Arrive in Warsaw. Transfer to our hotel. Dinner.

After breakfast the guide takes you for a bus tour in Poland’s capital city. About 85% of the city had been destroyed during the WWII, including the historic Old Town and the Royal Castle. Many of the historic streets, buildings and churches were however restored to their original form after the war. We visit Old Town – the heart of Warsaw with Mermaid Monument, the symbol of the city located in the middle of the square. The main landmark of castle square is the Royal Castle, founded in the early 15th century. It became the royal residence when King Sigmund III moved the Polish capital from Cracow to Warsaw in 1569. We will also discover one of the most beautiful garden-palace complexes in Europe Lazienki Krolewskie from 18th century. Visitors can listen to live concerts near the monument of Frederick Chopin here. We have lunch before we leave for Kazimierz Dolny – a picturesque town upon Vistula River beloved by artists. Overnight in Kazimierz. Dinner.

In the morning we travel to Lublin (approx. 1 hour). The city’s history dates back to medieval times. Its greatest development took however place in the 16th century as it became a trading place and seat of convention meetings. The most interesting part of the city is Market Square with its restored burghers’ houses, the Town Hall and the Baroque Cathedral. Besides, there are still traces of Jewish culture here, a proof of the large vibrant community which existed before World War II.  Sightseeing in Lublin – royal castle, gothic Holy Trinity Chapel with frescos which are a mixture of Catholic motives with Russian-Byzantine style. Transfer to Zamosc (2 hours). Dinner.

Zamosc is featured among UNESCO’s World Heritage sites thanks to its wonderful renaissance architecture. The town was founded in the year 1580 by the Chancellor and Hetman Jan Zamoyski on the trade route linking western and northern Europe with the Black Sea. The architect Bernardo Morando, a native of Padua, modelled Zamosc on Italian trading cities. The most magnificent is its Market Square surrounded by arcaded burgher’s houses. After the sightseeing transfer to the winery Maria Anna near Rzeszow. We have lunch and then a guided tour of the winery and wine tasting follows. In the evening transfer to Lancut. Dinner and overnight.

Visit to the Lancut castle – one of the most beautiful aristocratic residences in Poland. The present castle was built for Stanisław Lubomirski in 1629 – 1642. At that time it was a modern, “palazzo in forteza” type of residence, consisting of living quarter with donjons at the corners, surrounded by bastion fortifications. In the afternoon we leave for Krakow. On the way we stop in Zalipie – a little village known for a local custom of painting houses, wells, barn and even trees with decorative motives. Check in at our hotel in Krakow in the evening.

Walking tour in Krakow. We start at the Main Market Square – one of the largest historical squares in Europe with gothic St. Mary’s church and renaissance Cloth Hall. We will also see the beautiful arcaded courtyard of Collegium Maius – the oldest university building in Poland. We finish the tour at the Wawel hill where the national treasures – royal castle and cathedral – are located. We will visit the cathedral which has witnessed many coronations and burials of Polish kings and queens. Free afternoon. In the evening we have dinner with folk show.