St Mary's Basilica, Krakow
Sightseeing in Krakow and Warsaw, Poland
I just have to say that I love Poland. I really didn’t know what to expect when I first went a couple years ago. What I found was a beautiful country, friendly people, good food (including easily accessible vegetarian dishes), and historic sights. And its cheap!
Here are some sightseeing options available in the two major cities – Krakow and Warsaw.
For Krakow:
Krakow Sightseeing Tour
Krakow is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Europe and the old city of Krakow is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. This tour will introduce you to the city’s unique charm created by centuries of history and cultural wealth. With its very special climate of culture and arts, we gain an insight into the history of Poland and Europe. Some of the highlights on this tour are the Barbican, Florian Gate, the Old Market Square, the former Jewish District and the Wawel Hill Royal Castle, the Cathedral and St Mary’s Basilica where you will be able to see the unique altar curved in wood in the 15th Century. At the end of this tour you will agree that Krakow is the place you will keep coming back to, each time to discover new objects of startling beauty.
Includes: English speaking guide, transportation by coach, entrance fees to Wawel Royal Castle or Old Synagogue, Wawel Cathedral, St.Mary’s Basilica, photo stops on the Wawel Hill and The Old Town.
Daily morning departures. Duration: 3.5 hours.
Between $50-75 per person
Auschwitz-Birkenau
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Museum was established in 1947 by the Polish Government on the site of the largest Nazi concentration camp, which was set up in 1940 for prisoners from Poland. From 1942 it became one of the biggest extermination camps for the European Jews. There is an exhibition entitled ‘Man Did This To Man’ in the huts once used to house inmates. In recognition of its historical significance as a memorial to all who suffered and died there, the Museum was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Includes: Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, assistance of an English speaking guide-escort, documentary film in English, services of the museum guide and transportation by coach.
Daily morning departures. Duration: 5.5 hours.
Between $50-75 per person
Dunajec River Gorge and National Park
Take advantage of this unique experience in Europe and enjoy a pleasant wooden punt trip through the breath taking Dunajec River Gorge in the Pieniny Mountains. Marvel at the beauty of the surrounding area as you pass by. You will have the chance to see the castle ruins at Niedzica, which were originally built between the 13th and 14th century (closed on Mondays) as well as a stop at Debno, a 15th century wooden Gothic country church. Here you can view the exquisite original polychromatic wall decoration inside, a relic of unique beauty. The church is also an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. At the end of the tour you will be dropped off at your hotel.
Includes: Transportation, services of a local guide, wooden punt trip and entrance fee to castle Niedzica and the National Park. Hotel Pick Up.
Daily morning departures. Duration: 7.5 hours.
Between $250-300 per person
Inside the Salt Mine - everything is salt!
Wieliczka Salt Mine
This is one of the oldest salt mines in Europe. Visitors may take a walk of 3 kilometres through 3 levels in the Salt Mine down to 136 metres below ground level (400 steps), through chambers and chapels hewn out in the salt rock; you will admire the statues of saints sculpted in salt and the saline lakes, in which diseases are treated.
Includes: Assistance of an English speaking guide, entrance and guided tour of the mine, short break of 10 min for shopping inside the mine, transportation by coach, lift up from the mine back to ground level.
Daily morning departures. Duration: 3 hours.
Between $50-75 per person
Three Faces of Krakow
This sightseeing will introduce you to the major sights of the three sides of Krakow: Nowa Huta, Former Jewish District of Kazimierz and the Old city of Krakow.
On this tour you will be able to experience the three faces of Krakow: Nowa Huta, the former Jewish District of Kazimierz and the Old City of Krakow. You will start at the Central Square and then drive to Mogila, a former village with a Monastery, which is a good example of sacral architecture. You will also visit the Entrance Gate to Mittal Steelworks. Driving along the Steelworks you will be able to see Rose Avenue, Folk Theatre and ARKA-Church. You will then arrive into the district of Nowa Huta with its specific architecture from communism days as well as a Cistercian Monastery and its church in Bienczyce style. Finally you will visit the Old City Town where you will enjoy the Great Market Square and St. Mary’s Basilica.
Includes: English speaking guide, transportation by bus, entrance fees to Synagogue and St Mary’s Basilica.
Departs Mon/Wed/Sun in the morning. Duration: 3.5 hours
Between $50-75 per person
Outside church where Chopin's heart is located in Warsaw
For Warsaw:
Morning Sightseeing of Warsaw
Enjoy this city tour which includes all the ‘must see’ monuments and sights of Warsaw: Lazienki Park, Theatre Square with Grand Opera and former Town Hall Buildings as well as Belvedere Palace, the Ghetto Memorial. You will also drive through the most famous and elegant avenues in Warsaw and see Nowy Swiat and Krakowskie Przedmiescie avenues, the Presidential Palace, University of Warsaw, Holy Cross Church with Chopin’s heart, Copernicus Statue. During previous centuries monarchs constructed the beautiful palaces you can admire today around you. Later you will also go to the Old town to see St. John’s Cathedral with its magnificent Gothic interiors, St. Ann’s Church and the Castle Square with the Column of King Sigismund III Vasa. You will also see the Old Town Market Square and the City Walls.
Includes: Transportation by coach and services of a local guide. During the period 01/June to 15/Sep, the tour also includes a live organ music concert at St John Cathedral everyday of the week except Sundays.
Daily morning departures. Duration: 4 hours
Between $40-50 per person
Gdansk Amber City by Train
The three and a half hour express train ride takes you to the three main cities of the Gdansk Bay. Gdansk is a tourist centre with many interesting sights in both the New and Old Towns. Highlights of this tour include town houses, gates, churches, the Town Hall, the Artus Court and the Fountain of Neptune in front of it. Enjoy an organ music concert in the famous Oliwa Cathedral and a nice walk along the picturesque pier in the town of Sopot – the best place to buy amber souvenirs.
Includes: English speaking guide, 2nd class return train ticket, transportation in Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot, entrances to St.Mary’s Church and Artus Court in Gdansk, Oliwa Cathedral in Sopot.
Departs daily in early morning (by 7am). Duration: 14 hours.
Between $350-400 per person
For more information on these options or to receive assistance with your own travel plans to Poland (and beyond!), please just email me or fill out a Travel Request Form. I respond to all requests asap!
