– 2024 Poland tour edition – 

Day 1st
Your arrival at Warsaw airport or train station, where your tours to Poland starts, and where you are welcomed by our driver. Transfer to a centrally located hotel. Time to relax. An overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 2nd
Breakfast and half-day guided tour of Warsaw – the capital of Poland: the Royal Castle, The Royal Route, the Old Market Square, the Barbican, Krakowskie Przedmiescie, Lazienki with its splendid gardens and the Palace on the Water. Afternoon time to relax. An overnight stay at a hotel. (B)

Day 3rd 

Breakfast. Transfer to the Warsaw train station with our driver service. Departure by direct train to Gdansk – the  Solidarity birthplace. You come to Gdansk later that day. Transfer by our driver to a centrally located hotel. Next, your half day guided tour of Gdansk:  Golden Gateway, Neptun’s Fountain, the Artus Court, the Uphagen house and Dluga Street, Mariacka Street, wooden Crane on Motlava River  and Solidarity Monument at the Gdansk Shipyard – the birthplace of Solidarity movement. An overnight stay at a hotel.   (B)

Day 4th
Breakfast, and departure to Malbork to visit the largest in Poland medieval, brick castle – one of the most important Poland highlights. Half-day guided tour of the castle, with an available lunch in the castle restaurant.  Afternoon return ride to Gdansk and time to relax, gift shopping, private walks, visit to selected Museum (we suggest The Emigration Museum in Gdynia or World War II Museum in Gdansk). An overnight at a hotel. (B)

Day 5th
Breakfast, transfer to the Gdansk railway station and departure by train to Poznan – worldwide known as a Poland and international fairs center.  Time to check-in. Next you will be welcomed by our driver and transferred to a hotel. Afternoon guided tour of Poznan,  including the Cathedral, the Renaissance Town Hall, the Baroque Church of St. Mary Magdalene. An overnight stay at a hotel. (B)

Day 6th
Breakfast and transfer by our driver to the Poznan railway station. Departure by a direct train to Wroclaw – famous city and capital of Lower Silesia region. Our guide – driver will welcome you at the railway station. Time to check in and afternoon Wroclaw city tour with our local guide. The tour includes visit to Ostrów Tumski with the Cathedral, which is one of the main Wroclaw highlights.  Next, visit to the University with its magnificent baroque Aula Leopoldina. An overnight stay at a hotel.  (B)

Day 7th 
Breakfast and whole day tour of the Wroclaw region highlights with our guide-driver. First your visit  to Swidnica, where you will visit the unique wooden Church of Peace, listed at the UNESCO World Heritage List. Next, continuation if your ride to  Książ castle – famous as a one of the possible Hitler’s headquarters, the third largest castle in Poland. Afternoon time to relax in Wroclaw, private walks. An overnight stay at a hotel. (B)

Day 8th 
Breakfast and departure to Krakow by direct train. A few hour later you will be welcomed by our driver at the Krakow railway station. Transfer to centrally located hotel, time to check-in and next half-day city tour of Krakow – the cultural capital of Poland. The tour includes famous Old Town market with the Cloth hall and St Mary Basilica, walk along the Royal Route to the Wawel Hill, famous for its cathedral and Royal Castle. Later that day time for a private walk and optional dinner with a live music in a regional restaurant in Krakow (55 USD/ person). An overnight stay at a hotel. (B)

Day 9th
Breakfast and a half day tour of Krakow region’s highlight. Today you will visit the Wieliczka Royal Salt Mine – inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Return to Krakow and afternoon dedicated for your relaxation or extra visits to the selected museums (we suggest The Rynek Undergound Museum and the Czartoryski Museum). Night at hotel in Krakow (B).

Day 10^th
Breakfast and  an next tour of the Krakow region’s  highlights to select from the list:
1) morning visit to the Auschwitz–Birkeanu Nazi German Camp – Museum nowadays combined with tour of Kazimierz – Jewish district in Krakow and visit to the Oscar Schindler factory – Museum.   

or
2)  whole day tour to Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains. Your sightseeing tour of the town famous for its Highlander’s culture and wooden  architecture followed by a ride by funicular train to the Gubalowka top for marvelous  views of the Tatra Mountains. Late that day some time to buy souvenirs, handmade by highlanders at the local market. Time for lunch at regional restaurant with local best dishes and some free time. Return ride to Krakow for your night at hotel. (B)

Day 11^th
Breakfast and check out from your Krakow hotel. Transfer to the train station for departure to Lublin – located in the eastern part of Poland. Upon arrival our local driver meet you at train station and transfer to your hotel to check in. Next, your half day tour of Lublin Old Town including The Castle Hill with the Lublin Castle, the Basilica of the Dominican Fathers, founded in 1342 by King Casimir the Great and the Market Square, a historical center of the city. Later that day time for your dinner and relaxation. Night at hotel in Lublin. (B)

Day 12^th  

Breakfast and check out from your Lublin hotel. Transfer to the train station for departure to Warsaw.  Upon arrival to the train station our local driver meet you and transfer to your hotel in Warsaw. Afternoon and evening dedicated for your farewell walks, shopping, dinner. Night at hotel in Warsaw. (B)

Day 13^th
Breakfast and transfer by our driver to the Warsaw airport for your return flight.

TOUR DATES: tour stars on every Saturday between March and October  2024
(the minimum group is only 2 people !)

TOUR PRICE:  USD  2990 / PERSON !

Price includes:
– all train tickets for rides at 1st class express trains,
– accommodation at first class hotels in Warsaw – Polonia Palace****, Gdansk – Bonum***, Poznan – Vivaldi****, Wroclaw – Puro***, Krakow – Polski Pod Białym Orłem***+ , Lublin – IBB Grand**** (or similar),
– buffet breakfasts (B) as in the tour program,
– all local transfers by our professional drivers,
– all local tours guided by our guides in English, with all entries according to the program.

Excluded:
– personal expenses and meals not mentioned in the tour program,
– single bed room supplement fee – on request.

Notice:
The tour is also available on any date within March-October, on your private request, with price of USD 3290 / person, (min. 2 person group, dbl occ.). Send your private tour request below.

Lithuania –  Latvia  – Estonia

Day 1^st
Arrival in Vilnius. Our local driver greets you at the airport and will provide a private transfer to your hotel. Alternatively, you can come from Poland, by car with our driver, if you want to combine a visit to Poland with a trip to the Baltic Countries. Time to relax and stay overnight in Vilnius.

Day 2^nd
Breakfast at the hotel. and then your private guided tour of the historic Old Town of Vilnius, one of the largest old cities in northeastern Europe. Visiting the most important monuments, such as the Cathedral Square with the Domed Church and the Clock Tower, the Church of St. Anna, the Town Hall Square and the University of Vilnius, the Gate of Dawn with the holy image of the Virgin Mary. In addition, our guide will also show you the Gediminas Castle and Tower and the interesting Uzupis district. The monuments of Vilnius will also show you that the city was built over many centuries and that is why you can find there both Gothic and Renaissance styles, and then Baroque.  Break for rest, lunch and then transfer to Trakai for a trip to Trakai Castle. This city is located on a narrow cape between 3 lakes and is famous for the impressive Trakai Castle. Trakai and Trakai Castle are important to the history of Lithuania. Associated with Grand Duke Gediminas, a medieval Lithuanian hero, Trakai gained importance before the Grand Duchy of Lithuania joined Poland. Visiting the castle and museum. In the evening, return to Vilnius, dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (B,D)

Day 3^rd       
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Riga (takes approximately 4.5 hours). On the way, a stop at the Hill of Crosses and the famous Rundale Palace. The Hill of Crosses is a special place for Catholic pilgrims who, over the centuries, have brought here crosses, sculptures of Lithuanian patriots, figures of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny paintings and rosaries. Time for some sightseeing and then continue driving to Riga.Your next stop will be Rundale Palace. It is one of the most visited monuments of baroque and rococo art in Latvia. Built in the first half of the 18th century, it was designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the creator of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. Your visit to this place also includes the Rundale Palace Garden, which retains its layout designed 300 years ago. In the late afternoon, continue your drive to Riga – the capital of Latvia. After arrival, check in at the hotel. Dinner with our driver. Overnight in Riga. (B,D)

Day 4^th 
Breakfast at your hotel. Next, it’s time for an afternoon private walking tour of Riga’s Old Town with our local guide. The tour program includes unusual places such as the Church of St. Peter with the famous rooster, church of St. James, Dom Square and Dom Cathedral, which houses one of the most valuable historic organs in the world. The whole area, surrounded by city walls, complements all the city’s monuments and creates a beautiful medieval atmosphere. Our guide will tell you many interesting stories, including the intriguing history of the House of the Cat, you will also see the Town Hall Square with the beautiful and elegant House of the Blackheads, the Riga Castle, founded in 1330, the Parliament, the Freedom Monument and the beautiful Riga Opera House. After sightseeing, time for dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Riga. (B,D)

Day 5^th
After breakfast, check-out and departure with our driver to Tallinn (approximately 4.5 hours of driving, with breaks). while driving or after arriving at your destination, it’s time for lunch. Check-in at the hotel and then your private tour with a local guide around Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tallinn is the oldest capital of Northern Europe, shown on a map from 1154. During your tour, you will visit the Church of the Holy Spirit, the 600-year-old Gothic town hall, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the world’s oldest operating pharmacy on Town Hall Square, and the 159-meter Oleveste Church, which was the tallest building in the world in the 16th century. You will also climb Toompea Hill, from where you will admire beautiful views of the city. Toompea Castle, which is the seat of the Westonian Parliament, was built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. After the trip, time for dinner and rest. Overnight in a hotel in Tallinn. (B,D)

Day 6th
After breakfast at the hotel, you will have additional time to explore other parts of Tallinn. This time you will visit Kadriorg park and Pirita – two of the most favorite places among residents and guests visiting the capital of Estonia. Kadriorg Park is famous for its impressive Baroque palace and park complex built by Peter the Great for his wife Catherine I in 1718, as well as the residence of the President of Estonia. Then drive to the Pirita district, where you will see a wonderful beach with white sand, the monastery of St. Bridget and the marina – the place where the 1980 Olympic Games were also held. In the afternoon, free time to rest and private walks around Tallinn’s Old Town. Farewell dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Tallinn.

Day 7^th
After breakfast, check-out from your room. Then transfer to Tallinn Airport. Your tour of the Baltic States ends soon.

Your tour date: March – October 2024 – any date on your request.

Your tour price:
USD  2390 / person (sample price for 2-3 person group tour)
USD  1950 / person (sample price for 4-5 person group tour)

Your tour price includes:
– all private transfers by a comfortable van or minibus (depends on your group size),
– services of professional, English speaking guide / driver for your tour,
– accommodation at selected 3* and 4* hotels, at a double occupancy room,
– everyday breakfast (B) and dinners (D) according to the tour program,
– services of local guides in each destination, museum where it is obligatory,
– entry tickets,
– VAT and local taxes.

Services not included into the tour price:
– a single bed room extra charge – available on request,
– tips for our driver / guides, tips at restaurants during your dinners.

​

– discover the treasures of Poland –

Day 1^st
Arrival at Warsaw airport, transfer by our driver to the Warsaw hotel. Time to relax and then late afternoon meeting with our tour guide. Welcome dinner at a restaurant. Overnight stay at the hotel. (D)

Day 2^nd
Breakfast and guided tour of Warsaw. The program of the half-day excursion includes: a visit to Lazienki Park, famous for the Chopin Monument and the Lazienki Palaces and Gardens. In addition, the Palace of Culture and Science, the Warsaw Uprising Monument and the Saski Garden. The tour will end in the Old Town with the Royal Castle, the Old Town Square, the Barbican and the defensive walls. A short break – time for souvenir shopping, lunch, etc. Late afternoon dinner and possible evening concert of Chopin’s music (extra cost). Overnight at hotel. (B,D)

Day 3^rd
Breakfast and departure to Malbork, located in the north of Poland. Upon arrival, a guided tour of the castle, another property included in the list of wonders of Poland. The castle was built by the Teutonic Knights, a German Roman Catholic order. It is the largest brick castle in Poland, visited by one hundred thousand tourists every year. After the trip, transfer to Gdansk, a beautiful city located on the Baltic Sea. Check-in at the hotel and in the evening a short walk around the Old Town with our guide. Dinner at the famous “Fisher Restaurant”, serving local dishes. Overnight stay at your hotel in Gdansk. (B,D)

Day 4^th
Breakfast and guided tour of Gdansk Old Town: the St. Mary Basilica, Neptun Monument, Zuraw Gdanski, the harbor,  the “Monument of the Fallen Shipyard Workers”. Next, a visit to the  Gothic Cathedral in Oliwa you can listen to a concert on a baroque pipe organ. Next, time for your private arrangements in Gdansk (visits to famous the WW II Museum or the “Roads to Freedom” exposition) or visit with our guide to Sopot – famous Polish spa at the Baltic seaside, famous also for the longest wooden pier in Europe. Dinner on your own today. Overnight at the hotel in Gdansk. (B)

Day 5th
Breakfast and departure to Torun – the city of Nicolas Copernicus – famous Polish astronomer. Guided walk along the Old Town street, Copernicus’s home, Crooked Tower, and tasting local famous Gingerbread. Next, continuation of your ride to Wroclaw – the capital of Lower Silesia region, where you come at early evening time. Check in at hotel and dinner at restaurant. Night at hotel in Wroclaw (B,D).

Day 6^th
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Next, half-day guided tour of Wrocław with visit to the Old Town, Ostrów Tumski Island, and the Aula Leopoldina in the University of Wrocław.  Later that afternoon visit to Swidnica, where you will visit the unique wooden Churches of Peace, listed at the UNESCO World Heritage List. Return ride to Wrocław, dinner at restaurant and night at hotel in Wroclaw. (B,D)

Day 7th 
Breakfast and check-out from the hotel rooms in Wrocław. Departure to Częstochowa, visiting the Jasna Góra Monastery and the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna with the miraculous icon. The tour will be led by a local monastery monk. Break for lunch and departure to Krakow. On the way, we will pass through the Ojcow National Park, famous for its landscapes from the Jurassic era, medieval castles and caves. Upon arrival to Krakow check in at hotel. Dinner and night at hotel.  (B,D)

Day 8^th
Breakfast at the hotel and visit to the Wawel Royal Castle, the seat of three dynasties of Polish monarchs. Its sumptuous halls and magnificent chambers are filled with priceless art, valuable period furniture and rare ancient objects. You will also visit Wawel Cathedral, theplace of worship of Saint. Stanislaus and St. Jadwiga Queen of Poland and the gigantic Zygmunt bell from 1520, which is considered one of the largest in the world. It is the coronation and burial place of Polish kings. Then a walk along the Royal Route to the Old Town with the restored Main Square with wonderful houses and palaces. There you will stop at St. Mary’s Basilica to see the magnificent wooden altar by Veit Stoss. In the center of the square is the Cloth Hall, built before 1349 but renovated in the 16th century, which houses many shopping stalls. In the afternoon, time to relax or visit the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine – inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (additional fee USD 60/person, note: 14 degrees C in the mine and over 300 stairs to descend). Dinner will be served at a local restaurant in the Old Town. (B, D)

Day 9^th
Breakfast your ride to Auschwitz to visit the former Nazi Concentration Camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous death factory. Today, a Museum, it is a silent witness to human tragedy. Your tour with local, museum guide. Return ride to Krakow. Afternoon time for your relaxation, private walks, shopping. Dinner on your own today. An overnight stay ay hotel in Krakow. (B)

Day 10th
Breakfast and private tour of Zakopane, whose wooden architecture blends into the natural landscape. Copied in other Zakopane parts of Poland, it is known as the Zakopane Style. You will visit the Jaszczurówka Chapel, a wonderful example of wooden architecture in Zakopane, and you will also see the ski jump complex, famous for World Cup competitions. Then you will admire breathtaking views of the Tatra Mountains from the top of Gubałówka and you will have time to buy souvenirs handmade by highlanders at the local market. Lunch at regional restaurant with local best dishes and some free time. Return to Krakow, dinner on your own. Night at hotel in Krakow. (B,L)

Day 11^th
Breakfast and check-out from the hotel in Krakow. Departure on the way back to Warsaw. Before we get there in the evening, we will stop at least twice more on the way. The first place worth visiting is Zalipie – famous as a painted village, famous for beautiful paintings on old wooden houses. You will visit one of them and… you will travel back in time for at least a hundred years. After a short visit, transfer to Kazimierz Dolny – a picturesque old town on the River Vistula. There is a break for lunch/coffee and, for those interested, a climb to the Hill of the Three Crosses to see the beautiful panorama of the town and the Vistula valley. Next, ride to Warsaw. Check in at hotel and farewell dinner in restaurant. Night at hotel in Warsaw. (B,D)

Day 12^th
Breakfast and transfer to the Warsaw airport for your return flight. Your tour ends. (B)

The tour dates in 2025:

May 5th – 16th 2025

June 2nd – 13th 2025

July 7th  – 18th 2025

August 4th – 15th  2025

September 8th  – 19th  2025

September 22^nd – October 2^nd 2025

Notice please we need to have at least 6 persons on the tour to let it go. If we will not be able to gather a group for your tour date we will refund a deposit or we can organize a private tour for you, according to the same or similar tour program.

-other private tour dates on request: office@greetingsfrompoland.com

The tour price: USD 3150 / person  (in double occupancy room)

The tour price includes:
– transfers by luxury small bus, with air-condition and audio system, (this is small group tour, usually with 6-10 persons only),
– service of a professional English speaking tour guide,
– accommodation (11 nights) in selected, best 3*/4* hotels, at a double occupancy rooms,
Hotels selected for your tour: Warsaw – Polonia Palace hotel****, Gdansk – Admiral hotel****, Wroclaw – Korona hotel***, Krakow – Wawel Queen hotel****, Warsaw  – MDM hotel*** (or others in the same standard and location),
– breakfasts (B) at hotels restaurant (11),
–  one lunch (L),
– dinners (D) at hotels or selected local restaurants (7),
– services of local English speaking tour guides, where it is necessary,
– all entry tickets according to the program,
– VAT and local taxes.

Extra charges:
– single person use room – USD 520,
– tips for guide and driver are not included into our price,
– travel insurance not included in the price. We can insure you with a cost of USD 5/ day.

Extra notices:
– triple room accommodation – USD 200 less for 3rd  person !
– private tours on different tour dates available on request.

Today, the second part of the list of people who are more or less family related to Poland. This time it’s time for a slightly younger generation.

At the beginning, perhaps surprising information for some, but also Scarlett Johansson has quite close ties with Poland. Her grandparents emigrated from Poland during World War II, and her mother – Melanie Sloan – comes from a Jewish family that lived in the New York Bronx.

Also Lisa Kudrow, the unforgettable Phoebe from “Friends”. The great-grandmother of the actress was murdered during World War II. The actress’s extended family lives in the Tri-City.

Actress Natalie Portman owes her Polish roots to her father’s parents, Avner Hershlag. Her grandparents lived in Rzeszów.

Martha Stewart is one of the most influential media personalities in the US. Her grandparents came from Podkarpacie, she is the daughter of Edward Kostyra and Marta Ruszkowska.

Gwyneth Paltrow learned about her Polish roots in 2011 while participating in the “Who Do You Think You Are” program, whose participants, under the supervision of BBC cameras, research their origins. It was then that the actress discovered that her great-great-grandfather Simon Paltrovich had emigrated to the USA from Poland, and that his brother was a rabbi in Nowogród and his name was Hersz Peletrowicz.

Marilyn Manson also has Polish roots. The controversial performer revealed this in his autobiography entitled “Difficult road from hell”, writing that the family on the father’s side is of Polish-German origin.

Simon Cowell, strict judge on America’s Got Talent. He was inspired to confess by Sara James, who took part in an American talent show a year ago. “Part of my family was from Poland in the past. We may be related,” Cowell said on the vision. He has Polish roots on his father’s side – his grandmother Esther Malinsky was Jewish and came from Poland.

Rapper Eminem has Polish roots thanks to his distant family. His great-great-grandfather George Scheinert was born in Poland.

Adrien Brody has Polish-Jewish roots thanks to his father. The paternal great-grandfather of the star of the film “The Pianist” was a Pole who emigrated to the USA before World War II.

Juliette Binoche has a strong connection with Poland. Her parents come from Częstochowa, where her mother, the daughter of Andrzej Stalens and Julia née Młynarczyk, was born. After the outbreak of World War II, the Stalens emigrated to France. Binoche herself is an honorary citizen of Częstochowa.

Tori Spelling, best known for her role in the series “Beverly Hills, 90210”, also has Polish ancestors. The actress is the daughter of Aaron Spelling, a television producer born in a family of Jewish immigrants from Poland.

Jane Seymour rose to fame as the TV series “Dr. Quinn”. Her father John Frankenberg’s ancestors were Jews from Poland and Germany. The actress’s grandfather came from Płock. She herself was born in England.

surely you know other names of people who come from our country. If you would like to add them to our list, do not hesitate and send an email to our address.

You’ve probably heard of most of these people, their names don’t always seem related to Poland and the Polish language. However…
They all have something in common. Read below what it is…

Helena Rubinstein – she was called the “empress of beauty” – Helena Rubinstein is the founder of one of the most famous cosmetic brands, the owner of a huge fortune. She was born into a poor Jewish family in Kraków in 1872. As a young woman, fleeing an arranged marriage with an older man, she emigrated to her family in Australia.

Warner Brothers is a name familiar to every movie buff. However, not everyone knows that behind the name of one of the most famous film producers are Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack from Poland. They were Jewish immigrants born in Krasnosielc in the Maków county in Mazovia as: Aaron, Szmul and Hirsz Wonsal. Jacek was born in Canada as Itzhak Wonsal. By pawning the family fortune: a horse named Bob and selling their father’s watch, the brothers gained capital, which they used to buy a projector. Twenty years later, on April 4, 1923, they founded a film studio, which is now one of the largest in the world.

He was born in 1872 as Maksymilian Faktor (aka Faktorowicz) in Zduńska Wola. At the beginning of the 20th century, he emigrated to the United States. in 1907, he opened a modest drugstore and wig shop in Los Angeles, and soon after became a make-up artist for Hollywood stars. His clients included the greatest names in American silent film: Mary Pickford, Pola Negri, Gloria Swanson, Jean Harlow, Judy Garland, Rita Hayworth, Ginger Rogers, Marlene Dietrich, John Wayne, Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra and Rudolf Valentino. It was Max Factor who dyed Rita Hayworth’s red hair, which became her trademark. He was also the first to use the word “make up” and thanks to him lipstick sticks began to be produced.

Samuel Goldwyn – Another name without which Hollywood did not exist. Born in Warsaw as Szmul Gelbfisz, the eldest of six children of Abraham and Hanna Gelbfisz. At the age of 16 he left Poland. In 1924, in the USA, he founded the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film company, producing 40 films a year at its best, which employed the biggest stars (including Greta Garbo, Elvis Presley, Laurel and Hardy, or Flip and Flap).

To this day, Joseph Conrad, or Józef Korzeniowski, considered one of the greatest authors of English literature, was the son of the writer Apollo Korzeniowski. Without graduating from high school, he left for France in 1874 and joined a ship as a simple sailor. And for the next 19 years, until January 1894, he actually worked on ships – first French and then British. On board the latter, he also gained subsequent ranks, including the captain’s rank. He visited the lion’s share of the world. Impressions from these journeys did not leave him until the end of his life, which is clearly visible in his prose, especially “Heart of Darkness”, referring to the writer’s experiences from a trip deep into the Congo Free State. In 1894 he settled in England and devoted himself to writing.

Antoni Patek was born in 1812 in the village of Piaski Szlacheckie in the Lublin region. After the fall of the November Uprising in which he participated, he went to England, and then to Switzerland, where he became interested in watchmaking. Together with the Frenchman Andrea Philippe, he founded the Patek Philippe company, which produced one of the first wristwatches. It soon became the best and most expensive watch brand in the world.

Billy Wilder is one of the most famous Hollywood directors. He was born as Samuel Wilder on June 22, 1906 in Sucha Beskidzka, in today’s Poland, then still under Austrian rule. His parents ran a thriving confectionery at the station and were convinced that their sons would gladly take over the family business in the future. In 1933, Wilder moved to America – soon after he was granted citizenship and changed his name to Billy.

The creator of the Esperanto language, Ludwik Zamenhof, was born in 1857 in Białystok and spent his childhood there. At that time, it was a multinational, culturally diverse city. Young Zamenhof, who considered the language barrier to be the main cause of misunderstandings and disputes between people, decided to lay the foundations of an international language. Esperantists estimate that today there are more than a thousand places in the world bearing the name of Zamenhof or the name of Esperanto.

Pola Negri is the biggest star of Polish origin who conquered Hollywood. There she made a dizzying career and paved the way for European stars in the “dream factory”. Pola Negri, actually Barbara Apolonia Chałupiec, was born in 1897 in Lipno, died in 1987 in San Antonio (USA). She adopted her stage name in honor of her favorite Italian poet, Ada Negri.

All the places connected with these persons you may visit during private tours of Poland. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to follow along the trail of famous people from Poland.

We offer half-day (about 3-4 hours) culinary workshops during which you will learn how to cook selected Polish culinary specialties, starting from dumplings (pierogi) through red borscht stuffed cabbage rolls (gołąbki) to pork chop (kotlet schabowy). The choice of dates is always to be determined. In addition, depending on the date of your visit to Poland, we can also offer other seasonal dishes, snacks, sweets such as Christmas gingerbread pierniki), cheesecake (sernik) and many others.

Price: from USD 70 / person (at least 2 people required)

Price includes: English speaking specialist – cook, all products necessary for the workshop, possibility to eat self-made dishes.

Departure times and places: transfer available on request from all central located hotels in Krakow (USD 30 / one way)

Morning meeting with our guide / driver in Krakow.
Departure to the Ojców National Park, located north of Krakow. This park is known for its beautiful Jurassic landscapes, castles, palaces, caves and hiking trails.  During the whole-hour trip with our guide, you will visit the ruins of the Castle in Ojców and the Castle in Pieskowa Skała. In addition, you will have time for a short walk along the Prądnik Valley, you will see the famous Maczuga Herculesa, the Spring of Love and the Kraków Gate.
Entrance to a selected cave for volunteers (additionally payable USD 20 / person).

Price: USD 90 / person
(discount for group over 4 persons)

Price includes: English speaking guide, hotel pick up from all Krakow hotels, admission to Ojców and Pieskowa Skała castles.

Departure time and places: all central located hotels in Krakow, ask us for the departure time from your hotel.

Additional info: tour takes appomax. 6 h

We are aware of the fact that some of our clients, our tourists, visit Poland because of their family ties with our country. Sometimes they are close relationships (also in time), sometimes distant (in time and family relationships), but as we know, such family contacts with our country are the main reason for visiting Poland.

However, more and more often we hear from our tourists that they have no family or business relationship with Poland and that they came here only for purely tourist reasons. We are very happy about it, although to be honest it happens that Poland is not the only country they visit during their tours of Poland and Eastern Europe. Most often their program of stay includes tours to Poland and Czech Republic, including visit to Krakow and Prague.

Quite a few tourists are asking to organize their tours to Poland and Germany, including trip to Krakow and Berlin. A lot of tourists also visit Dresden and Bavaria. These visits are also related to family relations in Germany, but also to the history of World War II and tours of German and Poland concentration camps.

Tours to Germany, Austria and Poland, usually long 2-3 week trips, are also still very popular. Then our clients usually visit the capitals of these countries and the most important attractions such as the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow, Potsdam near Berlin or the Danube cruise in the Wachau Valley.

As Poland had its territory years ago in the present territories of Ukraine, Lithuania or Belarus, some inquiries and programs implemented also concern tours of Poland and Eastern Europe. The most frequently implemented program is a visit to Lviv and a visit to Vilnius, that is, in the area where large groups of the Polish minority still live, who speak Polish and cultivate our traditions.

Recently, we have prepared a tour program for 2023 for a small family group that intends to carry out their long-planned tours from Poland to Ukraine to visit the villages where their great-great-grandparents lived and where you can find their graves in the local cemetery.

We expect that in the coming years the share of trips to Poland as a tourist destination (and not caused by family relationships only) will grow, as more and more cities such as Tarnów, Łódź or Wrocław are recognized by National Geographic or CNN as cities worth visiting and comparable with other similar towns in Europe.

We invite you to Poland !

GFP Travel Team

Look at the most important reasons for coming to Poland according to information from our tourists:

1. Arrival in the country from which I left several dozen years ago. In this case, we can see that our tourists, in addition to the most narrow tourist places in Poland, necessarily visit the towns from which they came from. A great option here is often a trip with our pilot – driver on request – https://greetingsfrompoland.com/hire-our-guide-driver-services-in-poland/

2. Poland is one of the few countries I visit during my travels in Europe. Very often, during 2-week (and longer) trips, our clients also visit our neighboring countries. One of our tours around Central Europe is a good proposition for them – https://greetingsfrompoland.com/tour/across-poland-and-central-europe-pearls-tour/

3. Our tourists come here to visit the places where their grandparents came from, then they often commission us to do genealogical research in Poland. This is sometimes easy, sometimes more difficult, depending on the amount of information they have about their ancestors and what our Archives in a given region have. Anyway, it’s worth using our help – https://greetingsfrompoland.com/genealogi

cal-research-in-poland/

4. Tourists visit our country often on the occasion of participation in fairs, business meetings, concerts or festivals, such as the Festival of Jewish Kutura in Krakow. Then we prepare their stay based on their hobbies, interests – e.g. related to cooking – https://greetingsfrompoland.com/culinary-tours-of-poland/

5. Other reasons for coming to Poland are religious reasons. Pilgrims come in groups of various sizes, from a few people to 40-50 people in one group. These are both groups of Jewish origin and those that follow the trail of Christian shrines in Poland – https://greetingsfrompoland.com/pilgrimage-tours-to-poland/

What is your reason for your planned visit to Poland? Write an e-mail to office@greetingsfrompoland.com and we will certainly help you organize your arrival in the best possible way.

GFP Travel Team

– Krakow – Wroclaw – Dresden – Prague – Vienna

Day 1^st
Your arrival to the Krakow airport where our driver meet you and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Time to check in. If time allows first orientation walk along the Old Town streets. Night at hotel.

Day 2^nd

Breakfast  and your morning, half day tour of Krakow Old Town and the Wawel  Hill with its Castle and Cathedral. Our local guide will show you all the most important places to see in Krakow Old Town. Time to relax at your hotel and late afternoon and evening dedicated to visit at the Krakow Christmas Market. Our guide will suggest some best restaurant in the heart of Krakow for your dinner. Night at hotel in Krakow.

Day 3^rd
Breakfast and check out from your rooms. Transfer by our driver to the Krakow station, departure by an express train to Wroclaw (3 h ride). Upon your arrival to Wroclaw station  our local driver will meet you at the platform and transfer to hotel, check in at hotel. Short time to relax and your afternoon 3 h private tour of the Wroclaw Old Town with our local guide. Time for your dinner at restaurant suggested by our guide.  Late afternoon and evening dedicated to your visit at the Wroclaw Christmas Market. Night at hotel in Wroclaw center.

Day 4^th
Breakfast, check out from your rooms, transfer by our driver to the Wroclaw train station. Your ride to Dresden (Germany), upon arrival our local driver will meet you at the platform. Transfer to check in at centrally located hotel. Some time to relax and your visit at the first of many local Christmas Markets located in Dresden. Dinner at restaurant  suggested by our guide and night at hotel.

Day 5^th
Breakfast followed by a half-day tour of the city with our local guide.  Your will see famous St. Mary Church, Zwinger Palace, the Old Town market and Semperoper. Later on some time to relax of your private visit to Museum or Gallery in the Zwinger Palace. Later this afternoon and evening dedicated for a visit to another Christmas Markets in Dresden according to our local guide suggestions. Dinner at local restaurant according to the suggestions given by our local guide and night at hotel.

Day 6^th
Breakfast and transfer to the Dresden train station,  departure to Prague by an express, direct train. Your ride will take  around 2,5 hours only. Upon arrival our local guide- driver will meet you at the platform and start your tour of the Hradcany castle and Cathedral. Later on a walk along the Mala Strana quarter and on the famous Charles Bridge to the Old Town area where your today’s tour will end. Check in at hotel, some time to relax. Late afternoon and evening dedicated to visit at the Prague Christmas Market. Dinner at restaurant suggested by our local guide and a night at your hotel.

Day 7^th

Breakfast and your morning short tour with our local guide dedicated to the Old Town district in Prague. Check out from your rooms and transfer by our driver to the Prague train station. Departure to Wien by an express, direct train. Your ride will take around 4 hours. Upon arrival our local driver-guide will meet you and transfer to check in at hotel in Wien center, some time to relax. Later this day time dedicated for a visit at the first Christmas Market in Wien center. Dinner at restaurant according to our local guide suggestions. Night at hotel.

Day 8^th
Breakfast and your morning half day tour of Wien with our local guide. Your tour includes the St. Stephen cathedral,  Graben, Hofburg palace and the Old Town attractions. You will have a time to taste famous Wien café and Sacher torte. Some time to relax at your hotel and late afternoon and evening dedicated to visit at another Christmas markets in Wien according to suggestions given to you by our guide. Dinner at selected, regional restaurant in Wien center, our guide will show you some good restaurants. Night at hotel.

Day 9^th
Breakfast and check out from your hotel, transfer to the Wien airport for your return flight.
(Optionally we may book for you a train tickets for ride to Krakow to take a flight out from Krakow airport, anyway it may require and extra night at Krakow hotel)

Your tour date: November/December  2023 (an exact trip date to set with us)

Your tour price: USD 1890 / person
(sample 4 person private tour group)

Services included:
– tickets for all rides by an express, direct trains between the main cities on your tour, 1st class car,
– transfers by a comfortable vans with our professional guides/drivers in each city (it includes transfers from/to train stations and during the city tours),
– accommodation (8 nights) at selected  4* hotels at the city center in double bed  rooms,
– breakfasts (8),
– services of English speaking local guides for local tours,
– entry  tickets according to the tour program,
– VAT and local taxes.

Services not included:
– your air-tickets,
– lunches, dinners,
– travel insurance (USD5/person/day) and cancellation insurance (USD55/day/person).
– tips for our guide-driver and local guides.

Tour with our guide-driver and all rides by car/van – The Greatest Christmas Markets of Central Europe