Budapest and Poland's Best

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Budapest

   The Paris of Central Europe, Budapest is the Queen of the Danube, a sprawling, regal city split in two halves by the mighty river. The city’s two UNESCO-listed halves, ancient Buda and modern Pest both have their charms and are linked by numerous picturesque bridges. From the Buda Castle to the Danube Embankment and the sprawling Andrassy Avenue, with its impressive architecture, there is plenty to keep you busy here, exploring and discovering this atmospheric city. It’s a little too big to explore only on foot, but the Pest side of the city is well laid out with broad avenues of the Parisian system, so it’s hard to get lost, and the public transportation, including the world's second oldest subway system, works well. Budapest has all the charm of Western Europe at a fraction of the price. Here you can taste excellent wines produced throughout the region, and even enjoy Michelin-star dining in various locations. We can offer you more than enough exciting activities in the city, from a visit to the incredible Parliament building to a boat cruise with dinner, or an exploration of Budapest’s communist past. The city also has a rich Jewish heritage, so you’ll find the perfect balance of history and modern culture here. Voted Best City in Europe in 2013 by Condé Nast Traveler readers and a regular in their top 3, Budapest really is a special city with activities to cater to every interest.

   When you arrive at Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt Airport, a private driver will greet you and take you to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Evening Sightseeing Group Cruise

   You're invited for a panoramic boat ride at night, when the city will be beautifully lit up for your pleasure. Glass in hand, you will be able to experience how the legends of Budapest come alive. Look behind the walls of the Royal Palace, the Parliament, the bridges, and other splendid sights all bathed in light.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 1 hour

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Budapest

   

   Pest Private Walking Tour

   When arriving at a new capital for the first time, it's best to have a knowledgeable local show you around. On this tour, an expert local guide will take you around the Pest side of Budapest, home to most of the city's landmarks and history, showing you not just the big-name sights, but introducing you into the everyday lives of the city's citizens.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Walk on the Buda Side

   If you've seen enough of the Pest side of the city, walk across the river and explore the Buda side of Hungary's capital. In hilly Buda, you'll find several amazing baths, such as the famous Gellert Baths or the more hidden and local Kiraly Baths. Visit the Matthias Church, where Franz Joseph I and Elisabeth were coronated and stop at the Royal Palace, the home of Hungarian National Gallery. Don't forget to take a ride on the Buda Castle Funicular!

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

   

   Venture Within Budapest’s Signature Sights

   Although a walking tour of the city will show you its highlights, there’s just not enough time to go inside all the buildings it covers. If you have just a few days in Budapest and you want to focus on the must-sees, we recommend exploring the Great Market Hall to try local delicacies and maybe purchase some souvenirs, the Parliament to see the most fabulous building in Budapest with breathtaking interiors, and finish your day with a trip to Budapest's grand Opera House for a performance.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Budapest

   

   Culinary Walk: Food and Wine Tasting Small Group Tour

   On this walking tour you will be introduced to the drinking and eating habits of the Hungarian people, shown why the Hungarian cuisine is one of a kind. We provide insights into the latest local food trends, and food shops of Budapest, as well as tasting some of the traditional drinks and food. We show you old and historical, but also new and hipster. Between the stops we spice up the tour with interesting historical facts and legends, and by the end of the tour you will be familiar with some great Hungarian inventions as well.
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 5 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Bathe with the Locals

   Is there anything more quintessentially Budapest than a visit to one of the legendary baths? With more hot springs than any other capital, the city lets you take your pick of various styles, from the old school Turkish Rudas Baths to the Art Nouveau Gellert Baths on the Buda side of the city, or even the Neo-Baroque Szechenyi Baths with a large outdoor pool in Pest’s City Park. These are very much for locals, don't expect day-spa luxury! We've written a handy roundup of Budapest's best baths here.
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 Traveling to Krakow by Private Transfer / Arrival in Krakow

   

   A private driver will pick you up in Budapest and bring you to your accommodation in Krakow. The ride will be a lovely one through the mountains and the Hungarian and Slovakian countryside. The drive takes around seven hours but along the way, you will stop at the UNESCO-listed Banska Stiavnica, an ideal place to get lunch. It's a medieval town with a silver mining museum and not one but two castles. Please note that this is a non-guided transfer. The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon, or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class of vehicle for an extra fee. If you prefer to save some time, we can look into a direct flight instead.

   Krakow may not be the largest city in Poland, but it is by far the most popular with travelers. Less industrial than Warsaw, Krakow was once Poland’s royal capital, and unlike the rest of the country, came out of World War II with its gorgeous architecture mostly unscathed. One glance at the city’s perfectly preserved and restored Old Town and it will be abundantly clear why Krakow is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This compact historical district houses the largest square in Europe, where you can stroll, shop from the market, and sample some tasty Polish delicacies. Krakow’s cultural life is rich and there are more than enough classical and jazz concerts to attend during your stay. Just walk through Old Town any evening and you’ll find warmly lit cafes, restaurants and bars. Some of the most prominent sites in and around the city are linked with the grim, albeit highly important historical facts, as evidenced by the memorials in the Jewish Kazimierz district and the Auschwitz concentration camp located nearby - chilling and vivid reminders of World War II. You can also explore Poland’s natural wonders from Krakow, with visits to the atmospheric Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Tatra Mountains all comfortable day trips.

   When you arrive in Krakow, your driver will bring you straight to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Chopin Music Concert

   To any classic music aficionado, concerts of the Chopin's musical works present themselves as a real treat. Here, you will have the opportunity to appreciate a Polish musical genius in the unique atmosphere of Krakow's Market Square. We invite you to listen to Chopin's most famous piano pieces performed by talented and award-winning young pianist.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 1 hour

   Included in your vacation package price

   Watch the video

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Krakow

   

   Krakow Private Walking Tour

   Today you’ll get a feel for the story of the city with a private tour with a local expert. There's much to discover as you walk the famed Royal Route through the city's heart, on this tour filled to the brim with historical facts and anecdotes. You'll wander from the Barbican and St. Florian's Gate to the spectacular royal hilltop Wawel Castle, visiting the Main Square with its Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica along the way.
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Explore Krakow's Jewish Legacy

   Discover the atmosphere and the spirit of Jewish life in Krakow. Before WWII, Jews made up 25% of Krakow's population, helping create the city's unique identity. Delve into this heritage by seeing some of the most significant sites related to Jewish culture and life. Kazimierz is Krakow’s most unique neighborhood, combining its heritage as the Jewish Quarter with a more recent reinvention as the city’s bohemian headquarters. You can also explore food and music at the Klezmer Hois, where you can enjoy a three-course authentic Jewish meal, complete with a live Klezmer band.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Kazimierz Highlights of Jewish Heritage Private Tour

   This three-hour excursion will show you some of the most important sites of Jewish culture in Krakow. These include seven synagogues (you'll go inside two of them), Helena Rubinstein House, "Schindler's List" film locations, and much more. We invite you to learn about the 800 years of Jewish history and discover what the Jewish community was before, during, and after the war.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Jewish Dinner and Klezmer Concert in Kazimierz

   In the heart of Krakow’s former Jewish district Kazimierz, you will find one of the most well-established restaurants in the city named "Klezmer Hois". Inside the sixteenth century building awaits for you an artistic and culinary offer referring to the pre-war Jewish Kazimierz. We invite you to discover the taste of Jewish cuisine and the charm of klezmer music.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   Watch the video

6. Day 6 Your Second Full Day in Krakow

   

   Wieliczka Salt Mine Group Tour

   This Salt Mine is one of the oldest in the world and was established in the 13th century. Today salt is no longer mined in Wieliczka, but this original underground complex is preserved in a great condition, making it a world-class monument. This astonishing place was recognised in the UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage List due to its breathtaking underground chambers carved entirely in salt. Wieliczka Salt Mine tours rank among the most popular day trips from Krakow and draws attention of over one million visitors each year.
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Watch the video

   

   Auschwitz-Birkenau Group Tour

   See in person the place where some of the most gruesome atrocities of World War II were carried out. Auschwitz was the biggest Nazi concentration and death camp in occupied Europe. On July 2, 1947 Memorial Museum was created on its site by an act of the Polish parliament. Situated about an hour from Krakow, the Auschwitz Memorial Museum is included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 6 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

   Watch the video

7. Day 7 Traveling to Warsaw by Train / Arrival in Warsaw

   You'll be heading north to Warsaw today. There are frequent trains between Krakow and Warsaw, one every two hours or so. We will provide train tickets with seat reservations based on your preferred departure time and arrange for a transfer from your accommodation to the train station. The journey takes about 3 hours. If you'd like to take your time while enjoying more privacy, we can also organize a private transfer with stops along the way in Lodz or Czestochowa. It makes the journey longer but adds a visit to your choice of these remarkable destinations.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Warsaw by Private Transfer with a Tour in Lodz

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   Warsaw, the capital of Poland and its largest city, has bounced back from the devastation of World War II, reconstructing the historic center, and earning UNESCO World Heritage status in the process. This is a bustling metropolis with a charm that’s distinct from other cities in Poland. Here you’ll find art museums and theaters galore, with lively performances and exhibitions throughout the year, as well as frequent festivals of all sorts. The culinary scene here is top-notch, with several well-respected restaurants offering classics of Polish cuisine and modern masterpieces from European gastronomy. Warsaw has distinct neighborhoods that are perfect for exploring on foot, but it’s also fun to get an appreciation for the size of the city by being chauffeured. You can explore different layers of Warsaw’s history, from World War II to its Jewish heritage and communist past. You’ll definitely want to sample the local cuisine while you explore the city, and there’s no shortage of opportunities to do so, from street stalls to fine dining. When you’re ready to go farther afield, the region surrounding Warsaw offers gorgeous lakes, castles and other notable cities and villages. There is no shortage of ways to enjoy your time in this vibrant city.

   When you arrive at the Warsaw train station, a driver will meet you there and take you directly to your accommodation in the city center.

   

   Views and Foods

   If you've just arrived, we suggest visiting the Krakowskie Przedmiescie, a famed street that forms the northern end of the Royal Way. Here, you can climb to the top of the St. Anna's Church Bell Tower, which provides an amazing view of the Royal Castle and the Old Town. After this not insignificant exercise (there are 150 steps to climb), treat yourself to a nice dinner at the nearby U Fukiera restaurant. Through delicious Polish cuisine, you'll start immersing yourself in the local culture. Smacznego!

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Your First Full Day in Warsaw

   

   Best of Warsaw Private Walking Tour

   Taking this tour first thing after your arrival in Warsaw is going to acquaint you with most of the fabulous, historical and important sites of the city. Besides that, you will find plenty of hidden parts that are rather off the standard route. It’s an excellent option for the first day in Warsaw or if you are limited by time.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Explore Warsaw's Jewish Heritage

   Warsaw has a rich Jewish history, and we highly recommend exploring it while you're visiting the city. The most significant historical monument to local Jewish culture is the Warsaw Ghetto. On Prozna Street you'll find the ghetto's surviving tenements covered in an artistic memorial to the victims of Nazism. There are also numerous statues, including the Monument to Ghetto Heroes, and the Monument to Mila 18, which was the headquarters of the ghetto's resistance fighters. The Nozyk Synagogue was once one of 400 synagogues in the city. Today it is the only one that survived World War II. It's certainly worth visiting, if only to marvel at the architecture and the interior. The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews is also a must-see. The museum's postmodern exterior is striking in itself, but inside you'll find truly breathtaking exhibitions that reveal the rich history of Jewish life in Warsaw. Please note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

9. Day 9 Your Second Full Day in Warsaw

   

   Majdanek and Lublin Private Day Trip

   Visit the place that is very much different to Auschwitz or Dachau. It’s the most complete witness of the terrifying Holocaust. Silent, with no crowds and rush. You might get a feeling, that it was just abandoned and left intact (which is true). After paying respect to the victims of war at Majdanek, you will be able to change scenery and stroll around a beautiful old town in Lublin - One of the premier cities in Eastern Poland.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 11 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Warsaw Food Tasting Group Tour

   Today you'll find that Polish food is far more than just famous pierogi, during this in depth exploration of the local cuisine. You will also learn interesting stories behind the dishes you discover. You'll get to know why Poles complain about the quality of their bread, why people often long for food from the 70s, and why you can't always trust an invitation "for a cup of coffee." This tour will make for a full meal, as you'll try a dozen different dishes in several quaint eateries, representing both modern and traditional food. This is a great way to combine lunch with active city exploration.
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

10. Day 10 Departure Day

    Based on your flight time, we'll arrange for a transfer from your accommodations to Warsaw's main airport.