Pearls of the East

Tour not available. 2024 dates to be confirmed.

Discover beautiful Eastern Poland – a European treasure, still undiscovered and uncrowded destination. During this 13-day trip, you’ll admire the diverse landscapes: charming Masurian Lakeland, unique Biebrza wetlands and the ancient woodland in the Bialowieza National Park. You will also discover the rich local cultural heritage as well as several impressive historic buildings, including the mysterious remains of the Krzyztopor Castle and the magnificent Lancut Castle. During a visit to the vineyard on the outskirts of Krakow you will try delicious local cuisine and spend an evening in a folk style. Get a new travel experience and feel the magic of this unique land!

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Full refund for cancellations made 61 days or more before the start of the tour.
Duration 13 days
* extensions available
Availability 2024 dates to be confirmed
Departures from Warsaw
Ends in Krakow
Group Size Max 15
Average rating 4.5/5

Price on request

Day 1

Arrival day

Individual arrivals to hotel.
Evening:
Meeting at the hotel’s lobby with tourguide and office representative. Continue by a delicious welcome dinner.
Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 2

Warsaw - sightseeing tour & visit in Polish Vodka Museum

Palace on the Water in Lazienki Park

Morning:
Walking city tour with the best of fascinating Warsaw: the Old Town almost completely rebuilt after the destruction of World War II; the area of the former Jewish ghetto; the living city centre and the stylish Royal Route connected with the Lazienki Royal Gardens and its Palace on the Water, the former residence of the Polish King Stanislaw August Poniatowski.
Afternoon:
Visit the Polish Vodka Museum, a place devoted to one of our best-known product exports. During the tour you will listen the fascinating story of production, expansion and – of course! – consumption. The theoretical part of the tour ends with tasting of three types of vodka at a local restaurant.
Evening:
Free time & overnight in Warsaw.

Day 3

Great Masurian Lakes - Krutynia river & Gizycko

one of the Masurian Lakes

Morning:
Travelling to Masuria, a region in northern Poland famous for impressive natural beauty with almost 3,000 lakes, dense forests, organic farms and charming resort towns. The first attraction of the trip will be a stop at the Krutynia river to enjoy a traditional boat trip through one of the most spectacular nature landscapes in Poland.
Afternoon:
Arrive to Gizycko, the biggest yacht harbor in Masurian area. During free time don’t forget to look at a former Prussian Boyen Fortress, Water Tower, the unusual swing bridge and charming historic houses.
Evening:
Dinner and overnight stay in the 14th-century Teutonic castle converted into an elegant hotel.

Day 4

Wolf's Lair & Swieta Lipka

Swieta Lipka interior

Morning:
Our sightseeing starts in the heart of the Masurian forests where was Adolf Hitler’s first Eastern Front military headquarters in World War II. Wolf’s Lair was also the site of the famous assassination attempt in 1944 as a part of Operation Valkyrie, a covert plan to take control in the German Reich following Hitler’s death.
Afternoon:
Our next step is Swieta Lipka, known from the Sanctuary of St. Mary, an important pilgrimage shrine, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Listening a pipe organ concert is an inimitable experience!
Evening:
Free time. Second overnight stay in Gizycko.

Day 5

Biebrza National Park & Tatar Trail

Polish bison in Bialowieski National Park

Morning:
Travel through Biebrza National Park, the largest area of marshes in Central Europe. Enjoy the breathtaking landscapes during the short walk through the Tsarist Path (Carska Droga) towards Laskowiec with a stop at the towers and Bagno Lawki. After a spectacular meeting with local nature, follow the Tatar trail to Bohoniki and Kruszyniany, the oldest centers of followers of Islam within the Polish borders. Visit two wooden mosques and nearby cemeteries, listening to the history of the culture and religion of this unusual national minority.
Afternoon:
Enjoy delicious dishes of Tatar cuisine in Kruszyniany, the only agritourism farm run by the Tatar family.
Evening:
Arrival to Bialowieza, famous for its unique virgin forest and European bison (called “żubr” in Polish). Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6

Bialowieza Forest & Grabarka

Holy Mount of Grabarka

Morning:
It’s time to enjoy the natural beauty of Bialowieza! During a half-day tour we will show you a forest museum with many precious scientific collections and the European Bison Show Reserve, where you will admire these big mammals and other wild animals like a wolf and lynx.
Afternoon:
On the way to Lublin, a nice stop in Holy Mount of Grabarka, the most important Orthodox sanctuary in Poland, which is called also “the Hill of Crosses” as more than 7000 crosses of various sizes are scattered about the mountain.
Late afternoon:
Arrive to Lublin for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7

Lublin & Kozlowka Palace

Lublin Old Town

Morning:
First part of this day is dedicated to the city sightseeing. Our route leads to the most interesting monuments of the Lublin Old Town: Castle Hill with the Lublin Castle, Grodzka Gate, Dominican Church, Market Square with the Crown Tribunal, the Cathedral with its Acoustic Sacristy Chamber and Treasury, 14th century Krakow Gate and New Town Hall.
Afternoon:
Travel to Kozlowka for a visit in beautifully preserved Palace of the celebrated Polish aristocratic family of Zamoyski. The Palace boasts a splendid intact interior in the style of the Second Empire. See also the Socialist Art Gallery in a nearby park where one can find monuments of nowadays unpopular heroes of the Communist era, dismantled and relocated from their original sites.
Evening:
Overnight in Lublin.

Day 8

Krzyztopor & Sandomierz

Krzyżtopór

Morning:
You will see the magic and mystery ruins of Krzyztopor, which was the largest residence in Europe for almost 11 years! (before the erection of the Palace of Versailles in France). Unfortunately, over the centuries, it has fallen into ruin, but still attracts attention.
Afternoon:
After a short ride follow to Sandomierz, a peaceful small town with many hidden historical secrets. The visit includes a walk through the streets of the Old Town and the underground tourist route.
Evening:
Arrive to Rzeszow. Overnight.

Day 9

Rzeszow & Lancut

Lancut Castle

Morning:
City tour of Rzeszow. During the walking tour you will visit the Old City with Main Market and Town Hall from the late 19th century as well as dominant building of the Gothic Church of St. Stanislaw and Wojciech and remains of the Old Castle of Ligez family. After you will see 17th century Old Town Synagogue and New Town Synagogue, both reconstructed after World War 2.
Afternoon:
Travel to Lancut to visit the Castle Museum – another aristocratic palace with splendid interiors decorated in different styles with unique 18th century court theatre and Carriage House with 140 horse-drawn carriages of manifold purposes. The tour will finish in Lancut Distillery Museum with a tasting of their delicious liquors.
Evening:
Return to Rzeszow for overnight.

Day 10

Zalipie & Lipnica Murowana

painted house in Zalipie

Morning:
On our way to Krakow we will visit the Painted Village of Zalipie, a charming community with cottages painted with decorative floral motifs.
Afternoon:
Go to Lipnica Murowana to see 15th century small wooden church of St. Leonard – UNESCO site, surrounded by mighty trees and old cemetery graves.
Evening:
Arrive to Krakow for overnight.

Day 11

Magic Krakow

Krakow Main Square

Morning:
Enjoy the beauty of Krakow: exploring the medieval section of the town, the largest market square in Europe, the fascinating churches with different architectural styles; and the beautiful streets brimming with old world charm. The world’s biggest wooden altar (carved by Veit Stoss between 1477-1489) opens its wings in the Church of the Virgin Mary each day and we will be there to witness the magical moment. From one of its twin towers we can hear the Hejnal every hour, the haunting alarm-call played by a trumpeter. The tour also included a comfortable walking tour of the legendary Royal Wawel Hill, covering the Royal Cathedral and the Belfry.
Afternoon & evening:
Free time. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 12

Culinary Krakow

Srebrna Gora winery

Morning & afternoon:
Spend your time in Krakow or take an excursion to Polish winery where you taste local wines in a charming setting overlooking the Vistula River.
Evening:
A horse-drawn carriage ride around the old town after which we invite you to a unique folk evening with traditional Polish music and dances, delicious local cuisine and beverages. It’s a true feast for the senses!
Last overnight in Krakow.

Day 13

Departure

Last day in Krakow.
Depending on your schedule, independent transfers to the airport in Krakow or to the railway station. If you plan to continue to other Polish destinations to extend your tour, we will be glad to assist with further arrangements.

We can help in arranging the following extra excursions from Krakow to:
– Auschwitz- Birkenau Museum
– Wieliczka Salt Mines
– the Eagles’ Nests trial (Szlak Orlich Gniazd)
– Dunajec Raft Trip
– Zakopane mountain resort
– Jasna Gora (Black Madonna) Monastery
– Brewery in Tychy
and much more!

Day 1, Day 2

Sofitel Victoria, Warsaw

00-065 Warsaw, Królewska 11
Sofitel Victoria Warsaw hotel is located in the centre of Warsaw, just off the Saxon Garden park, a few steps from Krakowskie Przedmiescie street (the Royal Route) and the Old Town with the magnificent Royal Castle. A walk to the elegant shopping street of Nowy Świat takes about 15 minutes. Guests of this Sofitel hotel are offered 343 luxurious, air-conditioned rooms with free Internet access. All are equipped with an LCD TV with satellite channels, a telephone, a comfortable work desk and a safe. There is a tea/coffee set and a minibar in each room. The hotel features a heated indoor swimming pool and a gym, available free of charge to hotel guests. A Turkish sauna and a massage parlour are available at an additional fee.
Day 3, Day 4

St. Bruno (or similar), Gizycko

11-500 Giżycko, 1 St. Brunon Street
Luxurious Hotel St. Bruno **** is a stylish hotel located in the heart of Great Lakes in Gizycko. The harmonious combination of history and the boutique arrangement ensures guests with a feeling of timelessness of hotel interiors. Hotel St. Bruno combines a unique historic site with precision of modern design. Hotel St. Bruno is a perfect choice for all who appreciate the luxury and convenience.
Day 5

Zubrowka, Bialowieza

Hotel Żubrówka**** is located in the centre of Bialowieza village surrounded by magnificent woods of Bialowieska Forest. All 110 single and double rooms are equipped with telephones, sattelite TV, free WI-FI, mini refrigerator, tea/coffee making facilities.Each room has a private bathroom equipped with hairdryer, bathrobe, slippers, towels. Our indoor swimming pool , 3 saunas, 2 jacuzzi, kids paddling pool are free of charge for our guests.
Day 6, Day 7

Europa (or similar), Lublin

20-002 Lublin, Krakowskie Przedmieście 29
The magnificent and historic  the Europa Hotel is a pearl of Lublin. Situated on Krakowskie Przedmieście Street, a few steps away from the historic Old Town, it is the perfect place to stay both for those travelling on business or for pleasure. The unique atmosphere of the historic interiors and professional, courteous staff are some of the reason why guests from Poland and abroad spend their time pleasantly at the Europa Hotel, and gladly return.
Day 8, Day 9

Grand Hotel, Rzeszow

Dymnickiego 1A
The Grand Hotel is located nn the 18th century tenement in the center of Rzeszów. It offers comfortable rooms (each arranged in a different way), three air-conditioned conference rooms. The stay in the hotel is made more attractive by: Amber Bar, Vinoteka, Cigar Room, Patio restaurant with Italian cuisine.
Day 10, Day 11, Day 12

Amber Design (or similar), Krakow

31-131 Krakow, Garbarska 8-10
Amber Design occupies a historical tenement house, located in a quiet street just 5 minutes away from the Main Square. As part of the Amber Boutique Hotels complex, it will enchant you with its art deco and Art Nouveau ornaments. Rooms are equipped with one double bed or two single beds, a free safe, satellite TV, telephone, wireless Internet access and tea coffee/tea replenished daily.

Details

STAYPOLAND SPECIALS:

  • wild nature in Bialowieza and Biebrza National Park
  • entrance to Hitler’s HQ, the Wolf’s Lair
  • castle hotel in the Masurian Lake district
  • baroque frescos in Sanctuary of Saint Mary in Swieta Lipka
  • vodka tasting in modern Warsaw museum
  • city tours in Lublin and Rzeszow
  • Second Empire style in Kozlowka palace
  • aristocratic palace in Lancut with its delicious liquors made in local distillery
  • charming painted cottage in Zalipie
  • traditional wooden architecture in Lipnica Murowana
  • Polish wine tasting in Krakow
  • folklore show in Krakow

Unesco world heritage monuments

  • Warsaw Old Town
  • Bialowieski National Park
  • wooden architecture in Lipnica Murowana
  • Krakow Old Town

National & landscape parks

  • Biebrza National Park
  • Bialowieski National Park
All reviews and ratings published on StayPoland.com are genuine opinions of people who participated in our trips. Read more. Read more customer reviews
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