Two Week Cultural Discovery Tour In Poland

Arrive Warsaw and check-in to hotel. The capital of Poland has had a turbulent history spanning seven centuries. During this time it has been destroyed many times, most recently during World War II when 85% of its buildings were left in ruins. Today Warsaw stands rebuilt and restored to its former glory with its Old Town, the ‘Stare Miasto’, undoubtedly the showpiece. Here there are buskers and artists galore and many ‘al fresco’ cafes and restaurants surround the square.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Crossing the Vistula river we head into Poland’s rural heartland, part of an area known as the ‘Green Lungs of Poland’. It has been given special protection prohibiting the establishment of any major industries. We drive onto the lakeside town of Augustow where the surrounding thick forest reminds us of the primeval forest which once covered large tracts of Eastern Poland. Heading further north, the vegetation thins to reveal the district’s largest lake, Wigry, formed by a Scandinavian glacier. The backwater canoeing here is particularly good and this afternoon we take the first outing in our stable widebottomed canoes. You may like to visit the former Camaldolese monastery, founded in the 1660’s, it has superb views of the surrounding National Park from its bell tower.

Overnight Basic Guesthouse Included meals: Breakfast

This morning there is the opportunity to explore the numerous marked walking trails through the forest. In the afternoon we take to the Czarna Hancza river, possibly one of the most beautiful and unspoilt canoeing routes in Poland. Paddling along the tranquil water is an ideal way of seeing the attractive landscape and untouched nature of this region. We spend a half day paddling silently along forest lined reed banks.

Overnight Basic Guesthouse Included meals: Breakfast

Today we drive south to the Biebrza National Park. Here there is the famous Biebrza river marshes, the largest area of inland marsh in central Europe. We can look for birds such as white and black stork, cranes, waterfowl or if we’re lucky – a lesser spotted eagle. Other wildlife here includes elk, beaver and otter. Later we drive to the small farming village of Waniewo where we are punted silently through the reed-fringed channels of the tranquil Narew River. Nicknamed the ‘Polish Amazon’, this is a unique area where centuries of farming traditions exist in harmony with nature.

Overnight Basic Guesthouse Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Following the back roads east towards the Belarussian border, we arrive at the Bialowieza Forest, the last primeval forest remaining in Europe. On our journey we will see many old wooden villages. As Poland’s first National Park, (established in the 1920’s) there are a number of walking or biking trails showing the large variety of flora and fauna here. There is the option to visit the Bison Reserve where injured or orphaned animals, such as elk, red deer, wolf, wild boar and the European bison, (the largest mammal on the continent) can be seen. There are different ways to get there: horse and cart, biking or walking through the forest. In the evening it may be possible to have an “Ognisko” (traditional Polish campfire) accompanied by local musicians playing folk music.

Overnight Basic Guesthouse Included meals: Breakfast

Early this morning we have a guided walk in the forest learning more about the trees, wild flowers and birds that live here. Later we drive south to Kazimierz Dolny. This picturesque and well-preserved town was once a prosperous mercantile centre at the end of the 14th century. Ornate burghers’ houses were constructed along the banks of the Vistula river and around the old cobbled square. We take a short walking tour to discover the bestpreserved of these residences.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The day is free for you to explore at leisure. The whole region surrounding Kazimierz has been designated a Landscape Park and there are excellent walks in the hills and to north of the town, along the Vistula river. One short marked path, starting in the town square, leads to the ruins of a 14th century castle and its watchtower. Built by King Kazimierz the Great, it was destroyed by invading Swedes three centuries later. Other options include a boat trip on the Vistula and if you hop off you can visit the ruins of a 16th century castle at Janowiec; or you can simply spend your time relaxing in one of the many cafés which line the old Square.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we have a full day’s drive to the Bieszczady Mountains in the south-eastern corner of Poland. Travelling through the rolling hills and tobacco fields we come to Zamosc. This unique town was unscathed in World War II and is a superb example of a pure Renaissance city in both plan and architecture and has been included by UNESCO on its World Heritage list. We drive on through Roztocze National Park, an area of gentle limestone hills, small farms, clean streams and narrow strip fields, and finally reach our destination on the edge of the Bieszczady National Park.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The wild and sparsely-inhabited Bieszczady Mountains border both Ukraine and Slovakia and form part of the Eastern Carpathian range. They were completely depopulated for political reasons in 1945-48 and are now home to the largest numbers of red deer, wolf and bear in Poland. Many of the numerous walking trails which take us high above the tree-line were originally developed by shepherds. On our first day here we plan to hike from Gorna Wetlinka to Polonina Wetlinska ridge (1297m) (approx 4 1/2 hrs walking). On our second day a slightly more strenuous walk will take us across the National Park further east. We ascend from our lodge at Muczne, through a spruce and beech forest, onto the grass-covered Bukowe Berdo ridge and climb to Tarnica Peak (1346m), the highest point in the Polish Bieszczady Mountains. We then descend to Wolosate village and meet our transport (approx 5hrs walking). Both walks should provide us with stunning vistas of this mountain region. Easier, shorter walks are available for those that wish to explore independently.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive north-west to Krakow, the capital of Poland until 1596. Its location on the Vistula river and its magnificent medieval market square, old tenement houses, fortifications and castle, all having survived both World Wars almost untouched, give the city a very special atmosphere. Your tour leader will introduce you to the delights of the Old Town on an orientation stroll, through a maze of narrow streets which open on to the huge market square – the largest square of medieval Europe. The Sukiennice, a vast cloth hall in medieval times and now a covered market, is a distinctive sight, and the venders wares vary from wooden toys to beautiful amber jewellery. In the evening, you can eat al fresco in one of the many open-air cafés and restaurants which surround the square.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Two days are left free for you to explore the many sites of Krakow. The Jewish Kazimierz district, the setting for the film ‘Schindler’s List’, has many points of interest including the Old Synagogue and the Museum of Jewish life. You may like to make an excursion by train to Oswiecim, the site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, a haunting reminder of the terrible atrocities which took place there during World War II. It is also possible to visit the Royal Castle, perched high on Wawel Hill, which overlooks both the Old Town and the Vistula River. Constructed in Renaissance style, the castle houses exquisite treasures collected through the ages by Polish monarchs. Next to the castle is Wawel Cathedral, the final resting place of Polish Kings. Another option is to visit the salt mines of Wieliczka.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We transfer to the central railway station and take a morning express train (approx. 3 hrs) back to Warsaw for our final night. Your tour leader will escort you on a short orientation walk of the old town in the afternoon. You could also visit the impressive Wilanow Palace (optional entrance) set in attractive parkland on the outskirts of the city. The afternoon is free for personal exploration. Recognised as a ‘Natural and Cultural World Heritage Treasure’, the old town contains several beautiful Gothic churches. The 17th century rust-red Royal Castle and the colourful facades of the merchant houses that surround the Market Square make it one of Europe’s most beautiful medieval squares. You may also like to visit one of Warsaw’s excellent museums.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Your tour ends this morning but if you are not leaving straight away you may choose to take another look at the facinating buildings and market square in the old town or people watch from one of the street side cafes.

Included meals: Breakfast