WWII Tour of Poland

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Gdansk

   Gdansk has a rich and volatile history, due mostly to its position at the mouth of the Vistula River on the Baltic Sea. That has been bad news for the city’s inhabitants throughout history, but today it’s good news for visitors. With its rare blend of historic architectural styles from varied cultures, Gdansk offers reminders of Polish, Prussian, and Napoleonic rulers. While some of the city recalls Poland, other parts will remind you of Amsterdam and other port cities from the north of Europe. You’ll have a great time exploring all the various corners of the city on foot, but there’s much more to do here than just look at interesting buildings. Old Town and Westplatte are two areas you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget to pay a visit to Long Market, where you can find many local arts and crafts. And outside of the city, Malbork Castle is one of the most popular day trips. History will come alive for you here as you explore the different tours and museums on the castle grounds. Or you could go a little farther afield with a tri-city day trip including visits to Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia, all of which have a unique charm that’s even more impressive when compared with the other nearby cities.

   Upon your arrival to Gdansk Airport, you will be picked up and taken to your accommodation in Gdansk. The journey should take about 30 minutes.

   

   Walk the Royal Way

   Follow in the footsteps of kings by taking the Royal Way through the center of the city, from the Green Gate to the Golden Gate. This route will take you down Ulica Dluga and Dlugi Targ, the "Long Lane" and "Long Market," along which many of the city's landmarks are arranged. It offers the most direct way to get to know and fall in love with Gdansk.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Gdansk

   

   World War II in Gdansk Private Tour

   This four-hour tour will open your eyes to one of the many difficult episodes for Poland during World War II. Your guide will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to Westerplatte, one of the earliest battlegrounds of World War II. Here you'll learn more about what life used to be like for locals, and see the remnants of the fighting. It's a fascinating tour that will change your point of view on Poland's history.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 6 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Stutthof Concentration Camp Private Tour

   Learn the horrowing tale of Stutthof Concentration Camp, the first and longest operating concentration camp in Polish territory. Hear the story of the place where thousands of people from more than 25 countries were tortured and murdered until its liberation in 1945. Please note that the camp can only be visited by persons over 13 years of age.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 5 hours

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

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Gdansk

   

   Wolf's Lair Private Tour

   Sign on this full day private tour to The Wolf’s Lair and discover Hitler's first Eastern front military headquarters, a historical place located in the Masurian woods. It is where he spent over 800 days during World War II and is also the deeply hidden location of the failed assassination attempt on his life that took place in 1944. Additional attraction on this tour will be visiting the most beautiful baroque church in northern Poland, sanctuary of St. Marry, place of miracle from IV centrury, where you will have opportunity to see the church and listen to an organ concert.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 10 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

4. Day 4 Traveling to Warsaw by Train / Arrival in Warsaw

   Today you are traveling to Warsaw, the capital of Poland, by train. There are several options, so let us know what your preferred departure time is. We have included standard class train tickets in your package for this 3-hour journey but an upgrade to higher class is possible at an extra fee. We will also arrange for a driver to pick you up at your accommodation in Gdansk and take you to the train station in plenty of time for the departing train.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Warsaw by Private Transfer with a stop in Torun including a Private City Tour (in a Luxury Vehicle)

   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.

   

   The Phoenix City

   Warsaw has been nicknamed "The Phoenix City" since its rebirth following Hitler's systematic destruction of the city. It has since become a booming economic center, but traces and remains from WWII remain easy to find. From internationally famous museums like the Uprising Museum, or POLIN, to monuments such as the Warsaw Nike Statue and the Ghetto Heroes Monument and Warsaw Nike Statue, there are plenty of commemorations and sources of knowledge covering the city's darkest period.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Warsaw

   

   WWII Buffs Private Tour by Communist Minibus

   Investigate the remains of WWII era in Warsaw on this 3 hour private tour in the company of professional guide and on board of a unique communist retro minibus that has been designed just few years after WWII. This tour will cover the time frame from 1939 Nazi invasion on Poland, beginning of the occupation of the country, the birth of local resistance, Ghetto Uprising, Warsaw Uprising and, finally, 1945 arrival of the Soviet army.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   A Millenia of Jewish History

   Standing on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto, the relatively new POLIN Museum has become one of Europe's most famous museums devoted to Jews. There, you can explore over a millennia of Jewish history, from Poland's first Jewish settlers, to the period just after World War II. It's a vast place, with impressive architecture and plenty of content to read, watch, and interact with. After you've delved into the past, fill yourself up at the museum's restaurant, which offers Jewish, Polish, and international dishes, some kosher.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

6. Day 6 Your Second Full Day in Warsaw

   

   Treblinka Camp Private Tour

   After you have seen some of the landmark places inside Warsaw, we encourage you to book a trip to Treblinka. It's the second largest Nazi extermination camp located just 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from Warsaw. At the beginning of the tour you will also see, still in Warsaw, important sites, such us, the memorial to Janusz Korczak, an educator, children-author and pedagogue, who went to Treblinka with his children students, and Umschlagplatz, place where Warsaw Jews were were assembled for deportation to Nazi death camps.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 6 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

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

   Today you will make your way to Lublin. We have included standard class train tickets in your package for this 3 hour journey, however the upgrade to first class is possible for an extra fee. We will also arrange for a driver to pick you up from your accommodation in Warsaw and take you to the train station for your departing train. A private transfer from door to door is also available at an extra fee, which afford you the opportunity to make a stop in the idyllic small town of Kazimierz Dolny.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Lublin by Private Transfer with a stop in Kazimierz Dolny

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   Lublin's Old Town may not be as its neighbor to the west, but "The Little Krakow" still punches above its weight, charming with its cobbled streets and preserved architecture. This "Capital of Festivals" has always been a cultural center, and continues to add festivals to its already jam-packed calendar. The Market Square's Old Town Hall is surrounded by merchant's homes and winding lanes, while the castle (which mixes 12th century architecture with a 19th century English Neogothic style provides excellent views. Historically one of Poland's most important cities (especially during the country's golden age), Lublin became famous as a center of Jewish learning and mysticism, granting it a reputation as "the Jewish Oxford," in part because its main yeshiva had the rights and privileges of a university. With its ten universities, Lublin remains a center of learning. With students making up 35% of the population, Lublin has a young feel, with thriving nightlife and an excellent music and arts scene.

   On your arrival at Lublin train station we will arrange taxi to wait for you and drive you to your hotel.

   

   Life Centers Around the City Center

   There’s a bunch of interesting landmarks to discover in the city of Lublin. Chiefly around the Old Town Market Square area, the historical Center of Lublin. Grodzka Gate, The Krakowska Gate, Cathedral of St John the Baptist and of course, the majestical Lublin Castle adjacent to the Old town district, are all literally stone's throw away from one another, providing for a convenient and utterly pleasant walk.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Your First Full Day in Lublin

   

   Lublin Private Walking Tour

   Get acquainted with historical landmarks and fascinating places in Lublin's Old Town with a walking tour. Don’t expect a monotonous tour with lots of detailed information. The guide's aim is to entertain you with arresting accounts, legends, and anecdotes. You'll hear inspirational and memorable stories covering the town’s history from the dark ages until today as you walk through Lublin's historic center.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   It's Showtime!

   Have a seat and enjoy the show provided by the large, multimedia water fountain in Lithuanian Square featuring dramatic displays with lights, lasers & music. It's all well engineered and seems to have an endless cycle of lights and sequences. Very well put together. it's a lovely focal point on the square and one of the Lublin's symbols.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

9. Day 9 Traveling to Krakow by Private Transfer / Arrival in Krakow

   

   In the morning you'll be met at your accommodation by our driver to be taken to Krakow. Along the way, we included a 3-hour long stop in Kazimierz Dolny, where you can have a stroll in this lovely city and some free time to enjoy lunch. The duration of the journey is around 8 hours including free time in Kazimierz Dolny. Please note, that this is a non-guided transfer, we can include a guided tour of Kazimierz Dolny for an additional 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.

   

   Settle in and Enjoy

   If you've just arrived, before starting on tours, head out and get a feel for this unique city. If you're staying near the main square ("Rynek,") take a leisurely stroll, visit the Cloth Hall, and have a coffee with a view at Cafe Szal. If you start near the Kazimierz district, treat yourself to a delicious dinner at Starka restaurant. Either way, let yourself get charmed by Krakow.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

10. Day 10 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

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

    

    Ghetto and Schindler's Factory Private Tour

    This three-hour tour with an expert local guide will give you an immersion into Krakow's Jewish culture, centering around the tragic events of World War II. From the Jewish Ghetto to Schindler's Factory, you'll see all of the most significant sites of Jewish history here. Along the way your guide will answer your questions and tell you everything you need to know about the life, times and tragedies of the Jewish people in Krakow.
    

    • Activity Level : Moderate
    • Duration : 3 hours

    Included in your vacation package price

11. Day 11 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

    

    An Exceptional Dining Experience

    There are places in Krakow where chefs and the whole restaurant staff are artists responsible for the fact that our evening in many respects, not only culinary, will be wonderful, unique, and memorable for a long time. One of these places that will allow you to experience highly professional service and delight your palate is the "Szara Ges" restaurant located right on the Main Square. "Ges" means "Goose" which is one of the specialties, and well worth trying. Also, don't forget to try their signature "Grey Goose" dessert - we are sure you will be pleasantly surprised!

    Suggestion to explore on your own

12. Day 12 Departure Day

    Our driver will pick you up in from your accommodation and take you to Krakow Airport in plenty of time for your departing flight.