Krakow
Holiday Highlights
- Three nights at an excellent quality, centrally located four-star hotel, with breakfast
- Guided walking tour of the medieval city and Poland’s former capital
- Visit to Wawel, the castle district, one of Europe’s most striking royal residences
- Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau (included but optional)
- Optional tour of the cathedral-like salt mines
- This Signature Tour includes all of the above as well as the following:
- Learn more about Poland's gastronomic heritage while sampling some of its best dishes on a walking tour
What's Included
- The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
- Return flights to Krakow
- Three nights' in four-star accomodation
- Daily breakfast
- All local accommodation taxes
- Return airport transfers
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager throughout
- Not included: Optional trip to the Salt Mines £25 approximate cost, payable locally.
Itinerary
Day 1
You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Krakow. On arrival a coach will take you to our hotel, the four-star Novotel, very modern and well managed, it is centrally located, within walking distance of the main sights and has a bar, good restaurant, fitness facilities including an indoor swimming pool and all rooms are air-conditioned for your additional comfort.
Day 2
After breakfast we will have a walking tour of Krakow, following which we defy you to disagree that this is one of the most beautiful cities you have ever seen. During our tour we will see the amazing Rynek, the main square, lined with exquisite medieval buildings and always busy with locals going about their daily business, exchanging a few words or enjoying a coffee in one of the numerous street cafés. In the centre is the Cloth Hall, which as its name suggests, has been used for textile trading since the 16th century. Today it is full of small stalls selling beautiful, locally-made amber jewellery and an art gallery. Overlooking the square is St. Mary’s church so richly decorated with fine paintings, gold-leaf and silverware, it could be mistaken for a cathedral. The 14th century stained glass is particularly ornate with striking beams of light creating a kaleidoscope of colour in the chancel below. Since medieval times, from the top of one of the two ornate spires a trumpeter sounds a warning of potential attack every two hours. You will also see the immense Florian Gate and the remains of the medieval fortifications built to defend the capital of Poland and the church where years later Pope John Paul II held Mass to a grateful congregation. We will see a host of other sights too, including the University and Collegium where the famous astronomer Copernicus theorised that the earth was not the centre of the solar system – bravely driving a coach and horses through centuries-old scientific thinking! Later we visit the Wawel castle district which, dating back to the 11th century, is built on a bend on the river Vistula below and dominates Krakow. This was the political and cultural capital of Poland for over 500 years and today the myriad of buildings comprise amongst others, the Royal Palace, Cathedral, Senators’ Hall, Treasury and Armoury. We will see the cathedral that is the final resting place of the Polish monarchs. You can tour the Palace and Royal chambers which host an impressive range of rooms that have been restored to their original and stunning Renaissance and Baroque state, overflowing with fine furniture, works of art and Europe’s largest collection of tapestries. There will be free time to explore the rest of the complex, including the wonderful three-tiered Renaissance courtyard. This afternoon, should you wish, you will have the option of a tour to the famous Salt Mines (your tour manager will advise locally of the times and costs).
4* Novotel Krakow Centrum - Krakow
About the hotel
Situated next to the banks of the Vistula river and close to Wawel Royal Castle, the Novotel Krakow Centrum is the ideal base for your holiday to Krakow.
The hotel has excellent facilities including a gym, indoor swimming pool, and restaurant serving a continental buffet breakfast. Should you wish to dine in the hotel in the evening, the restaurant serves international cuisine in a cosy yet modern setting. There’s also a chic bar and lounge to enjoy a cup of coffee or perhaps a nightcap.
The spacious, modern rooms are all air-conditioned and feature complimentary Wi-Fi, television, tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer, minibar and safe. Please note air-conditioning is seasonal and dependant on outside temperature.
Location
The market square, in the heart of Krakow’s Old Town, is a 20-minute walk from the hotel. You can also reach the centre of the city by tram or taxi.