Christmas Markets Tour

CHRISTMAS MARKETS TOUR ( 9 days/8 nights)

WARSAW (3) – KRAKOW ( 2 ) – ZAKOPANE ( 1 ) – WROCLAW (2)

Day 1 – WARSAW

Arrival Warsaw at F.Chopin airport, transfer to the hotel with the panoramic drive thru Warsaw
In the afternoon Chopin Piano recital at one of the palaces in Royal Lazienki Park ( Palace on the Water, Myslewicki Palace, New Orangery ) or Szustra Mansion with sparkling wine during the intermission
Overnight in Warsaw

Day 2 – WARSAW ( B, L )

half day sightseeing of Warsaw (Lazienki park with Chopin’s statue, Old Town, shopping on Christmas market on Old Town Market Square. Entrance to the Royal Castle
Lunch at Zapiecek restaurant and culinary lesson of making Christmas dumplings ( ‘pierogi )
afternoon free, free time for shopping at local Christmas markets
in the evening concert of Christmas carols in the Royal Castle or other concert hall in Warsaw
after the concert evening walking tour along Krakowskie Przedmiescie and Nowy Swiat streets to admire Christmas illuminations
overnight in Warsaw

Day 3 – WARSAW – Łowicz – Sierpc – WARSAW ( B, D ), 285 km

After breakfast departure for Łowicz – known from the folk costumes , colorful religious processions and characteristic paper cutting. Visit local museum and heritage park.
Optional : a paper cutting demonstration by a local artist
Continue to Sierpc to visit at open-air museum and surrounding park. Visiting exhibition ‘Christmas in Mazovia region’ and participation in the lesson of making traditional Christmas decorations
Dinner at local restaurant ( tasting traditional Polish Christmas menu )

Day 4 – WARSAW – KRAKOW ( B, D ), 300 km

After breakfast departure for Krakow
In the afternoon sightseeing of Krakow ( Old Town, St. Mary’s Basilica, Wawel Hill with Wawel Castle and Cathedral
Visiting exhibition of ‘Christmas cribs’ at Krzysztofory Palace
Free time for shopping at Sukiennice ( Cloth Hall ) and Christmas Market at market Square
Dinner and overnight in Krakow

Day 5 – KRAKOW ( B, D )

After breakfast departure for Miechow to visit a factory of Christmas decorations. A lesson of making Christmas Tree decorations and preparing own Christmas souvenirs
In the afternoon visit famous Wieliczka Salt Mine – a three km long underground tourist route with beautifully carved chambers, chapels and statues – all made in salt.
Dinner with folklore show at local restaurant in Krakow
Overnight in Krakow

Day 6 – KRAKOW – ZAKOPANE ( B, D ) 120 km

After breakfast departure for Zakopane, town at the food of the Tatra Mountains, 1000 m above sea level. Winter capital of Poland where the World Championships of Ski and other sport events are organized. Famous from a unique wooden style of architecture. Special mountain climate and beautiful landscape attract many visitors all the year round.
Visit to picturesque town and its surroundings (a walk along the famous Krupówki Street, followed by a visit to Jaszczurowka – small wooden church in architectural style typical for Zakopane, with unique Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Funicular train ride to Gubałówka Mt. to admire beautiful panorama view on Tatras.
Free time for shopping of Christmas decorations and local souvenirs at a local flea market ( hand-made wooden items, table-cloths, regional food : smoked sheep-cheese, mushrooms, jams).
Dinner at local restaurant – inn in Zakopane
Overnight in Krakow

Day 7 – ZAKOPANE – WROCLAW ( B, D ) 370 km

Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning free for walking along one of the beautiful Tatra valleys : Strazyska, Koscieliska, Chocholowska
Transfer to Wroclaw
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Wroclaw

Day 8 – WROCLAW ( B, D )

After breakfast a half day sightseeing tour of Wroclaw – called the city of hundred bridges including : Old Town Market Square with characteristic Town Hall ( 16^th century), Wroclaw University with magnificent Baroque Aula Leopoldina . Ostrow Tumski Island with the complex of sacral buildings is the oldest part of the city
In the afternoon – free time for own exploration local Christmas market
Dinner at local restaurant – mini-brevery ‘Spiz’
Overnight in Wroclaw

Day 9 – WROCLAW ( B )