Czech Republic & Poland: Chopin, Folklore & Black Madonna
8 Days / 7 Nights
Day 1: Prague
Arrival in Prague. Prague escaped serious wartime damage and is considered
one of the most beautiful cities in Europe today. Mozart claimed that no one
understood him better than the citizens of Prague, and he was only one of several
great masters who lived or lingered here. Welcome dinner with folkmusic and
dance. Overnight in Prague.
Day 2: Prague
After breakfast, a morning guided tour of Prague includes the Charles Bridge,
St. Nicholas Church, Old Town Square, Municipal House, St. Agnes Convent, St.
Vitus Cathedral. Afternoon/evening concert in Prague. Dinner and overnight in
Prague.
Day 3: Wroclaw
A drive this morning to Wroclaw on the River Odra, the capital of Lower Silesia.
The city’s network of canals and 100 bridges impart great charm. It also
boasts Poland’s youngest population; half of its inhabitants are under
30! This afternoon learn more about this city on the included sightseeing tour.
Performance and promotion in one of Wroclaw’s churches or civic sites.
Dinner and overnight in Wroclaw.
Day 4: Jasna Gora, Krakow
First to Jasna Gora near Czestochowa, the monastery that withstood
the repeated onslaughts of overwhelming Swedish forces during the religious
wars of the 17th century. Since then its Black Madonna has been venerated as
the "Queen of Poland" and has become the country’s national
symbol. Your next encounter with history today will be a visit to what is left
of the Auschwitz concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the holocaust. Dinner
and overnight in Krakow.
Day 5: Krakow
This is, they say, Poland’s most beautiful city. It was for almost 500
years the country’s capital. Today it is without a doubt it’s cultural
capital. Included sightseeing in ancient Krakow, for centuries the residence
of Polish kings. See the Market Square, the 14th-century Jagiellonian University,
St. Mary’s Church, and Wawel Royal Castle.
Performance and promotion in a Krakow Church. Dinner and overnight in Krakow.
Day 6: Warsaw
Before you continue your trip to Warsaw you will first visit the Sanctuary
of Sister Faustina, she is canonized by Pope John Paul II. After the visit drive
to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Performance and promotion in a Warshaw Church
or Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Warsaw.
Day7: Warsaw
The included sightseeing tour with a local guide is an excellent introduction
to Warsaw, magnificently reconstructed after wartime destruction. Today its
wide avenues are in striking contrast with the narrow lanes of the old section.
This afternoon we include an excursion to visit Zelazowa Wola, a manor house
where Chopin was born. Farewell folklore dinner will round out your stay in
this city. Dinner and overnight in Warsaw.
Day 8: Departure
Return flight from Warsaw arrives home the same day.
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