If you believe the legends, Kraków was founded upon the defeat of a dragon, and it's true a mythical atmosphere permeates its attractive streets and squares. Wawel Castle is a major drawcard, while the Old Town contains soaring churches, impressive museums and the vast Rynek Glówny, Europe's largest market square. In the former Jewish quarter, Kazimierz, remnant synagogues reflect the tragedy of the 20th century, just as its lively western quarter symbolises the renewal of the 21st. Here and throughout the Old Town are hundreds of restaurants, bars and clubs.
However, there's more to the former royal capital than history and nightlife. As you walk through the Old Town, you'll sometimes find yourself overwhelmed by the harmony of a quiet back street, the 'just so' nature of the architecture and light. It's at times like these that Kraków reveals its harmonious blend of past and present, an essential part of any visit to Poland.
This trip is extension to our main Central Europe Gay Tour, June 8 - 17, 2016
This trip is extension to our main Central Europe Gay Tour - Budapest, Vienna & Prague, June 8 - 17, 2016
Day 1 - Friday, June 17, 2016
Fly from Prague to Warsaw this morning. Transfer to the Polonia Hotel for check in. After lunch, begin with a short overview of the city including the Stalinist structure of the Palace of Culture and Sciences, drive by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the former Jewish Ghetto. Visit the Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Enjoy a short walking tour of the totally restored "Old Town" which at the time of the Warsaw uprising was reduced to ashes. We will also see the plaque in memory of Wladyslaw Szpilman, Polish-Jewish virtuoso concert pianist and composer made famous by the film The Pianist /R.Polanski. The career of Wladyslaw Szpilman was abruptly broken off by Germany's attack on Poland in 1939, when he and his family, were forced to move to the Ghetto. When the rest of his family was deported to Treblinka extermination camp, Szpilman managed to flee from the transport. He miraculously survived the war with the help of friends from Polish Radio and German captain, Wilm Hosenfeld. In his last interview given to Tadeusz Knade, two months before his death, Szpilman said, 'Let us remember that participation in some action aiming at saving Jews was punished by death […]. I was saved by at least 30 Poles. At least 30 people risked their lives […]"
The plaque on the facade of the building at 223 Al. Niepodleglosci Street, commemorates his last hiding place. It was unveiled by Halina Szpilman, a wife of the pianist, his son Andrzej and a daughter of Wilm Hosenfeld. The inscription on the plaque reads: "Wladyslaw Szpilman – the outstanding pianist and composer of classical, film and light music. Author of occupation memoirs 'The Death of a City'. Hero of Roman Polanski's film The Pianist." Enjoy a sumptuous Polish meal this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Polonia Palace Hotel, Warsaw, 5*
Room: Standard Room
Day 2 - Saturday, June 18, 2016
Today take a drive along the Royal Route with its beautiful, aristocratic residences to the Wilanow Palace, a precious monument of Baroque, summer residence of the king Jan III Sobieski. You can marvel at the stylish interior which happily escaped destruction during World War II and is fitted out with period furniture and decoration. On the upper floor, there is a Gallery of Polish Portraits with an extensive collection from the 16th to 19th centuries. Warsaw is the city of Frederic Chopin where the artist lived and developed his talent for almost twenty years. Finally, stroll through the picturesque Lazienki Park visiting along the way the Frederic Chopin Monument. Balance of the day at leisure. Lunch & dinner at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Polonia Palace Hotel, Warsaw, 5*
Room: Standard Room
Day 3 - Sunday, June 19, 2016
Drive to Krakow. Check in at the Hotel Copernicus. Welcome to Krakow, the first European city included in the UNESCO list of the most precious places of the world. As the residence place of the Polish kings, Krakow developed for centuries due to the political status of the Kingdom of Poland. The combination of the royal court, the university established here in 1364, one of the oldest in Europe. Afternoon guided tour of Krakow. Enjoy a walk through the Old Market Square often called the "Krakow's saloon". Its surroundings have remained unchanged for almost 700 years. The world's greatest sculptor of the Gothic, Veit Stoss lived and worked in Krakow for nearly 20 years, of which dozen he devoted to create the magnificent 42-foot-high altarpiece in the Basilica of the Virgin Mary's. It is only a short distance from the city centre to enter the maze of narrow streets at the former Jewish district of Kazimierz. For almost seven hundred years, Krakow was home to a large Jewish community. In the past, Kazimierz was a distinct town with its own Market Square and Town Hall, as well as thriving culture, which blossomed in the 16th c.. That period witnessed the foundation of Poland's oldest Judaic shrine, the Old Synagogue now with the exhibition, showing the history and culture of the Jewish community of Krakow. Following the tragedy of the WW II, Kazimierz was deserted. It found its way to the silver screen thanks to Spielberg, who came here to shoot Schindler's List, and today it is enjoying a far-reaching renaissance. On the walk we will explore the streets of Kazimierz, stopping at Old Synagogue. Balance of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Copernicus Hotel, Krakow, 5*
Room: Standard Room
Day 4 - Monday, June 20, 2016
Leave for Oswiecim to visit Auschwitz & Birkenau the largest death factory in the history of humanity. The Museum displays exhibits and documents concerning Nazi crimes. A fascinating experience in the afternoon. Excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, UNESCO site, the oldest salt mine in Europe. The ancient Salt Mine of Wieliczka is the one place where the word UNIQUE really applies. Over 700 years, many generations of Polish miners created the underground world exceptional in its beauty, with rich interior decoration of chapels, workings, original linings of galleries and salt lakes. The most impressive is the ornamented the Blessed Kinga Chapel, where even the chandeliers are made of salt. Return to Krakow.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Copernicus Hotel, Krakow, 5*
Room: Standard Room
Day 5 - Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Fly from Krakow, or connect in Warsaw for your flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast
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