EXTRAORDINARY POLAND

August 17th – August 25th 2023

A short program

Day 1

Thursday – August 17th

Departure on AirMalta flight to Vienna at 7.10am . We have to arrive at Malta International airport at 4.30am. On arrival in Vienna at 9.30  we board coach and we now start on our way to CZESTOCHOWA. We shall stop in this marvellous town of great importance to St. John Paul II. Jasna Gora “ Bright Mount” the most important Marian shrine in Poland is an attraction to a great  number of pilgrimages all the year round . The icon of the Blessed Virgin or Black Madonna is the focal point and centre of great devotion. Overnight in  Cestochowa  Hotel

Day 2

Friday – August 18th

Today  after  our buffet breakfast jn Hotel, we shall  proceed  to our destination – ZAKOPANE, situated in the Tatra Mountains, a fabulous town lying in the heart of the National Park. After taking our rooms in this fantastic Hotel, there will be free time for dinner and some relaxation to go round around this amazing mountain  resort

Day 3

Saturday – August 19th

We shall start on a sightseeing tour of the town that will take us on a funicular train ride to the top of Mount Gubaowka where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the TATRAS.  A visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima built as a votive offering of thanks to her for saving the Pope’s life after the assassination attempt of 13th May 1981. Karol Wojtyla’s great love of the Tatras and Podhale region grew with him from childhood when he used to trek through the mountains with his father and brother.  Free time later on in the day to enjoy the hotel facilities or stroll around the busy streets of Zakopane for some bargain shopping of local products and so much more.  Enjoy a romantic evening in this lovely atmosphere.

Day 4

Sunday – August 20th

Departure from hotel after buffet breakfast.  An extraordinary excursion awaits us today in the DUNAJEC Gorge and River.  This is a great tourist attraction in the Pienning Mountains, a border river between Poland and Slovakia.  It has been included in UNESCO’s TENTATIVE LISTS of World Heritage sites.  We shall enjoy Mother Nature at its very best.  River rafting trips take approximately 2 to 3 hours and cover about 18 km downstream.  We shall definitely enjoy the great scenery around us and be prepared to take lots of pictures home.  Your best souvenir of the trip!!!  We shall proceed later to the town of KRAKOW.  Room allocations and free time afterwards.

Day 5

Monday – August 21st

Following buffet breakfast in our hotel in KRAKOW, we shall join our local guide for a walking tour around this fantastic city of Krakow starting with the Bishop’s Palace,  Wawel Castle and Cathedral. We shall walk up Grodska street to find ourselves in the heart of Krakow, the Rynek Gowny or Main Market Square.  Time for souvenir shopping from the large Gothic Cloth Hall. We shall continue our tour until it is time to start our optional half day excursion to the Wieliczka SALT MINES that will take about 5 hours (OPTIONAL IN THE AFTERNOON).  Those who are not interested in the Salt Mines can remain in the city and explore this beautiful town of Krakow and all it offers.

Day 6

Tuesday – August 22nd

Today we shall set out for the former JEWISH DISTRICT of Kazimierz and then after proceed to Lagiewniki Hill to visit the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy which Saint John Paul II consecrated in 2001, and the tomb of Suor Faustina.   We shall also visit  the  amazing OJCOWSKI  National  Park. this is a place of stunning beauty. Simply nature at its very best.

Today we  may have an optional excursion that shows us the atrocities of Humanity, AUSCHWITZ and BIRKENAU a most memorable lesson of modern European History.  The flower strewn Death wall, the national memorials, the rail line and remains of hundreds of barracks are a clear testimony to the number of lives lost through Nazi activities across occupied Europe.  (OPTIONAL)

 

Day 7

Wednesday – August 23rd

Today after our buffet  breakfast we will have  time to visit the biggest  shopping Mall  here GALLERIA  KRAKOWSKA. Those who are not keen on shopping  may choose to spend the rest of the day to their heart’s content , being this our last day here in Krakow

Day 8

Thursday – August 24th

Today we board our coach with our luggage after breakfast  and start on our way  to Vienna , allowing several stops on the way. Our last  Hotel is in Vienna ..

Day 9

Friday – August 25th

Departure after Breakfast for Vienna airport where we take  off  on AirMalta  flight at 10.20am….Scheduled arrival in Malta 12.35

Special Price €960  includes:

  • Return Airmalta flights to Vienna (all taxes included)
  • Very comfortable Hotels in Cestochowa, Zakopane ,Kraków and Vienna  for 8 nights, 9  days. Daily  buffet breakfast
  • Return airport transfers from and to Vienna
  • Modern, fully air-conditioned coach for the full program of tour.
  • All excursions (APART from those marked as optional) are included in price
  • A well experienced tour leader to accompany the group.
  • English speaking very knowledgeable local guide included

Not included are entrances to museums, boat rides, funicular, cable cars etc.

 

Optional excursions (here entrance fees are included)

Wieliczka Salt Mines