Incoming - Polish Historical Cities Close Encounters - Experiencing Kraków / 5 days

While Warsaw is recognised as the political and administrative capital of Poland, Kraków has always been associated with history, the royal seat, cultural events, long-lasting traditions and well preserved customs. Being the state’s capital for almost six centuries, it attracted architects, scientists, artists, preachers and monks, painters and poets from all corners of the world. Various cultures, languages, customs, patterns, ways of life and codes of conduct mingled in Kraków. Owing to all of them, nowadays we can admire the spectacular heritage shaped over centuries.

Day 1

Transfer to the hotel in Kraków (Cracow) and accommodation. Meeting with the Polish tour leader and description of the tour itinerary. An evening walk around the city centre followed by the welcome dinner accompanied by a live folk performance at a local restaurant.

Day 2

Guided sightseeing of Royal Kraków beginning outside the medieval defensive walls and heading along the Royal Tract towards the Wawel Hill. On the way you will have a chance to see historical burghers’ houses, the biggest market square of medieval Europe, the 11th oldest university in the world, various examples of architectural styles: romanesque, gothic, renaissance, baroque, art nouveau, etc. Afternoon will be the perfect time to visit some of the city’s museums. As the World Heritage Site, Kraków abounds in numerous collections of memorabilia and art. We will take you to: the Jagiellonian University Museum and its artefacts consisting of e.g. the 15th century globe carrying the first depiction of America and astronomical instruments used by Copernicus. Next the Czartoryski Collection – the oldest Polish museum. This exquisite collection contains the genuine “Lady with an Ermine” by Leonardo da Vinci and “The Good Samaritan” by Rembrandt, as well as many other interesting paintings of high artistic value (16th century Italian paintings, Dutch portraits, and many more).

Day 3

Visiting the Royal Seat at the Wawel Hill with the Castle and the Cathedral. The exhibition in the Royal Chambers presents uniquely woven 16th and 17th century Flemish tapestries depicting different scenes: biblical stories, animal and floral details, imaginary creatures, and coats of arms. They were commissioned in the 16th century by King Sigismund Augustus and designed exclusively to fit Wawel interiors. A great collection of renaissance paintings anrich the chambers. Next the Cathedral with its former function of a coronation and burial place. It is also the centre of worship of St. Stanislas – the bishop and patron saint of Poland together with St. Jadwiga – the honourable queen of Poland and founder of the Jagiellonian University. A chain of chapels built in different styles surround the nave. The most recognisable one is the Sigismund Chapel called “The Pearl of Renaissance north of the Alps” – as you can find any purer 16th century Italian-style chapel outside the Apennine Peninsula. Shopping time for traditional souvenirs. Afternoon sightseeing of Kazimierz – formerly inhabited by the Jews who before WWII constituted one third of the total population of Kraków. You will visit the traces of their culture, architecture and long lost unique atmosphere. We will take you on an excursion to the oldest synagogue in Poland, the Old Cemetery and the place where Rabbi Moses Iserless preached four centuries ago. The places you will see are: Schindler’s Factory of Enamelled Pots and Pans, Pankiewicz’s Pharmacy in the centre of Jewish Ghetto. Dinner with Jewish dishes accompanied by Klezmer music.

Day 4

Morning visit to the National Museum in the Cloth Hall to get acquainted with Polish 19th century  paintings of impressionists, naturalists and above all – Jan Matejko who depicted detailed studies of country’s glorious historical events. Next you will go on a coach trip around Nowa Huta – the relic of communism with its characteristic urban layout of blocks of flats dominated by the steelworks. You are going to see the original 1950s architecture with subsequent constructional changes. There will be a chance to see the most common way of accommodation in Poland – large housing estates with blocks of flats. Afternoon visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine – the UNESCO World Heritage Site which is an unusual result of 700-year-old continuous mining. The underground realm of caverns, salty lakes, tunnels and chapels will amaze you. The guided tour will introduce you to the way miners worked, their customs, tools and machinery they used, dangers that awaited them underground, natural beauty of halite crystals and many more. You will have enough time to consider organising your wedding ceremony, reception, any kind of ball, conference or meeting underground. Return to Kraków and farewell dinner.

Day 5

Morning transfer to the airport or railway station.