variety of resorts – from bustling fashionable towns such as Zakopane to smaller, atmospheric villages.

In the west, on the Czech border, are the Karkonosze (max. 1,600 metres) and the picturesque ski resorts of Karpacz and Szklarska Poreba. Right in the middle is the Beskid (max. 1,200 metres) and three ski resorts especially popular among skiers: Szczyrk, Wisla and Ustron. Further to the east, on the border with Slovakia, is the High Tatra Mountains (max. 2,400 metres) with the best-known town of Zakopane - the winter capital of Poland. This lovely little town is extremely busy in the winter, with a fun centre and easy access to the ski lifts in Butorowy Wierch, Kasprowy Wierch, and Nosal.

Tradition, ground and climatic condition, modern infrastructure and a rich calendar of cultural and sports events - Zakopane has got all the necessary attributes that make the town one of the most popular winter sport centers in this part of Europe. In short Zakopane is the Winter Sports Capital of Poland.

You can choose from a whole range of slopes equipped with modern facilities, accessible for experienced skiers and beginners. We recommend three of them:

1. For beginners - there are many slopes situated very close to hotels and by major ski-lifts; ideal for children.
2. For intermediate and advanced - situated at the Szymoszkowa peak (ca.1130 meters above the sea level), equipped with modern ski lift system and artificially snowed. Lift length 1500 m, Altitude difference 280 m
3. For very advanced - The Kasprowy peak (1988 meters above the sea level) offers perfect skiing conditions.
Lift length 4291 m, Altitude difference 936 m

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

DAY 1: Arrival to Zakopane.

DAY 2: Skiing in the Nosal area (Zakopane)

DAY 3 & 4: Skiing in the Bialka Tatrzanska area (Bania)

DAY 5 & 6: Skiing in the Harenda area (Zakopane)

DAY 7: Skiing in Nosal (Zakopane): giant slalom – final competition

DAY 8: Departure day.

The ski aeras:

Nosal Ski Area, Zakopane (Day 2 and 7)

The Nosal slalom slope is located just a short distance away from the centre of Zakopane. With five green runs available, it is an ideal location for first time skiers and more experienced skier can take to the piste on the exhilarating black run. After a day of tuition on the Nosal ski slope, first time skiers will have the confidence to move onto a different slope the following day. The slopes are floodlit in the evenings and snow canons ensure plentiful snow for skiers. Restaurant facilities are available on the slopes.
Bialka Tatrzanska Ski Area, Bania (Day 3 and 4)

Located a short coach ride away from Zakopane, the Bialka Tatrzanska Ski area is also very popular with skiers visiting the slopes located closer to the town. Since it’s opening in 2001, the Bialka Tatrzanska Ski area has seen a considerable amount of investment and improvement to the ski facilities available to the guests. The expansion of the skiing area and the chairlift facilities available has made this a very popular ski location for families and skiers of varied ability. There are three slopes accessible to groups within this ski area, Kotelnica, Bania and Kaniowka, which include nursery slopes to the more challenging red run from the highest point of the Bania ski slope. The slopes are floodlit in the evenings and snow canons ensure plentiful snow for skiers. Restaurant facilities are available on the slopes.

Services:

Transfer between the Krakow Balice airport and ski resorts on arrival and departure
Accommodation and meals in pensions, hotels - according to the wishes and budget of the group.

Additional services:

Ski passes
Ski or snowboard rental
Ski or snowboard instructor

We offer additional attractions during the stay:

Excursions to Krakow, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz-Birkenau
Folklore dinners,
Sleigh ride + bonfire
Disco,
And many, many others...

Christmas in Krakow

Traditional Christmas market is one of the biggest attractions in Krakow before Christmas. It takes place on the Main Market Square. Bustling fair on the Main Market Square, specialising in traditional hand-made Christmas decorations from Krakow. The fair is supported by carol concerts and presentations based on Christmas traditions.Hotel accommodation in Krakow 5 days & 4 nights

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

22nd DECEMBER:
Arrival in Krakow, transfer to a hotel and welcoming drink; dinner accompanied by music.

23rd DECEMBER:
Departure for the site of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and Memorial Museum. Lunch en route. Afternoon visit to Wieliczka Salt Mine: dinner in the hotel restaurant.

24th DECEMBER:
Christmas Eve - sightseeing tour of Krakow and Wawel Hill. Afternoon free for shopping. Christmas tree and traditional Polish Christmas Eve Dinner with 12 courses, accompanied by Polish Christmas carols and presents. At midnight: Midnight Mass in Wawel Cathedral or St. Mary's Basilica.

25th DECEMBER:
Christmas Day - full day excursion to Zakopane; sightseeing and Gubalowka mountain railway ride; kulig sleigh ride, bonfire barbecue with Highlanders' tea (tea laced with vodka), accompanied by Highland folk music. Return to Krakow for dinner and overnight stay.

26th DECEMBER:
Boxing Day - farewell and departure.

REGULAR CITY TOURS

Warsaw

Morning sightseeing of Warsaw

Visit the most important touristic attractions in Warsaw: Old Town with Royal Castle, Market Square and Barbican, Royal Route with palaces, churches and monuments, area of former Jewish Getto with monument of Getto Heroes, Lazienki Park with Palace on the Water and Chopin Monument.

Inclusions: English speaking guide, hotel pick up

Duration: 4h

Frederic Chopin concert

An absolute must to see or rather must to experience while your visit to Poland. Enjoy Chopin’s music in his native country and in his hometown Warsaw. The two part concert is held in beautiful interior of one of historical palaces (Raczynski Palace or Porczynski Gallery). Best pianist will play Chopin’s major hits. Glass of wine served during break.

English speaking guide.

Duration: 2h

Folklore show with Polish dinner

Come and experience the color, sound and taste of polish culture. A two part artistic presentation of singing, dancing, playing will be staged. Tasty selection of typical polish dishes with tender duck as a main course. Impressive array of deserts will fallow. A shot of vodka for a start will put you right in the good mood for fun.

An event held in local traditional restaurant in Warsaw. ON REQUEST

Duration: from 2h

Krakow

Krakow city tour

Discover the beautiful, historic and culture-packed city of Krakow on a bus and walking tour.

You will begin your tour by visiting yhe Jewish District of Kazimierz to explore the area which used to be inhabited by one of the most diverse Jewish communites in Europe. Then a short drive will takie you up the Wawel Hill which is the embodiment of Poland's former monarchical glory. On its summit is the Royal Castle and a 14th-century catedral which hosted nearly all the Polish monarchy's coronations and funerals. Having descended the hill, we stroll along Kanonicza and Grodzka Street to reach Collegium Maius (Great College), the oldest building of the Academia Cracoviensis. After visiting the charming Gothic courtyard has been the local market place for centuries. Complete your tour by visiting St Mary's Church, where the stunning medieval altar sculpted by Veit Stoss is located and a bugle call sounds towards the four corners of the world every hour on the hour.

Inclusions: English speaking guide, hotel pick up from selected hotels, admission to Wawel Castle and Royal Cathedral, admission to St Mary's Church

Duration: 4h

Visit the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine

As you walk down the 360 steps into the salt mine, you have the impression you are entering a vast underground city, complete with huge caverns and underground lakes. This underground world has earned a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list thanks to the creativity of the miners who carved chapels out of the walls, hundreds of metres below the surface. You will visit the largest of the chapels, dedicated to St Kinga, the patron saint of salt miners. This subterranean church is richly decorated with chandeliers, sculptures and religious figures carved out of salt. As you follow the 2 1/2 – kilometre walk, you’ll pass statues dating back to the 18^th century depicting mythical, historical and religious figures. The last stop in the mine is the souvenir shop and snack bar. From here, the lift carries you back to the surface.

Inclusions: English speaking guide, hotel pick up, admission to “Wieliczka” Salt Mine, guided walk through “Weiliczka” Salt Mine, lift pick up to the ground level on exit

Duration: 4h

Auschwitz-Birkenau

KL Auschwitz – in the years 1940 – 1945, the biggest Nazi concentration and death camp in occupied Europe. Situated at the distance of 70 km from Krakow in the town of Oswiecim. The Auschwitz Memorial Museum (founded in 1947) was included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979. During the tour you will visit both parts of the Museum located in Oswiecim (KL Auschwitz I) and Brzezinka (KL Auschwitz II Birkenau). You will also watch a documentary on the history of the KL Auschwitz concentration and death camp.

Inclusions: English speaking guide, hotel pick up, guided walk through Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, documentary screening

Duration: 6h

The Traces of Jewish Culture

Visit the historical centre for Poland's Jews on a tour of Kazimierz, the district where "Schindler's List" was filmed.

Named after the king who invited the Jews to Poland in the 14th century, Kazimierz became a flourishing centre of Jewish religion and culture. Due to the policy of religious tolerance that prevailed in Poland from the 15th century, Kazimierz became a safe heaven for diverse groups of Jewish refugees from all over Europe. The tour aims to retrace this diversity which resulted in the construction of numerous synagogues (including the oldest of the preserved synagogue in Poland) and the absolutely unique atmosphere which is still present there. Also, you might recognise some of the sights that appeared in the Oscar winning "Schindler's List", which was shot in this area. The tour ends with a visit to the monument commemorating the victims of the former Nazi concentration camp in Płaszów.

Inclusions: English speaking guide, hotel pick up from selected hotels, admission to the Old Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue and Cemetery

Duration: 4h

Czestochowa – the Blac Madonna

Visit Poland's spiritual heart on a tour to the town of Częstochowa. Follow in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims as you gaze upon the "Black Madonna" at the Jasna Góra Monastery.

Our tour takes you to a place which receives around 5 million visitors a year (including over 150 thousand pilgrims on foot). After arriving at the monastery we visit the chapel of the miraculous painting of the Black Madonna, which is the embodiment of the attachment to the Cult of Mary so typical of the Catholic faith in Poland. Next we visit the Basilica, which is the main church of the monastery. You can also visit the 600th-Anniversary Museum and the Treasury on your own, if you wish, or attend Mass while others on the tour have a break for lunch and a visit to a souvenir shop. On the way back we alter our route slightly to admire the most spectacular limestone rock formations typical of the Kraków-Częstochowa Uplands. This allows us to visit the only remaining castle of the so called Eagle Nest Trail at Pieskowa Skała.

Inclusions: English speaking guide, roundtrip transportation

Duration: 8,5h