Tour of Krakow and its surroundings - Historic Capital of Poland
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Tour ID:
1113 Tour Theme: Historic and Cultural Tours Regions: Krakow Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights |
Introduction:
Enjoy a short tour exploring Poland's Historic Capital; Krakow. Picturesquely set overlooking the Vistula River, Krakow has a history going back over a thousand years, a host of monuments of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, and an old University (founded l364). A looking glass for Polish and European tradition, Krakow was entered in 1978 on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Your walk about town starts at the fortification walls near the Barbican and Florian Gate. The Gate (c. 1300) leads out onto an ancient route through town, along Florianska Street, known as "the drawing-room of Krakow". Passing the Jama Michalika Literary Coffee House, which has a Cracovian Art Nouveau decor of late, 19th-century drawings and cartoons, and walking by an impressive line of historic town houses, we reach Krakow's Market Square, one of the most beautiful market places in Europe, and the scene of many important events in Poland. The double spires of St. Mary's Basilica tower over the Market Square, and from one of them the famous Bugle-Call is sounded every hour over the city. Inside the Basilica holds a monumental 15th-century masterpiece, the High Altar carved by Wit Stwosz.
In the center of the Market Square stands the Medieval Cloth Hall, Sukiennice with a Renaissance outer decoration but still with shops and stalls inside as busy as ever selling souvenirs. The top story houses a gallery exhibiting Polish art. The Market Square of Krakow teems with life all day and night long, with numerous cafes offering a tasty welcome in their summer street-gardens. Just off the Market Square is the Gothic Collegium Maius, the Jagiellonian University's oldest extant building. Passing the quaint little Church of St. Adalbert in the middle of the Market Square, we move on into the Grodzka Street, the Royal Way which brings us up to Wawel Castle. The mighty Castle of Wawel, Poland's heart and witness to her history, is situated on a hill of the same name towering 25 meters over the Vistula River. For many centuries Wawel Castle was the chief residence of the kings of Poland. Embellished in a Renaissance development in 1499-1536 with its single-arcaded courtyard and with a Renaissance interior decor, the Castle now houses a rich collection of 16th-century Flemish wall tapestries of Arras, alongside a Polish art collection. Prior reservation for fixed time Wawel Cathedral is required for a visit to the Royal Residence. Wawel Cathedral is another building on the Hill, next to the Castle. The present day Cathedral was consecrated in 1364, and is noted for its Renaissance Sigismundian Chapel alongside
the Sigismundian Bell hanging in a tower which gives a magnificent view of the entire city.
There are many museums in Krakow; we shall be paying a call to the Museum Czartoryskich, which contains the famous "Lady with an Ermine" by Leonardo da Vinci, and "Landscape with the Good Samaritan" by Rembrandt. We set off for another round of sightseeing to the old Jewish town, in the district of Kazimierz. Here we see St. Catherine's Church and Skalka Church - the Shrine of St. Stanislaw - Bishop and Martyr. Next door - historic synagogues: the 15th-century Old Synagogue (housing the Museum of Judaism), the 16th-century Remuh Synagogue, and the 17th-century Isaac Synagogue. Krakow is a place you will keep coming back to, each time to discover new objects of startling beauty.
In the Ojcow National Park, which covers a surface area of 1,440 hectares in the Valley of the Pradnik enclosed by the Pieskowa Skala cliffs, you can see virtually all of the natural components of a Jurassic landscape. Driving along a winding road (on special permission by prior reservation), we pass breathtaking Jurassic rock formations such as the Cracovian Gate and the Club of Hercules. We take a walk around the ruins of Ojcow Castle and visit the "little church on the water". One of Poland's masterpieces of Renaissance palace architecture, Pieskowa Skala Castle, towers over a steep rocky crag.
Discover Poland's Historic Capital of Krakow!!!
Day by Day Itinerary:
Day 1:
ROUTING: KRAKOW
- Arrival to Krakow and transfer to a hotel
- **Optional: Krakow by night/ clubbing with glass of wine , ca. 3 hrs, walking tour
This tour leads through most charming places in Old City of Krakow. Perhaps you will have an occasion to take a part in mystery show or event, which usually take place in Kraków by night. (inquire for extra costs)
- Overnight in Krakow
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL***
Day 2:
ROUTING: KRAKOW
- Breakfast
- Private tour of Krakow, walking tour (Duration: 3 hrs)
The Old City, defence walls, Barbican, Market Square, Cloth Hall + 2 entrances : Czartoryski Museum and St. Mary's Basilica
- Time for lunch - not included in the price
- In the afternoon, The Old Jewish district â“ retracing the Schindler's List (private tour by car, Duration: 3,5 hrs)
This tour will take you to the most important monuments in Kazimierz and Pogorze district. Some shots of Steven Spielberg "Schindler's List" movie were captured there. Highlights include 2 entrance fees to Synagogues.
HIGHLIGHTS: This tour leads us into the south-east district of Krakow - Kazimierz - historical centre of Krakow's Jewish religious and social life . Kazimierz was originally founded as a separate town near Krakow where, since 14th century Jews had the right to settle down. Szeroka Street is a remnant of the former market square with Old Synagogue, Isaacâ™s Synagogue and Remuh Sunagogue. Also a visit to PODGORZE quarter - where ghetto was established; Schindlerâ™s factory and PLASZOW - where labour camp used to be situated.
NOTE: Synagogues Remuh and Isaacâ™s are closed on Saturday and during Jewish holidays.
Important Note : if you book the above tour, You will get free ticket for a concert in Jewish Café. We will make a table reservation in Jewish restaurant. You can enjoy the concert with a glass of your favorite drink or order meals and drinks a la carte on your own. Concert starts at 8 pm in the Klezmer Hois restaurant, located in Kazimierz ( Old Jewish Quarter)
- Overnight in Krakow
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL***
Day 3:
ROUTING: KRAKOW - WAWEL - KRAKOW
- Breakfast
- Guided tour of Wawel Hill (Duration: 3,5 hrs, walking tour)
the city panorama, Wawel Cathedral (Royal crypts, Sigismundian Bell), opportunity to visit royal apartments in the Castle. Walk along the Royal Way (Grodzka St.) with visiting the churches on the way to the Market Square for lunch â“ not included in the price. Our guide will recommend a nice and good restaurant for the Clients.
- Afternoon free.
- In the evening We would like to take you into a short journey through the magnificent world of the greatest classical, opera and film music of A. Vivaldi, W.A. Mozart, J.S. Bach, E. Morricone. Listen to the most popular works of the best composers live during the concert of The Orchestra of the City of Cracow. (*not included, inquire for extra cost)
OPTION A: Classical and Organ Concerts â“ at St.Peter and Paul's Church on Thursday at 8 pm.
See the dance of the light and shadow by the rhythms of calming vibrations penetrating deeply your mind at St. Peter & Paulâ™s Church. Admiring it s vast spaces you ll find inspiration and peace for your heart. This beautiful church was built between 1597 1619, and was the first baroque church in Krakow, patterned upon famous Roman Il Gesu. It distinguish with clear style, high leveled architecture and statues of its guardians the Twelve Apostles.
OR
OPTION B: Vocal and Organ Concert at St. Adalbertâ™s Church, every day at 6 pm.
Feel the amazing and mystic atmosphere filling old middle-aged walls of St. Adalbertâ™s Church. Here you can discover unforgettable moments which will stay at the bottom of your soul for the rest of your life. History of the place reaches as far as the history of Poland itself and it refers through figure of St. Adalbert first saint of this land to the roots of polish Christianity. All those magnificent buildings are nowadays linked by extraordi nary event-their primeval walls resounds with music and singing sounds which are worthy of the rank of the Royal Krakow
- OR evening at your leisure
- Overnight in Krakow
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL***
Day 4:
ROUTING: KRAKOW - PIESKOWA SKALA - KRAKOW
- Breakfast
- Private Excursion to Pieskowa Skała by car (Duration: 4 hours)
On this tour you will experience the natural components of a Jurassic landscape in the Ojcow National Park. In the Ojcow National Park, which covers a surface area of 1440 hectares in the Valley of the Pradnik enclosed by Pieskowa Skala cliffs, you can see virtually all of the natural components of a Jurassic landscape. Driving along a winding road (on special permission by prior reservation), we pass breathtaking Jurassic rock formations such as the "Cracovian Gate" and the "club of Hercules"- the unbelievable limestone column which seem to be placed pointed side down. You will see the ruins of Ojcow Castle and the "little church on the water". On the route along the tourist "Eaglesâ™ Nests Trail" you visit one of Polandâ™s masterpieces of Renaissance palace architecture, Pieskowa Skala Castle, towers over a steep rocky crag. We visit the three-storeyed trapezoid courtyard and the castle which houses a branch of the Wawel State Art Collection.
Includes: Private guide, admission fees to the castle, transportation by car
- Return to Krakow about 13:00 (if the tour starts at 09:00), free time for lunch
- Afternoon: excursion to Wieliczka Salt Mine.
- Evening at your leisure
- Overnight in Krakow
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL***
Day 5:
ROUTING: KRAKOW
- Breakfast
- Transfer to airport or train station and the final good-bye from your local guide
* This tour may be extended, e.g. by a day trip to Zakopane.
End of tour services
Prices, Dates & What's Included:
Prices available upon request...
The Tour Includes:
- 4 nights accommodation in Hotel 3 star with (B) Breakfast
- Private tour of Krakow, walking tour (Duration: 3 hrs)
- Private tour Old Jewish district (Duration: 3,5 hrs)
- Private tour of Wawel Hill (Duration: 3,5 hrs, walking tour)
- Private tour to Pieskowa Skala by car (Duration: 4 hours)
- Private tour to Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Private transfers in and out
- Local Taxes
Not Included:
- Krakow by night/ clubbing with glass of wine
- Concert Tickets
- Lunches and Dinners
- Airfare
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities
- Extra charges of hotel, eg. Laundry, telephone or fax charges, room service, etc..
- Insurance
Inquire for more details...
