Day 1: Krakow arrival
Welcome to Krakow, Poland’s cultural capital. Upon arrival, you will be met at Krakow John Paul II International Airport and transferred to your premium hotel in the heart of the Old Town. This evening, join your Travel Director for a welcome reception and orientation walk through the illuminated Main Market Square, where the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica create a magical first impression of Poland.
Day 2: Krakow
Explore Krakow with a local expert guide. Begin at Wawel Hill, the spiritual heart of Poland, where the Royal Castle and Cathedral dominate the skyline. Walk through the castle courtyards and visit the cathedral crypts where Polish kings and national heroes are buried. Descend to the Main Market Square, Europe’s largest medieval plaza, to admire the 14th-century Cloth Hall and listen for the hourly hejnal trumpet call from St. Mary’s tower. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. In the evening, join an authentic vodka tasting experience in a historic cellar bar, where a local expert will guide you through Poland’s finest vodkas paired with traditional zakaski (appetizers).
Day 3: Wieliczka Salt Mine
Travel to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s oldest working salt mines, in continuous operation since the 13th century. Descend 135 meters underground via a wooden staircase and enter a vast subterranean city carved entirely from salt. Marvel at the Chapel of St. Kinga, an underground cathedral where everything — from chandeliers to altar carvings — is made of salt. Enjoy the unique experience of lunch 125 meters below the surface in one of the mine’s underground restaurants. Return to Krakow for an afternoon visit to Kazimierz, the atmospheric Jewish Quarter, where you can wander the cobblestone streets, visit historic synagogues, and discover the neighborhood’s vibrant cafes and street art.
Day 4: Zakopane
Journey south to Zakopane, Poland’s premier mountain resort at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. The scenery transforms as you approach the Podhale region, with its distinctive wooden architecture and stunning alpine views. Ride the funicular up Gubalowka Mountain for sweeping panoramas of the High Tatras. Walk along Krupowki Street, the town’s lively pedestrian promenade. Experience highlander culture firsthand with a tasting of oscypek, the region’s smoked sheep’s cheese, and enjoy an evening of traditional Gorale music and cuisine at a local mountain restaurant.
Day 5: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
Today is a day of remembrance and reflection with a guided visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Walk through the gates bearing the infamous inscription Arbeit Macht Frei at Auschwitz I and see the exhibits documenting the scale and horror of the Holocaust. Then proceed to Birkenau (Auschwitz II), the vast extermination camp where over a million people — mostly European Jews — were murdered. The visit is deeply moving and essential for understanding the darkest chapter of World War II and the importance of remembrance. Return to Krakow in the late afternoon for a quiet evening.
Day 6: Wroclaw
Travel west to Wroclaw, one of Poland’s most charming cities. Upon arrival, explore Cathedral Island (Ostrow Tumski), the oldest part of the city, where gas lamps are still lit by hand each evening. Cross the Tumski Bridge, famously adorned with padlocks left by couples in love. Continue to the magnificent Market Square with its Gothic Town Hall and colorful Baroque facades. See the Centennial Hall, a pioneering example of reinforced concrete architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Throughout the afternoon, keep an eye out for Wroclaw’s famous dwarfs — over 400 tiny bronze statues hidden in doorways, on windowsills, and around street corners throughout the city.
Day 7: Poznan
Continue to Poznan, one of Poland’s oldest cities and the birthplace of the Polish state. Your tour focuses on the magnificent Old Market Square, dominated by the Renaissance Town Hall. At noon, witness one of Poland’s most beloved traditions as two mechanical goats emerge from the Town Hall tower to butt heads 12 times, a ritual that has delighted crowds since 1551. Visit Poznan Cathedral on Cathedral Island, where Poland’s first rulers are believed to be buried. The afternoon is free to explore the city’s excellent museums, browse the shops on Swiety Marcin Street, or sample St. Martin’s croissants, a local pastry protected by EU geographical designation.
Day 8: Torun
Travel to Torun, a remarkably preserved Gothic city and birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus. The entire medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, its red-brick architecture telling the story of the city’s Hanseatic League prosperity. Follow the Copernicus Trail to see his birthplace and the university named in his honor. Participate in a hands-on gingerbread-making workshop at the Living Museum of Gingerbread, crafting your own pierniki using traditional 16th-century molds — a sweet souvenir of your visit. Climb the Town Hall tower for panoramic views of the Vistula River and the Gothic skyline.
Day 9: Gdansk
Head north to Gdansk, the historic port city on the Baltic Sea. Your guided tour begins at Westerplatte, where the first shots of World War II were fired on September 1, 1939. Continue to the Solidarity Museum, an interactive and architecturally stunning museum dedicated to the Solidarity movement that brought down communism in Poland. Walk the Royal Route to the Long Market, the most beautiful street in Gdansk, lined with ornate Mannerist and Baroque townhouses. Visit St. Mary’s Church and admire the medieval Gdansk Crane on the Motlawa River. The late afternoon is free for amber shopping along Mariacka Street, where jewelers sell Baltic amber in all its golden hues.
Day 10: Gdansk departure
Your immersive Polish journey concludes after breakfast. Transfer to Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport for your onward flight, or extend your stay to explore the Baltic coast further. Your Travel Director will be on hand to assist with any arrangements.
