Kosciuszko Freedom Tour of Poland
The Kosciuszko Foundation and the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin are pleased to present the
Kosciuszko Freedom Tour of Poland
July 10 - 22, 2010
$3,995
The Kosciuszko Foundation and the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin are pleased to offer you this historical educational tour of Poland.
Poland is a country with a rich tradition of democracy and tolerance where kings were elected to the throne and Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Protestants, Jews and Muslims lived and worshiped side by side. In 1791, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth drafted the first written democratic Constitution in Europe, second in the world only to the U.S. Constitution adopted in 1787. Come visit this ancient and romantic land and explore Poland's cultural and historical heritage as well as its present situation. Discover Poland, one of the most cosmopolitan countries in Europe and meet its warm and open people. Learn about its tumultuous history and how Thaddeus Kosciuszko, whose dedication to liberty in America and Poland, inspired the motto "For your freedom and ours".
Tour Itinerary:
Saturday, July 10 – Depart from New York on an overnight flight to Warsaw.
Sunday, July 11 – Warsaw Unpack and rest at your hotel before your orientation session, a brief introduction to the Polish language and a lecture on Polish history. Gather at the hotel restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Monday, July 12 – Warsaw Begin your day with a continuation of the Polish language class. Then enjoy learning more about the legendary figure in Polish and American history – Thaddeus Kosciuszko. Learn why Thomas Jefferson called him, "the purest son of liberty I have ever known." Visit the Historical Museum of Warsaw and see a special documentary film about the city. Take a guided walk around the Old Town and admire the reconstruction of the Royal Castle where you'll find an urn containing Kosciuszko's heart. Then get a feel for the city on a bus tour which will stop at Lazienki Gardens and Palace. This beautiful complex was formerly the summer residence of the Polish king, Stanislaw August Poniatowski.
Tuesday, July 13 – Warsaw Today you're invited to the American Embassy in Warsaw for a diplomatic briefing on Polish-American relations. Then discover the wonders of Wilanow, the magnificent Italian Baroque palace situated within a beautiful park on the outskirts of Warsaw. Built as a summer residence for the Polish king, this "Polish Versailles" is a museum boasting dozens of rooms filled with period furniture. After lunching at Wilanow, depart for Zelazowa Wola, the tiny village where Chopin was born. Enjoy visiting the composer's birthplace and listening to a piano recital.
Wednesday, July 14 – Warsaw In Poland, cemeteries are an important part of culture and history. Experience this aspect of Polish culture while visiting its most famous cemetery, Powazki, the place of rest of many significant figures in Polish history. Then onto our next stop, the Warsaw Uprising Museum which commemorates an important and tragic aspect of Polish heroism. You'll have the afternoon to yourself to explore the city on your own but, you'll spend dinner with a representative of Poland's political life and hear a discussion on Polish-American relations.
Thursday, July 15 – Warsaw/Lublin On your way to Lublin stop in Sosnowica where Kosciuszko fell in love which ultimately led to his role in the War of Independence in the United States. A lecture on this era of Polish history will highlight the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791 which brought democracy to Continental Europe even before the French Revolution. After a stroll and lunch in pleasant surroundings we depart for Kozlowka Palace, a sumptuous building with 500 paintings on display and a famous exhibit of Socialist Realist art. Travel to Lublin for a welcome dinner in the Old Town.
Friday, July 16 - Lublin Start the day with a presentation on the current Polish political scene and a meeting with the Rector of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. You'll hear stories about the institution where Karol Wojtyla taught for 24 years. Explore this academic city which was renowned as a meeting place of three different cultures: Western, Eastern and Jewish. Participate in a special meeting with the Governor of Lublin Province and at the end of the day enjoy dinner with a Polish family in their home.
Saturday, July 17 - Lublin Continue on your learning experience with a series of lectures: the first, on the economic and social aspects of the peaceful Polish revolution of 1989 which led to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War and the second, on the history and culture of Poland's Jewish population. After a short coach trip, wander the narrow streets and beautiful squares of the jewel of Polish Renaissance, Zamosc, whose Old Town complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and whose layout was modeled on the ideal Italian urban plan.
Sunday, July 18 – Lublin/Krakow Depart by coach for Krakow. Stop along the way at Sandomierz, a romantic town which boasts a marketplace and interesting Town Hall - it is well known for its 14th- to 16th- century architectural gems. Enjoy a walk by the Vistula River before lunch and then we'll depart for nearby Baranow Sandomierski to see its incredible castle known as "Little Wawel". Arrive in Medieval Krakow in time for dinner where you'll settle into your hotel located in the Old Town.
Monday, July 19 - Krakow Begin your visit of Krakow, home of one of the largest town squares in Europe, with a lecture on the history of Polish Art. Then explore Poland's most elegant city in a coach and on foot – the city is a true treasure trove of historic buildings and monuments. Walk around the old market square, the largest medieval square in the country, and see Kazimierz, the city's old Jewish district. Enjoy dinner and a concert in this historic city.
Tuesday, July 20 – Krakow Start the day with a visit to Wawel Hill and tour the magical Wawel Royal Castle – it is the seat of three dynasties of Poland's monarchs. You'll visit Wawel Cathedral, known not only for its giant bell, Zygmunt which dates from 1520, but also for the fact that it is the main burial site of Poland's monarchs, their family members as well as Poland's greatest national heroes including Thaddeus Kosciuszko. After lunch in the Old Town you may stay in town or opt to travel to Auschwitz, the former German concentration camp, now the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.
Wednesday, July 21 – Krakow Your last full day of the tour will start with a fascinating trip into the industrial past. A visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine Museum, where the rock salt deposits were mined without interruption from the 13th to the end of the 20th century and where exceptional works of art such as chapels with altars, chandeliers and statuary made of this untypical material can be admired. Return to Krakow for a free afternoon. Enjoy or rather, dissolve into tears during a special farewell dinner in the Old Town.
Thursday, July 22 – Return to USA.
TOUR CONDITIONS
RESERVATIONS/PAYMENTS: A deposit of $300 per person is required at the time of booking. Full payment is due May 25, 2010 payable by check. Price of the tour includes a built-in discount of 2% for payment by cash or check. There is no discount on credit card sales.
TOUR COST: Tour price is based on group airfare and currency exchange levels in effect at the time of printing. It is subject to adjustment in the event of significant changes in the exchange levels or any fuel surcharges imposed by the airlines. Lower prices may be available if airline ticket is purchased early.
TOUR/AIR ARRANGEMENTS: Air transportation will be provided via LOT economy class and made via PAT TOURS, 1285 Riverdale St., W. Springfield, MA 01089, Tel: (413) 747-7702.
Hotel accommodations will be provided in twin bedded rooms with private bath. Single rooms are available at the supplement shown. While every effort will be made to provide sharing accommodations for persons booking alone, when requested, it cannot be guaranteed and single supplement must be paid before departure when billed. Triple rooms are not available.
Unused hotel accommodations or any other unused features of this tour are not refundable or exchangeable for other services. The right is reserved to substitute hotels and sightseeing features if it becomes necessary.
Each tour member must be able to get on and off the motor coach unaided and not require walking devices or wheelchairs.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST: Costs of passports, items of a personal nature, phone calls, laundry, baggage handling, optional insurance, additional meals/beverages, gratuities to the tour guide and driver, domestic connection.
BAGGAGE: It is suggested that you travel with one suitcase not exceeding 50 lbs. Limit on carry-on bag is 13 lbs. It is advisable to pack a folding bag for purchases you make abroad.
NO VACCINATIONS are required by law.
DOCUMENTS: A valid US or foreign passport is required. To apply for a passport, contact your local Post Office. Check the validity of your passport. Passport should be valid for at least three months after your return date.
CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations must be made in writing to KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDTION. Full refund of the LAND TOUR will be made for cancellations received up to 45 days prior to departure less a $25 administrative fee. Between 45-36 days deposit of $300 is non- refundable. No refund will be made for cancellation received less than 35 days prior to departure. AIRLINE TICKETS, once issued, are governed by airline cancellation policies applicable to each ticket. After completion of the tour, claims for refund must be made in writing within 30 days.
INSURANCE: All-inclusive insurance (cancellation, accident/health, baggage, delays) is strongly recommended and will be offered to all tour participants with confirmation. If you have a pre-existing condition, insurance must be purchased within 7 days of deposit. Call PAT TOURS to request insurance application. Insurance premium is non-refundable once purchased.
RESPONSIBILITY: The JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF LUBLIN, Al. Raclawickie 14, 20-950, Tel: 48 81 445 41 38 acts only as an agent in making arrangements for ground transportation or any other service in connection with the itineraries of individual tour members who by acceptance thereof, acknowledge that the sponsoring organization, THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION, 15 E. 65th Street, New York, NY 10065, Tel: 212 734-2130 and/or its agents and suppliers shall not be liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity, liability or expense to person or property due to act or default of any hotel, carrier or other company or person providing or rendering of services included in the tours. Further, the sponsoring organization and/or its agents accept no responsibility for any sickness, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery breakdown, government restraints, wars, whether declared or not, riots, theft, weather condition, defect in any vehicle of transportation or for any misadventure or casualty or any other causes beyond their control. KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION reserves the right to cancel, change, and substitute any service and to decline to accept or retain any tour member at any time for any reason including insufficient number of participants. Printed March 2010.
TOUR COST INCLUDES:
Flights to Warsaw from New York with return from Krakow
Accommodations in first class hotels in twin-bedded rooms with bath
Three meals daily including dinners in choice restaurants
Comprehensive sightseeing tours with professional guides
Transfers between airport and hotel on arrival and departure
Hotel taxes and entrance fees to sites visited
Transportation between cities by private motor coach
Services of an English speaking escort throughout the tour
US departure tax, customs, security and fuel surcharges in effect at time of printing
Our Hotels:
WARSAW - Polonia Palace
LUBLIN - Lublinianka
KRAKOW - Pod Roza
Business class upgrade on transatlantic flights, one way or round trip, is available for additional cost.
Call PAT TOURS for information
To make a reservation, please complete the reservation form and mail to:
KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION
15 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10065
Tel: 1 212 734-2130 ext. 210; Fax 212 628-4552
e-mail: addy@thekf.org
RESERVATIONFORM: 2010 Kosciuszko Foundation Freedom Tour.
Enclosed is my deposit check $ ________ ($300 per person) payable to KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION to reserve_____seat(s) on the above tour, July 10 - 22, 2010.
Last Name/First Name (as appear in your passport) Date of Birth Passport # Exp. Date
Mr/Mrs/Ms
Mr/Mrs/Ms
Address _____ City State Zip
Room Occupancy: Double room: One bed________ Two beds ________
Single room_____________; Need roommate __________________
Sharing with: ________________________
Tel: (Day)_____________________(Evening)_________________
Domestic Flights: Please make arrangements for a round trip flight from my hometown city of _____________________________________
I have read and accepted the Tour Conditions on behalf of the above persons:
Signature _______________________________
e-mail:_________________________________________________
If requesting a roommate, please advise if smoking or non.
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