Day 1, arrive Warsaw, Sunday

Upon arrival in Warsaw, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. There’s time to relax. Tonight, your tour director is hosting a welcome reception and will introduce you to your fellow travelers and to the fascinating tour that awaits you. (WR) 

Day 2, in Warsaw, Monday

Our sightseeing tour of the 700-year-old political and cultural capital includes the Royal Route, Castle Square, Lazienki Park and Palace, the Palace of Science and Culture, the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto, and the Barbican. We then embark on a walking tour of the Old Town passing the Old Market Square, and St. John’s Cathedral. Next, we visit a chocolate factory, for some sampling and a chance to concoct a different chocolate bar varietal. The rest of the day is free. (B)

Optional tour: Chopin concert

Day 3, to Krakow, Tuesday

This morning, our journey continues to Czestochowa, famous for the blackened picture of St. Mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, popularly called the “Black Madonna”. In the afternoon, we solemnly visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. This former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. After our visit, we continue to Krakow where we have dinner. (B, D)

Day 4, in Krakow, Wednesday

Our sightseeing starts with a visit of Wawel Hill, where we see the Royal Castle and visit the Royal Cathedral. Then, we walk around the Old Town, visit the Main Market Square, the Renaissance Cloth Hall, and St. Mary’s Church. During our tour, we stop to taste Polish vodka and learn about Polish traditions and culture. The afternoon is free to shop and do more sightseeing on your own. (B)

Optional tour: Pierogi making class

Day 5, to Poznan, Thursday

We drive to Poznan, and en-route, we stop in Wroclaw, a city built on 12 islands, for a visit to the oldest part of town. In the afternoon, when we arrive in Poznan, we visit a local brewery and participate in some beer tasting. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B) 

Day 6, to Gdansk, Friday

We peer into the heart of Poznan by walking around the Imperial Castle, which dates back over 100 years when the city was under Prussian, and later German, rule. We continue with a visit to the Gothic Cathedral on the island of Ostrow Tumski. Next, we cross the Chrobry Bridge to enter the splendid Old Town, famous for the Renaissance Town Hall which towers over Market Square. We end our tour at Freedom Square which is surrounded by famous 19th-century buildings, including the National Museum, the Kaczynski Library, the Bazar Hotel, and Arkadia. Our next stop is Torun where, in the gothic Old Town, famous astronomer Nicholas Copernicus was born. This afternoon, we travel to our last destination, Gdansk. (B)

Day 7, in Gdansk, Saturday

This morning begins with a half-day tour. We see the Long Market with its restored townhouses. Then, we see the Fountain of Neptune, the Upland Gate, the Golden Gate, the Coal Market, the Długa Street, the rebuilt Upgahen house, and finally Solidarity Square. Our next stop is at the largest gothic church in the world made of bricks: St. Mary’s church. The remainder of the day is at leisure. In the evening, gather with your fellow travelers and your tour director for our farewell dinner. (B, D)

Optional tour: Visit of the Malbork castle

Day 8, depart Gdansk, Sunday

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Gdansk airport or to Berlin to join Kompas’ “Bygone and Present Day Discovery of Germany” Tour. (B)