How it is possible, that you have not been there yet ? Cracow, known as the Florence of the North has always been the centre of arts. It was also referred to as the Second Rome with its 140 churches and New Athens due to its Jagiellonian University (1364), the second oldest in Central Europe. Until the 17th century it was the capital of Poland. It was then that King Zygmunt III Waza transferred his royal court to Warsaw. However, Cracow remained the coronation city and the final resting place of our kings. Cracow is said to be a city with unique climate, so a visit while staying in Poland is a definite must. Worth mentioning is that the city, which boasts about 55000 listed historic houses and around 2,5 million works of art, is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. With its theatres and cabarets, Cracow is undoubtedly Poland’s cultural capital. It is also the hometown of Wisława Szymborska (the Nobel Prize winner in literature), Slawomir Mrożek (a famous dramatist and satirist) and Stanislaw Lem (master of science fiction).
Day 1
Arrival to Cracow. Meeting with licensed guide assistant. Hotel check–in and overnight.
Day 2
Also you do not want to waist time and after buffet breakfast you are more than ready to start meeting with enormous spirit of Cracow. For today full day sightseeing of the City is planned:
- The centre of the Old Town (UNESCO - List) is the Main Market Square. With a length of 200 meters it is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe.
- The Church of St. Mary with its famous Gothic altar by Wit Stwosz
- The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice)
- Collegium Maius
- Czartoryski–Museum with Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt painting.
You’ll see also „planty” – a ring-shaped park. Break for coffee and cakes in “Jama Michalikowa” – artist’s coffee shop. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3
Buffet breakfast. Yesterday’s tour was for sure a starter only and you are more and more anxious to taste Cracow with it’s atmosphere. Most probably you have seen Wawel Hill far off, but now you have an opportunity to visit two famous highlights:
- The Royal castle
- The Coronation Cathedral.
For the afternoon we planned for you one of the greatest tourist attractions in Poland – the Salt Mine in Wieliczka. The mine was added to the UNESCO list in 1978. Overnight in hotel.
Day 4
Buffet breakfast. Then visit to former Nazi Concentration Camp Auschwitz-Birkenau (UNESCO list). Return to Cracow for Kazimierz – the former Jewish quarter of the city. Sightseeing. Dinner with music in Jewish Restaurant in Kazimierz. Overnight in hotel.
Day 5
Buffet breakfast. Full day excursion to:
- convent of the Order of Sisters of Our Lady of Charity in Łagiewniki
- Wadowice - the hometown of John Paul II
- the sanctuary and Calvary of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska
- Nowa Huta - you’ll see the church of unique shape
- The Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec
Back to Cracow and Overnight.
Day 6
Buffet breakfast. Travel from Cracow to Tatra Mountains through Dębno Podhalańskie. At first Dębno Podhalańskie with its famous timber church.(15th c.) - on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage. Next the raft down Dunajec River. It is not dangerous, even children can participate in this wonderful experience. Continue travel to the Center of the mountain region – Zakopane – ski capital of Poland. Sightseeing of Zakopane. Back to Cracow overnight in the hotel.
Day 7
Buffet breakfast. Departure.