Poland: Witness to History

Arrive in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Gather this evening for a welcome dinner.

This morning, set out for a guided tour of Warsaw's highlights, including the 14th-century St. John's Archcathedral and the Royal Castle. After lunch, visit Wilanow Palace and Gardens, the former Polish royal residence. Explore the city at your leisure this afternoon.

This morning, see the remnants of the city's infamous Ghetto and visit POLIN Museum, a profound cultural institution that celebrates the 1,000-year history of Polish Jews. Enjoy lunch and an afternoon on your own. Tonight, revel in a private piano performance with a glass of sparkling wine at Szuster Palace.

Drive to Wroclaw, stopping for coffee en route. Once there, enjoy lunch in the city's historic center, before setting out on a guided walking tour of Wroclaw's picturesque Old Town, viewing Market Square, Salt Square, the Shambles, and St. Elizabeth & Mary Magdalene churches. Afterward, check in to your hotel.

After a relaxing morning at leisure, continue to explore charming Wroclaw, visiting White Stork Synagogue, the only temple in the city to survive World War II. Then, view a giant cyclical panorama painting of the Battle of Raclawice, before embarking on a cruise of the Oder River through the historic city center and around the ancient Cathedral Island. Tonight, dine at a local restaurant. Later, join a city lamplighter, one of only two official lamplighters left in Europe, as he illuminates over 100 gas lanterns.

Drive to Czestochowa, where you visit the monastery of Jasna Gora, home of the Black Madonna, a painting that has drawn countless reverent visitors over the centuries. After lunch, proceed to Krakow and check in to your hotel. This evening, join a hands-on class in pierogi cooking, followed by dinner and a performance of folk music and dancing exclusively for your group.

Visit the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, preserved as a memorial for the 1.5 million people of 28 nationalities who perished here. Explore the stone buildings of Auschwitz with your specialist guide, who brings to life the everyday horrors experienced by those who were brought here. Return to your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure.

This morning, set out on a walking tour of Krakow’s historic Old Town, where you visit St. Mary’s Church with its famous 15th-century Baroque altar, and enjoy time for lunch at leisure. Then, discover the historic Remuh Synagogue, before descending into the Bochnia Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its network of chambers and lakes, carved out over the centuries. Tonight, gather for a special farewell dinner.

Transfer to the airport for your onward travel.