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Best of Poland in 10 Days Tour
Starting in the colorful port city of Gdańsk, you'll escape the crowds and embrace the understated elegance of ready-for-prime-time Poland on this 10-day tour. With an expert Rick Steves guide at your side, you'll experience mighty Malbork castle, the cobbly-cute village of Toruń, Poland's contemporary capital of Warsaw, the spiritual Jasna Góra Monastery, and charming Kraków — Poland's finest city. In this land of surprises — so trendy and hip, yet steeped in history — there's so much to discover. Join us for the Best of Poland in 10 Days!
Dates & Prices
2023
2024
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- Aug 29–Sep 7 (Tu–Th)
- $2,795 + Air
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- Jun 20–Jun 29 (Tu–Th)
- $2,795 + Air
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- Sep 5–Sep 14 (Tu–Th)
- $2,995 + Air
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- Sep 12–Sep 21 (Tu–Th)
- $2,995 + Air
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- Sep 19–Sep 28 (Tu–Th)
- $2,995 + Air
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- Sep 26–Oct 5 (Tu–Th)
- $2,795 + Air
What's Included
You'll get at least 18 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!
Here's what you'll see and do on our Best of Poland tour:
- Historic Gdańsk walking tour
- Gdańsk Shipyard
- European Solidarity Center
- Vodka tasting
- Malbork Castle
- Toruń Gingerbread Museum
- Polish open-air museum
- Warsaw's Palace of Culture and Science
- Chopin music concert
- Historic Warsaw walking tour
- Warsaw Ghetto walk
- Museum of the History of Polish Jews
- Jasna Góra Monastery
- Historic Kraków walking tour
- Wawel Castle and Cathedral
- St. Mary's Church
- Pierogi-making class
- Nowa Huta
Plus you'll get all this, too.
- A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
- The services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of Poland come alive for you
- All group transportation from Gdańsk to Kraków
- 9 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels
- All breakfasts and half your dinners
- All tips for guides and driver
- A tour kit including a guidebook (when available) and a moneybelt
- Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
- Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken with us
- Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour
Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.
Group sightseeing events subject to change.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Poland
We'll meet at our hotel in delightful Gdańsk at 5 p.m. for a preview of our upcoming adventure. Then we'll take an orientation walk through our neighborhood and get acquainted over a "Welcome to Poland" dinner together.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. No bus. Sleep in Gdańsk.
Day 2: Gdańsk's Golden Age and Solidarity
This morning we'll take a walking tour of the beautiful city once called "Danzig" — Poland's historic main port and gateway to the Baltic, still slathered in handsome Hanseatic architecture. After a break for lunch, we'll regroup for an enlightening visit to the Gdańsk Shipyard, where Lech Wałęsa's Solidarity movement took hold in 1980, challenging the communist regime for the first time — a stirring story that we'll hear at the European Solidarity Center. Following our visit, we’ll enjoy a spirited vodka tasting and then set you free to explore more of Gdańsk's charming back streets.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Gdańsk.
Day 3: Red Brick and Gingerbread
Today we'll drive through Pomerania to tour the Teutonic Knights' Malbork Castle, one of Poland's Gothic jewels and the largest brick castle on Earth. After lunch we'll continue to Toruń, a town so cobbly-cute you'll think you've stepped into a storybook — right down to the heavenly scent of its gingerbread bakeries. This afternoon we'll roll up our sleeves at the Toruń Gingerbread Museum to experience this sweet souvenir up close. The evening is yours to wander the traffic-free old town and soak in the atmosphere that was, for a time, the center of Copernicus' universe.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Toruń.
Day 4: Poland's Countryside and Capital
This morning we'll drive through the Polish countryside and stop at an open-air folk museum to learn about traditional life in rural Poland. After lunch, we'll leave the farm fields behind and head for the heart of contemporary Poland: Warsaw. On a walk around our neighborhood, we'll begin to explore Poland's sprawling capital, including the towering, communist-style Palace of Culture and Science (a "gift" from the USSR that Poland couldn't refuse). We'll end our evening with a traditional Polish dinner together, followed by a concert featuring the music of Warsaw native Frédéric Chopin, whose melodies stoke national pride in Poles of all ages.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Warsaw.
Day 5: Historic and Contemporary Warsaw
Today we'll start with a walking tour through Warsaw's historic center and revisit the city's prewar grandeur and its risen-from-the-ashes postwar reconstruction. Together with our local guide, we'll explore grand boulevards, communist relics, and bustling squares, tracing the ebb and flow of a city that remembers a tragic past while looking ahead to an optimistic future. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore more of modern-day Warsaw, from its top-notch museums (art, science, history, Chopin) to its trendy food and nightlife scene.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. No bus. Sleep in Warsaw.
Day 6: Polish Pride and Jewish Culture
This morning is dedicated to the resilient spirit of a city that was, by the end of World War II, destroyed to its foundations. Our local guide will start with a sobering look at Warsaw's Ghetto Uprising, a valiant Jewish resistance against the Nazis. Then we'll tour the world-class Museum of the History of Polish Jews, spanning the complex and fascinating Jewish experience from the Middle Ages through today. We'll set you free for an afternoon stroll through the idyllic Łazienki Park, sprinkled with elegant gardens, royal palaces, and proud peacocks. Tonight we'll gather for dinner and a toast as we bid farewell to Warsaw.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Warsaw.
Day 7: Pilgrims' Path to Kraków
We'll leave Warsaw behind this morning and trace the path of pilgrims to the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa — home to the revered icon of the Black Madonna, the most important symbol of Polish Catholicism. Then we'll set our sights on colorful, charming Kraków — Poland's finest city — where we'll get our first look at the majestic main square (one of Europe's best). After an orientation, we'll set you free to explore more of the Old Town and find dinner on your own at one Kraków's great restaurants.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 5 hours. Sleep in Kraków.
Day 8: Historic Kraków
This morning we'll meet a local guide and wind our way through the story of Kraków, from its prestigious university to the landmark St. Mary's Church. We'll follow traffic-free streets to Wawel Hill, home of Poland's historic royal residence and national cathedral. Along the way, we'll learn about the life and legacy of Pope John Paul II, who began his career as a Kraków parish priest. After a break for lunch, we'll meet some locals for a trip to the farmer's market to gather ingredients for making pierogi. We'll put your cooking skills to the test, then sit down to enjoy our homemade Polish dumplings. Your evening is free to discover more of Kraków on your own.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Kraków.
Day 9: A Taste of Communism
Today we'll visit Nowa Huta, a planned steelworkers' town that exemplifies the socialist aesthetic of the People's Republic of Poland (and is now a desirable suburb). The afternoon is yours to enjoy Kazimierz, the city's historic Jewish Quarter, with its historic sights, bohemian-chic restaurants, artsy boutiques, and student vitality — or to catch up on any sightseeing you missed in Kraków. Tonight, we'll share travel memories and toast to new friends over our farewell dinner together.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Kraków.
Day 10: Tour Over After Breakfast
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. John Paul II Kraków-Balice airport and Kraków& Główny ("main") train station can connect you to practically anywhere in Europe or to your return home. Whatever your plans, your guide will help you get on the right track. Na zdrowie!
This tour does not include Auschwitz-Birkenau. If you want to visit the memorial site and museum, we recommend extending your trip one night and booking a day trip in advance with one of the companies recommended in the Rick Steves guidebook.
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
Physical Demands
Our tours are physically active! It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our Best of Poland in 10 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…
- Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (possibly several blocks) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then up several flights of stairs to reach your room.
- Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to four hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
- Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.
- After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.
Reviews
Toni
Tour: 09/20/22
Overall rating:
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."
Gayle
Tour: 09/20/22
Overall rating:
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."
Diane
Tour: 09/20/22
Overall rating:
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."
Deborah
Tour: 09/20/22
Overall rating:
Great overall view of Poland emphasizing the people, culture, foods
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Gdansk really surprised me with its overall beauty. The Chopin concert in Warsaw with two Ukrainian performers really emotionally affected me."
Robert
Tour: 09/20/22
Overall rating:
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."
Alice
Tour: 09/20/22
Overall rating:
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"
Joan
Tour: 09/13/22
Overall rating:
Our Poland trip exceeded our expectations from the moment we began in the beautiful city of Gdansk. 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"
Amanda
Tour: 09/13/22
Overall rating:
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."
Bob
Tour: 09/13/22
Overall rating:
Loved discovering Poland- its culture, traditions, and landscapes.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visiting the city of Gdansk- historic and beautiful."
Elizabeth
Tour: 09/13/22
Overall rating:
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!"
Christine
Tour: 09/06/22
Overall rating:
The tour was fabulous- well organized and great guides.
Cathleen
Tour: 09/06/22
Overall rating:
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. Gdansk was my favorite! There was no wow moment. It was all great!"
Elizabeth
Tour: 09/06/22
Overall rating:
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!"
Ramona L
Tour: 09/06/22
Overall rating:
Poland was a surprise -particularly Gdansk. 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 Gdansk. 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."
Diana
Tour: 09/06/22
Overall rating:
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"
Carolyn
Tour: 07/05/22
Overall rating:
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."
Bonnie
Tour: 07/05/22
Overall rating:
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!"
Carla
Tour: 07/05/22
Overall rating:
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."
Eric
Tour: 07/05/22
Overall rating:
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."
John
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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."
Barbara
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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.
David
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
Fantastic!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing Old Town Krakow for the first time at night."
Kenneth
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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"
Brian
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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."
Theresa
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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."
Michael
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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 Gdansk 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."
Mary
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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 Gdansk 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."
Valerie
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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."
Warren
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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."
Richard
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
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."
Nancy
Tour: 06/07/22
Overall rating:
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."
Mary
Tour: 05/24/22
Overall rating:
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."
John
Tour: 05/24/22
Overall rating:
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."
Jim
Tour: 05/24/22
Overall rating:
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."
When To Go & Weather
Any time between April and October is a good time to visit Poland. However, the months of April, May, September, and October are best for combining the convenience of peak season with mild weather. In general, Poland has lighter crowds than other parts of Europe, even during summer months.
Poland / Kraków
Hotels & Flights
Tour Hotels
In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email, as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying in the Documents section of your tour account.
Flights
Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements are completely up to you. Most tour members arrange to fly into Gdańsk (GDN) and out of Kraków (KRK) — choose "multicity" on flight-booking websites. Booking round-trip to one city will require a connecting flight, train trip, or additional overnight stay in Poland. We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Kraków, Warsaw & Gdańsk guidebook.