Best of Poland in 10 Days Tour

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

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 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

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 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

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

Excellent guide and value for money.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gdansk was a real surprise."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Polish history"

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 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 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 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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

Excellent itinerary and guide

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

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

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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

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 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

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

The tour was fabulous- well organized and great guides.

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 4 of 5

Overall, very good experience. Enjoyed the two guides very much and the local guide for Krakow was great. The sites were well done, as well as food and drink and fun experiences. The history of country was well done.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really enjoyed walking around Gdansk -- it's a charming town and seeing the sites of Solidarity. Also liked castle and old city of Krakow. Like the Warsaw getto tour and museum with Hubert -- he was very good. "

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."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The schedule was great with 2 or 3 nights in every stop except one. This gave plenty of time for exploring each location and had a good balance between guided tour time and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting up with a local guide, shopping an open air market for supplies and then going to her home in a small group to make Pierogi. This wonderful experience gave me a better perspective of what living in Poland is like."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding all around. Efficient, helpful, knew the answers to most of our questions (and when they didn't they went the extra to get back to us with the answer, timely, made an effort to get to know each member of our group, professional, and good listeners.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Chopin concert at our hotel in Warsaw!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From start to finish, well organized and well executed. Poland has an incredibly rich history and culture. Since all major European countries have had a presence there in some way, it was a lot to take in. The 20th century war stories were heartbreaking, but vital to a deeper understanding of the world today. Kudos to Tomasz and his local guides for making it all come alive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the world class WWII Museum in Gdańsk and seeing the childrens’ learning area that shows how life changed for Poles by walking through the same room at 3 different stages of the war. This was not a part of the tour. It should be. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Old Town Krakow for the first time at night."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour overall. Very good guide and local guides. Lots of history

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Memorable items include Gdansk old town/waterfront & architecture; Warsaw old town square & museums; Krakow square; pierogy making with local host; impromptu Chopin concert"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is a special tour. I learned so much about the history of Poland and the spirit of the Polish people. Our guide Tomasz was outstanding. Assistant guide Laurel was excellent. The right amount of time for guided tours and free time with additional suggestions. Excellent food and music. A great group of fellow tour members. My first Rick Steves tour and it will be tough to beat.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everyday was a WOW moment. The incredible and well thought out Museums, seeing the site of the Solidarity Movement, Malbork Castle and shopping at the farmers market and then making Pierogies with a local. Each day was special in its own way."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Poland is an often overlooked country. This tour brought its history, its intellectuals and its achievements to those of us who participated. Tomasz is an exceedingly proud Pole, justifiably so.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bugler’s performance from the tower at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Krakow, every hour, every day, all year long. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 20th RS tour and I must say our guide and the subject matter of the tour were truly outstanding. There was so much Polish history that was intertwined with the rest of Europe even to modern times including the world wars and it was presented clearly. Each city had a different character which the local guides made come alive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The World War II museum in Gdańsk was really eye opening and set the tone for the whole rest of the tour. It showed the struggle for survival of the Polish people, especially Polish Jews in vivid terms. This struggle for survival theme was prominent throughout the tour as Poland was forever under the thumb of other rulers during its history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After years of watching all the Rick Steves DVDs & following his guidebooks as we planned our own tours, we finally signed up to travel with a Rick Steves tour. We are hooked!! From beginning to end, it was a fabulous experience & far surpassed our expectations.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent guides. Wonderful itinerary. A tour I would highly recommend to others. It' was excessively hot for half of the tour and most hotels provided air-conditioning, but the hotel in Warsaw did not and this made it difficult to recharge at night.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking around Gdansk and visiting the numerous historical and cultural sites it had to offer. Malbork Castle was fantastic. I've been in zillions of castles, but this one outdid them all. I appreciated all the history (past and present) of Poland. A lot of emphasis was placed on the World War II era. We stayed a couple of days after the tour and visited Auschwitz which I would recommend everyone do."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour far exceed my expectations. I really didn’t know much about Poland’s history or culture before the tour, but after taking the tour I can appreciate the long history of the Polish people and all that they’ve endured over many centuries. Our guide, Tomasz, was a great ambassador for his home country. He expertly guided our group through the sites and cities we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many “wow” moments , but the tour of Malbork Castle ,entering the Main Square in Krakow at night and our tour of Wawel Royal Castle stand out."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 9th RSE tour and one of the best. It would be 5 stars if the Warsaw hotel had been air conditioned to provide night-time relief from the 95-degree summer heat. Our guide, Thomasz, was absolutely exceptional--never had a better guide! The itinerary was comprehensive, the multiple night hotel stays allowed us a better sense of each city, and the 9:00 AM daily starts gave us time to recharge. I left with more knowledge and a better appreciation of Polish history, culture, and people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Even though I had read up on the Teutonic Knights, nothing can prepare you for how awesome Malbork Castle is in all respects. As a bonus, lunch across the river provided a fantastic castle photo opportunity. Gdansk was a delightful surprise that we truly enjoyed and wish we had another day to explore it thoroughly. Although not on the tour, remaining for a day to experience Auschwitz-Birkenau was an absolute must, especially after all the WWII history provided on the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was super overall. Tomasz is a rising star in the Rick Steves guide firmament. He was caring, thoughtful, knowledgeable, helpful, patient, and always in control of a very independent group. If he is willing to give more of these tours, the Poland tour dates should be expanded. The country of Poland has been beaten down over thousands of years but just keeps coming back. They clearly are part of western Europe and not Russia.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Emigration Museum in Gdynia Rozbrat 20 Restaurant in Warsaw. World class dinner at a relatively cheap price. Service and food were superb. Amber Museum totally rocked. A good counterbalance to all of the world-class but hard-to-take other Polish museums about how badly the Poles and Jews were treated over the centuries. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Poland tour was filled with interesting history and historic sites, as well as great food and wonderful tour buddies. Our guide, Agnieszka, was fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was an evening where our group meal occurred on the patio of our hotel in Warsaw. The Ukrainian cooks prepared for us a traditional meal and a young Ukrainian woman sang and played a traditional Ukrainian instrument. The evening continued up on the rooftop garden with the city and setting sun as a backdrop as we toasted new friends and Poland. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my second Rick Steves' tour and I thought it was very well organized. Our main guide Bea did a great job of keeping us informed and moving at a reasonable pace. The city guides were also very knowledgable and provided excellent insights into the history and important facts about the cities and sites we toured.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Poland's dramatic history over the centuries, and especially during and after WWII were far more than I realized or remembered from history classes of the news. The wow moment was seeing how they recovered the from all those years of oppression and occupation and are now a thriving country. I was amazed by all the new development in certain ares as well as the amount of agricultural lands as we drove through the countryside. Poland was a much more beautiful country than I expected. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour left me wanting to see more of Poland! I don't know if that's good or bad, but it's how I felt. Our tour guide grew up in Poland and gave us plenty of background to further appreciate our experience. Modern Poland and historical Poland - my favorite combination!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about Polish history and how geography has played its role. Poland has been the prize in giant card games, shifted from one country to another and severely battered in the process. Omg."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had an enjoyable time in Poland. The tour provides a lot of historical information for those more interested in history than I am.The lodgings and meals were outstanding as usual. I was impressed with how at each city we visited in Poland there were rallies,signs and flags supporting the Ukraine. The Polish people I had contact with were all friendly and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"An emotional violin recital in our hotel in Warsaw. The musician played the Ukraine national anthem and the kitchen help came out,sang and wiped away tears."