Arrival
Welcome meeting at the Warsaw airport or train station with our driver, who will transfer you to your hotel in Warsaw. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Warsaw’s Musical Heart
There is no Varsovian more famous than Frederic Chopin, piano virtuoso, and one of the biggest icons of piano music of the Romantic era. We will walk the streets of Warsaw, where he learnt music and spent his formative years. We will explore the Church of the Holy Trinity, where Chopin used to give concerts as a young boy, invited by Grand Duke Constantine, and the Church of the Nuns of the Visitation, where he was an organist. The timeless allure of the Royal Łazienki Park endures, leading us amidst serene ponds and vibrant peacocks to the Statue of Chopin, depicting the composer beside a willow tree, his hand reaching for piano keys. In Warsaw, where Chopin honed his talent for nearly two decades, the city resonates with his music even two centuries after his passing. A poignant reminder of his legacy, his heart rests inside an urn in the Church of the Holy Cross, a testament to Warsaw’s enduring connection with the maestro. On a pillar in the church, a biblical inscription reads, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The interactive Chopin Museum, one of the most modern biographical museums in Europe, boasts an extensive collection of original music scores, letters, photographs, and personal memorabilia. Experience the atmosphere of 19th-century Paris as you hear the sounds of bustling streets and Chopin’s melodies filling the museum — except for one solemn space commemorating his death, which remains dark and silent.
Free time for private sightseeing.
HIGHLIGHT: 22nd Chopin and His Europe Festival
Private car transfer to and from the festival concert is included.
“Hats Off, Gentlemen! A Genius” – R. Schumann
No Chopin tour would be complete without a visit to Zelazowa Wola, where the brilliant composer was born. We will walk through the picturesque park surrounding his birthplace and explore the museum dedicated to his early years and musical legacy. Next, continue to the Gothic parish church in Brochow, an important site in Chopin’s life. This historic church was not only the place of his baptism but also where his parents got married. Return to Warsaw. Time at leisure.
HIGHLIGHT: 22nd Chopin and His Europe Festival
Private car transfer to and from the festival concert is included.
To the Royal City
Travel to Krakow by 1st class Express InterCity Premium train.
Private car transfer to and from the railway station is included.
The City That Inspires
Krakow abounds in magnificent architectural landmarks. For centuries, it was the capital of Poland, drawing great scholars and artists from all over the world. Recognizing its exceptional beauty, UNESCO has honored the city by including it in the prestigious list of World Heritage Sites. Our Krakow guide will take us on a tour of the splendors of Krakow: Wawel Castle & Cathedral, St. Mary’s Basilica and Market Square. Krakow is one of the most culturally significant cities in Poland. The historic city centre is brimming with shops, outdoor cafes, and its 10-acre Main Market Square is a medieval feast for the senses. Street performers, flower stalls and first-rate clubs help maintain the magic of the place.
Free time.
Da Vinci and Kazimierz
Poland’s Mona Lisa
Krakow is one of just a few places in the world that boasts a painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Enjoy an intimate moment with some of the most beautiful faces in the world! The epitome of a true Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci fused science and art to create works that have become part of humanity’s story. His “Lady with an Ermine”, a highlight of the collection at the Czartoryski Museum, is one of only four portraits of women completed by the master of the old masters. According to art experts, it is considered the first modern portrait in terms of emotional depth. It is also an illustration of Leonardo’s anatomical expertise.
Go BoHo in Kazimierz
No other place in Europe conveys a sense of pre-war Jewish culture on the continent better than the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. Rediscovered thanks to worldwide exposure through the lens of Steven Spielberg, it is today a bustling, bohemian neighbourhood packed with lovely, quaint shops, art galleries and some of the quirkiest and coolest bars in the city. Trendy wall murals and boho vibes blend with Krakow’s history in Kazimierz.
HIGHLIGHT: 51st International Festival “Music in Old Krakow”
Private car transfer to and from the festival concert is included.
A Day at Your Leisure
Full day on your own.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
Located near Krakow, the salt mine in Wieliczka (UNESCO) stands as one of the region’s treasures. Its original galleries, adorned with intricately carved statues, and the presence of underground salt lakes create a captivating journey into history. The Chapel of St. Kinga, a masterpiece, stands as the miners’ crowning achievement.
HIGHLIGHT: 51st International Festival “Music in Old Krakow”
Private car transfer to and from the festival concert is included.
Departure Day
Breakfast
Departure transfer.