Itinerary

Overnight Stay: The Polonia Palace Hotel

We would recommend that you stay at The Polonia Palace Hotel in Warsaw to start your adventure. This pre-night at the hotel is not included in the package, however, we are happy to arrange for you to stay at the host hotel for a rate of $200 Double / $145 Single. 

Overnight stay: The Polonia Palace Hotel
Dinner included

Plan to meet in Warsaw at The Polonia Palace Hotel by 9 am to begin our trip. We’ll be met by our local guide for a tour of Warsaw which will include the Old Town with Market Square, Barbican, Palace Square and the Royal Castle. We also get a panoramic view of Warsaw from atop the Palace of Culture and Science, weather permitting. During a short break from our sightseeing, we’ll stop at one of Wedel’s Chocolate Lounges to warm up with hot chocolate. Wedel is Poland’s oldest chocolate brand founded in Warsaw in 1851. The tour will end with a visit to Warsaw’s Christmas Market in the Old Town and along the Barbican. You will have time to stroll the stalls filled with Polish arts and crafts, locally made foods, drinks and spices, all while listening to traditional Christmas carols. This evening we’ll be getting together for our welcome dinner at a famous Polish restaurant, Ale Gloria.

Overnight stay: The Polonia Palace Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch included

The day begins with a cooking class where we’ll learn how to prepare traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner dishes. After, we’ll continue touring Warsaw’s must-see sights. This afternoon, we’ll head out to tour the Warsaw Uprising Museum. It is one of the most visited places in Warsaw and was opened on the 60th Anniversary of the outbreak of fighting in the city during WWII. It is a tribute to Warsaw’s residents who fought and died in 1944 to liberate Warsaw from German occupation. This evening, enjoy and explore Warsaw as you wish. Go back to the Christmas Market or perhaps spend your evening relaxing and pampering yourself at one of Warsaw’s luxurious spas. Enjoy dinner on your own. We will have recommendations for you for both the spas and dining.

Overnight stay: Hotel Art
Breakfast included

After breakfast, we’ll leave Warsaw for Poznan, the birthplace of Poland, located in the Greater Poland region. While in Poznan, we’ll visit the Christmas Market there and the 14th International Ice Sculpture Festival. During our city tour we’ll have the opportunity to visit Poznan Cathedral and the Old Market Square among other important sites. We’ll attend a demonstration-style baking class where we’ll learn how the famous St. Martin croissants are made at the Croissant Museum in Poznan. Before leaving for Wroclaw, enjoy early dinner on your own at the Poznan Christmas Market’s many food booths, serving Polish and delicious regional specialties. We’ll be leaving Poznan around six o’clock in the evening for Wroclaw. Overnight in Wroclaw. 

Overnight stay: Hotel Art
Breakfast, Lunch included

This morning we’ll meet in the lobby of our hotel to head out to Panorama Raclawicka.  We will travel to the rotunda building which houses the painting of the Battle of Raclawice in April 1794, which Poles won over Russians. The monumental picture is 374ft (114m) long and 49ft (15m) high and was painted on the 100th anniversary of the victory. Afterwards, we’ll gather for lunch at Pod Fredra restaurant located in Wroclaw’s Market Square. Post lunch we will tour Wroclaw’s historic Old Town, including Market Square – with beautiful Christmas illuminations – Town Hall and Salt Market. During this evening, you will have free time. Wroclaw’s beautiful Christmas Market is only steps away from our hotel. Dinner is on your own. We’ll have restaurant recommendations for you, or you can sample food offered at the Christmas Market booths.

Overnight stay: Hotel Art
Breakfast, Dinner included

The best way to become immersed in the rhythm of day-to-day life in Wroclaw is to tour and shop at Hala Targowa, a historic must-see and indoor fresh food market. After touring and shopping at Hala Targowa, we head out to visit the UNESCO Centennial Hall in Wroclaw. This outstanding piece of architecture is over 100 years old and is surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens. Before dinner, head out to stroll Wroclaw’s Christmas Market one last time on your own or relax in our beautiful boutique hotel. We will be leaving Wroclaw in the morning for Krakow. This evening, we’ll meet to enjoy gourmet dinner at a local FN Restaurant in the heart of Wroclaw’s Market Square serving traditional and new Polish cuisine dishes using fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Smacznego! – Enjoy!

Overnight stay: Legend Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch included

After breakfast, we’ll leave Wroclaw and drive south east to Krakow. During our drive, we will stop and tour Tyskie brewery and enjoy a beer tasting. After arrival and check in at our hotel in Krakow, we’ll head out together to Krakow’s Christmas market to stroll, listen to Christmas carols and enjoy delicious food, mulled wine or hot chocolate. This evening you will have continued free-time to explore the Christmas market on your own at Europe’s largest and most magnificent medieval market square.

Overnight stay: Legend Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

This morning we will begin with Krakow city tour of must-see attractions. Krakow is Poland’s third largest city and escaped the devastation that obliterated other Polish cities during World War II. It is a perfectly preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is on the itinerary for this morning’s tour. We’ll also visit the 14th-century Wawel Hill, Castle and Cathedral, and Kazimierz – a former Jewish district. After lunch, we head out to Krakow Historical Museum to view the stunning exhibit of Krakow’s Traditional Christmas Creches, or “Szopki”, one of Europe’s most unique Christmas traditions. These glittering Nativity Scenes feature whimsical interpretations of iconic Krakow architecture and are a Christmas tradition found only here. Tonight, we’ll dine on traditional Krakow cuisine at Biala Roza Restaurant.

Overnight stay: Legend Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch included

After breakfast, we will depart to Zakopane, Poland’s Winter Capital to experience the vibrant highlander culture and Christmas traditions. We will take a leisurely walk along the town’s famous Krupowki Street on a short city tour. We will lunch together at Sabala restaurant on Krupowki Street sampling delicious regional specialties, including “oscypek” cheese. After lunch, we’ll visit a colorful open market where locally made arts, crafts and foods are sold. Weather permitting, we will also ride a cable car up Gubalowka Hill to get the best panoramic view of Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains. Before we return to Krakow, you will have free time enjoy free time to enjoy Zakopane. You may wander back to the open market or have an early dinner or dessert at one of the many restaurants and coffee shops on Zakopane’s main street, Krupowki. We will head back to Krakow late in the evening.

Overnight stay: Legend Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

This morning we will head to a Christmas cookies baking class at a local culinary school. After, we’ll tour UNESCO Wieliczka Salt Mine, a virtual underground city, with galleries, lakes, chapels and murals – all carved from salt – and a UNESCO World Heritage site. After our Wieliczka tour, you are free to enjoy the sights and shops of Krakow at the Christmas Market on your own. Our farewell dinner will be at Wesele restaurant, serving old Polish and Krakow delicacies and located in the heart of Krakow’s Market Square.

Breakfast included

Depart for home after breakfast or make your own arrangements to stay longer in beautiful Krakow.

Even though our vacations are leisurely, you may want to consider staying an extra night in Krakow. You may find that the extra time will make your adventure even more relaxing and enjoyable.