Itinerary

Arrive in Warsaw after a day of travel. First night of stay is not included in trip cost. We are able to assist you in making arrangements to stay at the host hotel on this evening if desired, or you may make your own accommodations. You will meet at host hotel in the morning.

Overnight stay: the Polonia Palace Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner included

After breakfast we’ll be met by our local guide for a tour of Warsaw which will include the Old Town with Market Square, Barbican, Palace Square and the Royal Castle. We also get a panoramic view of Warsaw from atop the Palace of Culture and Science. During a short break from our sightseeing we stop at one of Wedel’s Chocolate Lounges to warm up with hot chocolate. Wedel is Poland’s oldest chocolate brand, founded in Warsaw in 1851. The tour will end with a visit to Warsaw’s Christmas Market, one of the largest in Poland. You will have time to stroll the stalls filled with Polish arts and crafts, locally-made foods, drinks and spices while listening to traditional Christmas carols. This evening we’ll be getting together for our Welcome Dinner at famous Polish restaurant, Ale Gloria.

Overnight stay: the Polonia Palace Hotel
Breakfast included

This morning, we head out to our cooking class where we’ll learn how to prepare traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner dishes. After cooking class, we continue touring Warsaw’s must-see sights. This afternoon, we head out to tour the Warsaw Uprising Museum. The Warsaw Uprising Museum is one of the most visited places in Warsaw and was opened on 60th Anniversary of the outbreak of fighting in the city during WWII. It is a tribute to Warsaw’s residents who fought and died in 1944 to liberate Warsaw from German occupation. This evening, enjoy and explore Warsaw as you wish. Go back to the Christmas Market or perhaps spend your evening relaxing and pampering yourself at one of Warsaw’s luxurious spas. Enjoy dinner on your own. We will have recommendations for you for both the spas and dining.

Overnight stay: Hotel Art
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

After breakfast we leave Warsaw for Poznan, located in the Greater Poland region and considered to be the birthplace of Poland. While in Poznan, we’ll visit the Christmas Market and the 13th International Ice Sculpture Festival. During the Poznan City Tour, we’ll have the opportunity to visit Poznan Cathedral and the Old Market Square among other important sites. We’ll attend a demonstration-style baking class where we learn how the famous St. Martin croissants are made at the Croissant Museum in Poznan. Before leaving Poznan for Wroclaw, we’ll have an early dinner at the local Ratuszova restaurant serving Polish and regional specialties, located in the heart of Poznan’s Market Square.

Overnight stay: Hotel art
Breakfast, Dinner included

This morning, we meet in the hotel lobby and head out to visit Panorama Raclawicka. This stop boasts a rotunda building presenting the painting of the Battle of Raclawice in April 1794, in which  a small army of Polish soldiers and peasants won victory against a Russian invasion. The monumental picture is 374ft (114m) long and 49ft (15m) high and was painted on the 100th anniversary of the victory. The Racalwice Panorama is Poland’s most famous battle scene painting. It is the only cycloramic painting in the country and one of only a few surviving paintings of this style in Europe.  . Afterwards, we gather for lunch at Pod Fredra restaurant located in Wroclaw’s Market Square. Post lunch, we tour Wroclaw’s historic Old Town, including Market Square – with beautiful Christmas illuminations – Town Hall and Salt Market. This evening, enjoy your free time. Wroclaw’s beautiful Christmas Market is only steps away from our hotel. Enjoy dinner on your own. We’ll have restaurant recommendations for you or you can sample food offered at the Christmas Market booths.

Overnight stay: Hotel Art
Dinner included

The best way to enter into the rhythm of day-to-day life in Wroclaw is to tour and shop at Hala Targowa, a historic indoor fresh food market and a must-see place in Wroclaw. After touring and shopping at Hala Targowa, we head out to visit the UNESCO Centennial Hall in Wroclaw. This outstanding piece of architecture is over 100 years old and is surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens. Before dinner, head out to stroll Wroclaw’s Christmas Market one last time on your own or relax in our beautiful boutique hotel. We will be leaving Wroclaw in the morning for Krakow. This evening, we meet to enjoy dinner at a local JaDka restaurant serving excellent Polish cuisine.

Overnight stay: Legend Hotel
Breakfast included

After breakfast, we leave Wroclaw and drive southeast to Krakow. During our drive, we make a stop and tour Tyskie Brewery and enjoy beer tasting. After arrival and check in at our hotel in Krakow we meet in the lobby and head out together to Krakow’s Christmas market to stroll, listen to Christmas carols and enjoy delicious food, mulled wine or hot chocolate. This evening, continue exploring the Christmas market on your own at Europe’s largest and most magnificent medieval market square.

Overnight stay: Legend Hotel
Lunch, Dinner included

This morning begins with a Krakow city tour of must-see attractions. Krakow is Poland’s third largest city and was able to escape the devastation that obliterated other Polish cities during World War II. It’s a perfectly preserved medieval Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We also visit the 14th-century Wawel Hill, Castle and Cathedral, along with Kazimierz – the former Jewish district. After lunch, we head out to Krakow Historical Museum to view the stunning exhibit of Krakow’s Traditional Christmas Creches, or “Szopki”, one of Europe’s most unique Christmas traditions. These glittering Nativity Scenes are a Christmas tradition found only in Krakow, featuring whimsical interpretations of iconic Krakow architecture. Tonight, we dine on traditional Krakow cuisine at Biala Roza restaurant.

Overnight stay: Legend Hotel
Lunch included

After breakfast, we head out to Zakopane, Poland’s Winter Capital to experience Christmas traditions of the vibrant highlander culture. We take a leisurely walk along the town’s famous Krupowki Street and stroll a few side streets on a short city tour. Lunch is together at Sabala restaurant on Krupowki Street sampling delicious regional specialties, including traditional highlander “oscypek” cheese. After lunch, we visit a colorful open market where locally made arts, crafts and foods are sold, and then ride a cable car up Gubalowka Hill to get the best panoramic view of Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains and other mountain ranges. Before we return to Krakow, enjoy free time in Zakopane. You may wander back to the open market or have an early dinner or dessert at one of the many restaurants and coffee shops on Zakopane’s main street, Krupowki. We will head back to Krakow late evening.

Overnight stay: Legend Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner included

This morning we head to a Christmas cookies baking class at a local culinary school. After baking class, we’ll tour UNESCO World Heritage site Wieliczka Salt Mine, a virtual underground city, with galleries, lakes, chapels and murals – all carved from salt. It becomes immediately clear upon seeing the majesty of this mine why it is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site; we recommend you have your cameras at the ready.  After our Wieliczka tour, you are free to enjoy the sights and shops of Krakow at the Christmas Market on your own. Our Farewell Dinner will be at Wesele restaurant, serving old Polish and Krakow delicacies, located in the heart of Krakow’s Market Square.

Breakfast included

Depart for your home country after breakfast, or make your own arrangements to stay longer in beautiful Krakow.

Even though our vacations are leisurely, you may want to consider staying an extra night in Krakow. You may find that the extra time will make your week even more relaxing and enjoyable.