Polish Nature & Coast Fly-Drive

Overview:

Departure Dates: 

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Warsaw

Upon arrival in Warsaw, pick up your B class rental car at the airport and drive to Warsaw city centre. Check-in at the Hotel Gromada Centrum or similar for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Warsaw – Bialowieza (~ 250 km)

In the morning suggested a tour of Warsaw:
The classic tour includes Castle Square, the southern gateway to Warsaw's Old Town, where there is a monument to Sigismund III Vasa, the King who moved the capital from Krakow to Warsaw; St John's Cathedral, Warsaw's oldest church; the picturesque Old Town Square that combines elements of Renaissance, baroque, Gothic and neoclassical design as well as the imposing Barbican and city walls. Additionally recommended walk along the Royal Route: Krakowskie Przedmiescie, Nowy Swiat with numerous churches (Holy Cross Church with Chopin's heart kept in the pillar), monuments, historic buildings. Further on along the Royal route, impressive Lazienki Royal Park with numerous edifices incl. Palace on the Water. In the afternoon, departure to Bialowieza.
Overnight in Bialowieza at the Hotel Bialowieski or similar.

Day 3: Bialowieski National Park – Mikolajki (~ 255 km)

In the suggested morning visit in the Bialowieski National Park. Bialowieski Forest - one of the last primeval forests in Europe, located on Polish Belorussian border. For centuries it was protected as hunting area of Polish kings and Russian tsars. Now it is a National Park, listed at UNESCO List of Natural Heritage. Bisons and elks can be seen in reserves. The region of Bialowieza is also the area largely inhabited by Orthodox believers. Below, photo of Orthodox church in Bialowieza. In the afternoon, make your way to Mazury Lake District.
Overnight in Mazury e.g. in Mikolajki at the Hotel Amax or similar.

Day 4: Mazury Lake District

Day to explore the Mazury region and the lake district. We suggest a cruise on one of the lakes of Mazury District e.g. Sniadrwy – the biggest lake in the region. Other sights of interest in the area include Wolf’s Liar – Hitler’s headquarter and Swieta Lipka – Baroque church with impressive organ.
Overnight in Mazury e.g. in Mikolajki at the Hotel Amax or similar.

Day 5: Mikolajki – Gdansk (~ 285 km)

In the morning, continue your journey towards the coast and Gdansk. On the route stop at the Lidzbark Warminski and Frombork: Lidzbark Warminski - a true jewel among Polish monuments. The well-preserved Gothic castle from the 14th century was a former seat of the Warmia bishops. Both Nicolas Copernicus and the poet and clergyman Ignacy Krasicki resided here. Another place where Copernicus lived and worked for many years is the medieval stronghold of Frombork. Among the oldest buildings are the monumental brick cathedral surrounded by defensive walls and the Old Bishops’ Palace (14th century). The Cathedral Hill offers a sweeping view over the Vistula.
Overnight in Gdansk at the Hotel Novotel Marina or similar.

Day 6: Tri-City: Gdansk – Gdynia – Sopot

Day to visit three coastal towns – Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot. Suggested route: enter the Main Town through the High Gate dating back to the 16th century, decorated with emblems of Poland, Royal Prussia and Gdansk. Pass by Renaissance Torture House and Gothic Prison Tower through the Renaissance Golden Gate to Dluga Street with late Gothic and Renaissance houses. Then a stroll along the Town Square called Dluga Street with Artus Hall Court built in 1481 as a meeting place for wealthy burghers. Stop at Neptune fountain - symbol of Gdansk. Leave Dlugi Targ through the Green Gate, home of Polish Kings when they visited Gdansk. There are seven gates connecting the Main Town with the Old Harbour on Motlawa River. St. Mary Gate will lead you to the most beautiful street of Gdansk, Mariacka Street, where silver and amber galleries are located. At the end of the street - St. Mary's Church with monumental Memling's painting "The last Judgement". The church, founded in 1342, one of the biggest in Europe, large enough for 25.000 faithful, is decorated with numerous Gothic sculptures. At the picturesque Motlawa River bank - the Old Crane with a wooden elevator and granaries remind flourishing trade, a base for welfare of Hansaetic Gdansk. After walk of in the Old Town of Gdansk, short drive to the Gates of Gdansk Shipyard where "Solidarity" Union started, which later led to the collapse of Communist regime in Eastern Europe. Homage to the victims killed in 1970 protest, commemorated with a monument. Stop in Sopot - a picturesque pre-war summer resort with a beautiful promenade pier. Other sights of interest in the area include a cruise over Gdanska bay and Sztuthoff - fomer Nazi concentration camp.
Overnight in Gdansk at the Hotel Novotel Marina or similar.

Day 7: Gdansk – Malbrok Castle – Warsaw (~ 376 km)

Start your journey back to Warsaw with a stop at the magnificent Malbrok Castle. Malbork (Marienburg) – is a seat of Teutonic Order Grand Master, dating back to the 13th century, an outstanding example of medieval defensive construction. The fortification consists of three parts: Lower Castle (armoury, chapel, Gothic houses), Middle Castle (guest apartments, hospital, knights' chamber, Grand Master's apartments) and High Castle (treasury, sleeping rooms, refectory, convent room). Admire unique Gothic ornaments and smart traps, which Teutonic brothers created to get silently rid of inconvenient guests and members.
Overnight in Warsaw at the Hotel Gromada Centrum or similar.

Day 8: Departure from Warsaw

Depending on your departure time, free time in Warsaw before driving to Warsaw airport to return your car and take the flight back to UK.

Package Includes:

• Direct return flights from London to Warsaw (other airports availble upon request)
• 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveller
• 8 days car hire (Category B incl. Collision Damage Waiver)
• 2 nights’ accommodation at the Hotel Gromada Centrum, Warsaw
• 1 night accommodation at the Hotel Bialowieski, Bialowieza
• 2 nights’ accommodation at the Hotel Amax, Mikolajki
• 2 nights’ accommodation at the Hotel Novotel Marina, Gdansk
• Breakfast at the hotels
• 24 hour emergency service
• ATOL protection