Embark on a captivating Winter escapade through Poland with us! Our journey begins in the enchanting city of Kraków, steeped in centuries of history dating back to the 7th century. Join us as we delve into the realm of myth and legend, exploring the renowned Wieliczka Salt Mine, a marvel that has stood the test of time since medieval ages.
Next, we venture to Zakopane nestled in the majestic High Tatras Mountains, where snow-capped peaks paint a breathtaking backdrop. Experience the awe-inspiring mountain vistas as we ascend by cable car, immerse ourselves in the rejuvenating thermal waters of natural hot springs, and uncover the distinctive highlander charm through architecture, attire, music, and cuisine. Come, embrace the magic of Winter with us!
Welcome to Krakow, where our winter adventure begins! We transfer to our centrally located hotel and enjoy a welcome drink at the hotel bar. After we settle into our rooms, we’re free to spend the rest of our first day exploring the surrounding streets or simply relax at the hotel.
In the evening, we gather to enjoy a welcome drink and dinner in a local restaurant.
After breakfast, we start a 4 hour walking tour of Krakow city. Beginning in the Old Town, a UNESCO Heritage site, we follow our guide down the Royal Route, and walk in the footsteps of the Polish Kings. We explore gothic Barbican and defensive walls with Florian’s Gate, the Main Market Square with Sukiennice Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Church and Town Hall Tower. We also stop by the Jagiellonian University, pass through the Archbishop Palace (where John Paul II used to live) as well as St Andrew’s Church and St Peter and Paul’s Church until we reach the Wawel Hill.
This morning, we transfer from Krakow to Wieliczka – the most beautiful and oldest operating salt mine in the world (UNESCO World Heritage Site). For over 700 years, it was a source of Polish fortune and a physical fundament of culture. Today, Wieliczka is the most visited Polish tourist site with magnificent chapels, charming underground lakes and original tools and equipment. During this tour, we see a number of excavated chambers on three levels, adorned with beautiful sculptures made of salt as well as a salt museum.
We enjoy lunch in an underground restaurant, where we experience the true flavour of the mine.
We transfer back to Krakow and enjoy rest of the day with free time at leisure.
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Today we can take the day at our own pace. After breakfast we can relax at the hotel or explore the city.
Optional private tour to Auschwitz.
All over the world, Auschwitz has become a symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust. It was established by the Nazis in 1940, in the suburbs of the city of Oswiecim (Auschwitz in German) which, like other parts of Poland, was occupied by the Germans during the Second World War.
Price: 55 EUR (payable in cash), group minimum size: 2
We wake up to breakfast at the hotel before we transferring to Zakopane.
Here, we join a guided walking tour (3 hr) of the charming village and winter scenery. Breathtaking mountain views, unique folklore, delicious regional cuisine, hospitable people all await us there. This picturesque town lies at the foot of the Tatra Mountains and the Tatra National Park (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). We begin with a stroll along Krupowki Street – one of the best-known Polish promenades, attracting visitors from all over the world with dozens of shops and souvenir stalls, regional arts and crafts.
Today we visit the Chocholow Thermal Baths – one of the largest in Poland that uses the resources of thermal waters. There are 30 pools in the thermal baths with 3,000 square meters of water surface. There are outdoor recreational pools, a jacuzzi, a steam bath, as well as an indoor pool with designated swimming lanes. The Chocholow Thermal Baths also have a SPA zone with a wide range of treatments and the largest saunarium in Podhale. We can choose from a classic dry sauna, a bio sauna with juniper, a ‘Goralska Chata’ (the Highlander Hut), an infrared sauna and a glass Finnish sauna with a view of the Tatra Mountains. There are steam baths, including one aromatic, and a salt cave and salt room with cascading water.
Today we have a full day trip to Eye of the Sea ‘Morskie Oko’ lake. After breakfast, we transfer to Palenica Białczanska, where we enjoy an easy hike up to the lake. We follow one of most beautiful paths in Zakopane. Situated 1,395 meters above sea level, Morskie Oko features crystal-clear water, allowing visitors to see up to great depths from the surface. The lake was originally called Rybie Jezioro, or ‘Fish Lake’ in English, due to the high amount of fish in the lake. Nowadays, visitors are still able to see the trouts that inhabit the lake! We can admire the beautiful landscapes, stop at the waterfalls and taste oscypek in one of the shepherd’s huts.
We take some time to relax and have time for lunch before we head back to the town.
In the evening, we gather for our farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant – Karczma Sabala.
Breakfast & Dinner Included
After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Krakow airport for our return flight home.
We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as details below (or similar):
Frequently Asked Questions
Krakow airport to the INX Design Hotel in Krakow is approximately 20 minutes.
Sabala hotel in Zakopane to the Krakow Airport is approximately 1hr 45 minutes.
Ensure you take warm clothes, comfortable sturdy walking shoes, a camera & some water.
Palenica Białczanska to Morskie Oko: 2h30min (7,7km) 400 m altitude.
Return from Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczanska: 1h30min (7,7km)
Halfway in the hike by the waterfall (Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza), there are portable bathrooms.
There is a mountain chalet at the end of the trail, it has a restaurant where you can get some food or hot coffee/tea to warm up.
Optional private tour to Auschwitz.
All over the world, Auschwitz has become a symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust. It was established by the Nazis in 1940, in the suburbs of the city of Oswiecim (Auschwitz in German) which, like other parts of Poland, was occupied by the Germans during the Second World War. A visit to concentration and extermination camp museum might help you to comprehend what incomprehensible.
Price: 55 EUR (payable in cash), group minimum size: 2
The dress code for during the day is casual. In the evenings the dress code is smart casual. Comfortable warm shoes for walking and sightseeing are recommended. Winters in Poland can be extra chilly, so be sure to bring layers that will keep you cozy and warm. Bring a comfortable coat, thick scarf, hat and gloves. Insulated boots and thermal tops are also good idea. Don’t forget to pack a swimwear for visit to Chocholow Thermal Baths.
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection to cover drivers, porters and hotel staff of €30.00. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate add on.
Polish złoty
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Poland
To enter Poland your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. Please note that stays in other EU countries counts towards this 90 day period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Poland Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 °C | -6 °C |
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