Sights and Soul Travels - Poland: Krakow and the Tatra Mountains

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POLAND

Krakow and the Tatra Mountains - Overview

DATES & COST

July 15 - 23, 2020
9 Days / 8 Nights
Tour starts and ends in Krakow

$3,380 per person/double occupancy
$980 optional single supplement
Additional nights: $294 single or double
Includes all fees and taxes

TOUR DIRECTOR

Marta Jochym

TOUR MAP

Click on the image to enlarge the map

This tour may be combined with:
the The New and Old Warsaw to Poland (pre-tour extension) (July 11 - 15, 2020)
or the Auschwitz Nazi Concentration Camp to Poland (post-tour extension) (July 23 - 24, 2020)

or the or the Germany in Summer: Fairytales and History tour (July 25 - August 3, 2020)

With its unique blend of "fairytale come alive" scenery, warm and passionate locals and the ever-present sense of history, people are mesmerized with Poland. Krakow and the Tatra Mountains tour offers a rich insight into European history: the Teutonic Knights, the Golden Age of the Renaissance, the Art Nouveau movement, and the bleak years of communism, but this journey will also delight you with the natural beauty of the mountains, the exclusive spa resort and the vibrant art scene in the historic, cosmopolitan Krakow. We'll experience world-class art on a personal level, attend Chopin's piano recital and Klezmer music concert, learn the folk art of glass painting from local artisans and attend a private cooking class. We'll visit underground labyrinths of a medieval salt mine, the splendid Wawel Castle, art galleries, museums and poignant synagogues. Then, we'll relax in the picturesque Tatra Mountains among their snow patched peaks and crystalline lakes, take a tranquil river cruise, hike the easy trails among the spectacular mountain scenery, and learn the elaborate Highlanders' dances. We are sure that you will fall in love with Poland with its atmosphere of a constant celebration, its romantic sidewalk cafes, borderlands' medieval castles and Renaissance palaces, as we delight in quaint, rustic landscapes of gingerbread cottages, storks' nests and roadside shrines bedecked with fresh flowers.

We'll stay in the medieval city of Krakow for 4 full days; then spend 4 days enjoying the dramatic Tatra Mountains and being pampered at the alpine spa resort of Zakopane, before returning to Krakow for another day of exploring the city.
While in Krakow, you will take in-depth private tours of the medieval Old Town, the Wawel Royal Castle, the Collegium Maius, and the Jewish neighborhood of Kazimierz. You will also visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the communist utopia neighborhood of Nowa Huta.
In Zakopane, you will enjoy a relaxing river rafting trip down the Dunajec River Gorge, ride a cable car to snow-covered peaks, hike in the High Tatra Mountains, and take a traditional Polish cooking class.
One of the tour's highlights will be an evening of Highlander dancing and Highlander dinner cooked over a bonfire.
In the evenings, we'll attend cultural events: piano concerts, night walks, carriage rides and bonfires.
Throughout the tour we'll dine a la carte at carefully selected gourmet restaurants.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

5 nights in a luxury hotel in Krakow
3 nights in an exclusive mountain spa resort in Zakopane
A la carte gourmet dining - traditional Polish or vegetarian menu: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners, including drinks
Private, individual airport transfers, all transportation in Poland
Professional local guides and a full time tour director, all sightseeing fees
Private, traditional Polish cooking class
All tours and cultural activities mentioned in the itinerary
A spa session at the resort in Zakopane
All guides', driver's and restaurants' gratuities

NOT INCLUDED

Additional/optional costs may include: optional single supplement, optional early hotel check-in, optional travel insurance, telephone charges, room service, laundry, tour director's gratuity, personal expenses.

The cost does not include airfare.

HIGHLIGHTS

Krakow's medieval Old Town
The rugged drama of the Tatra Mountains
Frozen in time villages with rich folk traditions
The ever-present sense of history
The underground maze of Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Jewish Kazimierz tour
Communism Utopia tour of Nowa Huta
Hiking in the Tatra Mountains
Rafting in the Dunajec River Gorge
Klezmer music performance and Chopin's music concert
Learning Highlander dances
Lavish spa treatments
Traditional Polish cooking class
Paying respects at Auschwitz Holocaust Memorial (optional tour)

What Makes This Trip Special

Knowledgeable and passionate private guides who make Poland come alive
Carefully designed itinerary, including signature Poland experiences
Exclusive experiences, not available to larger groups
A small group of maximum 16 like-minded women
Accommodation in upscale, perfectly located hotels
Dining at upscale, gourmet restaurants, including drinks
Being treated as special, welcome guests
Experienced, bilingual tour director
No forced shopping

Testimonials

I liked being able to see both a city and the country side. The Tatra Mountains were beautiful, and I probably never would have thought of going there on my own. Everything was very well coordinated. We had enough free time to relax and explore, and all of the planned activities went like clockwork. I really love not having to worry about anything. – Karen from New Hampshire

It was more than I’d even hoped for! I was thrilled to be immersed in the culture and history of my ancestors. Beautiful Poland! – Deb from Montana

Hotels were wonderful, restaurants were wonderful. Would love to go back there at Christmas! - Laurie from Texas

Poland exceeded all my expectations. The country was beyond beautiful, the history engrossing, and the people welcoming and proud. I can’t pick just one experience because it was all phenomenal. - Jessica from Washington, DC

I thought the tour was fabulous. I really, really fell in love with Poland. Thank you for the wonderful time. - Mary from Michigan

The best experience during the tour was meeting a fantastic group of well-traveled, open minded ladies who knew how to have a good time. Marta was the perfect guide. Her Polish lessons were fun, and she was flexible and fun too, and so this tour beat all expectations. What a wonderful country! We were able to meet its people, experience the culture, history and some nature too. - Diana from Washington

Poland was so much more than I thought it would be. It is not on most people’s travel list, and it should be. - Maria from North Carolina

Poland is a hidden gem. Marta is the best! - Kathy from Michigan

I loved everything! So much history! I am so glad I went since my father was born there, and this was the best trip ever. Marta and all the ladies were fantastic. - Barbara from Michigan

The tour was extremely well organized, offered unique experiences + had the exactly the right balance of activity and free time. Tour leader was excellent. I would definitely go back. - Barbara from Texas

Such a great tour!! Poland is a well-kept secret. Fascinating history, beautiful cities and countryside, delicious food, inexpensive shopping. Lovely group of women. And Marta is terrific! Warm, friendly and caring. I hope I get a chance to travel with her again. - Lynne from Massachusetts

Thank you for a fabulous trip, Marta is a wonderful guide and so was Greg, when my head clears I will write more (jet lag). You did not leave anything out. I have been on many tours this was one of the best. As were the guides. - Shirley from Maryland

I'm back in California... and sharing my memories of this most educational trip with friends and family. Who would have thought that Poland is a culinary destination! Marta did an outstanding job.... Everyone we met was friendly and hospitable. Loved the variety of experiences we had....rafting, horse and carriage rides, major cities and the gorgeous Tatra Mtns....lots of history... - Marna from California

Poland was fabulous. I was always reluctant to go on a group tour, but this was more like traveling with a bunch of friends. Thanks for planning such an excellent experience and thank you so much to Greg, and of course Marta, for being such outstanding guides and travel companions. - Debby from Maryland

My trip to Poland was wonderful, and I had a great time. It was exactly what I needed last summer. Poland was beautiful and Krakow was a charming city. I hope I can return someday. - Lois from New Jersey

Thank you for the most wonderful vacation of my life! The tour in Krakow and the Tatra mountains was magical and inspiring. Poland is a country everyone must visit. You made my vacation educational and insightful. - Lori from Arizona

What a once in a lifetime experience! You made this trip just perfect. I love your country! - Sandie from Maryland

Yolanta: It has been a great tour! Thank you for all the laughs and fond memories. - Patricia from British Columbia

I had a wonderful time. I was very impressed with Sights and Soul Travels and your ability to change plans as needed. - Carolyn from Massachusett

Thank you for sharing with us your passion for Poland. I love how the tour was put together and I especially loved all the music. - Karen from British Columbia

You and Kasia rewarded us with unique, meaningful experiences in a diligently fostered atmosphere of caring and personal attention, enriching our lives with your infectious enthusiasm, your consummate knowledge of the history, art and culture of the land - and, of course, the cuisine - each meal a delicious adventure! I should love to do another tour with you anywhere on this planet (or even outer space if that were possible) as I know you would be there for me, prepared to teach, to share, to exchange ideas and to enjoy many beautiful moments. - Lilian from Alberta

Thank you for bringing me to Poland. I have wanted to go for so long, and it was much better than I could've ever imagined. - Elizabeth from Maryland

Thank you for creating the most wonderful vacation I have ever had! The tour was just amazing and I really appreciate all your work to make sure every detail was covered for us. I can't wait to tell everyone I know about your business! - Carrie from Virginia

The trip was truly awesome. I will never forget the music, the architecture, the people, the beauty, and the excitement of Krakow and the majesty of the mountains, the peacefulness of the river raft and challenges met on our incredible hike in the Tatra Mountains. The food was delicious everywhere and the entire trip, start to finish was PERFECT! Thank you again. - Cathy from Maryland

We do a lot of traveling. We have traveled with many, many tour operators. S+S compares very favourably. Good planning info was provided. The guide was informed + welcoming, and she dealt with the inevitable “hiccup” very well. We would very much consider another S+S tour. - Kathy from Ontario

It was a wonderful and excellently planned tour of a beautiful and historic country. Good company, excellent tour guide and lots of fun. I will definitely consider S&S Tours for any future trips. - Rosemarie from Ohio

Thank you for this experience - I will never be the same. - Kathy from Pennsylvania

Again, I loved your tour the best and appreciated the combination of history, music and scenery. It was perfect in my opinion. Thanks, Yolanta and Kasia!!!! - Karen from British Columbia

Thank you so much for this awesome experience. These past 10 days were filled with memories I will remember for the rest of my life. - Kylie from Maryland

Wonderful tour - great traveling with a small group. I felt like I received very individual attention. - Kenda from Tennessee

Thank you for making this journey a meaningful experience for me; for putting together a great group of women; and for giving us such a rich itinerary. - Lita from Ontario

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