Let us be your guide to Poland!

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2 Let us be your guide to Poland! Dear Partners and Visitors, We would like to introduce you to our new catalog, with our selection of offers directed to travel agents, associations and local organizations who plan to organize a group tour to Poland and Central Europe. You will see here various kinds of tour programs to suit all tastes. We are delighted to inform you that this catalog shows only a small part of our services and tour offers. Our services are predominantly based on the knowledge and extensive experience gained by our travel agency in these types of tours and holidays. As a licensed tour operator, we guarantee fulfillment of all your requirements for all the following tour programs. If you do not find an offer that interests you, do not hesitate to visit our web site or contact us. There are of course many reasons to visit Poland, but there is only one good choice of your travel partner in our country Almatur Opole Exciting Poland Team Who we are? Exciting Poland, as a special part of Almatur Opole, has taken exceptional care with visiting tourists. All of our offers are prepared by our highly experienced team. By picking Almatur Opole you are choosing the best way to visit Poland. We are a recognized trade mark in Poland, Europe and many other countries around the world, with origins dating back to What we do? We organize every type of group and individual travel to Poland and Central Europe, from youth and student tours to high profile special interest groups. We offer a full range of first class travel-related services, including accommodations, transfers, guide services, flights and train tickets. Contact us and request information on your selected tours; we will answer within a day! We are a member of the POLISH CHAMBER OF TOURISM and WORLD ASSOCIATION OF TRAVEL AGENCIES (WATA) Almatur Opole Sp. z o.o. ul. Ozimska 26/2, Opole, Poland Tel , fax info@excitingpoland.com 2

3 Poland Highlights tours - Pearls of Poland tour p. 4-5 Two week tour for everyone July and September tour dates Six UNESCO heritage places in one tour Delicious Polish cuisine Poland Highlights tours - All about Poland tour p. 6-7 Special, tailor - made offer for groups May and August tour dates Polish history and selected attractions Local, tasty cuisine Jewish heritage tours p. 8-9 Selected week tour Jewish heritage of Warsaw, Łódź and Kraków Tour dates available on your group request Pilgrimages p Visit to the most known Polish sanctuaries Częstochowa Jasna Góra and Kraków Łagiewniki Follow John Paul II and sister Faustina steps in Poland Central Europe Tours p Pearls of Central Europe in one tour Kraków Budapest Vienna Prague Tour dates available on your group request Poland in brief p. 14 Company information p. 15 3

4 Poland Highlights tours We present with pleasure our two-week programme of a trip Pearls of Poland. This programme, prepared by us a few years ago, is based on selection of the most interesting Polish pearls, which should be seen by any tourist coming to Poland, who wants to learn our history, culture and tradition. You will start your visit from the north of Poland, where you will see old, medieval Gdańsk and a remarkable castle in Malbork, then through Central Poland with Warsaw, our capital and Częstochowa - the world famous sanctuary, you will reach also the south of the country. There awaits you the greatest accumulation of our tourist pearls Kraków, Wieliczka Salt Mine or a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. In essence, a few places and historic monuments visited during this trip, which are entered into the UNESCO World Heritage List, combined with traditional Polish hospitality and delicious cuisine will remain in your memory for a long time. We invite you to collect our tourist pearls during one visit to Poland! Available group tour dates: July 14th 26th 2012 September 15th 27th 2012 Pearls of Poland - Poland in one visit - Sopot, the health resort with the longest wooden pier in Europe. In the Gothic Cathedral at Oliwa you can listen to a concert on a magnificent baroque pipe organ. Dinner and overnight in the hotel in Gdańsk. (B,D) Day 1 Warsaw City Tour You arrive in Warsaw and are welcomed by our local guide. Transfer to our hotel on a private bus. In the afternoon you will start the city tour of Warsaw. The capital of Poland was totally destroyed during WW II and then rebuilt. You will see the Old Town, Łazienki Park, with its Frederic Chopin monument and the Palace on the Water, the Warsaw Uprising Monument and the Royal Castle. In the evening a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, overnight in the hotel. (D) Day 2 Warsaw Malbork - Gdańsk After an early morning breakfast we start our tour to Gdańsk, the capital of Poland s seaside. On our way we will stop in Malbork to see the medieval fortress of Teutonic Knights the greatest castle in Poland. The Malbork Castle, a 15th c. powerful stronghold of the Teutonic Knights, is one of the best examples of medieval fortification in Europe. Continue the drive to Gdańsk. Check-in at a local hotel in the evening. Dinner at a restaurant. (B,D) Day 3 Gdańsk City Tour After breakfast we ll begin the sightseeing tour of the maritime center of Poland, the historical port town of Gdańsk and birthplace and home of Solidarity; the Cathedral, Neptun Monument, Żuraw Gdański, the harbor, and a visit to the monument at Westerplatte. Then you ll see Day 4 Gdańsk - Toruń After breakfast, we drive to Toruń one of the most beautiful cities of Poland, picturesquely located on the both banks of the Vistula River. After check-in at a local hotel, visit the beautiful Old Town and Museum of the famous Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Free evening. Dinner and overnight in Toruń. (B, D) Day 5 Toruń - Poznań After breakfast, we drive to Poznań and visit Gniezno the historic capital of Poland. Later on that day dinner and overnight at a hotel in Poznań. (B,D) Day 6 Poznań City Tour and drive to Częstochowa A morning tour around the city of Poznań. Among many famous places we are going to see the impressive Town Hall and the Poland s oldest cathedral with tombs of the first Polish rulers. In the afternoon we will start our trip to Częstochowa. Dinner and an overnight at a hotel in the city. (B,D) Day 7 Visiting Jasna Góra in Częstochowa and drive to Zakopane A morning visit to the famous Black Madonna Sanctuary of the Queen of Poland. The Pauline Fathers will introduce you to the Jasna 4

5 Poland Highlights tours Góra Monastery, its history, which begins in 1292, its treasures and the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna, the Queen of Poland. In 1930 Karol Wojtyla came here for the first time with his father and prayed to the Black Madonna. He visited Jasna Góra seven times as the Pope. We will leave Częstochowa before noon to start our drive to Zakopane. On our way, we will stop in Wadowice John Paul II s hometown, where you will taste famous Pope s creamcakes. Arrival in Zakopane in the evening. Accommodation in our hotel. Dinner and overnight at a hotel. (B,D) Day 8 Zakopane City Tour A morning city tour of Poland s winter capital. Then a funicular ride up Gubałówka Hill, from where we will see a panoramic view over the area. An excursion to Kościeliska Valley will complete our tour. Dinner at a local restaurant with live music. Overnight in Zakopane. (B,D) Day 9 Dunajec Rafting and Krupówki in Zakopane After breakfast, we will drive to the Pieniny National Park for Dunajec River rafting with Uplander s log-rafts. Enjoy the view over two beautiful castles of Niedzica and Czorsztyn, before you enter the deep gorge surrounded by white limestone peaks. In the evening there is free time to visit Krupówki promenade and enjoy the beauty of the town. Dinner and overnight in Zakopane. (B,D) Day 10 Zakopane Wieliczka - Kraków We will leave Zakopane in the morning to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This 800-year-old salt mine is the oldest in Europe. Walk through the underground salt stone world: the splendid St. Kinga s Chapel with salt sculptures and relics, corridors housing the original constructions and post excavation chambers as well as the subterranean salt lakes. After the tour we will continue our drive to Kraków, with a stopover in Łagiewniki, where we will visit the Łagiewniki Cathedral - Sister Faustina s Sanctuary of Divine Mercy. Arrival in Kraków in the evening. Dinner and overnight in the city. (B,D) Day 11 Kraków City Tour After breakfast we will begin our tour of Kraków. Because it was not destroyed during the World War II, Kraków is a treasure house of architecture and art, having been collected since the 10th century. Our walking tour will start with the Wawel Hill. We will visit the Royal Castle and the Coronation Cathedral, the burial place of kings and famous Poles. In the Royal Chambers you can discover the priceless collection of Flemish tapestries. Today s walking tour also includes the Old Town surrounded by defense walls, the Barbican, the Market Square dominated by St. Mary s Church with the famous 15th c. linden wood altar, then the Cloth Hall housing a multitude of souvenir shops. Then a special tour of Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest in Europe. Dinner at a regional restaurant, and night in our hotel in Kraków. (B,D) Day 12 Kraków - Auschwitz After breakfast we depart for a trip to Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration camp and now a martyrdom museum. After this experience, we go back to Kraków to spend a free afternoon in this beautiful old city. In the evening, we will have farewell dinner in our hotel. (B,D) Day 13 Return flight from Kraków We leave our hotel after breakfast to drive to the airport. Departing Kraków. (B) Prices: 1640 USD / person (option for a group of min. 30 persons) 1870 USD / person (option for a group of min. 20 persons) Price includes: luxury coach transfer according to the tour program, service of professional English speaking tour director, accommodation (12) in selected 3*/4* hotels in twin-bedded or double bed room, breakfasts (12) and dinners (12) (3 regional), service of English speaking local guides in visited cities, reservations of entrance tickets according to the program, entrance tickets according to the tour program, luggage services at the hotels VAT and local taxes at the hotels. Additional info and fees: single room use supplement 430 USD, personal orders and possible tips for driver and tour director not included. Our clients opinions: We loved the trip to Poland. It provided us with everything we hoped for. The guides especially were wonderful. Our guides in Wroclaw and area were so very knowlegeable. Mr. Robert in Krakow was so excited about his city that he made us excited to see it too. Mr Zygmunt in Warsaw was also wonderful. He brought the kids lapel pins and bird seed to feed the birds at Lazenki park. He did a very good job of straightening out the miscommunication about dinner as well. Our absolute favourite guide was our driver, Mr. Jan. He was outstanding in getting us places and helping out if there were any problems. He was always prepared and very accomodating if we wanted to spend a bit more time here or there. I would highly recommend any of these people. Barbara from Florida, USA 5

6 Poland Highlights tours The All about Poland programme has been prepared by our employees for a special order of a group 2 years ago. During the trip, apart from the most important Polish attractions, you will also see various faces of Poland. From modern and dynamic Warsaw, our capital, to enchanting towns Kazimierz Dolny or Sandomierz. You will also learn the difference between regions of Poland, by seeing Bolesławiec with its famous pottery wares, Zakopane with unique highlanders folklore and Lublin region in the east of Poland, where one can notice cultural influence of our eastern neighbours: Ukraine and Belarus. There will be also possibility to learn a bit closer the history of Poland at the occasion of a visit to Gniezno, the first historic capital of Poland and during a visit to the palace of Kozłówka with its Museum of Socialist Realism. The whole tour is based on verified hotels of a good class; selected restaurants with local delicacies, and professional service will supplement your image of Poland, a country with a long tradition, but a modern one at the same time. Available group tour dates: May 12th 23rd 2012 August 04th 15th 2012 Day 1 Warsaw City Tour Upon arrival at Warsaw airport you are welcomed by our guide. Transfer to your hotel in the city center. Afternoon, guided tour of Warsaw Old Town with a welcome dinner at regional restaurant at the Old Town in Warsaw. An overnight stay at your hotel. (D) Day 2 Warsaw City Tour Gniezno - Poznań Breakfast. Next, second part of guided tour of Warsaw including The Royal Route and Łazienki the Royal Park. You will also see places like the former Jewish ghetto, the Monument to the Warsaw Uprising of Early that afternoon, departure to Poznań, with a stopover in Gniezno the historic capital of Poland. Dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel in Poznań. (B,D) Day 3 Poznań City Tour Breakfast, and a half-day guided city tour including the Old Town Market Square and its Old Town Hall. Walk to Ostrów Tumski - the oldest part of Poznań, with reconstructed gothic cathedral built in 10th century, Bishop s Palace, the 16th century Lubranski Academy and gothic Blessed Virgin Mary Church. Afternoon at your free activity in Poznań. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) 6 All about Poland - all what must be seen - Day 4 Wrocław City Tour Breakfast and departure to Wrocław. Guided tour of Wrocław: the Old Town Square, Gothic Town Hall, complex of medieval architecture on Ostrów Tumski Island with gothic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and University of Wrocław. Later that day, check-in at a hotel, dinner at a restaurant at the Old Town. An overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 5 Bolesławiec Ceramics Częstochowa Jasna Góra Monastery Breakfast, morning departure to Bolesławiec a Polish town famous for hand-made and decorated pottery. Short visit at a local shop - manufacture, and next departure to Częstochowa for a guided tour of Jasna Góra - Częstochowa monastery, the most important place for Polish Catholicism. The tour includes the Paulinian s Hill, the Treasury and the Chapel with the famous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Checkin at a hotel in Częstochowa. Dinner and optional visit at Jasna Góra to attend the evening mass. An overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 6 Kraków City Tour Breakfast, departure to Kraków. Guided tour of the city: the Main Market Square, the place where some legends and many historic events are closely linked to, St. Mary s Basilica and historical trade pavilions of the Cloth Hall, the Royal Route, Collegium Maius, Wawel Hill with its impressive, renaissance Royal Castle and Cathedral. Afternoon, time for your private strolls, gift shopping and relaxation. Dinner at a regional restaurant with a live music, and an overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D)

7 Poland Highlights tours Day 7 Auschwitz Birkenau Tour Breakfast, visit to the former German Nazi concentration camp Auchwitz-Birkenau, where St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Edith died. Next, your afternoon visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine one of the famous UNESCO World Heritage places. Dinner and an overnight at a hotel in Kraków. (B,D) Day 8 Wadowice Zakopane Tour Breakfast, and transfer to Wadowice the birthplace of John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla). Visiting his former home and parish church. Transfer to Zakopane and guided half-day tour of the region. Your tour includes the wooden church at Jaszczurówka, sightseeing tour of the town including funicular ride up Gubałówka Hill, from where you can admire a full panorama of the Tatra mountains, followed by a visit to the regional market. Dinner in a regional restaurant with live folk music, overnight stay at a hotel in Zakopane. (B,D) Day 9 Pieniny Raft Trip Breakfast and whole day tour to Pieniny range mountains including raft trip through Pieniny Mountains on Dunajec Gorge, stops in Niedzica to admire picturesque castle with gothic and renaissance parts. Afternoon return drive to Zakopane. Dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 10 Sandomierz City Tour After breakfast travel to the town of Sandomierz, a fine example of renaissance architecture. The visit includes a walk through the streets of the Old Town, a visit to the castle and finishes at St. Jacob s Church and Dominican Monastery. Dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel.(b,d) Day 11 Kazimierz Dolny Kozłówka - Warsaw After breakfast we drive to Kazimierz Dolny, with a visit to its picturesque old town on the Vistula River, known as a place especially cherished by artists. Panoramic tour of the town. Next, we will continue to the town of Kozłówka to visit of the famous Polish Museum of Socialism with its gallery of the art of socialist realism. Then we continue to Warsaw. Farewell dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 12 Return flight from Warsaw Breakfast and transfer to the Warsaw airport for your return flight. (B) Prices: 1430 USD / person (option for a group of min. 30 persons) 1590 USD / person (option for a group of min. 20 persons) Price includes: luxury coach transfers according to the tour program, service of professional English speaking tour director, accommodation (11) in selected 3*/ 4* hotels in twin-bedded or double bed room, breakfasts (11) and dinners (11) - (3 regional), services of English speaking local guides in visited cities, reservations of entrance tickets according to the program, entrance tickets according to the tour program, luggage services at the hotels, VAT and local taxes. Additional info and fees: single room use supplement USD / person, personal orders and possible tips for driver and tour director not included. Our clients opinions: I want to let you know that my cousin Bob and I had a fabulous trip to Poland. Our guides, Zygmunt and Monika were outstanding. They provided insight into Polish history, made sure everything was seamless. We had a special treat in Czestochowa, with a private tour with a Sister Terese. All of the transportation was outstanding, meals out of this world (we learned to eat soup with every meal, YUM). Our accommodations were good. No complaints. Every city was exciting and unique and the guides we had in the city were also outstanding. Very knowledgeable. We were exhausted every night yet eager to begin again. It was a truly memorable trip and we hope to return again. Exciting Poland is an outstanding company and I will definitely use you again. We never had to worry about anything for two weeks. Every detail was attended to. I am recommending you to people who wish to visit Poland. Thank you again. I hope to be in touch in a few years for my next trip to Poland Rosie J 7

8 Jewish heritage tours Poland is a special place for the Jewish nation. In this country one can find many places, villages and cities connected with the history of Jews in Poland in the period of the last 600 years. They are places of glory, but also places of tragedy. Programmes of trips prepared by our experienced employees will take your group to the most important of those places, and our guides will give you the answer for many questions concerning Jewish heritage in Poland. Below we present the most interesting of our programmes. Polish Jewish History Tour - private group tour - Day 1 Warsaw Your arrival to the Warsaw airport, where our guide will welcome you. Transfer to your hotel located in the city center. Free activity. Afternoon, orientation meeting with our guide, and next a welcome dinner at a restaurant. An overnight stay at a hotel. (D) Day 2 Warsaw City Tour Breakfast and a city tour with a special focus on the Jewish history of Warsaw: Jewish Cemetery, The Warsaw Ghetto Memorial, Anielewicz s Bunker, the Judenrat Building, Umschlagplatz and Nożyk Synagogue. Free activity and private walks. Later on that day a guided walk of the Warsaw Old Town, with a dinner at a regional restaurant at the Warsaw Old Town. An overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 3 Lublin Majdanek Tours Breakfast and departure for a whole day tour of Lublin region. Guided tour of Lublin with visit to the Old Town, Yeshiva, and the Old Synagogue. Next, visit to Majdanek - a former concentration camp during World War II, where Jews were murdered. Guided tour with a local museum guide. Later afternoon, return ride to Warsaw, dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 4 Łódź City Tour - Kraków Breakfast, check-out of the Warsaw hotel. Departure to Kraków, via Łódź. Your tour of Jewish heritage in Łódź with our local guide, what includes a visit to the Old Town with former place of Jewish Ghetto, Reichers synagogue, the Jewish cemetery (the biggest in Europe with over persons buried) and Poznanski s family residence. Early afternoon, departure to Kraków. Check-in at a hotel, dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 5 Auschwitz Birkenau Tour Breakfast and a morning visit to Auschwitz Birkaneu, the former Nazi Camp during World War II. Your guided tour includes two parts of the camp: Auschwitz and Birkenau, and may be enriched with a historic movie at the Museum. Return ride to Kraków. Afternoon time on your own. Dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 6 Kraków City Tour Breakfast and a morning half-day tour of Kazimierz the Jewish district of Kraków. Your guided walk includes visit to the Old Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue (open only for prayers on Shabatt), and the Old Market Square with the Kazimierz district Town Hall. Rest of the day for your private walks, arrangements, and relaxation. Dinner and an overnight stay at hotel. (B,D) Day 7 Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour Breakfast, and your visit to the famous Royal Salt Mine, with a numerous underground chambers, chapels and salt sculptures. That place is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List. On your return way to Kraków an optional visit to the Oscar Schindler s Factory a museum nowadays. Afternoon time for private strolls along the Old Town of Kraków. Farewell dinner at a Jewish restaurnt, with a live music show. An overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 8 Return flight from Kraków Breakfast and coach transfer to the Kraków airport, for your return flight. Your tour ends. (B) 8

9 Jewish heritage tours Your group tour date: any on your request. Price: calculated on your request. Services included: luxury coach transfers according to the tour program, service of professional English speaking tour director, accommodation (7) in selected 3*/ 4* hotels in twin-bedded or double bed room, breakfasts (7) and dinners (7), services of English speaking local guides in visited cities, reservations of entrance tickets according to the program, entrance tickets according to the tour program, luggage services at the hotels, VAT and local taxes. Additional info and fees: single use room supplement on request, personal orders and possible tips for driver and tour director not included. More tour programs connected with Jewish heritage in Poland you can find on a tour website in Jewish heritage tours tab. Our clients opinions: After Jewish heritage private tour - July I just want to let you know that we enjoyed the trip and everything went well. Loved Poland & Zygmunt was a wonderful guide. Thank you Jayne 9

10 Pilgrimages We invite you to visit Poland, one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Europe. While visiting Poland you will be able to see not only famous Częstochowa with the monastery of Jasna Góra, sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki or the biggest and newest sanctuary in Licheń. During your pilgrimage around Poland you will also visit places connected with life of Polish saints and blessed ones: St Maximilian Kolbe, St Faustyna Kowalska or Blessed John Paul II. During your visit you will see not just the most famous sanctuaries and churches, but also the legendary religiousness of the Polish nation. In the footsteps of John Paul II - sanctuaries of southern Poland - Day 1 Kraków Łagiewniki Sanctuary Your group arrival to Kraków airport, where you are welcomed by our guide. Next, your visit to the sanctuary in Kraków Łagiewniki, famous for sister Faustina and her grave. Visiting the Shrine of Jesus, and afternoon transfer to a hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel. (D) Day 2 Kraków City Tour Breakfast, guided tour of Kraków: the Main Market Square, St. Mary s Basilica and historical trade pavilions of the Cloth Hall, the Royal Route, Collegium Maius, Wawel Hill with its renaissance Royal Castle and Cathedral (the seat of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla before he became Pope John Paul II). Dinner in the restaurant at Old City, overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 3 Ludźmierz Sanctuary Zakopane Breakfast. Departure to Ludźmierz. Visiting the oldest parish and church (founded in 13th century) in Podhale region - sanctuary visited by John Paul II in 1979 during his first visit in Poland as the Pope, Departure to Zakopane. City tour with a visit at Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima and wooden Jaszczurówka Chapel. Dinner and overnight. (B,D) Day 4 Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Sanctuary Wadowice - Auschwitz Breakfast. Departure to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, the most important pilgrimage centre in Małopolska Region. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, built in 17th century by Zebrzydowska Family and visit Bernardine Church. Departure to Wadowice, birthplace of John Paul II. Visit his former home and parish church. Transfer to Oświęcim. Guided visit to the former German Nazi concentration camp Auchwitz-Birkenau, where St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Edith died. Dinner at a hotel and overnight. (B,D) Day 5 Częstochowa Jasna Góra Monastery Breakfast. Departure to Częstochowa. Visiting Jasna Góra - Częstochowa monastery - the most important place for Polish Catholicism. The tour includes the Paulinian s Hill, the Treasury and the Chapel with the famous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Dinner in Częstochowa and transfer to Kraków for an overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 6 Kraków return flight Breakfast, transfer to the Kraków airport for your return flight. Your tour ends. (B) Your group tour date: any on your request. Price: calculated on your request. Services included: luxury coach transfers according to the tour program, service of professional English speaking tour director, accommodation (5) in selected 3*/ 4* hotels in twin-bedded or double bed room, breakfasts (5) and dinners (5), services of English speaking local guides in visited cities, reservations of entrance tickets according to the program, 10

11 Pilgrimages entrance tickets according to the tour program, luggage services at the hotels, VAT and local taxes. Additional info and fees: single use room supplement on request, personal orders and possible tips for driver and tour director not included. More tour program ideas for your group Pilgrimage to Poland you can find on a tour website in Pilgrimages to Poland tab. Our clients opinions: Poland was wonderful. Our tour was excellent - every stop, every Church, every restaurant! Jacob was terrific. My pilgrims had only great things to say. The locations you selected for Mass were very meaningful and beautiful. I learned so much and have a great appreciation for Poland and Polish history. Our trip back to Germany was uneventful, which is great. We really can not say enough good things about our trip. You did a great job with hotels - very clean and safe and good food. Jacob was essential. We loved his information, his knowledge, his helpfulness and his translating. We will highly recommend your company to others wanting to take a Pilgrimage in and around Krakow. Thanks so much Christie Z 11

12 Central Europe Tours While visiting Poland it is also worthwhile to drop in to our neighbours. Apart from Kraków or Warsaw it is worth to go for at least a few days to the south of Poland to see Prague with superb Old Town and Castle Hill. Also Budapest and Vienna, placed upon beautiful Danube, have their remarkable charm and historic monuments entered into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Such a joint travel to several countries of Central Europe will allow you to discover similarities, but also differences between cities and countries which used to form great Austro-Hungarian monarchy. We present below one of the programmes which enjoys the greatest popularity among our groups. Central Europe Highlights - history and nature - Day 1 Warsaw Kraków ride Arrival in Warsaw and a coach transfer to Kraków. Checkin at the hotel and an evening stroll along the Old Town, welcome dinner in a restaurant, overnight stay at a hotel. (D) Day 2 Kraków City Tour Breakfast, guided tour of Kraków: the Main Market Square, St. Mary s Basilica and historical trade pavilions of the Cloth Hall, the Royal Route, Collegium Maius, Wawel Hill with its renaissance Royal Castle and Cathedral; a walk round the Old Jewish Quarter - Kazimierz. Dinner in a local restaurant with live folk music, overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 3 Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour Breakfast and your private group tour of Wieliczka Salt Mine, with a numerous underground chambers, chapels and salt sculptures. That place is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List. Afternoon time for your private walks, relaxation, gift shopping. Dinner at a hotel and overnight stay at a hotel.(b,d) Day 4 Kraków Bratislava Tour Breakfast. Transfer to Bratislava the capital of Slovakia, where you come at midday. The stroll along the Old Town, visit to the Castle, located on 85 - meter high hill with beautiful view over the city and the Danube. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 5 Bratislava Budapest City Tour Breakfast and departure to Budapest, where you come around midday. Next, a guided tour of Pest: Hero s Square with Millenium Memorial, Varosliget Park with Vajdahunyad Castle, Opera and St. Stephen Basilica, the Parliament. Stroll along Vaci street famous with colorful, traditional shops and restaurants. Dinner and an overnight at a hotel. (B,D) Day 6 Budapest City Tour Breakfast, guided tour of Buda: Buda Hill with Castle, Matthias Church, Fishermen s Bastion. Visit to the Gellert s Hill with magnificent view of the city. Transfer to St. Margaret s Island, stroll along the green lungs of Budapest. Dinner and ferry cruise with special program Budapest by night. Overnight at a hotel. (B,D) Day 7 Budapest Vienna City Tour Breakfast, departure to Vienna, where you start the sightseeing tour of the city at early afternoon: Ringstrasse, Parliament, Town Hall, St. Stephen s Cathedral. Dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 8 Vienna City Tour Breakfast, guided tour of Vienna, along the most beautiful palaces and parks: Hofburg and Schoenbrunn. Afternoon time to relax, tasting famous Vienna coffee and Sacher s cake. Dinner with a live music show in one of the famous Grinzing wine cellar. An overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 9 Vienna - Prague Breakfast, transfer to Prague. Afternoon guided tour of the city: Hradcany the Prague Castle and St. Vitus s Cathedral, the Loreto, Golden Lane. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) 12

13 Central Europe Tours Day 10 Prague City Tour Breakfast, guided tour of the Old Town in Prague. Stroll along the Baroque Charles Bridge over the Vltava River to the Old Town and Main Market. Visit to the Old Town Hall with a beautiful view of Prague. Afternoon guided stroll along the Old Jewish Quarter with impressive streets, synagogues, cemetery and legends. Dinner at a local, regional restaurant. An overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D) Day 11 Prague relaxation day Breakfast and whole day for your private walks, visits to museums, gift shopping. Farewell dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel.(b,d) Day 12 Prague airport transfer Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight home. (B) Your group tour date: any on your request. Price: calculated on your request. Services included: luxury coach transfers according to the tour program, service of professional English speaking tour director, accommodation (11) in selected 3*/ 4* hotels in twin-bedded or double bed room, breakfasts (11) and dinners (11), services of English speaking local guides in visited cities, reservations of entrance tickets according to the program, entrance tickets according to the tour program, luggage services at the hotels, VAT and local taxes. Additional info and fees: single use room supplement on request, personal orders and possible tips for driver and tour director not included. More tour program ideas for your group Central Europe tour you can find on a tour website in Eastern Europe Tour tab. Our clients opinions: What a wonderful trip we had. Everything was perfect and everybody had a great time. Nobody even got a blister on their foot this year! Thank you for all of your help and recommendations. The private bus was definately the way to travel and our Ukrainian driver who took us over the Hungarian border was especially nice to travel with. Igor, our English-speaking guide was terrific and we would be happy to work with him again in the future. Also looking forward to buying his book about L viv. The Hotel Natalia continues to be a charming and comfortable hotel and it was nice to remember some familiar faces from last year. Hungary is a lovely country. Budapest is the prettiest city I ve ever seen. Eger was wonderful, the fortress is unbelievably beautiful and interesting and Ida, our guide was charming, energetic, friendly, and very proud of her city. ( ) You had told us that Eger is described as little Krakow, and we can understand why. I ve got to say that Krakow stays special in our hearts and Chris and I both want to travel there again some day. Budapest was fantastic and the full day trip you arranged to the Danube Bend was great. How beautiful. The meal and folk show one night was fun and delicious. We have pictures of Chris dancing on stage with a folk dancer! Everyone loved the boat trip to Vienna, great experience. We loved Hotel Kartnerhoff in Vienna. It was small, the rooms are charming, the staff is very helpful and friendly. We were greeted and helped by John before we even stepped inside. The morning we left, we were scheduled to leave before breakfast started at 7am, so they opened especially for us at 6am. That was above and beyond expectations. It is also centrally located and easy for tourist to see some of the gorgeous old architecture.( ) The trip was more than we expected and we appreciate all of your efforts on our behalf. We hope to travel in this part of the world in the future, although not next year as our daughter comes home to Chicago in October. She will always have friends in Ukraine, and when we are ready to visit again, we will certainly be in touch with you. Thank you again Grzegorz, all the best to you Nancy and Chris H., USA 13

14 First read and next meet LOCATION CURRENCY Poland, located in central Europe, covers an area of 312,700 square kilometers. Poland s borders are freed by the Baltic Sea to the North, Germany to the West, the Czech and Slovak Republics to the South and Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania and Russia to the East. Poland is a parliamentary republic and is divided into 16 administrative provinces and then smaller poviats and gminas. Poland is not a member of the Euro currency system. The Polish currency is the Polish Zloty (PLN) = 100 groszes. Average exchange rates in July 2011: 1 Euro = 3,80 PLN, 1$ = 2,80 PLN, 1 GBP = 4.50 PLN. Major foreign currencies may be exchanged for Polish Zloty at banks or licensed exchange bureaus (called KANTORs) located in many places like hotels, train and bus stations as well as main streets in cities. Most shops, restaurant, hotels, travel agencies, airlines and petrol stations accept payments with credit cards. There are over automatic teller machines (ATM S) in Poland. POPULATION Poland has 38 million inhabitants. The capital of Poland Warsaw (Warszawa) has 1.65 million citizens. There are several other major cities, such as Kraków, Gdańsk, Poznań, Katowice, Łódź, Szczecin, Wrocław. BORDER REGULATIONS On the 1st of May 2004 Poland joined the European Union. Visitors arriving from EU don t need visa, but should carry a passport or valid identity document confirming the nationality of its bearer. Please note that some nationals of certain non-ue countries also do not need a visitor s visa. For further information please visit the website of the Polish Embassy or Consulate in your country. 14 Poland in brief DRIVING To drive a motor vehicle in Poland, EU nationals need a valid ID, vehicle registration documents and a driving license. If you are driving someone else s car, it is useful to have the owner s written permission to use the borrowed car. A valid EU license is acceptable. TIME Poland runs on GMT plus 1 hour. Poland counts time 24 hour clock, so 01:00 PM is 13:00, 02:00 PM is 14:00 and so on. The week starts on Monday WEATHER PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Poland has a temperate changeable climate. Spring starts in March with temperature varying from the mid 30 s to the low 60 s F (-1 to 15 C), until May or June. July is the hottest month, but the rest of the summer is also quite warm with temperatures ranging from the mid 70 s into the low 90 s F (21 to 32 C). September marks the beginning of Poland s autumn, when the days become more damp and foggy until December. In winter time temperature drops to a few degrees below 32F (0 C). 1 January New Year s Day; 1 May May Day; 3 May - Constitution Day; 15 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; 1 November All Saints Day; 11 November - Independence Day; 25 & 26 December Christmas Days. EMEREGENCY PHONE NUMBERS Main emergency number (mobile phone users) 112 Police 997 Ambulance 999 Fire rescue - 998

15 Discover Exciting Poland with us! We offer a complete services for groups and individual guests in Poland and Central Europe. We are a licensed tour operator with a valid tour operator insurance, which is the best guarantee for your company and clients satisfaction and safety. In order to meet your expectations we offer complete services for groups and individual guest in Poland such as: Business trips and conferences, incentives Guided tours: groups and for individual tourists Children s and youth camps, courses of Polish language, training sessions and tournaments Online booking accommodation services Airport transfers and transport services Flights for groups and individual tourists Professional guide services Any type of tour on request: city stopovers, round trips, cultural tours. Proud member of: Exciting Poland this trade mark is owned by Almatur - Opole sp. z o.o. Almatur Opole sp. z o.o. ul. Ozimska 26/ Opole Poland Tel Fax info@excitingpoland.com Please do not hesitate to contact us we have the answers for all your questions about Poland! 15

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