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Experience the resurgence of Warsaw and Krakow on this historical foray into the heart of Poland. You’ll spend two days in Warsaw, the elegant capital meticulously restored after the destruction during World War II, before transferring to one of Europe’s most indisputably beautiful cities — Krakow. Enjoy informative walking tours of each city’s atmospheric and historic districts and visit the Warsaw Ghetto and the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps to explore some of the darkest chapters in world history. Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites round out this extension — don't miss it!
Your Price Includes:
Depart home
This evening, you'll fly overnight to Warsaw, Poland.
Arrive in Warsaw, Poland
This morning, arrive at the airport in Warsaw after your overnight flight; a Vantage representative will take you to your hotel. This evening, meet your fellow pre-trip travelers with a Welcome Briefing and drink, followed by Welcome Dinner at the hotel.
Included meals:
Tour Warsaw’s Old Town and visit the Warsaw Ghetto
On this morning’s included tour, you’ll delve into Warsaw's Old Town, the historic heart of the Polish capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The UNESCO designation recognizes the painstaking rebuilding of this district following deliberate destruction by retreating German troops. We’ll also visit the remnants of the Warsaw Ghetto, where some 400,000 Jewish citizens were imprisoned after the Nazi conquest of Poland in World War II, and three quarters of whom died in concentration camps. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore more of Warsaw on your own.
Head to Krakow
After breakfast, transfer to Krakow today, arriving in the afternoon just in time for lunch on your own. Your City Host can make suggestions! You'll then check-in to your hotel and enjoy a day at leisure with dinner on your own. Later, if you're feeling in the spirit, join your City Host for a pub crawl through Krakow's bars.
Visit Auschwitz and Birkenau
This afternoon, we’ll make a somber visit to the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz and the nearby “death camp” of Birkenau. These sites are now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They’re also a museum and a memorial dedicated to the 1.5 million people who perished here.
Included Feature:
Destination Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional excursion. Make the most of your journey with an optional walking tour in Krakow. Learn more
This optional walking tour will introduce you to this elegant city, where you’ll witness 10 centuries of architecture on full display. Once the seat of Poland’s royalty, your exploration of Krakow includes Wawel Castle — the coronation and burial site of Polish kings — and the vast medieval square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Due to high call volume, we recommend you visit MyPortfolio to book this Destination Enhancement. Don’t wait — these optional experiences are limited to a select number of guests and are selling out fast!
This tour is available during your optional trip extension in Krakow, Poland.
Spend a day as you please in Krakow
Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Krakow.
Journey on a scenic ride to Budapest
After breakfast today, we depart for a lengthy but scenic motorcoach trip from Krakow to Budapest to join the base program.
Vantage invites you to Transylvania, where the lure of vampire legends awaits in Romania’s fabled central region, home to mountainous scenery, medieval villages, and Bran Castle — Dracula’s legendary manse. You’ll visit Prejmer Fortified Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; plus, step inside elegant Bucharest, bohemian Brasov, and a forested region of fairytales!
Fly to Romania
Fly overnight to Bucharest, Romania.
Attend a Welcome Dinner and Briefing at your hotel
Arrive in Bucharest today. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers during a Welcome Dinner at the hotel, where you will also attend a Welcome Briefing.
Panoramic tour of Bucharest and exploring its historic buildings
Explore Bucharest’s grand monuments and leafy, old-world boulevards on a city tour that includes a choice of entrances. Unforgettable Moment: You can visit the infamous People’s Palace, the grandiose, sprawling, and never-completed administrative building initiated by dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Alternatively, take a fascinating tour of Manuc’s Inn, Bucharest’s oldest hotel building, which was built as a way station for caravans and surrounds a large open courtyard. After lunch in Bucharest, we’ll travel into Transylvania, the mountainous, legend-haunted region in central Romania. Our destination is charming Brasov, the compact baroque city that still retains the medieval walls and gates erected nine centuries ago by Saxon merchant princes. Dinner is at a local restaurant in Brasov.
Please note: Today's activities are part of your base tour price.
Explore Brasov and Bran Castle, legendary home of Dracula
Following breakfast, embark on a walking tour of beautiful Brasov, followed by a visit to Bran Castle, the legendary home of Dracula. You'll have free time for lunch on your own here before returning to the hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. In the evening, you're invited to join a pub crawl through Brasov.
Explore Brasov on your own
Enjoy day at leisure in charming, walkable Brasov. In the evening, you're invited to join a pub crawl through Brasov.
Destination Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional excursion. Explore legendary Transylvania on an optional highlights tour. Learn more
Although best known as the land of vampire lore, there's more to legendary Transylvania than supernatural myths. Visiting Transylvania is like traveling back in time. Horse-drawn carts travel along dirt roads, shepherds tend their flocks, and all around are lush forests, sprawling pastures, and colorful wildflower meadows. The history of this Central European region spans all the way back to the 1st century BC and you'll enjoy tales of the past while visiting the top highlights in this area during this optional tour.
This tour is available during your optional trip extension in Transylvania, Romania.
Inside Prejmer Fortified Church
Today you’ll enjoy an included excursion to Prejmer Fortified Church, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site that was constructed in the 13th century by Teutonic knights and fortified by a circular wall in the 15th century by German colonists. Three hundred storage rooms on up to four levels held supplies for potential siege, and the fortress protected the church from 50 attacks over the course of history. You’ll learn about its victorious battles and those who protected it before returning to your hotel for a free evening.
Transylvanian delights: mountainous Sinaia and grand Peles Castle
Our tour of Transylvania continues as we travel through the scenic valleys and humble villages of the last medieval landscape in Europe. On the way, stop for lunch in Sinaia, a royal summer retreat, and visit the fairy-tale Peleș Castle. Afterward, we'll transfer to Giurgiu and embark ship.
Experience the resurgence of Warsaw and Krakow on this historical foray into the heart of Poland. You’ll spend three nights in Krakow, one of Europe's most indisputably beautiful cities, before transferring to Warsaw, the elegant capital meticulously restored after its destruction during World War II. Enjoy informative walking tours of each city’s atmospheric and historic districts and visit the Warsaw Ghetto and the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps to explore some of the darkest chapters in world history. Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites round out this extension — don't miss it!
Journey on a scenic ride to Krakow
After breakfast today, we depart for a lengthy but scenic motorcoach trip from Budapest to Krakow. Enjoy an evening at leisure, with dinner on your own. Later, if you're feeling in the spirit, join your City Host for a pub crawl through Krakow's bars.
Head to Warsaw
After breakfast, transfer to Warsaw today, arriving in the afternoon just in time for lunch on your own. Your City Host can make suggestions! Afterward, check into your hotel and enjoy a day at leisure with dinner on your own.
On this morning’s included tour, you’ll delve into Warsaw's Old Town, the historic heart of the Polish capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The UNESCO designation recognizes the painstaking rebuilding of this district following deliberate destruction by retreating German troops. We’ll also visit the remnants of the Warsaw Ghetto, where some 400,000 Jewish citizens were imprisoned after the Nazi conquest of Poland in World War II, and three quarters of whom died in concentration camps. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore more of Warsaw on your own. This evening, reconvene at the hotel for dinner.
Fly home
After breakfast in the hotel this morning, transfer to the Warsaw airport for your flight back to the U.S.
Traveling through Transylvanian history
Today we’ll venture into Transylvania, the mountainous, legend-haunted region in central Romania. On the way, we’ll stop for lunch in Sinaia, a former royal summer retreat, and visit fairy-tale Peles Castle. As we enter Transylvania proper, you’ll see why it’s known as the last medieval landscape in Europe. Our destination is charming Brasov, the compact baroque city that still retains the medieval walls and gates erected nine centuries ago by Saxon merchant princes. Dinner is included at a local restaurant.
Please note: Today's activities are part of your base tour price. Passengers on the pre-trip extension to Transylvania will have the Bucharest portion of their base program today.
Following breakfast, embark on a walking tour of beautiful Brasov, followed by a visit to Bran Castle, the legendary home of Dracula. You'll have free time for lunch on your own here before returning to the hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Today we’ll make our way to Bucharest, Romania’s largest city and capital, where we’ll embark on a panoramic tour and have lunch. Afterwards, explore Bucharest’s grand monuments and leafy, old-world boulevards on a city tour that includes a choice of entrances. Unforgettable Moment: You can visit the infamous People’s Palace, the grandiose, sprawling, and never-completed administrative building initiated by dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Alternatively, take a fascinating walking tour of Manuc’s Inn, Bucharest’s oldest hotel building, which was built as a way station for caravans and surrounds a large open courtyard. Dinner is included at your hotel.
Please note: The Bucharest portion of today's activities are part of your base tour price.
Return home
Transfer to the Bucharest airport for your return flight home.
