|
THE
HERITAGE OF POLAND
Country
visited: Poland |
 |
For
centuries Poland has played a vital role in the growth
of European history and culture. Its contribution is evident
from the many sons and daughters of this beautiful country.
These include individuals like Frederic Chopin, Nicolaus
Copernicus, Karol Szymanowski, Krzysztof Penderecki, Jan
Matejko, Pope John Paul II etc. With this rich history,
Poland
hosts 13 UNESCO recognized World Heritage Sites – and
in this tour, The Heritage Of Poland, we visit 6 of the
most well known sites.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01/02
|
Warsaw |
|
03
|
Warsaw
/ Tricity |
| 04 |
Gdansk
/ Gdynia |
|
05
|
Malbork
/ Torun / Poznan |
|
06
|
Poznan
/ Wroclaw |
|
07
|
Wroclaw
/ Czestochowa / Auschwitz / Krakow |
|
08
|
Krakow |
|
09
|
Krakow
/ Departure |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
| World
Heritage Sites in Poland covered on this tour |
|
Cracow's Historic Centre (1978) |
The historic centre of Cracow, the former capital
of Poland, is situated at the foot of the Royal Wawel Castle.
The 13th-century merchants' town has Europe's largest market
square and numerous historical houses, palaces and churches
with their magnificent interiors. Further evidence of the town's
fascinating history is provided by the remnants of the 14th-century
fortifications and the medieval site of Kazimierz with its
ancient synagogues in the southern part of town, Jagellonian
University and the Gothic cathedral where the kings of Poland
were buried. |
| Wieliczka Salt Mine (1978) |
This deposit of rock salt in Wieliczka-Bochnia
has been mined since the 13th century. Spread over nine levels,
it has 300 km of galleries with works of art, altars, and statues
sculpted in the salt, making a fascinating pilgrimage into
the past of a major industrial undertaking. |
| Auschwitz Concentration Camp (1979) |
The fortified walls, barbed wire, platforms,
barracks, gallows, gas chambers and cremation ovens show the
conditions within which the Nazi genocide took place in the
former concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau,
the largest in the Third Reich. According to historical investigations,
1.5 million people, among them a great number of Jews, were
systematically starved, tortured and murdered in this camp,
the symbol of humanity's cruelty to its fellow human beings
in the 20th century. |
| Belovezhskaya Pushcha / Bialowiez�a Forest (1979,
1992) * |
Situated on the watershed of the Baltic Sea and
the Black Sea, this immense forest range, consisting of evergreens
and broad-leaved trees, is home to some remarkable animal life,
including rare mammals such as the wolf, the lynx and the otter,
as well as some 300 European Bison, a species which has been
reintroduced into the park. |
| Historic Centre of Warsaw (1980) |
During the Warsaw Uprising in August
1944, more than 85% of Warsaw's historic centre was destroyed
by Nazi troops. After the war, a five-year reconstruction campaign
by its citizens resulted in today's meticulous restoration
of the Old Town, with its churches, palaces and market-place.
It is an outstanding example of a near-total reconstruction
of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th century. |
| Old City of Zamosc (1992) |
Zamosc was founded in the 16th century by the
chancellor Jan Zamoysky on the trade route linking western
and northern Europe with the Black Sea. Modelled on Italian
theories of the 'ideal city' and built by the architect Bernando
Morando, a native of Padua, Zamosc is a perfect example of
a late-16th-century Renaissance town. It has retained its original
layout and fortifications and a large number of buildings that
combine Italian and central European architectural traditions. |
| Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork (1997) |
This 13th-century fortified monastery belonging
to the Teutonic Order was substantially enlarged and embellished
after 1309, when the seat of the Grand Master moved here from
Venice. A particularly fine example of a medieval brick castle,
it later fell into decay, but was meticulously restored in
the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the conservation
techniques now accepted as standard were evolved here. Following
severe damage in the Second World War it was once again restored,
using the detailed documentation prepared by earlier conservators. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day 01 Friday:
Arrive Warsaw
Upon arrival in the historical city of Warsaw, we are warmly
received and transferred to our hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Warsaw is a delightful city with friendly people and this is
a good opportunity to browse the Old Town with its beautiful
architecture.
Overnight: Hotel “Mercure”, Warsaw (2 nights)
Day 02 Saturday: Warsaw
Morning we take a typical European style tour – walking
tour of this historical city to include the
Old Town, Royal Castle and Square with King Sigismund III Vasa
Column, St John’s Cathedral, the Old Town Market Square
and the imposing Barbican building of the Grand Theatre of
Opera and Ballet and the Tomb of an Unknown Solider.
The Royal Castle - from the early 17th century until the late
18th century was the seat of the Kings of Poland. Erected in
place of the former castle of the Dukes of Mazovia Province.
After the capital had been transferred from Krakow to Warsaw,
the castle became also the seat of legislative and executive
authorities and was the scene of many important events of the
Polish history. Afternoon is free at leisure. This evening
we are entertained at welcome dinner at a local restaurant
known for it’s delicious Polish cuisine. (B, D)
Day 03 Sunday: Warsaw / Tricity
Our morning tour starts with an exploration of the Warsaw Old
Town. We explore this World Heritage Site with its majestic
Market Square, St. John's Cathedral, Barbican and Castle Square
with King Sigismund Waza Column. We then drive along the Royal
Route: Krakowskie Przedmie_cie, Nowy _wiat and Aleje Ujazdowskie,
with its numerous churches (Holy Cross Church where Chopin's
heart is kept in the pillar), monuments, historic buildings
and palaces - many of them now housing embassies and ministries.
Walking through Lazienki Park with its famous Palace on the
Water we see one of the last 18th century court theatres in
Europe in Old Orangery, Chopin's monument and the Belvedere
Palace. Later in the afternoon we drive to Tricity (Gdansk,
Sopot, Gdynia)
Overnight: Hotel “Gdynia”, Gdynia (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day 04 Monday: Gdansk / Gdynia
Gdansk was once known as Danzig – a name etched deep
in European history. It is a major harbor, first German, then
Hanseatic, Polish, Prussian, Free City and finally Polish.
Desired by many, the city was often fought over. Indeed, it
was in the nearby Westerplatte that heard the first shots fired
in 1939 leading to World War II. Late in the 1970s the city’s
Lenin Shipyard saw the birth of the Solidarity Trade Union
that made Lech Walesa a household name and began the process
of transformation across the entire region. Gdansk has not
forgotten its history. The lovingly restored buildings of the
Old Town and waterfront provide picturesque and interesting
surroundings. The Gdansk area is as varied and eternally fascinating
as the sea that brought its fame and fortune. We have time
to take a stroll, dine or shop for the city’s famous
amber jewelry. We will also have a sightseeing tour of Gdynia
and the harbour. (B, D)
Day 05 Tuesday: Malbork / Torun / Poznan (drive)
A short scenic drive gets us to Malbork where the largest Teutonic
castle in Europe is located. Malbork (Marienburg) was seat
of Teutonic Order Grand Master of the 13th C and an outstanding
example of a medieval defensive construction. The fortification
consists of three parts: Lower Castle (armory, chapel, Gothic
houses), Middle Castle (guest apartments, hospital, knights'
chamber, Grand Master's apartments) and High Castle (treasury,
sleeping rooms, refectory, convent room). We see the unique
Gothic ornaments and smart traps, which Teutonic brothers created
to “get rid of” inconvenient guests and members.
Another unique site of medieval heritage is the town Centre
of Torun . Torun is one of the most magnificent historic cities
in Poland besides being the birthplace of Copernicus, the well-known
Polish astronomer. Its Old Town has been included in the UNESCO
list thanks to the most impressive 13th century Town Hall,
superb churches and streets uncovering Torun’s past glory.
After touring Torun we continue to Poznan.
Overnight: Hotel “Novotel Centrum” or “Polonez”,
Poznan (1 night) (B, D)
Day 06 Wednesday: Poznan / Wroclaw (drive)
This morning, after a short visit to Poznan’s old Market
Square and downtown, we continue to Wroclaw. Here we tour Ostrow
Tumski – the oldest part of Wroclaw including the Old
Town Centre and the famous Aula Leopoldina at the University
of Wroclaw.
Overnight: Park Plaza Hotel, Wroclaw (1 night) (B, D)
Day 07: Thursday: Wroclaw / Czestochowa / Auschwitz / Krakow
(drive)
Another day into history, as we drive to Czestochowa - one
of the most important sites in the Christian world and often
referred to as the Religious Capital of Poland. Millions of
pilgrims from all over the world come here every year to pray
at the miraculous Black Madonna Shrine. Historians date the
shrine to the 14th century; however legend has it that it was
painted by Saint Luke on a piece of wood from the table used
by Virgin Mary in Nazareth. Now the famous icon is a part of
the Baroque altar. The altar is opened twice a day with organ
music accompaniment. The painting is covered with precious
decoration, forming royal gowns for Virgin Mary and her Child.
Later today we depart , to visit the former Nazi concentration
camp Auschwitz. A grim reminder of Nazi terror and holocaust,
the "death factory" now Museum of Martyrdom consists
of brick barracks filled with hair, shoes, glasses and other
belongings of victims. Close to Auschwitz,in Birkenau we see
hectares of wooden barracks and gas chambers. Later we continue
for the beautiful city of Kraków.
Overnight: Hotel “Cracovia”, Krakow (2
nights) (B, D)
Day 08 Friday: Krakow
We begin our tour today with Krakow Old Town and Florianska
Gate, built around 1300. Today the area resembles an open-air
art gallery, with numerous paintings and watercolors displayed
for sale by local artists. Housed in the 13th century Cloth
Hall is the largest collection of Polish paintings. Saint Mary's
Church, dating back to 1221, is an interesting piece of Gothic,
Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Collegium Maius with
Gothic arcades, expanded in Renaissance style, was home to
Jagiellonian University, the second oldest university in Central
Europe. The Czartoryski Museum collection contains two of the
most precious paintings in Poland: "Lady with an Ermine" by
Leonardo da Vinci and "Good Samaritan" by Rembrandt.
We continue to see another of Poland’s World Heritage
Sites, the Wawel Castle. This Gothic royal castle was built
on the remains of the 10th century settlement and extended
in Renaissance style in the 16th century. Magnificent Renaissance
interiors contain numerous paintings, furniture and national
memorabilia. Collection of famous "Wawel Tapestries" designed
and made in Flandre, especially for Wawel interiors, is truly
unique. In the afternoon we visit the historical and interesting
Wieliczka Salt Mine is a unique world-class attraction, included
in the UNESCO "Human Heritage" List. According to
legend the salt resources were brought here from Hungary by
the “Blessed Kinga”, who married a Pole and dropped
a ring down the Hungarian salt mine shaft to say "farewell" to
her homeland. Salt reserves were soon discovered in Wieliczka.
When excavation started, Kinga's ring was found in the first
salt lump. A tour of the Mine includes beautiful chapels sculpted
in salt - at a depth of 250m below ground level.
(B, D)
Day 09 Saturday: Krakow / Departure
After a journey into the heritage of Poland, we are transferred
to Krakow Airport for our departure flight. This is an ideal
opportunity to join one of Bestway’s tours to other countries
in the region. Please ask for details. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
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|
Departure Dates |
2008
Jun 20, Jul 04 & 19, Aug 01,
08, 15 & 23, Sep 05
|
| Prices |
| Departure |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
| 2008 |
1750 |
275 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
- Hotels
as per itinerary
- All
transfers & tours with private transportation (minivan
or minibus)
- Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
D=Dinner)
- Entrance
fees to all Sites and Museums
- Services
of English Speaking local guide and escort
- Road
taxes, parking fees, driver’s overnight wages
|
- International
flight tickets
- Departure
airport taxes (if any)
- Insurance
(or visa fee if applicable)
- Tips
/ Gratitude to drivers & guides
|
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1200 |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1400 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 20
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated April 04, 2008
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