European icons: 12 days in Poland & Budapest
Tour Poland from the Baltic Sea till the Tatra Mountains and explore its beauty and diversity! Embark on an unforgettable holiday across cities full of charming streets and monumental palaces. Visit spectacular castles and imposing mountain sceneries while staying in luxurious hotels, and set foot on the Westerplatte Peninsula where Germany first invaded Poland, marking the start of World War II.
Next, stop in Malbork with its magnificent castle, one of the largest in the world. Plus, see how Warsaw was rebuilt from scratch after being wiped out by the German invasions. Admire Wawel Castle, which survived many centuries of wars and oppression undamaged.
Kick it up a notch by attending some pottery workshops and dwarf hunts before ending your journey in Budapest.
Services
Included:
- 11 nights accommodation in double or twin rooms
- 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches
- Private transfers in an air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver
- Airport transfers as per the itinerary
- Free Wi-Fi onboard
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
- English-speaking guide on excursions
- Guided group tours in Auschwitz-Birkenau with an English-speaking guide
Excluded:
- International flights
- Any meals & drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
Optional:
- Vistula River Cruise
- Krakow Rynek Underground Museum Tour
- Food Tour
- Dinner & Folk Show Music Evening at a traditional restaurant
Itinerary at a Glance
Gdańsk Old Town
Welcome To Poland!
Westerplatte - Oliwa - Sopot
Tour Gdańsk Town And The Westerplatte Peninsula
Malbork - Warsaw
Visit Magnificent Marbork
Warsaw - Krakow
Discover Resilient Warsaw
Wawel Castle
Travel To The Royal City Of Krakow
Auschwitz - Częstochowa - Krakow
Visit Auschwitz - Birkenau And Jasna Góra Monastery
Zakopane - Szczawnica
Enjoy The Amazing Landscapes Of Zakopane
Bolesławiec - Wrocław
Visit The Hometown Of Polish Pottery, Boleslawiec
Vlkolinec - Budapest
Drive To Exciting Budapest!
Budapest
Delve Into The Charms Of Mysterious Budapest
Budapest
See The Other Side Of The Danube
Budapest Airport
Farewell, Hungary!
Detailed Itinerary
Gdańsk Old Town
Day 1: Welcome To Poland!
Welcome to Poland! Your trip begins with your arrival at Gdańsk Airport. A driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.
Take your time to unpack and relax before enjoying a delicious dinner at the hotel and taking a stroll along Gdańsk Old Town. Explore the charming streets and the spectacular tenement houses.
Relax and get ready for the exciting days ahead!
Westerplatte - Oliwa - Sopot
Day 2: Tour Gdańsk Town And The Westerplatte Peninsula
Today your private local guide will take you on a memorable tour of the city's highlights. Among many attractions you will visit the historical port town of Gdansk - the birthplace and home of the Solidarity Movement.
You will see the Cathedral, the famous Neptune Monument, and Zuraw Gdanski, the harbor. Visit the famous district of Westerplatte. It is also one of the most important stops in this tour. This is where the World War II began an early morning of September 1st, 1939.
After some time for rest and a break for lunch, a driver/guide will take you to Sopot - the health resort city located near Gdansk. Sopot is famous for having the longest pier in Europe. Also, visit a famous gothic Cathedral in Gdansk-Oliwa.
Malbork - Warsaw
Day 3: Visit Magnificent Marbork
Make your way to Warsaw. On the way you will visit a spectacular place - the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork.
It was the 13th-century fortified monastery-fortress of military monks-knights who carried out crusades against the pagan Prussians and Lithuanians living on the south Baltic coast, as well as against the Christian Kingdom of Poland.
Arrive in Warsaw in the afternoon, taking your time to unpack your bags and go for walk downtown.
Warsaw - Krakow
Day 4: Discover Resilient Warsaw
On this day you will explore the city that rose from the ashes of the war. Warsaw offers a chance to learn about Polish history through a visit to the Old Town and New Town.
Your day begins with a walk down Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, where the past and the present merge beautifully. Admire the post-war reconstructed buildings, and take a look at the City Hall, National Football Stadium, the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto, and the Multimedia Fountain Park. Stop by the picture-perfect Royal Baths Park (Łazienki Park), home to monuments, villas and palaces.
Then, enjoy a delicious lunch in a restaurant at the park as well. Another highlight of the tour is a visit to the Wilanow Palace and Gardens, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture that was completed in 1696, and survived the war. You will be free to spend your time as you wish from late afternoon onwards.
Wawel Castle
Day 5: Travel To The Royal City Of Krakow
On this day you will be exploring a magnificent Royal City of Krakow with your personal English-speaking guide. Start exploring Krakow in the Old Town and follow the Royal Route starting at the Main Market, followed by Grodzka Street with a stop at Wawel Royal Castle, its Renaissance courtyard and the Cathedral sightseeing.
Continue exploring at the Jewish Quarters and the Museum established at the former Oscar Schindler’s Factory. There will be a coffee break on the hill to admire the beautiful views over the Vistula River bank, the castle and the city.
Auschwitz - Częstochowa - Krakow
Day 6: Visit Auschwitz - Birkenau And Jasna Góra Monastery
Start this day with a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and the Jasna Gora Sanctuary. Explore the largest of the former German Nazi concentration camps.
After that you will take a transfer to Częstochowa, where the Jasna Gora Sanctuary is located. The sanctuary is one of the most important places of worship of Our Lady and has always been the main center of pilgrimage in Poland.
After a lunch break, your driver will take you on a visit of Jasna Gora, where you will take a private tour of the Sanctuary with a personal local guide in English. Head back to Krakow.
Zakopane - Szczawnica
Day 7: Enjoy The Amazing Landscapes Of Zakopane
This will be one of the most exciting days of your journey. Travel to Zakopane - the most famous mountain resort in Poland.
The town is located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains – the most beautiful and the only Alpine-like mountain range in the country. See the unique wooden churches and other examples of traditional local wooden architecture.
Next stop is the Dunajec River Gorge, located near Zakopane. You will take an unforgettable leisurely rafting tour on a traditional, wooden raft!
Bolesławiec - Wrocław
Day 8: Visit The Hometown Of Polish Pottery, Boleslawiec
Today you will visit the most famous Polish pottery factory located in Boleslawiec. Take a private tour and workshops at the original pottery factory in Boleslawiec.
On your return you will visit the imposing city of Wroclaw, with its 100 graceful bridges joining different parts of the city! See how the industrial style of architecture intermingles here with some Flemish mansions, palaces and Baroque chapels.
The city exploration will be enriched with a dwarf hunt. They are hidden Old Town nooks and crannies. When you notice the first one you will promptly start searching for more, which will make your tour even more amusing and attractive.
Vlkolinec - Budapest
Day 9: Drive To Exciting Budapest!
Drive to Budapest! By taking a private transfer you will have a chance to admire the beautiful mountain scenery on your way as the route goes through or near the mountains.
You can tell the driver to stop for lunch whenever you want at one of the traditional Highlander restaurants on the way. You may want to check Vlkolinec out. You will see a remarkably intact settlement of 45 buildings with the traditional features of a Central European village. It is the region’s most complete group of these kinds of traditional log houses, often found in mountainous areas.
The Oravsky Castle could be another tempting alternative. It's the impressive complex of medieval fortresses built on the top of the rock hill 110 meters over the ground, built between 13th and 17th century.
Budapest
Day 10: Delve Into The Charms Of Mysterious Budapest
Explore the magnificent, UNESCO-listed Budapest, the capital of Hungary. You will see all the highlights of historic Buda.
The Danube separates Buda from Pest. On the Buda side of the Chain Bridge, you will ascend via a funicular to Castle Hill. At the dignified Royal Palace here you will visit the Budapest History Museum.
Afterwards, you will walk along Buda’s charming streets to reach the Matthias Church. Outside the church there will be the Fisherman’s Bastion, from where you can admire a fantastic panorama of the city. To make your day even more attractive, after a guided sightseeing tour and lunch break time, you will take a 1-hour Danube Cruise. This will allow you to admire the beauty of Budapest from a different, very interesting perspective.
Budapest
Day 11: See The Other Side Of The Danube
On the second day of your visit to Budapest, a private English-speaking guide will take you on a fantastic tour of the second part of this magnificent city - Pest.
You will visit, among many others, the Heroes’ Square, the Basilica of St. Stephen, the extraordinary Neo-Gothic Parliament, located on the Danube riverside, the enormous Central Synagogue (the largest one in Europe) and all the highlights of the Old Town.
Budapest Airport
Day 12: Farewell, Hungary!
Today is the last day of your trip!
Transfer to the airport in time for your flight back home.
Safe travels, and visit again soon!
