Christmas in Poland: From Warsaw to Krakow
7 days, Warsaw to Krakow
Itinerary
Day 1Warsaw
Arrive at any time. After settling into your hotel, attend a welcome meeting in the evening with your CEO before heading out to see some of the Christmas displays on the way to an optional dinner with the group.
Warsaw is a vibrant city rich in history and full of stories, having been nearly destroyed in World War II. If you have time, we recommend taking some extra time to fully explore this incredible city.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Holiday Inn Express Warsaw The Hub (or similar)
Day 2Warsaw/Gdańsk
Wave goodbye to Warsaw and board a train bound for Gdansk, travelling through the picturesque Polish countryside. Enjoy some free time on arrival to the hotel before setting off with your CEO on an orientation walk of the city's highlights, culminating at the vibrant local Christmas Market.
Gdansk is a coastal city known for beautiful beaches and intricate architecture including the longest building in Poland and the tallest monument dedicated to fallen shipyard workers.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Highlights of Gdansk Walking Tour
Explore Gdansk with your CEO, discovering the magnificent old town composed of imposing architecture and impressive city gates. Take in the main City Hall, Neptune fountain, and St. Mary's Church, the third largest brick church in the world. Finish up at the water front quays that mark the end of the famous long market square.
Christmas Market Visit
There isn’t really a more festive way to partake in the holiday season than by wandering through wooden stalls of century old Christmas markets. Picture music playing, twinkling lights, and the aroma of delicious treats wafting through the air. Sip mulled while you shop for hand-crafted ornaments or gifts during one of the most beautiful times of year.
Accommodation
Ibis Gdansk Stare Miasto (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Gdańsk
Set off in the morning with your CEO on an excursion to the nearby city of Sopot, on the Baltic Sea. Stroll along the promenade and visit it's Christmas market before returning to Gdansk to enjoy the rest of the day free to continue exploring or to relax.
Sopot Visit
Located a short transit ride from Gdansk, Sopot is a seaside resort city situated on the Baltic Sea and famous for its long wooden pier and sandy beaches. Witness the surreal Crooked House, modelled after fairytale drawings, and wander down Monte Cassino, Sopot's pedestrian street, or sample local specialties at one of the many shops and cafes speckled throughout the city.
Christmas Market Visit
There isn’t really a more festive way to partake in the holiday season than by wandering through wooden stalls of century old Christmas markets. Picture music playing, twinkling lights, and the aroma of delicious treats wafting through the air. Sip mulled while you shop for hand-crafted ornaments or gifts during one of the most beautiful times of year.
Accommodation
Ibis Gdansk Stare Miasto (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Gdańsk/Wrocław
Set off again by train heading south to the city of Wroclaw. In the afternoon, head out on foot with your CEO to see the city's main sights and see why it is sometimes referred to as the "Venice of Poland." Finish the walk at Wroclaw's festive Christmas market and take the rest of the day for yourself, perhaps making a stop in the evening at one of the oldest beer cellars in Europe.
Aptly nicknamed 'Venice of Poland', Wroclaw is home to 100 bridges, crossing Oder, Ślęza, Widawa, Bystrzyca and Dobra Rivers, and several more streams.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Wroclaw Walking Tour
Join your CEO in a walking tour of Wroclaw, showcasing the Battle of Raclawice, Gothic Old Town Hall, Market Square with its iconic astronomical clock, and the many bridges leading to Cathedral Island.
Christmas Market Visit
There isn’t really a more festive way to partake in the holiday season than by wandering through wooden stalls of century old Christmas markets. Picture music playing, twinkling lights, and the aroma of delicious treats wafting through the air. Sip mulled while you shop for hand-crafted ornaments or gifts during one of the most beautiful times of year.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Piwnica Swidnicka Visit
Established in 1273, Piwnica Swidnicka is considered to be one of the oldest city inn and beer cellar in Europe. The space exudes history and the name was borrowed from Świdnica, a nearby city, who delivered beer to the cellar in the Middle Ages. Choose to enjoy a local brew and enjoy the well appointed ambiance.
Accommodation
Kamienica Pod Aniołami (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Wrocław/Krakow
Depart by train and travel through the countryside toward Krakow. Upon arrival, enjoy some time on your own for lunch before joining a local guide on a walking tour of the city's highlights, culminating at Krakow's historic Wawel Royal Castle. Continue with an 'obwarzanki' cooking class where you'll learn the ins and outs of this bagel-like, traditional speciality. Enjoy your creation, then spend the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Krakow Walking Tour
Visit the iconic squares and lanes of Krakow. Walk to the old town to view the huge bustling Market Square, pass by the Museum Czartoryski (which hosts an original DaVinci!) and the splendid medieval city gate. Stop at stately St. Mary's Church with its tall brick tower overlooking the square, where you can listen to the trumpeter and his legend. Later, stop at the University, where Nicolaus Copernicus made his observations, then end your tour up at the 16th century Wawel Royal Castle.
Christmas Market Visit
There isn’t really a more festive way to partake in the holiday season than by wandering through wooden stalls of century old Christmas markets. Picture music playing, twinkling lights, and the aroma of delicious treats wafting through the air. Sip mulled while you shop for hand-crafted ornaments or gifts during one of the most beautiful times of year.
Your Foodie Moment: Obwarzanki Cooking Class
Learn the art of Obwarzanki, a parboiled dough ring similar to a bagel and a part of Krakow's history for over 600 years. The dough is rolled into a string, twisted, boiled, then baked, and typically topped with poppyseeds, salt, and sesame seeds. Sample your creation just as kings and knights from medieval times have done in years past.
Accommodation
Globtroter Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Krakow
Explore Krakow on your own with a full free day. You may wish to explore the tragic history of this region with an excursion to Auschwitz Birkenau, the largest German Nazi concentration and extermination camp; a highly impactful experience.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do; today is your day to explore however you wish.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Visit
135PLN per personVisit the site of one of history's most horrific crimes, Auschwitz-Birkenau. The site of this former Nazi concentration camp embodies terror, tragedy, inhumanity and the survival of will. Today the museum stands testament to the inconceivable atrocities of the Holocaust and the extermination of at least 1.1 million prisoners, most of whom were Jewish, during the Second World War.
Accommodation
Globtroter Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Krakow
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.