Essential Poland in a Week

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Zakopane

   Three million visitors can’t be wrong. That’s how many people come to Zakopane every year, making it Poland’s most popular holiday destination. Many come for skiing, but this is a natural paradise all year round. You’ll find hiking trails and ski slopes, and opportunities for climbing, ice skating, rafting and paragliding. Even just walking through the hills and into the charming little town of Zakopane is an enchanting experience in itself. It will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The center of the city is where the most commercial shops are, and it can be a bit hectic compared to the surroundings. But besides enjoying nature, there are numerous cafes and bars to help you get into the spirit of the nightlife. Zakopane also has several museums as well as villas and mansions that are built in the unique local style. If you’re looking for authentic Polish cuisine, you’ve come to the right place, as you’ll find several themed restaurants serving up classic dishes.

   Upon your arrival at Krakow's airport, a driver will pick you up and take you to your accommodations in Zakopane. The journey should take about two hours, depending on traffic.

   

   Feast at the Foot of the Tatra Mountains

   During the evening, we recommend dining at a very traditional highlander restaurant called Bakowo Zohylina Niznio. There, you'll find tasty regional food and a great atmosphere. Be sure to visit after 7:00 PM, when a local band starts playing folk songs, which adds to the already terrific vibes. The restaurant is located on the walking route near the famous Krupowki Street. Don't forget to try the grilled cheese ("Oscypek") with cranberry jam and potato pancakes ("moskol") with garlic butter!

   Suggestion to explore on your own

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Zakopane

   

   Zakopane Private Walking Tour with Gubalowka Funicular Ride and Oscypek Cheese Tasting

   Zakopane, known as the "Winter Capital of Poland" is a delightful town situated at the foot of the grandiose Tatra mountains. Through centuries this region attracted the most prominent Polish artists, writers, poets, painters, musicians and composers. It is a place where culture meets nature. Get to know this unique place during a 4 hour private walking tour.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Fine Dining in Zakopane

   Prepare yourself for an impeccable dining experience at a beautiful venue. Goralska Tradycja combines the best of Goral (highlander) culture, Zakopane's traditions, and regional cuisine. A charming interior, delicious dishes, and a breathtaking view of the Tatra Mountains make this restaurant an exceptional place to visit. Besides delectable main dishes, each cooked to perfection (like roast duck, trout, and pierogi), they are also known for mouth-watering desserts and tasty coffee.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

3. Day 3 Traveling to Krakow by Private Car / Arrival in Krakow

   Off to Krakow! Your private driver will pick you up from your accommodations based on your chosen departure time. Then you'll head north to Krakow, which generally takes less than two hours, depending on traffic. 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.

   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.

   Our representative will then meet with you to answer any questions you have and to get you settled for the rest of your trip.

   

   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

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

   Watch the video

4. Day 4 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

   

   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

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

   Watch the video

5. Day 5 Your Second Full Day in Krakow

   

   Auschwitz-Birkenau Group Tour with a Private Driver

   We invite you to visit one of the most expressive and symbolic locations in Poland. You'll explore the Auschwitz Museum and Birkenau Camp, a place that should be experienced and seen at least once in your lifetime. You'll have a private tour to the museum, where you'll join a group of about 30 people.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 7 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Classical Krakow: Chopin Concert

   Chopin is one of Poland’s most renowned composers, and today we suggest taking in a recital of his music in the Old Town's Chopin Concert Hall.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 1 hour

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

   Watch the video

6. Day 6 Traveling to Warsaw by Private Transfer / Arrival in Warsaw

   

   Today you're off to Warsaw, your private driver picks you up at your accommodations and along the way, you will stop in the town of Czestochowa to see the famous Jasna Gora Monastery. There's a special atmosphere here that you can't help but notice. You will have some free time to visit the Monastery on your own. For an additional fee, we can arrange a private tour. Please note that this is a non guided transfer.

   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.

   Welcome to Warsaw! Our driver will take you to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   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

7. Day 7 Your First Full Day in Warsaw

   

   Classic Warsaw Private Tour by Communist Minibus

   Explore Warsaw's history, culture, architecture, and more with an expert local guide, as they take you through the city's most important historical sites, from the Royal Castle and Old Town, to the Palace on the Isle and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Warsaw can be sprawling, so you'll save plenty of time and energy by traveling aboard a communist-era minibus.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Understand Poland's History Through its Key Museums

   One of the indisputable truths about Warsaw is that it is the home of some of Poland's most impressive and innovative museums. Be sure to visit the POLIN Museum, which celebrates the long history and continued heritage of the Jewish community in Poland, the Warsaw Rising Museum that commemorates the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, and the National Museum, famed for its extensive art collection.
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Departure Day

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