This is the perfect vacation for those who are interested in WWII, historic Poland, and the concentration camps that are living memorials to those days. Start in Warsaw and see the city before and after wartime destruction during a moving film in the Historical Museum. Next, visit Jasna Göra, the monastery near Czestochowa, to admire the Black Madonna, the country’s national symbol. On to Krakow, where a special visit to the Oskar Schindler’s Factory, made famous in the movie Schindler’s List, is included. Visit what is left of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and in Wroclaw, visit the Centennial Hall. Continue to Dresden, badly damaged during the war and since 1985, restored to its baroque splendor. An exclusive visit to the Semper Opera has been included as well as dinner with local specialties in the well-known Am Pulverturm restaurant. Also visit Meissen, Leipzig, Weimar, and via Meissen, with a visit to the porcelain factory, continue to Leipzig. Visit the former Buchenwald concentration camp on your way to Erfurt, and in Nuremberg, visit Soldier’s Field, the impressive documentation center. Taste the traditional Nüremberger würstel before arriving in Munich, where you will visit the former Dachau concentration camp. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your traveling companions to talk and share your feelings after this emotional encounter with WWII.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Warsaw, Poland. Welcome to Warsaw! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Warsaw’s excellent restaurants. (D)
Day #2 Warsaw. Your Local Guide will tell you about the tormented, often tragic history of this important gateway city between East and West. See the medieval Stare Miasto (Old Quarter) with its market square and 14th-century CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN, the “wedding cake” Palace of Culture and Science, neoclassical Lazienki Palace, and the remnants of the Jewish ghetto. In the HISTORICAL MUSEUM a moving film shows the city before and after wartime destruction. An optional excursion to Wilanow Castle is available. (B)
Day #3 Warsaw–Czestochowa–Krakow. This morning, visit JASNA GÓRA, the monastery near Czestochowa, and admire its BLACK MADONNA, which is venerated as the “Queen of Poland” and has become the country’s national symbol. Continue to Krakow, for centuries the residence of Polish kings. (B,D)
Day #4 Krakow. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide in ancient Krakow features the Market Square, the 14th-century Jagiellonian University and ST. MARY’S CHURCH. Take pictures of the impressive Wawel Royal Castle, then enjoy a [LF] special visit to the OSKAR SCHINDLER FACTORY, made famous in the movie Schindler’s List. How about tonight’s optional Polish dinner and folklore show? (B)
Day #5 Krakow–Auschwitz–Wroclaw. Stop in Auschwitz and visit what is left of the CONCENTRATION CAMP, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust and the most notorious among the World War II concentration camps. Continue to Wroclaw, the historical capital of Silesia. This impressive city belonged over the ages to Bohemia, Austria, Prussia, Germany, and after 1945 to Poland. Hear about its turbulent history during your guided tour, admire its highlights, such as the Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia), built by Max Berg and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006. Tonight, a get-together will be organized to talk about your Auschwitz visit and about concentration camps during the war. (B,D)
Day #6 Wroclaw–Dresden, Germany. Cross the border and arrive in Dresden, former capital of Saxony. Badly damaged by Allied bombing in February 1945, the city has since been restored to its baroque splendor. Admire the architecture of the Zwinger Palace, then enjoy a special treat: an exclusive visit to [LF] the magnificent baroque SEMPER OPERA, originally built in 1841, once destroyed by fire, then destroyed by bombing, and finally restored in 1985. Afterwards, a [LF] great dinner with wine and local specialties awaits you in Dresden’s well-known Am Pulverturm restaurant. (B,D)
Day #7 Dresden–Meissen–Leipzig. Stop in Meissen and visit the famous PORCELAIN FACTORY for which the city is famous. Continue to Leipzig, an important center since the Middle Ages. (B)
Day #8 Leipzig. Your guided walking tour includes a visit to the THOMASKIRCHE, where Johann Sebastian Bach worked, the MUSEUM, and the Market Square with its fine renaissance buildings. Afternoon at leisure. (B,D)
Day #9 Leipzig–Weimar–Buchenwald–Erfurt. Morning drive to Weimar for a walking tour with a Local Guide. Hear about the giants of German literature, Schiller and Goethe. Next, visit HERDER CHURCH with the wonderful painted sermons. A special stop has been included at the site of the former Buchenwald CONCENTRATION CAMP, before arriving in Erfurt. Your orientation features the fine gothic and renaissance buildings, which bring back the days of Master Eckhart and Martin Luther, who spent his student days here. Marvel at the medieval Krämer Bridge, on which 33 dwellings are built. (B,D)
Day #10 Erfurt–Nuremberg–Munich. Start your sightseeing of Nuremberg with Soldier’s Field, where the Nazi party rallies were held between 1933 and 1938, and visit the impressive DOCUMENTATION CENTER. Next, walk through the pedestrian area of the charming Old Town, known for children’s toys and gingerbread, and admire the impressive medieval ramparts, St. Sebald Church, painstakingly reconstructed as a monument to peace from the rubble of near-total wartime destruction, and the Schöner Brunnen, a 14th century fountain dedicated to the Holy Roman Empire. It is said that it brings good luck to spin the two brass rings. Of course, [LF] you will also taste the traditional Nürnberger Bratwürste, before continuing to Bavaria’s capital, Munich. Your orientation features the Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, Nymphenburg Palace, MARIENPLATZ with the Old and New Town Halls, and the gothic Frauenkirche. (B)
Day #11 Munich. Morning visit to the site of the former Dachau CONCENTRATION CAMP, which started out as a work camp for German dissidents and was the first concentration camp discovered by the Allies. Afternoon at leisure, and this evening, a farewell dinner has been prepared to say, “Auf Wiedersehen” to your travel companions and to share your feelings about this exciting and emotional encounter with World War II. (B,D)
Day #12 Munich. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
WARSAW Radisson Blu Sobieski (SF)
KRAKOW Andel’s (SF)
WROCLAW Sofitel Old Town (D)
DRESDEN Swissôtel am Schloss (SF)
LEIPZIG The Westin Leipzig (SF)
ERFURT Radisson Blu (F)
MUNICH Hilton Munich City (SF)