Day 1 IMPRESSIVE BESKID

Morning: After breakfast we set off from Krakow on our journey to the east of Poland. The first stop is Mt. Zar, where we take a cable car ride for a vista of the beautiful Beskid Maly landscape.

Afternoon: The next stop is Zywiec and the Brewery Museum (opened in 2006), a very interesting place even for non-beer drinkers. You will see the modern process of beer production, a model of the brewery and old workshops. Beer tasting can be arranged.

Evening: We arrive at Kocierz and check into a charming Hotel and Spa Resort. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2 A DAY OF POLISH CUISINE

The whole day will be devoted to learning how to cook the most popular traditional Polish dishes.

You will learn the secret recipe for the delicious pierogi (a type of dumpling filled with meat, vegetables or fruits). For lunch, we will enjoy the products of our labour, that is, the pierogi.

More food tasting is planned. Your hosts will prepare homemade bread, pickled cucumbers, ham and other dishes that you probably have not eaten before! In the evening, you enjoy a barbecue of kielbasa (Polish sausages).

Day 3 NOWY SACZ & THE ORNAMENTED VILLAGE

Morning: We leave the charming area of Beskid Maly and head further east to visit the Nowy Sącz Etnographic Park that is famous for its wide range of regional folk architecture and their interiors.

Afternoon: We continue to one of the most homely spots in Poland - the village of Zalipie, where all the houses are painted in colourful floral motifs. We attend a pottery painting class supervised by local artists.

Evening: We reach Tarnow, where we will stay for the next two nights. Dinner and free evening.

Day 4 WOODEN CHURCH AND PICTURESQUE RAFT TRIP

Morning: The first stop is in Debno, the site of an exquisite wooden church dating back to the 16th century (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Next, we move on to the picturesque gothic Niedzica castle situated by Lake Czorsztyn.

Afternoon: We continue our adventure with a rafting trip (2.5 hrs.) down the scenic Dunajec river gorge, meandering gently along the Polish-Slovak border through the Pieniny National Park. The rafts are comfortable and safe. Similar in design to a punt boat, the rafter propels the vessel forward with a long pole. Millions of years ago the river made its way through mighty limestone rocks. Visitors are drawn here by the spectacular views. After the trip, we visit a charming Renaissance castle in Nowy Wisnicz.

Evening: We return to Tarnow for one more night to enjoy a lovely dinner and get some rest.

Day 5 A SHOT OF VODKA & ZAMOSC

Morning: We set off again in the easterly direction towards the famous Renaissance palace in Lancut.

Afternoon: A visit of the splendid interiors of the 17th-century palace in Lancut. Another must-see is the museum located in the local vodka distillery next to the palace. We will learn more about the drink that has enjoyed a long historical presence in Polish culture.

Evening: We arrive at Zamosc, where we will stay for one night. We recommend taking a short walk around the famous market after the delicious dinner.

Day 6 LUBLIN – A PERFECT TOWN & BYZANTINE FRESCOS

Morning: We start the day by sightseeing Zamosc (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It was built as a private town with the design to embody the Renaissance concepts of perfect harmony of urban functions and proportions. After that, we head north towards Lublin and Kazimierz Dolny.

Afternoon: We sightsee Lublin: a city whose history dates back to the 12th century. The highlights include the greatest treasure of the Lublin Castle - the Gothic Holy Trinity Chapel adorned with very unique Byzantine-inspired frescoes.

Evening: Arrival in Kazimierz Dolny, where we will stay for two nights.

Day 7 KAZIMIERZ DOLNY, NALECZOW

Morning: After breakfast, we have a guided tour of the most artistic small town in Poland: Kazimierz Dolny. The town is picturesquely located on the Vistula River and features countless wonderfully preserved mediaeval sights. Most of the year it is a very quiet place, an ideal sanctuary for slowing down and savouring life.

Afternoon: You have free time to enjoy the simple pleasures in Kazimierz Dolny. Alternatively, it is possible to take a trip to Naleczow, a well-known spa resort located 30 km from Kazimierz Dolny.

Evening: Free time in Kazimierz and dinner.

Day 8 RETURN

Morning: We board a special boat for a short farewell cruise and for the pretty view of of Kazimierz Dolny from the river. The boat will take us to the nearby imposing ruins of the castle in Janowiec.

Afternoon: Return to Warsaw is scheduled at approx. 16:00.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you like this tour. We will be happy to provide you with all the details. This tour has one guaranteed date in 2011 - you can book it immediately. If the dates do not suit you, write to us anyway - we will organize a private tour, put you on a new standby list or inform you about additional dates. More info here.