Chopin Tour of Poland

The Kosciuszko Foundation

presents

Chopin Anniversary

TOUR TO poland

October 14 - 24, 2010

featuring the XVIth International

Chopin Piano Competition

Join the Kosciuszko Foundation for a historic tour celebrating the

YEAR OF CHOPIN on the 200th Anniversary of Frederick Chopin's birth.

Treat yourself to an exquisite cultural experience prepared especially for

the Kosciuszko Foundation, an American Center for Polish Culture since 1925.

 

TOUR PROGRAM

Oct. 14/Thu - USA/WARSAW. This evening we depart via transatlantic flight for Warsaw - Poland's heroic capital.

Oct. 15/Fri  - WARSAW. Upon arrival at the Chopin Okecie Airport we will be met and transferred to our hotel in city center. Balance of day free to rest and unpack. Welcome dinner in one of the fine restaurants of Warsaw.

Oct. 16/Sat - WARSAW. Today, after a sumptuous buffet breakfast we depart for a city tour which will introduce us to the Polish capital's most important sites. This heroic city was reduced to ashes during WWII. Our tour begins at the reconstructed Old Town with colorful houses, stylish restaurants and souvenir shops. Visit the St. John's Cathedral, Warsaw's oldest church and Royal Castle Square. Walk along the Krakowskie Przedmiescie street and stop at the Visitation Church where Chopin played as well as at the Namiestnikowski Palace with the Drawing Room where Chopin preformed his works for the first time. Stop for best Polish doughnuts "paczki" in the famous "U Bliklego" cafe. Included is a visit to the Chopin Museum in Ostrogski Palace with the collection of Chopin's memorabilia. From here drive to the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial and to Lazienki Park with famous statue of Chopin. This evening attend Stage 3 concert of the Chopin Competition participants. 

Oct. 17/Sun - WARSAW-Nieborow-Zelazowa Wola. Today we discover attractions of the area driving through the picturesque Mazowsze countryside to Zelazowa Wola where we visit the manor house where Frederick Chopin was born on Feb. 22, 1810.  In Nieborow we tour the magnificent baroque Palace owned by the noble Radziwill family Its magnificent furnishings and extensive collection of art can be seen throughout the palace. Its most famous possession is the antique marble head of Niobe (4th century BC), a Roman copy of the Greek original which was presented to Princess Helena Radziwill by the Empress Catherine II of Russia. Return to Warsaw. This evening,  attend a cultural performance.

Oct 18/Mon - WARSAW/LODZ. This morning we depart for Lodz and after settling-in in our hotel we get acquainted with this unique city known for industrial revolution and center of textile industry and Polish movie industry. Balance of the day at leisure to spend at the Manufaktura Center.

Oct 19/Tue - LODZ/KRAKOW. Start the day with a tour of the famous Poznanski Palace, the most elaborate in Lodz which houses the Historical Museum and special room devoted to the great pianist, Artur Rubinstein. After lunch our coach continues to the medieval city of Krakow for overnight.

Oct. 20/Wed  - KRAKOW. After buffet breakfast we get acquainted with this fascinating city. See St. Mary's Church which contains Europe's largest Gothic wooden altar piece carved by Wit Stwosz and listen to the traditional trumpeter's call that signaled the Tatar invasion of the 12th century. Tour the imposing Wawel Castle, its chambers and Coronation Cathedral, final resting place of Polish Kings, poets and national heroes. Balance of the day is free to explore the city or take an optional excursion to Auschwitz, former Nazi concentration camp, a grim reminder of the Holocaust. In the evening, a cultural performance. 

Oct. 21/Thu -  KRAKOW-Wieliczka. Another day to explore Krakow's treasures with a visit to some of Krakow's famous museums such as the Czartoryski , home of Leonardo's Lady with an Ermine, and the Franciscan Church with stunning stained glass windows by Wyspianski. Enjoy coffee and pastry at the famous Jama Michalika cafe. We tour the fascinating museum of the Jagiellonian University where the great Polish astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus studied and where Polish film director, Andrzej Wajda's Oscar is on display. In the afternoon  an excursion is planned to Wieliczka, the oldest salt mine in Europe. Here, on a 2.5 mile tourist route below the surface discover fascinating sculptures, chapels, grottoes,  carved in rock salt and even an underground lake. Dinner in typical Krakow restaurant.  

Oct. 22/Fri - KRAKOW/Lowicz/WARSAW. Our coach returns today to the Polish capital. En route we will be hosted for lunch by Polish family in their country cottage. Continue to Warsaw for overnight and evening at leisure.

Oct. 23/Sat - WARSAW. Our last day in Warsaw is devoted to the visit of the Warsaw Insurrection Museum, unique presentation of the horrific attempt to liberate Warsaw in 1944.  Balance of the day at leisure. Farewell dinner in one of the finest restaurants of the Polish capital. This evening's attraction is the Chopin Competition winner's concert at the Warsaw Philharmonic.

Oct. 24/Sun - WARSAW/USA. After a leisurely breakfast, we depart for the Chopin Okecie Airport and board your return flight bound for home.

 

All Inclusive Cost:

from New York: $3,495

from Chicago: $3,595

Single Room Suppl.: $540

Rates from other cities available on request.

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