Portrait of Poland

Check into your hotel. Explore the Polish capital with the help of the CosmosGO app. In the early evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.ARRIVE IN WARSAW, POLAND Check into your hotel. Explore the Polish capital with the help of the CosmosGO app. In the early evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

Today’s included sightseeing tour with a Local Guide is an excellent introduction to Warsaw. Magnificently reconstructed after WWII, Warsaw is a rich tapestry of nearly every European architectural style, from Gothic to Neoclassical, with wide, modern avenues in striking contrast to the narrow lanes of the old section. Continuing to Gdansk on the Baltic Sea, discover one of the most important Hanseatic cities in the 14th and 15th centuries. Today’s Distance: 261 mi/ 420 kmWARSAW–GDANSK Today’s included sightseeing tour with a Local Guide is an excellent introduction to Warsaw. Magnificently reconstructed after WWII, Warsaw is a rich tapestry of nearly every European architectural style, from Gothic to Neoclassical, with wide, modern avenues in striking contrast to the narrow lanes of the old section. Continuing to Gdansk on the Baltic Sea, discover one of the most important Hanseatic cities in the 14th and 15th centuries. Today’s Distance: 261 mi/ 420 km (B,D)

Among the most important shipping ports in Northern Europe, Gdansk (formerly known by its German name, Danzig) is the birthplace of “Solidarity,” the Polish trade union that revolutionized Polish modern politics. This morning, your Local Guide takes you on an enlightening city tour revealing the city’s past and present. Enjoy free time to explore on your own, or time travel to the Middle Ages on the optional excursion to learn about the Teutonic Knights, a military order of the Middle Ages combining knighthood and monastery, as you discover Malbork Castle, a majestic fortress estimated to have been built with anywhere from seven to thirty million bricks.GDANSK Among the most important shipping ports in Northern Europe, Gdansk (formerly known by its German name, Danzig) is the birthplace of “Solidarity,” the Polish trade union that revolutionized Polish modern politics. This morning, your Local Guide takes you on an enlightening city tour revealing the city’s past and present. Enjoy free time to explore on your own, or time travel to the Middle Ages on the optional excursion to learn about the Teutonic Knights, a military order of the Middle Ages combining knighthood and monastery, as you discover Malbork Castle, a majestic fortress estimated to have been built with anywhere from seven to thirty million bricks. (B,D)

The first stop today is medieval Torun on the Vistula River, birthplace of renaissance astronomer Copernicus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your Local Guide will introduce you to the many captivating highlights, including the starówka (Old Town) with the ruins of a 13th-century Teutonic Knights’ castle, as well as many samples of Gothic architecture. Head west to Poznan, one of the country’s oldest cities and a part of Polish history for the past 1,000 years. This afternoon, discover the main attractions on your included city sightseeing tour with a Local Guide. Today’s Distance: 2305 mi/ 370 kmGDANSK–TORUN–POZNAN The first stop today is medieval Torun on the Vistula River, birthplace of renaissance astronomer Copernicus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your Local Guide will introduce you to the many captivating highlights, including the starówka (Old Town) with the ruins of a 13th-century Teutonic Knights’ castle, as well as many samples of Gothic architecture. Head west to Poznan, one of the country’s oldest cities and a part of Polish history for the past 1,000 years. This afternoon, discover the main attractions on your included city sightseeing tour with a Local Guide. Today’s Distance: 2305 mi/ 370 km (B,D)

The guided tour of Jasna Góra in Czestochowa unveils the story of the Monastery that withstood the repeated onslaughts of overwhelming Swedish forces during the religious wars of the 17th century. Since then, its Black Madonna has been venerated as the “Queen of Poland” and has become the country’s national symbol. Continue to Kraków. Today’s Distance: 304 mi/ 490 kmPOZNAN–JASNA GÓRA–KRAKÓW The guided tour of Jasna Góra in Czestochowa unveils the story of the Monastery that withstood the repeated onslaughts of overwhelming Swedish forces during the religious wars of the 17th century. Since then, its Black Madonna has been venerated as the “Queen of Poland” and has become the country’s national symbol. Continue to Kraków. Today’s Distance: 304 mi/ 490 km (B,D)

Dating back to the 7th century, Kraków is revered by many as Poland’s most beautiful city. It was the country’s capital for over 500 years. On your included guided tour, see the Market Square, the Jewish Quarter, Wawel Hill, and visit the Cathedral. Spend free time exploring on your own or go deeper with an optional underground excursion to the Wieliczka salt mines. Descend to the first level of the mine and enjoy a sensory experience of beauty, color, and sound, and taste of salt on your lips.KRAKÓW Dating back to the 7th century, Kraków is revered by many as Poland’s most beautiful city. It was the country’s capital for over 500 years. On your included guided tour, see the Market Square, the Jewish Quarter, Wawel Hill, and visit the Cathedral. Spend free time exploring on your own or go deeper with an optional underground excursion to the Wieliczka salt mines. Descend to the first level of the mine and enjoy a sensory experience of beauty, color, and sound, and taste of salt on your lips. (B)

Get a breath of fresh mountain air today on the included excursion to Zakopane. Located in a picturesque valley at the base of the Tatra Mountain range, Zakopane has developed into a beautiful, pristine resort. Typical of this area are the highland wooden houses, cafes, restaurants, and the local shops on Krupowki Street. Enjoy a little hiking or browse around the small market for authentic souvenirs. Return to Krakow. Today’s Distance: 137 mi/ 220 kmKRAKÓW. EXCURSION TO ZAKOPANE Get a breath of fresh mountain air today on the included excursion to Zakopane. Located in a picturesque valley at the base of the Tatra Mountain range, Zakopane has developed into a beautiful, pristine resort. Typical of this area are the highland wooden houses, cafes, restaurants, and the local shops on Krupowki Street. Enjoy a little hiking or browse around the small market for authentic souvenirs. Return to Krakow. Today’s Distance: 137 mi/ 220 km (B,D)

Encounter sobering history this morning on your visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust. In the afternoon, continue to Warsaw. Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 kmKRAKÓW–AUSCHWITZ–WARSAW Encounter sobering history this morning on your visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust. In the afternoon, continue to Warsaw. Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km (B)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.WARSAW Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)