Highlights of Poland - Small Group
Highlights of Poland - Small Group
Highlights of Poland - Small Group
10 Days Starting in Krakow, Poland and ending in Warsaw, Poland
Visiting: Kraków, Zakopane, Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk, Warsaw
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SE975ZN20
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Plunge into an adventure across Poland as you shop for folklore fare in Krakow and sample traditional dumplings in Warsaw. A day of dedicated Krakow sightseeing kickstarts the vacation as your Local Expert guides you up to Wawel Royal Castle, and through Podgórze to Ghetto Square. In the cradle of the Polish nation, spoil yourself with the Poznan Choice to unveil the secrets of the local delicacy, the St Martin’s croissant, or uncover the history of the city on a walking tour with a Local Expert. Travel to the foot of the Tatras Mountains for a Zakopane Dinner of delicious local dishes, accompanied by the soul rousing folklore entertainment of the Goral Highlanders.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Poznan: Meet a resident of Poznan who will share insights into local life on a walk through the Old Town.
- Poznan: Enjoy a tasting of St. Martin's croissant, a local delicacy and learn about how its recipe is protected by European Union law!
Top Rated Highlights
- Kraków: During your orientation with your Travel Director, walk around the beautiful town square, Rynek Glówny. See the famous Sukiennice Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica and the many historic townhouses, palaces and churches.
- Kraków: The medieval heart of Krakow is rich in legend, a kind of Polish Camelot. Join your Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of this historic holy grail.
- Kraków: Visit the cathedral atop Wawel Hill accompanied by your Local Expert.
- Zakopane: Stay in the resort town of Zakopane, famous for its wooden houses and winter sports. On arrival, join your Travel Director for an orientation of the city. Spend free time shopping for local specialties in the markets of Krupówki Street or ascend a nearby mountain for panoramic views across the Tatras into Slovakia.
- Auschwitz: Experience a powerful and moving visit with a Local Expert. See the Auschwitz memorial and museum, which bears witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust.
- Wroclaw: See the noble mansions and flower markets of the Plac Solny, absorb the Baroque splendor of Rynek and be introduced to Wroclaw's cheeky Gnomes as you explore with your Local Expert.
- Gniezno: See the winged doors when you visit the cathedral.
- Torun: Led by your Local Expert, explore this outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1233.
- Gdansk: There’s no better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Eastern Europe’s best storytellers. Meet Agnes, a passionate Local Expert who will share captivating stories about the city and its flora and fauna. You’ll explore the medieval city and see the historical sights of Weterplatte and the Gdansk Shipyards.
- Malbork: Visit the 13th century fortified gothic brick castle belonging to the Teutonic Order, the largest castle in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Warsaw: Your Local Expert will show you the city's highlights. See the Old Town, Palace of Culture and visit the Chopin Memorial in the Lazienki Park before paying your respects at the Ghetto Heroes Memorial.
Make Travel Matter
Torun: Meet an artisan baker to uncover the secrets of the traditional Torún gingerbread during a delicious tasting. Baked following a traditional recipe and using only local and natural ingredients, these colorful treats are a true delight. This experience advances UN Global Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Authentic Dining
Kraków: Delight in Polish specialties during a delicious meal in the heart of the city.
Zakopane: Meet Poland's Goral Highlanders and share their culture at a dinner with local specialties and music.
Warsaw: The Polish capital is currently enjoying a culinary renaissance - find out what the buzz is all about during your end-of-tour dinner with wine at a favorite restaurant.
Insight Choice
Poznan: Meet a resident of Poznan who will share insights into local life on a walk through the Old Town.
Poznan: Enjoy a tasting of St. Martin's croissant, a local delicacy and learn about how its recipe is protected by European Union law!
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Kraków
Location: Kraków
Accommodation: Vienna House Andel's Cracow, Kraków.
Accommodation Name: Vienna House Andel’s Cracow, Kraków
Meals Included: Dinner
Your journey through Poland begins in picturesque Krakow. Meet your Travel Director at 17:00 for a walk around the Rynek Główny, Europe's largest and most beautiful town square. See the famous Sukiennice Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Church and the many historic townhouses, palaces and churches. Be sure to listen for the trumpeter's call! Later, enjoy getting to know your fellow guests over a fabulous dinner.
Day 2: The Damsels And Dragons Of Kraków Relaxed Start
Location: Kraków
Accommodation: Vienna House Andel's Cracow, Kraków.
Accommodation Name: Vienna House Andel’s Cracow, Kraków
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, you can join an Optional Experience to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine. In the afternoon, ascend Wawel Hill to see the Renaissance castle with a Local Expert. Visit the cathedral, the final resting place of the Kings of Poland and the former seat of Archbishop Karol Wojtyła, later known to the world as Pope John Paul II. Head across the former Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, and then to Podgórze to see Ghetto Square.
Day 3: To The High Tatra Mountains And Zakopane
Location: Zakopane
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Zakopane.
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Zakopane
Meals Included: Dinner
Journey into the Tatras, the highest range of the Carpathian Mountains. Stay in the resort town of Zakopane, famous for its wooden houses and winter sports. On arrival, join your Travel Director for an orientation of the city. Spend free time shopping for local specialties in the markets of Krupówki Street or ascend a nearby mountain for panoramic views across the Tatras into Slovakia. In the evening, enjoy a rousing dinner, accompanied by Goral Highlander folklore entertainment at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Reflect On Auschwitz, Then On To Wrocław, The Venice Of Poland
Location: Wrocław
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Wroclaw.
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Hotel, Wroclaw
Meals Included: Breakfast
Traveling past the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, your first stop will be the city of Oświęcim, better known throughout the world by its German name, Auschwitz. With a Memorial Guide-Educator, experience a moving visit to the memorial and museum of Auschwitz and a stop at Birkenau. Travel along the Oder River to the city of Wrocław, known in Polish as Miasto Spotkań or the meeting place. During its long history, Wrocław has belonged to Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia and Germany. With your Local Expert, see the brightly colored facades of the noble mansions and the flower markets on the Plac Solny. Take in the Baroque splendor of the Rynek, and be introduced to Wrocław's cheeky gnomes. This evening, join your Travel Director for a Craft Beer at the Piwnica Świdnicka, the oldest restaurant/cellar in Poland, founded in 1273.
Day 5: Poznań, Cradle Of The Polish Nation Relaxed Start
Location: Poznań
Accommodation: Sheraton Poznan Hotel.
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Poznań
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue on to Poznan where you will drive out to Ostrów Tumski, known as Cathedral Island. It's considered as the birthplace of Poland in the 10th century and is a fascinating place of legend, often overlooked by other visitors. Explore Poznan with Insight Choice. Choose to immerse yourself in the history of the city and enjoy a walking tour. Alternatively, learn the secrets behind the St. Martin’s croissant, a local delicacy, and enjoy a tasting.
Day 6: Toruń, The Gothic Glory On The Vistula And Gdańsk
Location: Gdańsk
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel & Suites Gdansk
Accommodation Name: Radisson Hotel & Suites Gdansk
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stop at Gniezno to visit the cathedral and see the famous two-winged bronze doors. Then continue to Toruń, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1233 and birthplace of astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus. Join a Local Expert to discover this outstanding example of medieval architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet an artisan baker for a taste of gingerbread, baked following a traditional recipe and using only locally sourced ingredients. Spend time exploring at your own pace. Follow the Vistula River north to magnificent Gdansk, Poland’s Baltic trading port with more than 1000 years of history. As evening descends, a dinner of Baltic specialties is highly recommended, followed by a walk through Gdańsk's illuminated historic district.
Day 7: The Baltic Belles Of Gdańsk Relaxed Start
Location: Gdańsk
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel & Suites Gdansk
Accommodation Name: Radisson Hotel & Suites Gdansk
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the morning with a passionate Local Expert. Learn captivating and fun facts about the city and see the Westerplatte, the scene of the first fighting between Polish and German troops in 1939, and the Gdańsk Shipyards where Lech Wałęsa formed the anti-Soviet Solidarność in 1980. Continue through the medieval city, where buildings date back to the time of the Hanseatic League. Enjoy a free afternoon and perhaps choose to visit the elegant seaside town of Sopot?
Day 8: Malbork Castle And Warsaw
Location: Warsaw
Accommodation: The Westin Warsaw.
Accommodation Name: The Westin Warsaw
Meals Included: Breakfast
With a Local Expert, visit the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, founded in 1274 by the Teutonic Knights on the banks of the Nogat River. The castle is a stunning example of a medieval fortress and the largest brick Gothic castle in the world. Next, travel south to the capital of Warsaw. With the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps attend an evening concert of Poland’s best-loved composer, Frédéric Chopin?
Day 9: Exploring The Proud Polish Capital Of Warsaw Relaxed Start
Location: Warsaw
Accommodation: The Westin Warsaw.
Accommodation Name: The Westin Warsaw
Meals Included: Dinner
See the Palace of Culture and the Chopin Monument in Łazienki Park with a Local Expert. Visit the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, followed by a walk through Warsaw’s Old Town, entirely rebuilt since World War II. At your dinner, enjoy a fine selection of local dishes with wine at a cozy Warsaw restaurant.
Day 10: Depart Warsaw
Location: Warsaw
Meals Included: Breakfast
Time to say goodbye to your new friends as your journey through Poland comes to an end.
What's Included
-
Personal radio headsets
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
-
Hotel and restaurant tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
-
Baggage handling
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
-
Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
-
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
-
Airport transfers
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
What's Not Included
-
International Airfare
Flights to and from the tour start and end points are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
-
Optional Experiences
Some optional activities and excursions may incur additional costs.
-
Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature, including souvenirs, laundry, and beverages, are not included.
-
Meals Not Specified
Any meals not listed as included in the itinerary are at your own expense.
-
Visa Fees
Any required visas or related fees are not included.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
-
What unique experience can I expect in Poznan?
In Poznan, you have the option to meet a resident who will share insights into local life during a walk through the Old Town. Alternatively, you can enjoy a tasting of St. Martin's croissant, a local delicacy, and learn about how its recipe is protected by European Union law.
-
What is special about the visit to Auschwitz on this tour?
The visit to Auschwitz is a powerful and moving experience led by a Local Expert. You will see the Auschwitz memorial and museum, which bear witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust.
-
How does the tour incorporate local culture in Zakopane?
In Zakopane, you will meet Poland's Goral Highlanders and share their culture at a dinner with local specialties and music, providing an authentic cultural experience.
-
What can I expect during the visit to Malbork Castle?
During the visit to Malbork Castle, a Local Expert will guide you through the largest brick Gothic castle in the world, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1274. It is a stunning example of a medieval fortress.
-
What kind of dining experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes authentic dining experiences such as a meal of Polish specialties in Kraków, a dinner with local specialties and music in Zakopane, and an end-of-tour dinner with wine in Warsaw, showcasing the culinary renaissance of the Polish capital.
-
How does the tour support sustainable tourism?
In Toruń, the tour includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you meet an artisan baker to uncover the secrets of traditional Toruń gingerbread, baked using only local and natural ingredients. This experience supports UN Global Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
Save on this tour
Request your exclusive discount code now and unlock savings for your next adventure!
Send me one now.1 Select your preferred date
Friday - Sunday
Apr 25, 2025 - May 04, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jun 20, 2025 - Jun 29, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025Friday - Sunday
Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025Friday - Sunday
Aug 29, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025Friday - Sunday
Apr 24, 2026 - May 03, 2026Friday - Sunday
Jun 19, 2026 - Jun 28, 2026Friday - Sunday
Jul 17, 2026 - Jul 26, 2026Friday - Sunday
Aug 14, 2026 - Aug 23, 2026Friday - Sunday
Aug 28, 2026 - Sep 06, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
Fully Protected
All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
Expert Knowledge
We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
Trusted Agent
Multi award-winning agency with almost 50 years experience.
Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot – the highest-rated high-street travel agent.
We look after you every step of the way.