Best of Poland in 10 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland is an amazing country and I loved learning about the reliance of the people after such a sobering history. The culture, the people the food were all outstanding. I have always wanted to go to Poland as my grandfather was from there and I'm so grateful I got to go with RSE and to have Agnes as our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many - The pierogi making class for sure. The Chopin concert in Warsaw. The Ukranian feast at the Chopin Hotel. Also, Gdansk and Krakow were AMAZING cities. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved the tour - the mixture of urban and rural landscapes, the history, the people, the food and the music. Our guide Agnes was a joy to be with and shared with us her enthusiasm and love for this beautiful country and its complicated history. The activities on the tour were varied and interesting and there was a good balance of group activity and time to explore on our own. Our lodgings were comfortable, the food was delicious and our group was friendly and caring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Storks!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All the tour guides were very knowledgeable and elevated out experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Ukranian musicians playing during one of the team dinners. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Poland tour exceeded my highest expectation. I am left in awe of the history, beauty and hospitality found in this "land of the fields". Agnes was the perfect guide- joyous, organized and caring. Warsaw and Krakow are world-class cities- clean, cool, and cosmopolitan. Krakow's market square is magnificent at all hours and the food throughout the country was delicious- pierogi, cheeses, paczki (donuts)! The folk farm museum provided an enchanting glimpse of important rural life in Poland. A+

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Warsaw. 20th century footprints of world history are deep here. It is amazing to recognize how this nation overcame Nazi occupation and horror, then an imposed Communism regime to finally emerge a thriving democracy (as captured in the Solidarity Museum in Gdansk). To view the Warsaw skyline from the Chopin B&B rooftop at sunset is a reflection on resilience. The Chopin salon concert with wine and blueberry cake is unforgettable, as is the special dinner with young musicians from Ukraine."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved Poland, the guide was outstanding and the people on the tour were wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Shopping with a local guide and then going to their home to make pierogi. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I thought the tour was fine. I've been traveling using Rick Steves strategies for over 30 years but thought I'd try out a tour, especially since there were two places that were kind of inconvenient to get to (Tourin & Black Madonna) by myself. While I enjoyed being in Poland, I thought the tour was kind of cursory. I went by myself in the 80's and was a bit disappointed in the lack of depth that we experienced. It was more like a quick intro to some things. I spend more time w/ experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How different the cities and towns of Poland are compared to 35 years ago. So not really a wow moment from the tour. I enjoyed the open air museum. I was able to really "see" how people lived in country. I would have liked to spend a lot more time in the art museum. It was a rushed experience. On my own I would have gone back in there before leaving. I also loved the art nouveau in St. Francis of Assisi basilica and the museums in Krakow, but I saw that on my own, not with our tour guide. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fantastic tour and I could tell a lot of thought effort and love went into the planning of this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Agnes are tour guide was walking us through Gdańsk, She called her father, he came out onto the balcony of a building. she pointed to and waved to all of us. It was such a great personal touch and made me feel even more welcome and beautiful Poland."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Incredible guide, great hotels, fabulous itinerary. What more is there to say? The itinerary was well thought out and flowed very well. Loved the free time woven into the schedule. Our tour guide was the best we've had bar none through out our travels. He put so many things in perspective and gave our various stops context. The hotels were well located and gave additional context to the cities where we stayed. Couldn't ask for more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't really pick one -- so many things pop in my mind. Solidarity Museum, Jewish History Museum, discussions with our guide on the bus. I learned so much about Poland, now I want to learn more!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Being of Polish ancestry, my sisters and I talked of touring our roots but had to postpone due to COVID and then the Ukraine war. We decided in January it was time and decided the Rick Steve's tour would fulfill our needs. We were not disappointed. Perfect amount of planned sites and activities in each location we visited and more than enough time to explore on our own. Our guide Thomasz made every moment special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "wows" on this trip but Krakow Old Town in the evening is a very special place."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide - Tomasz - was wonderful. His attention to detail and his ability to "herd cats" made all of us totally comfortable throughout the trip. He constantly came up with surprises, both little and big, that kept us amused and attentive. Poland was not so much a photographic opportunity as much as it was an educational experience that is important for we Americans to understand and appreciate. Tomasz handled this education thoroughly, all while keeping the tour entertaining.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two- the education of the Solidarity Museum and the WWII museum in Gdansk and the incredible Ukrainian music night in Krakow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tomasz instilled a sense of the history, culture and trials of Poland in a way that I had not imagined possible. I have no blood connections to Poland , but my heart was captured.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visit to Nowa Huta."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide was wonderful and took great care of our every day needs especially those of us who didn’t have end of the tour plans.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The history of Poland and how it has survived."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this tour. It was so well constructed to learn about and experience the culture of Poland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our amazing guide assisted my mother in a perfect view of the unveiling of the Lady of Czestochowa, making a dream come true for her."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was more than I expected it to be. Our tour guide Tomasz went over and above what I thought a tour guide was. The cities we visited provided a great overview of Poland and the people everywhere were very warm and welcoming.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the cities were unique but I think Krakow provided the most amazing experiences. Going to the market to buy our pierogi ingredients and then traveling to our host's apartment to learn how to make them was a lot of fun. Our farewell dinner with Tomasz was a great way to end the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well run tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The World War II Museum in Gdansk, maybe the best World War II museum that I have been to, and I have been to many."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Poland tour is an indepth look at the country through many lenses. We learned so much through our fabulous guide Monika, hearing her own experiences growing up in Poland and her vast knowledge of areas and culture. The local guides we spent time with gave us specific insights into each city/area. I felt immersed and educated. I look forward to returning!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Undoubtedly, sharing the evening with the Ukrainian musicians in the Chopin Boutique B&B restaurant! It was an experience full of emotion, beautiful singing, talented instrumentals--capped off with standing proudly as they sang their national anthem--not a dry eye in the house! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Monika was a fantastic guide and ambassador for Poland! Our group really meshed and that definitely added to my enjoyment! The tour was a great intro to Poland, it's people and culture!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our Ukrainian dinner with music in Warsaw was my main "wow" moment! Yet, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the determination, strength and resilience of Poland and its people was inspiring, impressive and humbling!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip exceeded our expectations! Poland is truly a gem that most Americans overlook.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick one moment. From seeing storks in their huge nests to learning Poland's history through World War ll and communism, starting in Gdansk (excellent World War ll and Solidarity museums)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Monika was a TRULY OUTSTANDING guide, very knowledgeable and solicitous of everyone’s safety. I loved the inclusion of some free time to do as we wished. My tour mates are wonderful people and I continue to miss them though we have a Facebook page set up by one of the group. Poland and the Polish people are amazing! I am astounded by their resilience in the face of 50 years of occupation, first by Hitler and then by the Communists. I give this tour my highest recommendation!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Communist Museum in Warsaw. Our guide was brilliant."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had no great idea of what to expect, but I was so impressed by everything we saw. It was not just the history but the beauty. All of the rebuilt buildings of Gdansk and the original buildings in Krakow and they were all awe inspiring. To stand in a square and know someone else had stood there hundreds of years before me and had the same view! We don’t have that here.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although not part of the tour, my favorite moment was seeing the church in the salt mines. It was totally unexpected and beautiful. To see it and all the work it took was breathtaking. Recommend this for everyone."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A wonderful visit to beautiful Poland! It was surprisingly charming, and full of history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After arriving at our hotel in Gdansk, I went for a walk in the land of my ancestors, and I was so charmed by the old town streets, I got lost! It took me an hour to find my way back. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, I could not have asked for a better organized trip of Poland! We had a wonderful guide, amazing sites to see, and a great group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being back in Krakow and exploring. There is a certain level of energy in this city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have been on 16 Rick Steves tours and the Best of Poland did not disappoint. The content of the tour covered numerous topics from past Polish history to today. No subject was forbidden to discuss from the country's pre WW2 experience including the depressing Jewish experience to its final separation from the Soviet Union to today.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Again, too numerous to pick one but if you press one, perhaps the intimate concert by the Ukrainian woman and her husband during the group dinner in Warsaw's Chopin B & B hotel. Beautiful and at times sad music because of the ongoing Ukraine situation. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Tomasz, was outstanding! He is a master storyteller and the way he shared the history of his country helped make it come alive. His own personal experience during communism times and pre-Solidarity made the history even more relevant. Tomasz went out of his way to make each city special and every day we were enjoyed ‘treats’. This tour provided just the right amount of guiding with local guides or Tomasz, as well as personal time to explore and wander.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is very difficult to describe only one WOW moment during my recent tour of Poland. There were so many. However, an exceptional experience was getting to meet the owner of the Chopin BB & Salon, our very cool Warsaw boutique hotel. Mr. Cholodecki hosted us at a specially prepared Ukrainian dinner and we also enjoyed the young couple playing Ukrainian songs on the accordion and the bandura."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A very enriching historical and cultural experience of different regions of Poland with an outstanding guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ukrainian evening with live entertainment and authentic cuisine. Appreciated how the current crisis was brought to light"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RS Tour after following RS for decades.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The special traditional Ukrainian dinner in Warsaw. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland is a fascinating place filled with history, beautiful cities, hearty food and welcoming people. It seems to be place "coming into it's own" after years of struggle; great to experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of "wow" moments but attending the Chopin concert in the salon in Warsaw and eating a Ukranian meal were at the top. Also as I'm a birder, I was thrilled to see the nesting white storks."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a very interesting tour. There was a lot of history about WW II , the Solidarity movement and the lives of the Polish Jews . Tomasz was a great guide as well as the local guides and they shared their personal stories of Poland and how it affected his life as well. There were lots of different experiences throughout the tour from museums, concerts and food tastings.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved making pierogis at a local girl's home as well as our delicious Ukranian dinner with local Ukrainian musicians at our Chopin B&B in Warsaw. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Being of Polish descent (2nd generation), this was my first time in Poland, and it was fantastic. The schedule, the cities, the primary and secondary tour guides and experiences were phenomenal. Have been encouraging both family and friends (whether Polish or not) to not only sign up for a Poland tour, but any Rick Steeves' tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many to choose from but our pierogi cooking at home experience with Anya was wonderful. Shopping with her at the Polish market, making the pierogi dough and fillings, cooking and then eating them was great"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Learned so much. Ate great food. Met wonderful people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Ukrainian dinner at Chopin Boutique in Warsaw. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was exceptionally planned and executed. Our guide took excellent care of us, ensured we stayed on task, and provided interesting stories and education. I appreciated the attention to detail in the planning and felt that every detail was well-thought out and organized. I appreciated the combination of group activities and individual time to explore on our own. I also appreciated that the hotels were local to the area and not chain hotels. We were very, very pleased with the experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I thought the Ukrainen evening in Warsaw was meaningful and special. I enjoyed learning from the B&B owner and the musicians were awesome! I thought the attention on Ukraine was special and the evening felt well-thought out and purposeful. I had a second "wow" moment in Torun. The church next to our hotel had mass in the morning and I was able to sneak in before our bus left. It was incredible and beautiful - definitely a highlight for me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding introduction to Poland's history, culture, and its beautiful people. The tour ran like a well-oiled machine. The few unavoidable snags we had were artfully redirected by our guide, Tomasz.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Best time for me was in Warsaw: 1) Delightful recital by fine performers in an intimate setting at the Chopin Boutique B&B, followed by a rooftop view of Warsaw from the B&B. It was a magical evening for me. 2) Ukrainian dinner and music at the B&B--again, magical. The B&B was absolutely the highlight of the tour, and in a way was a micro-representation of Warsaw's renaissance. Grit and beauty, sacrifice and generosity, combined as one. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful experience visiting the cities, meeting the people, and visiting the home of one to make pierogis. We felt completely safe in crowds and being close to Russia. Transportation (before the trip) on the rail system was easy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "WOW" moment was the realization was that Poland made such a recovery from WWII and (re)created such beautiful cities and museums."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was FANTASTIC! As usual for Rick Steves', all the guides were excellent - the highest quality! All were knowledgeable, helpful and flexible! The guides sharing personal stories and their own history made the whole visit extra special!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The make-and-eat-your-own pierogi experience was a highlight! Riding the tram, shopping at an outdoor market, seeing inside someone's home and having them share their life for an afternoon was an exceptional experience!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous! Each destination was unique and special

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gave this one a lot of thought - cannot choose one single WOW moment. The whole tour was WOW"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour, and only our second trip to Europe. Poland was a major bucket list country to visit, and we could not have been more happy with our tour. Our guide (Agnieszka) was amazing-the PERFECT guide! The cities we visited, the churches, museums....EVERYTHING was spot on. Staying in the "old town" of each city gave us the feeling of the true local experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We cant simply name one. The entire tour was a "wow" moment for us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I’m only lukewarm about pierogis, and I had expected the “pierogi making experience” to be a bit of a dull slog, like the gingerbread making experience was, but no! Spending an afternoon with a local, walking through her neighborhood, shopping at her market, and at her apartment was simply fantastic. The “game” of learning to ask for specific ingredients and personally interacting in such an everyday day was grounding and needed after some intense tour days. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was yet another excellent Rick Steves tour. Great guide, fun tour companions, and a fantastic collection of beautiful cities with both fascinating and sobering history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The pierogi-making event was fantastic. On tours it's hard to get an intimate experience with local culture, but with this event the tour really delivered. It's the kind of experience you could never put together with independent travel, and could only have through an experienced, on the ground travel operator like Rick Steves Europe."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned so much about Poland. The long history, it's varied landscape, the food, music, friendly people and our wonderful guide Agnes made for an excellent tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gdansk was a complete surprise.It is beautiful, fun to explore, and the people were so welcoming. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was another amazing and insightful Rick Steve's tour. Our guide, Agnes, was excellent and fellow travelers very congenial. {Poland has a remarkable and sobering history, and the museums are top notch at relating their history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The pierogi making was exceptional, being in a woman's home, going to the market for ingredients, and sharing her life story. All of the museums were also so informative, with modern exhibits. Poland "overall" is a "wow" country."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was better than I expected. The amount of detail that goes into planning is amazing. Not only did I get to see a beautiful country I got to learn so much. One of the best trips.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the hotel in Warsaw the first time. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So enjoyed visiting Poland and was amazed at how beautiful and progressive this country is. They have made great strides rebuilding after the destruction of WWII and living under communism. So much history and all the guides did an outstanding job with that. Each city/town we visited was unique and I enjoyed each one as it had its own characteristic. It was fun to learn about gingerbread and making an ornament. To go into a local's home and make Pierogi's and hear about living in Poland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" So enjoyed the city of Gdansk . We arrived four days before our tour started so were able to tour the many sights and really get a feel for the city. The town hall, the churches the WWII museum and the beautiful architecture of the buildings were just a few of the amazing things we enjoyed. Also enjoyed the boat rides and the delicious seafood meals. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Poland—perhaps a dreary Iron Curtain country. Wrong! Poland is vibrant, colorful, and fascinating, and its people friendly and approachable. Our tour guide was exceptional—knowledgeable, energetic, and organized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed Gdańsk, especially the Solidarity Museum. Excellent museum and history that is quite relevant today. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

An amazing history tour. I was particularly interested in the variety of architectural styles across Poland both in the main cities as well as the open air museum and and this tour kept on delivering, day after day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The most poignant moment was seeing the first names of each of my family members (Regina, Bronia, Natalia, Helena) on the monuments of the all the people sent from Warsaw to the death camps. The history of the Polish Jews is the history of Poland. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very impactful tour as we learned so much about Polish history and how resilient they are! Every American should come! Beautiful country, people and wonderful guide, Agnes!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The POLIN museum of Polish Jewish history and the walk through the Warsaw ghetto."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tomasz Klimek was our extremely qualified, informed, pleasant, funny, hospitable, and helpful guide. We so enjoyed spending time with him! Logistics were smooth, lodging was great, experiences were memorable and taught us about Poland and the special people who make up that beautiful and resilient country. Overall, we have only praise for the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The food tour of Krakow with Matthew (I can't remember the Polish spelling of his name) is still on our minds. We learned about the neighborhoods, significance of certain buildings, what the food we ate meant to Poles and to Matthew personally (and his family)...it felt like we were Poles tucking into meals that were part of a longtime family tradition. (Please share this with him. I wanted to post a review but never figured out where to do that.)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Poland tour was more than I could have imaged for myself. It was so fun with a great guide and like-minded group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think it was the concert at the Hotel Boutique Chopin in Warsaw. That was amazing. Also the rooftop views from the same hotel. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded expectations in every category. Especially valuable were our guide's presentations during the bus rides between cities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Black Madonna Cathedral."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was consistent with the expectations We have developed on seven prior RS tours — Excellent!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Ukrainian dinner served at the Chopin B&B"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and we are already looking forward to the next one. Our guide, Tomas, was so personable and helpful and we learned so much about the land, people and history of Poland and the present day. The tour was extremely well organized and the activities and itinerary really gave us a wonderful experience in Poland. There is so much to see in Poland, but the highlights chosen for the tour were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's really hard to choose just one! But, what stands out the most is the pierogi making activity in a Polish person's home. It really was so special to go the market ourselves and purchase the items for the pierogis and then to have guided instruction on how to make them. They were so delicious and reminded me of the ones my grandmother used to make. I also enjoyed the Chopin concert and Ukrainian dinner in Warsaw. I also loved Jasna Góra Monastery, the open air museum in the countryside and the dinners!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It wss wonderful. The guides were outstanding. Poland is beautiful and the countries history is amazing. I rreally liked that we stayed in each place for 3 days and so had time to appreciate each city.Tw

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two things: the Ukranian musicians and making pierogi."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Tomasz, was excellent. There was never a time when we were bored. We enjoyed the activities and wished our tour was a little longer

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to our local guide's home in Krakow for pierogi making. How many tours take you to a local's home?"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I learned about Polish history and culture. I was able to visit important cities and cultural sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Chopin concert in our Warsaw hotel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Tomasz Klimek was amazing! He was so knowledgeable, helpful, and gave us so much information about Poland and personal family stories. The hotels were great and we loved having some three night stays! Breakfasts were alway wonderful! All the places for meals were lovely and we enjoyed so many wonderful Polish dishes. We loved the four cities we visited and already long to return.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a difficult choice! All walking tours (even in the pouring rain) were filled with information and we got the lay of the land. We were amazed by the Polish people and their fortitude to rebuild cities and help others in need. Loved Walel and the Viet Stoss altar in Krakow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was very much a learning experience that included beautiful countrysides, wonderful parks in the cities, and enjoyable companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Solidarity Museum in Gdansk which conveyed the courage of diverse groups of people throughout the country and their commitment to each other."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland surprised me with architecturally stunning old towns, world class museums and excellent inexpensive restaurants and cafes. I knew pieces of Polish history but after this tour I feel somewhat expert about its history, culture, people and food. This was our 1st RS tour and we are so impressed! It was educational, fun, active and we enjoyed the company of our group. Our tour guides expertise, capability and charm were a huge reason for this tour’s success. Dziekuje bardzo Tomasz!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through Krakow’s medieval market square in the evening. It's huge, it's bustling. There were folk dancers on a stage. In another corner of the square there were breakdancers . We walked past people at tables sipping drinks and found a side market selling delicious grilled oscypek cheese. We had the best nutella ice cream ever and watched swallows flying between the church towers. On each hour we heard the buglers call from St. Marys tower. We ended our night with a carriage ride.Happy."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide was very good. I enjoyed learning more about Poland. The trip was very well planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How the cities were replicated. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland was so much more than I expected. The cities were beautiful and the people were very kind.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This itinerary was filled with many ‘wow’ moments, but the one that made the greatest impact was the dinner hosted by the Ukrainian women in Warsaw. The food was delicious and their stories were deeply touching. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guide who took us places that a tourist would generally not find by themselves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Chopin Hotel with a night of classical and a night of Ukrainian food and music. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thomas was an excellent guide , I knew very little of the history and customs of Poland and learned a great deal during the trip, he made learning interesting. The Polish countryside is beautiful. I had no idea how lush the fields could be (nor that Moose populated the farmland and woodlands between Torun and Warsaw) and the preserved Polish Village was one of the highlights of the trip for me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Chopin concert and the Ukrainian dinner with music at our hotel in Warsaw."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland exceeded all my expectations in regard to the architecture, food, friendly people and history. The museums were so well laid out in architecture and content.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having dinner outside in the Krakow Square with musicians playing all around us during sunset. I will never forget it. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual our tour guide was excellent and caring about her group. Poland is a beautiful country with one of the most resilient populations I've encountered.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Never an easy question as there are always multiple "woe" moments. Emotional - Our Ukrainian feast night in Warsaw where our entertainment was provided by two young musicians who has escaped the war. There were few dry eyes when they played their national anthem. The modern beauty of a resilient Warsaw and the old Europe charm of Main Market Square. The Solidarity Center in Gdansk was another emotional example of people longing to be free. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our hearts are full with adoration for Poland, its history, culture and people. We were mesmerized by it all. Our group members were so engaging. Our fearless leader, Agnes, was superb and oh, so organized. What would we have done without her? The activities were wonderful from museums, the Jewish history to making Pierogi. It was a trip that no one should miss.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Well, it was more like moments. The history as well as the Polish people's resilience and their continued hope was the resounding echo through everthing we saw and did. Experiencing the food. The Empty Chair memorial was emotionally stirring when sitting on the chair and reflecting. Going with a few others to the Jazz Club."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland is a beautiful and hospitable country, and I loved learning about the history and the culture of these resilient people. The tour was filled with interesting places and people, and our guide was terrific. I enjoyed every city we visited, and I found the tour to be the right mix of history, culture, and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but going to local guide Alicia's home to learn how to make pierogi was a magical experience that we never would have had if we hadn't been on the Rick Steves tour. Also, the Solidarity Museum in Gdansk was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and planned. It seemed as though every detail had been considered for us to have the best experience and comfort.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour was too perfect to limit it one favorite "wow" moment. The whole tour was "wow". I loved every moment of it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour! Agnes is a gifted tour leader - enthusiastic, knowledgeable, fun, organized, personable, helpful...I could go on! City guides were equally skilled. The itinerary brought us into contact with Poland's history, present, culture, religious traditions, food, art, landscape, and people. I liked the pace of the tour, too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My tour mates have described my "wow" moments too, so I'll just add one more: at a Krakow ice cream shop where the no-nonsense clerk did not speak English, we did our best with pointing, please, thanks. After enjoying our ice creams outside, I ducked back in to tell her in Polish (via translation app) how delicious the ice cream was--her face transformed instantly from reserved to animated and smiling, and she thanked me profusely. I loved that little leap over the language barrier."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My 12th RS tour, we learned about the sad and tragic history of Poland but this was counterbalanced with many lighthearted group activities. Vodka tasting, gingerbread decorating and a Chopin concert in our B&B in Warsaw. Pierogi making in small groups at the homes of local guides in Krakow. Our stellar guide, Agnes, & local guides in Warsaw and Krakow, shared their experiences as youngsters under the Communist regime. I have deep respect for the Polish people & their triumph over Communism!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the open air museum in the countryside, enjoying a Ukrainian dinner & music at our Warsaw B&B, walking the former Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw, the Solidarity Museum and the Museum of Polish Jews in Warsaw were several Wow moments. In free time, eating at Georgian restaurants and going to a Jazz club in Krakow with new friends. Enjoying the jubilation of the crowd outside the Catholic Church after an ordination of priests. Tossing one priest up in the air & playing & singing with joy!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We've come to expect interesting, informative, and well run tours from Rick Steves Europe, and this tour did not disappoint. The included activities were obviously chosen to help us understand the modern state of Poland, and to see how major events of the past, from the beginnings of Poland as a Christian nation in to 10th century, through the political twists and turns of the 18th through the 20th centuries, made it the fascinating, complex, and robust nation it is today. Well done.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm going to limit myself to two "wow" moments. The visit to the POLIN museum in Warsaw, the museum of the history of the Jews in Poland, was wonderful. I already knew quite a bit about Jewish immigration to Poland, and the important role the Jews played in the overall culture, but this splendid museum brought it all to life. The second "wow" moment for me was seeing the late 20th century Catholic church in Nowa Huta, built by hand by the locals, carrying sacks of river rocks to complete it. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fantastic way to see and learn about the history of Poland

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Jasna Góra Monastery and Black Madonna. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Far exceeded my expectations! Great travelers in our group! Tour leader knew so much history, taught us some language, handled all the little things to keep us organized and prepared. Loved his pride of Poland. Was never sitting there wondering what to do in own time. So much to do and see, many places to have a cup of tea or a bite. The hotels were lovely with lovely touches, especially in Warsaw! Chopin Hotel has nightly music and getting to meet the owner who is involved in the city! Bravo!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning all the history, seeing the ancient churches and museums. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tomasz is the best guide that we've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. He enriched our understanding and appreciation of Poland's remarkable history and role in toppling communism. He is extremely organized, and he his exceptional knowledge of Poland allowed us to make the most of our time there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were multiple highlights, but for me the two musical performances at our hotel in Warsaw were goose bump experiences. The Chopin performance was concert hall quality, and the two Ukrainian musicians were absolutely wonderful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Choice of cities was excellent, provides overview od Polish history. Absolutely outstanding guide who has excellent people skills and an obvious pride in his country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Almost impossible to select just one moment but the opening of the alter triptych in St. Mary’s cathedral in Krakow certainly is a true wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great mix of history and culture. Fantastic

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Krakow main square"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tomasz was a fantastic tour guide - friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable. He's so passionate about his country and home city of Krakow. I loved that we had lots of personal time during the tour to rest or explore on our own. There was so much to see, do and eat in each city that I definitely want to return. There's only so much you can eat each day. :) Absolutely fantastic tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "wow" moments but, if I have to pick one, it's St. Mary's Church, Krakow, for the opening of the altarpiece panels. The altar is stunning, and it's hard to believe there could be anything more amazing behind the panels, but there was. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour! The guides were amazing, especially our lead guide Tomasz. Poland has so much to offer the traveler. We learned a lot and the people are so warm and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments because of the rich and complex history of Poland…. But if I had to choose one, it would probably was the city of Gdańsk. It is just a beautiful city, with such charm and rich history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was really incredible. As someone from the US, so much of what I knew about Poland seemed to center on the darker things like WW2, being under Communist rule, and death camps. I also knew there had to be so much more there -- people, culture, food, traditions -- to explore. This tour provided a comprehensive look at current Poland and its journey to this point.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments, but one standout was the visit to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Hands down -- it's one of the best museums I've ever been to. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing! Tomasz was an outstanding guide. His knowledge and insights were amazing, and his excitement about his country was contagious!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! Our night spent at the Chopin listening to musicians from Ukraine was outstanding. We also had a wonderful time making perogies with Magdalena in Krakow"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour outdid my expectations. Every day was packed with experiences, memories, learning opportunities and more. Our guide made sure we were all included and, as Rick says, “one happy band of travelers.”

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Museum of the History of Polish Jews. I am not Jewish, but was fascinated by the history and quality of the story telling. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour,guides and excellent daily agendas

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Even the beauty of Poland and beauty of the polish people"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wow, wow, wow! Poland may be my new favorite country! I already loved Krakow, but seeing more cities, countryside, and people cemented it into my heart. HUGE (constructive) COMPLAINT: the tour is WAY too short. Another 2-4 days (4 would be optimum) would be perfect. We felt like we needed at least 1 more day in each city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How surprised I was to find how much I liked Warsaw. Excellent local guides and extra time in a city make all the difference!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All expectations met and some exceeded.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wine and a comfortable seat and our own personal concert at the hotel in Warsaw was a lovely and unique experience. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A positive experience; I've been recommending the tour as I share my travel memories with friends. The itinerary provided an opportunity to see a variety of locales, each with a story and history unique to it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Chopin salon concert at the Chopin B&B. Professional musicians in an intimate setting playing beautiful music. I still get goosebumps when I think about it. We enjoyed the performance for the tour group so much we returned the following night and were treated to another amazing performance. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was organized, great guides, Bea was personable and professional, I felt very confident in her capable hands. The tour was well designed and each day seemed to build upon the last so that by the end we had a great sense and depth of understanding historic and contemporary Poland. Nice balance of fun activities and history lessons.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think for me it was the cumulative knowledge that built over the course of the tour so that the end was "wow, I sure learned a lot about Poland". If I had to pick specific event, it was the time at the quirky Chopin Hotel talking with Janick, the owner. I was quite moved by him & his thoughtful conversation. His sense of building a memory of life before to keep history present was fascinating; the idea of knowing history not just so you don't repeat it, but so you can understand the present"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fellow travelers were all very nice, all the locals we met were extremely friendly and welcoming, our guide was superb, most of the local guides were outstanding, all the hotels were comfortable and well located, especially the Grodek in Krakow, and the restaurants were all enjoyable with a nice selection of local foods.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wife and I agree, it was the hands-on pierogi making: we got to visit in a local home and work in a small group to produce a tasty treat."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Best way to see Poland! Our host Bee was excellent!! Well organized and went to places that were a little off the radar which was a nice surprise.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the tours of the cities. The guides were so knowleable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was very impressed with the quality of our tour guide, Beata and the excellent local guides, including Agnes in Gdansk and Monika in Krakow, that provided a very good understanding of the history of Poland and the cities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One memorable moment would be when the Black Madonna of Czestochowa was unveiled at 1pm at the Jasna Gora Monastery. The overall quality of the guides Beata, Agnes in Gdansk and Monika in Krakow provided so much interesting information."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Bea, the tour guide was great. Tour group were really fun people. Group size of 28 was too many. Some of the events were overly crowded and the group size was a hinderance. The beds were generally too hard at hotels, but the Gdansk Admiral beds were the absolute worst...rock hard and sheets were too small for the mattress.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Making perogies."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The people on the tour, and Bea - our guide were absolutely fantastic. Overall, the food (shared meals) and tours, did not feel as special, or as high a caliber as our other Rick Steves' tours we have been on. I felt the same about the hotels. Booking extra days at the first hotel (as we always do), left me wishing we had not done so. The last hotel was also uncomfortable (beds again). It felt like we were getting a 'cheaper' trip in Poland than any previous R Steves tours we've been on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The violinist and pianist in our Warsaw hotel (Chopin feature) literally did take my breath away. We all thought we would be hearing some classical music students play, and were blown away with the talent of these highly skilled musicians. Truly amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was amazing!!! Beata was an excellent host, so full of energy! Her knowledge of Poland was excellent, a great resource as we travelled through Poland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The dinner given by the Ukrainians at the Chopin Hotel in Warsaw. Loved the hotel too!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guide! Very comfortable hotel stays and within close proximity of main city attractions. Easy pace and good balance between scheduled tours and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Warsaw, learning about World War II and Warsaw's history and visually seeing the changes in the city from Old Town to communist styled buildings and factories built under Russian domination to Warsaw's new independent skyscraper skyline."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it -

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Daily guided tours and free time daily"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well-organized, if a bit "action-packed." Our Tour Guide (Beaata) was great - super attentive and "on it" at all times. Great group of folks, wonderful sites and cities. Not enough time in Gdansk and Torun, though.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think getting "kicked off" the bus in Warsaw was truly a highlight. We laughed and laughed. The poor bus driver -- I think the only English he new was "Last Stop"; and he surely must have been quite frustrated by the "ignorant Americans" who were just sitting on the bus waiting to get to the next stop! Too Funny! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful - thanks especially to the great guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Shopping and making pierogi with Monica."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceded my expectations. Monika our tour guide was fantastic! I loved the hotels and restaurants. I highly reccomend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Black Madona icon at Czestochowa. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded expectations: Excellent tour guide(Monica) and local guides, comfortable hotels with convenient locations, comfortable bus, congenial fellow travelers, great shared meals, plenty of free time, enjoyed learning more of Polish history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Chopin concerts at the Chopin B&B, along with the Ukrainian supper and music."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The guides were excellent, especially Monica and Tomasz. The hotels were very good. The bus was comfortable and the driver was excellent. The cities and museums were very interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The altar in St. Mary's Church, Krakow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour immersed us into the complicated Polish history, culture both past and present, art, and architecture. Our guides were amazing teachers that were very knowledgeable and loved their communities. The other tour members were great travelers and lifelong learners who were very pleasant to be with. I will definitely book another Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite part of our tour was shopping in the market for pierogi ingredients, then going to our local guide’s home to prepare pierogi ourselves. The market was so interesting and our guide helped us speak in Polish to purchase items from vendors. It was so great to see where or guide lived and get to know her. I also enjoyed the very small group setting that evening. I can’t wait to make some pierogi at home and will always think about our fun experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had no idea what to expect because I knew very little about Poland. I am not Polish as well over half of the people on the tour were. Poland was just a new place to see for me. The history of Poland is tragic and amazing. Besides being entertaining, this tour taught me from the Polish point of view, the history of a place that was constantly being overrun by its powerful neighbors.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Krakow. There were many memorable moments, but just getting to know Krakow - its beauty, charm and history made it a place that I was sad to leave."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a homecoming for me. My grandfather had fled Poland to avoid being conscripted into the Russian army. 30 years ago, I brought my father back to the village my grandfather - his father - had left. We also toured Gdansk, Warsaw & Krakow. So, the flood of memories that returned as my wife and I participated in this tour was at times overpowering. We also (after our bad experience with last years Southern Italy tour guide) rediscovered how a good tour leader makes all the difference.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just feeling the spirit and pride of the Polish people as they shared their lives, their experiences, their country with us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour leader Thomasz Klimek was amazing. His knowledge of the history of the country was extensive, His enthusiasm for the subject matter was infectious and never boring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Went to Poland because of family connections. Not knowing what to expect i was pleasantly surprised by the culture and the people of Poland. Most exciting was the tour of the sight ght of the SOLIDARITY strike. Also the central squares of the Polish cities where people congreated and walked around enjoying the good weather and the ambiance of the place."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Before we arrived in Poland, I KNEW we were going to have a wonderful time as Tomas would be our guide! We saw him in March on MNT & I just enjoyed him, his hat & his love of Poland! I hoped he'd be our guide in September and he was! I'd never been to Poland & was surprised at the beauty of the country & its people! I learned about Poland's history, having at 1 time not even been a country! The whole tour was a wonderful experience & we had a great tour group who really bonded! We had fun!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Chopin salon concert! We saw & listened to a gifted pianist & violinist perform by candle light in Poland! The tie would be the Chopin concert in the park on Sunday afternoon! I could pretend to be a local just enjoying the beautiful weather, lying on the grass staring at the clouds & listening to the music! Very relaxing!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Poland was wonderful - I had never been on a Rick Steves tour before and so came in with no expectations. Everything about the tour was amazing - so organized and well thought out; our tour guide, Tomasz Klimek, was so knowledgeable about Poland's history, it's culture, the food, etc. and he was just fun and enjoyable to be around. He made every day of the tour special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many - two that I remember are learning about the Solidarity Movement and how brave those Polish works were to defy the Communists, and attending the piano concert of Chopin music at the Chopin Hotel in Warsaw. Such beautiful music and such a talented pianist."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guide, Tomasz. Didn’t know what to expect but exceeded expectations. Thought to meet dour people & bad food — shame on me - everything was on the other side of wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Warsaw - the fact the Polish people by sheer determination overcame partition, Nazi-ism and communism."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, interesting places to explore while learning a lot about Polish history, great group of travelers, a hotel that rose to the top of my list of favorite hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Aside from revisiting one of my favorite cities, Krakow, about which I had already been "wowed", the largest brick crane in the world. Dating from medieval times to transfer grain to ships for export, it was powered by a human-sized hamster wheel where people took the place of hamsters. Also, walking around Warsaw which was almost completely rebuilt after being 97% destroyed in World War II. That was impressive. And the Chopin B & B, which I don't have room to explain."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed every activity, experience the country of Poland, our tour group and especially our guide, Tomasz Kline!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I just went through all our pictures from the trip….every experience was so meaningful… history we learned was so important….It’s just not possible for us to choose one particular favorite moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide and value for money.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gdansk was a real surprise."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland was presented as a hidden gem of Europe that needs further exploration by all travelers who want to know the history, customs, experience of other countries. In that way, we learn from their experiences, difficulties, & ultimately their achievements.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything went smoothly, comfortable,roomy bus, excellent guides, great group of travelers, unique hotels in great locations, wonderful tours, great food !!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting Rick Steves in Warsaw at Chopin concert, wonderful farewell dinner in Warsaw, "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My experience was excellent; tour leader was the best (Agnieszka) and one could not ask for a more skilled and talented guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Chopin concert at Chopin B&B--then, the Ukraine feast afterwards--wow/wow/wow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland has a lot of history and interesting sights/architecture. The forward thinking vibe and openness of the people and country are wonderful. The cities and guides were amazing on this itinerary. I can't wait to go back!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The people of Poland are my WOW moment. From lead guide and Gdansk expert Agnieszka, Warsaw with Yola, Krakow with Monika the Rick Steves people are great ambassador's of their county. But the waiters, waitresses, hotel workers, random folks who befriended me on the train, fun people who talked on the street. The Polish people are proud of their country and want us/you to enjoy it. They were consistently welcoming. Everyone below 40 spoke great English, no language barrier to deal with!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland was, at the very least, wonderful. The beautiful country, its rich history, the resilient strength of the Polish people and the chilling histories from WWII, the cities and villages were amazing. It all was an unforgettable lifetime experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire tour was a "wow" moment, from the first to the last day. Each day outdid the last. The guides not only easily bonded with our group but brought a richness to each and every site that, had we seen on our own, would have fallen far short of the depth of insight they provided. After the tour, a significant wow moment was to find out that I had 2 relatives that were imprisoned as political prisoners, and survived, 4 years at Auschwitz."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent guide, excellent group, everything went smoothly. We’ll run tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Polish history"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our main tour guides were amazing! Fun, knowledgeable and kept everything running to perfection.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about bricks! Old bricks, new bricks, castles and cathedrals made out of bricks!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Greetings! First, my husband and I wish to express how impressed we were with our primary guide, Agnieska Syroka. She is absolutely wonderful ! So knowledgeable and has personality plus! Overall, we we most happy with Gdańsk and Cracow ; Warsaw was a great deal of walking, historical talk and general orientation about what to see and do… but, at the end of the tour, we had lunch, never saw Marie curie’s museum nor where Chopins’ heart remains, too short in Warsaw as such.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wows, the cathedral Mariacka in Cracow but the Solidarity museum in Gdańsk’s ship yard was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Monika was an outstanding guide — personable, fun, very helpful and a font of information. The chosen sites offered a great overview of Poland’s often sad history but also the bravery of many of its people. Most of the hotels were fine, although a bit cramped and one was short on hot water.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing photos of the devastation of Warsaw and Malbark Castle and witnessing their reconstruction was eye-opening. Also the Kraków’s beauty and the nighttime energy in its medieval square were exciting. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good tour overall. Plenty of interesting sites and very well run. And of course the wonderful food was nicely presented!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say. Would think it was the realization that Gdańsk was relatively unknown to me but has so much to offer."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have been on trips with Rick Steves five times now...four full trips and one MyWay tour. All have been well led, informative and fun. This visit to Poland was our 70th country. We have also been to all seven continents. As Rick says "Keep on Travelin" ...We will!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rick Steves joined our tour for a brief hello in Krakow. That was a fun unexpected "Wow" moment. Lots of other good people, places and activities."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour began with an absolutely wonderful guide and a truly delightful group of participants. We toured the major sights of each important city on our route, as well as experiencing special extras and group activities we would not have been able to arrange on our own. And in between, we visited some lovely and interesting smaller sights and villages that gave us a great overall experience of Poland. All of this was done without the hassle or driving or parking or buying tickets. Wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One experience I will always remember is the opportunity we had to make pierogi with a native in her home. We were in small groups of 4, and our delightful guide taught us the name of an ingredient to buy at the market. We each had to go to a different stall and (with her help) purchase our ingredient. Then we proceeded by tram and her car to her apartment where she instructed us in a "hands on" way to make the pierogi. Afterwards, we feasted on the fruits of our labor on her patio. What fun!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our fifth Rick Steves tour and it gets high marks. Plus it marked our 70th country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Well, the big WOW! moment had to be when Rick showed up while we were in Krakow. He and his crew had previously been filming in Iceland and were now doing the same in Poland. The two new shows will air in 2024. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a very enjoyable tour. I learned a lot about Polish and Eastern European history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sierpc Skansen. It gave me a good idea of what the village my grandfather was born in must have looked like. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent itinerary and guide

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Guided by Monika, the kindest tour leader I’ve ever had, the Poland trip was rich with the country’s old & more recent history & the strong religious influences throughout, as well as the interesting cultural themes. All good as expected, including the friendly Poles & my super nice fellow travelers. This tour could however get even more balanced & complete with some added sightseeing time & sights that I’m sure could be planned which I think it’s somewhat light on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several impactful moments: The powerful Jewish ghettos & tragic history, Chopin experiences in Warsaw, the medieval castles & the lively Krakow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was taken care of, the hotels were great, and the provided meals were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The little things like taking care of mass transit tickets, little local snacks provided by the tour guide"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour guides (Agnes & Barbara) were excellent, hotel accommodations were well located and comfortable, and transportation (Robert) got us safely to all our destinations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gdansk was lovely and exceeded our expectations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the Best of Poland tour. It was a wonderful experience seeing, hearing, tasting and experience the wonderful country of Poland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall we had a great tour experience. We had a wonderful group and Agnes was simply wonderful. I enjoyed most of the things we did. There were a couple of things that weren’t quite my cup of tea.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our first day in Warsaw was a “wow” moment for me. I had heard how ugly it was but I honestly thought it was beautiful and really enjoyed the city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Poland was great. Our tour leader Agnes was spectacular. All the cities we visited were very enjoyable and charming.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have two “wow” moments which both were in Warsaw. Seeing the Warsaw ghetto and the Museum of the Polish Jews were remarkable and thought provoking."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour was very well planned and led by an experienced and knowledgeable guide. I learned much about the country, customs, food and people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moments were somber. I was very moved by the Solidarity Museum, the Jewish Ghetto, and Nowa Huta."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an outstanding tour. All, yes all, of the tour participant couples had one or both of them of Polish ancestry and were eager to learn as much as possible about Polish history and culture. The tour guides and locals were enthusiastic about sharing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No one moment was a wow. But every day I was learning how resilient, resourceful, and tough the Polish people are and were throughout history. While my husband knows his Danish family roots, I have been unable to discover mine. I learned the first night that was a common story because immigration and records were so shrouded in historical turmoil. It explained a lot."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was excellent. It was well organized, informative and a lot of fun. Our group got along very well. Our guides, Agnes and Barbara were incredible. They took us everywhere and shared their extensive knowledge with a bit of humor. I felt that we had just the right amount of touring/events and time on our own to explore or relax at a cafe

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the Chopin concert / I also loved the town square in Krakus"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 4th RS tour. It was as great as all the rest. Great guides, food, activities, and plenty of free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The afternoon we cooked pierogis was one of the best experiences I have had on a RS tour. Very fun and educational being able to spend time with a local in her home. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Where do I begin? Monica made this tour. She took such good care of us. And with her history of Poland, made it come alive. Plus, all the local guides were wonderful and the weather cooperated for all of us. The planned activities were wonderful and we had enough free time to explore. Plus, the hotels were great. I could go on and on. It's my fourth RS tour and just think the guide makes the difference.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having been my fourth tour, I'm beginning to compare guides. I've never been disappointed in my RS experiences but I think my WOW moment was Monica, how she surprised us with little treats, how she knew exactly how much narration to include on the bus, how she shared her experiences, but knew Polish history. So Monica made this trip extra special for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don’t know if I had a major unexpected moment which is a major contributor to wow. I listened to all the podcasts on Poland. I would say that hearing the personal accounts of our guides for Nova Huta living under Communism, and having the last dinner in Warsaw at the Chopin Hotel were surprising."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My first Rick Steves tour. Grateful for access to some information/experiences that I would not have been able to find/do on my own. Guides overall were excellent, especially our "main" guide Monika, but also Thomas in Krakow.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visit to Nowa Huta in Krakow and to Polin Museum in Warsaw."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Agnes was an amazing tour guide. I feel like the route from Gdańsk to Warsaw to Krakow was best, leaving best for last. The meals were a good sample of everything. Local tour guides were very good. The hotels were good and the Chopin was amazing with its concerts. I think Auschwitz should be a destination. Nowa Huta was interesting but not as important.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town square at Krakow. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and first group trip ever, other than an adventure tour group (trekking and rafting). I was traveling solo and was drawn to Rick Steves' travel philosophy of packing light, budget travel, free time, very active, and no grumps allowed. The Poland tour met my expectations and more. Great group of people, enough walking to satisfy me, good food, new experiences, and outstanding guides!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the Chopin concert at the Chopin B&B. Outstanding violinist in an intimate setting with wine and apple pie. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned: great leaders, comfortable and highly educational.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maybe when our guide Agnieszka had us wave to her father who lived in a building down the block from where we were on our walking tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the moment I met Agnes and the group in Gdańsk, I knew this was going to be an outstanding tour! What a beautiful city to introduce Poland. Each walk, museum, tour, city and meal unwrapped more of Poland's history, people and charm. I learned so much more detail about how Poland grew, how it's people faced incredible challenges, and what they think and feel today. The culture is so rich, it was like unwrapping a present at each stop. Agnes delivered these gifts with genuine warmth.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gdańsk was the perfect sized city. I suggest arriving 2 days early to enjoy the architecture, shops and restaurants. The open air museum of old villages on day 4 was impressive (though I cannot find the name). And the hotel in Warsaw with the Ukrainian music and food, as well as great conversation, was phenomenal. But the violinist and pianist that first night took my breath away. Lastly, making pierogi in Kraków and visiting Nowa Huta were wonderful experiences. This is a very rich tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well planned with visits to highlights of each city. I appreciated the amount of equal time to spend on my own. The hotels were comfortable as well as the coach for traveling to each city. The food was great and plentiful. The guide was excellent and very informative. I highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Amber alter and the black Madonna. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour. It definitely will not be the last! The tour was meticulously planned. Our main tour guide, Agnes was just a gem. Her experience growing up in Gdansk was an invaluable experience! She took showed us things that we would never see, such as perogi making, amber glass, much less understand the history of. The hotels did have tons of character, and all the food was outstanding. We had plenty of free time to explore on our own. Everybody got along beautifully.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the unveiling of the Black Madonna, just an amazing story. But there were so many others, the castle in Krakow, Malbork castle, Gdansk. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Trip exceeded expectations! Tomasz was an exceptional guide and it was great to have Addie along taking photos. Addie presence hastened the tour group’s bonding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved, loved, loved making pierogis in Krakow!! What a fabulous experience to be welcomed into a private home. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed learning about Polish history as we traveled through the places where it happened.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moments were, after learning a few Polish words, actually using them in very short discussions with some of the locals. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The history, the people, the food and especially the beer was great. Guides were outstanding explaining the country. Outstanding experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A lot of the travelers, including my wife, were probably going to say the pierogi making. That experience going to Anna’s home was truly remarkable and visiting with her was a most wonderful education. My “wow” that took my breath away was Gadansk. I love that city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I expected Gdansk to be essentially an industrial city. Instead it turned out to be this beautiful city"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thomas was best tour guide ever !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Making perogies at local home "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Poland tour was a wonderful travel experience from start to finish. Our guide Tomash was thorough in his management of the tour and passionate about Poland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was seeing Poles, young and old, out by the many thousands on holiday in Warsaw, which has been lovingly reconstructed after near total destruction during WWII."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was a fabulous combination of history, culture, art, and food with a passionate and knowledgeable guide .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Making pierogi!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I am so grateful we took this tour of Poland chose the Rick Steves Tour. OUr guide Thomas was incredibly informative, fun, organized and experienced. He made the tour special and memorable moments - telling us life stories that brought the amazing history of Poland alive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing in the Gdansk shipyards, learning about the bravery of the Polish steelworkers who organized the Solidarity movement. I did not realize the role that incredible movement had in triggering the end of Soviet communism in Poland. You can read about history, -- but when you tour Poland with Rick Steves - it comes alive. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well planned, interesting, and informative. It was also fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many good moments. Learning how to order ingredients at the local market by phonetically pronouncing the names of the ingredients and then make pierogi was a great experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my 4th complete RS tour (not counting one earlier this year that I left early due to COVID) - outstanding guides as usual and a great itinerary. I love history and this tour was jammed packed with it - a lot of extant medieval sites in addition to WWII and communist era history. Also a lot of great food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Krakow overall was the highlight of the tour for me. I could have easily spent another 1-2 days there on my own - just a reason to go back! Some of the other highlights were the Solidarity Museum in Gdasnk, Malbork Castle, the Chopin/Ukranian musician concert and the Ukranian dinner/bandura performance at our Warsaw B&B, Musejm of the History of Polish Jews, and the Kazimierz dinner/concert. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was wonderful. As a Polish citizen she was able to offer insights and answer questions about the country, it's history and politics, and what life is like for Poles now. The itinerary was well planned to give us something special at each stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of this country and the warmth of the Polish people we met. Everyone, from hotel clerks to cab drivers to farmers selling mushrooms in the market, was pleasant and very honest. Even returning money when I inadvertently tried to pay too much."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great overall view of Poland emphasizing the people, culture, foods

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gdańsk really surprised me with its overall beauty. The Chopin concert in Warsaw with two Ukrainian performers really emotionally affected me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a phenomenal Guide, Monika, and the activities, museums, city tours, and food were all fantastic. Besides learning so much about the interesting history and culture of Poland, there were three very memorable evening music events- Chopin, Klezmer, and one by Ukrainian Refugees.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning more about the 1980s Solidarity Movement in Gdansk, the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto and Warsaw Uprising, and the experience of Jewish Community had to endure in Krakow during World War 2. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual, I had a great tour by Rick Steves. I gained a better understanding and new level of respect of Poland from the tour. Its support to the neighbor country Ukraine is a great lesson to the world. Our tour guide Monika and her assistant Asa are awesome - 5 stars (Can I give Monika 6 stars?)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are a few WOW moments and lots of great moments in this tour; to name just a few - (1) Visit to Jasna Gora Monastery to witness the unveiling of the Black Madonna, (2) Opening of the main altar at St Mary's Basilica in Kradow, (3) the Chapin concert hosted every night by Chapin B&B, (4) the food is amazing"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was fun, informative and enriching. It balanced history, current and not so current, with fun activities. It was jam-packed with activities and touring. It felt like a whirlwind, but I feel it only touched on the surface of this amazing country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The vodka tasting in Gdansk. Good food, good drink with information about history, culture, politics and economics. It also provided a convivial introduction to the group."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a terrific trip! My mother was Polish and I am interested in learning about my heritage. I found out not only how great Poland was but also how great the Polish people are. What a friendly country, especially when you think of how many times it has been invaded and divided up! I am so impressed with Polish resilience and ingenuity!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Lord’s Ark Church and hearing the story of how it was built!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first fully guided RS tour, but likely not my last! Although I had the means and ability to plan a DIY version of the same itinerary, I would never have come close to executing the same efficiency and value add experiences that the RS tour lent along with the great knowledge of the local tour guides and the friendliness and shared travel visions of the fellow tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Jasna Gora Monastery and St. Mary’s Basilica in Krakow, and knowing that both were able to survive the destruction of war. The local tour guides were able to efficiently time the unveilings of the Black Madonna and the wooden altarpiece in each church with the continuity of the walking tours. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Poland trip exceeded our expectations from the moment we began in the beautiful city of Gdańsk. Our guide Agnes was so welcoming and knowledgeable and helped us understand the unique and challenging history of the beautiful country and people of Poland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While in Warsaw we were divided into small groups and assigned a local guide who helped us purchase ingredients for pierogis st the local market. We had to order in Polish, a bit challenging 😊Afterwards we took the tram to Anna’s apartment where we learned to make delicious pierogis by hand, a labor intensive process. Enjoying Anna’s hospitality and instruction, as well as the delicious potato/onion and blueberry pierogis was certainly a highlight. Meeting the local people is always a highlight"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved discovering Poland- its culture, traditions, and landscapes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the city of Gdańsk- historic and beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour gave me a deeper understanding of the contemporary issues facing Poland and impact that the history of the region plays in these issues. I came away an appreciation of Poland and her people. They have endured a lot and maintain a can do attitude. I was impressed with the reconstruction of areas that had been bombed during the war and the quality of the museums we visited. Their pride in their country shines through. Appeciated learning all they have done for Ukraine

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many moments, but I would say talking with the director of the Jack Strong Museum in Warsaw and the dinner and concerts put on for us by Ukranian people in Warsaw. Also going to Nowa Huta and learning the stories from our guide of life there under the communists"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland was a surprise -particularly Gdańsk. The country has been beaten down, invaded, occupied, and treated like crap and yet the people remain optimistic, friendly, warm and welcoming. The rebuilding process done after the devastation of World War II is nothing short of miraculous. The countryside is lovely, the cities and towns charming, the vodka exceptional, and the food delicious. The Poles are also to be applauded for the way they have supported Ukraine in the crisis.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably my first sight of the river area in the old part of Gdańsk. My driver took me past that on my drive from the airport and I was immediately charmed. I couldn’t wait to check in to my hotel and start exploring. I also really liked the visit to the main square of Krakow at night. The lights of the Cathedral and Cloth Market, the bugle played every hour, the people eating at the restaurants under the awnings, the sound of laughter. I couldn’t wait to explore the area the next day. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland far exceeded my expectations with it's rich culture, history, food and architecture. The people were warm and friendly, and came across as remarkably resilient while at the same time very wise because of their violent and quite recent history. Following the Vistula River, beginning with Gdansk and ending at Krakow, was the perfect itinerary. Tomasc was also the perfect guide, always energetic and positive, he was very knowledgeable about his country and was clearly proud of Krakow.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! The beauty of Gdansk, the music in Warsaw- performance by the Ukraine music students, a tradtional Polish evening of music, and the beautiful music in Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter. I was also blown away by the beauty of the main nave in the Jasna Gora Monastery Basilica, And of course, Krakow's Wawel Cahedral, where the tombs of the Kings lie. I also loved the tradition of the bugler playing at St Mary's Basilica, every hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fabulous- well organized and great guides.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide Thomas made the trip extra special! He is so enthusiastic about Poland; his home country! The hotels were very nice and the bus was very comfortable. This was my second RS tour and I’ll be back for another!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The solidarity part was interesting on the historical side of the tour. Gdańsk was my favorite! There was no wow moment. It was all great!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved Poland! I enjoy history and enjoyed (sadly) hearing and seeing pictures of WW2 destruction. The people are grand, generous and thoughtful. Our tour guides Agnes and Monika were tops--knew their history and the cities/area. Both supported each other and coordinated/worked superbly together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the Jewish-Polin Museum (and not to be missed) and would have enjoyed to have toured it on my own. Chopin connect at our Warsaw hotel plus meeting and hearing from him about Warsaw changes was a highlight."