Poland's Heritage Highlights Tour - 5 Days

As you arrive in Warsaw, we'll take care of your transfer to the hotel, allowing you to settle in. You'll have some leisure time to start exploring this vibrant city at your own pace or simply relax and enjoy the hotel's amenities. In the afternoon, keep an eye on the boards at the hotel reception for important information about the beginning of your journey. Enjoy your first taste of Warsaw's exciting atmosphere as you prepare for the days of exploration ahead. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

Today begins with a guided panoramic tour of Warsaw, a vibrant city blending modernity with rich historical layers. housing nearly two million people, the city serves as both Poland�s political heart and an economic powerhouse. We'll begin by exploring the charming old town, famous for its cobblestone streets and the illustrious Royal Palace � all meticulously reconstructed after World War II devastation and now proudly a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our journey also includes a visit to the iconic Palace of Culture, a Soviet-era skyscraper, and a reflective moment at the site of what was once Europe's largest Jewish ghetto. We'll continue with a peaceful stroll through Lazienki Park, which houses the monument to the celebrated composer Chopin.

The afternoon offers you the chance to venture out on your own. You might choose to delve into the city's rich history at the National Museum or the Warsaw Rising Museum. Alternatively, you could wander through the lively city centre, bustling with shops and local activities. In some cases, the city tour might take place via a shared tourist service, depending on group size.

We set off from Warsaw towards the picturesque region of Lesser Poland, also known by its Polish name, Ma?opolska. Our journey takes us first to Kielce, a lively town established in the 11th century. Here you'll find an elegant town centre featuring a stunning cathedral, the bishop's palace, and beautiful gardens. You'll have time to explore the area and enjoy a leisurely lunch. As we travel through the scenic routes of Lesser Poland, take a moment to admire the quaint villages and rolling landscapes. Our next stop is the charming town of Tarnow, founded in the 14th century. Tarnow boasts a spacious central square flanked by medieval streets, with a blend of Renaissance and Gothic architecture reflecting Polish, Jewish, and Hungarian influences. Before World War II, the city had a significant Jewish population, and its ethnographic museum serves as a tribute to the Roma community, who faced persecution during the war. We then continue to Krakow, arriving in the late afternoon. We highly recommend taking a stroll through Krakow's bustling Market Square to round off your day.

On the fourth day, our journey begins with a panoramic tour of Krakow, the capital of the Lesser Poland region and a city with roots tracing back to the 7th century. As we wander through Krakow's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its medieval allure, you'll marvel at its charming streets and the expansive Main Market Square, among the largest in Europe and a focal point of city life. We�ll also explore the Wawel Castle Hill, once the royal residence of Polish monarchs.

Next, we travel to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a quaint town set against a scenic backdrop, celebrated for its monastery and chapel complex. This site, referred to as the "Calvary," holds UNESCO World Heritage status and is a significant pilgrimage site.

We then continue to Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, where you'll have time to enjoy lunch and explore at your leisure.

In the afternoon, we proceed to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous Nazi concentration and extermination camp from World War II, where over a million lives were tragically lost. Our visit will include Birkenau, where trains brought deportees from across Europe.

We return to Warsaw by the end of the day.

Following breakfast, our tour concludes, leaving you with lasting memories of your journey through Poland.