Submerge yourself in the rich tapestry of European history by stepping into the very places where it unfolded. History in Poland isn't just confined to museums—it lives in the cobblestone streets and the stories carried by its people. Every town holds a unique and powerful narrative waiting to be discovered.
Indulge in the flavours of tradition with pierogi in Kraków, walk through the haunting yet essential memorial at Auschwitz, and follow in the footsteps of royalty along Warsaw’s majestic Royal Route. From medieval castles to vibrant market squares, Poland offers an unforgettable journey through time not to be missed.
Located on the banks of the Vistula River, Warsaw is a vibrant city with charming tree-lined streets, historic 17th and 18th-century churches, and stunning architecture.
After arriving in Warsaw Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy some leisure time to explore at your own pace.
Breakfast
With a free day ahead, consider visiting the Warsaw Rising Museum to delve into the city's rich history. Alternatively, explore the iconic Palace of Culture and Science, or relax with a coffee at the rooftop garden oasis atop the University of Warsaw Library, offering stunning views of the city.
Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. Take the opportunity to visit local attractions, shop for souvenirs, or simply relax and soak in the atmosphere. In the evening, you will meet the rest of the group to prepare for the next leg of your journey.
Breakfast
Begin your day with a guided tour of Warsaw, delving into its rich history along the Royal Route. Admire the striking statues and historic churches that line this famous path. Visit the scenic Royal Łazienki Park, home to Chopin’s monument, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the cobbled streets, stopping at the Royal Castle Square and St. John’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, journey north to the coastal city of Gdańsk, where you can look forward to exploring its maritime heritage and vibrant culture.
Breakfast
Dive into Gdańsk's maritime heritage with a guided tour featuring the majestic Neptune Fountain and the historic Artus Court, both symbols of the city's golden era. Later, marvel at the breathtaking Oliwa Cathedral, famous for its intricate Rococo pipe organ. Spend your afternoon exploring Gdańsk at your own pace, wandering through its charming streets and uncovering its rich history.
Breakfast
Depart for Toruń, stopping enroute at the imposing Malbork Castle, once the stronghold of the Teutonic Knights. Upon arrival in Toruń, take a tour of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its exquisite Gothic architecture. See the statue of Nicolaus Copernicus, the medieval town walls, The magnificent Old Town Hall is not only one of the most historically significant landmarks in the city but also stands as one of the largest and most stunning architectural masterpieces of its kind in Europe.
Breakfast
Travel to Wrocław, a city renowned for its numerous bridges and vibrant facades. Upon arrival, you will take part in a tour of this picturesque city, where historic tenement houses line the charming Square. Visit Ostrów Tumski, the oldest district in Wrocław, with its skyline dominated by the impressive spires of its cathedrals. This area, rich in history and architectural beauty, offers a glimpse into the city's past and its enduring cultural heritage.
Breakfast
Today you head to Kraków with two significant stops along the way. First, visit the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, home to the revered Black Madonna. Then, pay tribute at Auschwitz-Birkenau, As the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp, this haunting site stands as a powerful testament to the horrors of the Holocaust and the resilience of the human spirit. Walking through the barracks, gas chambers, and remnants of the railway tracks, you are confronted with the scale of suffering endured by over a million victims. The museum’s exhibits, personal artifacts, and solemn memorials serve as stark reminders of history’s darkest chapter, ensuring that the world never forgets.
Breakfast
Step back in time on a guided tour of Kraków’s Old Town. Visit the historic Barbican and Floriańska Gate, marvel at the grand Cloth Hall in the Square and explore the Collegium Maius courtyard of the Jagiellonian University, one of Europe’s oldest institutions. Enter the magnificent St. Mary’s Church, known for its wooden altarpiece. The afternoon is yours to explore or join an optional excursion.
Breakfast
Enjoy a final breakfast in Kraków before departing for your onward journey to the UK or why not extend your stay in Krakow by adding on a few extra nights.
Use discount code TOUR200 at the checkout to save £200 per person on selected tours departing in May 2026
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. Poland follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Poland, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit. We strongly advise you to check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding required passport validity and/or the FCDO https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details, including terminal, airline and baggage allowance, will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
Airport Extras: If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Poland is the Polish złoty. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour to withdraw money in your local currency.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks. Approximately £300-£400 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases.
Tipping
It is at your discretion to tip both your driver and guide. We would recommend to tip in the local currently and approximately PLN 150 per person for this tour for the driver and PLN 200 for the guide. At restaurants it is recommended to tip 10% on the final bill, housekeepers and porters etc PLN 10 is acceptable. Tips are accepted in the local currency.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 35. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of the tour. Should the tour not meet minimum numbers, then it will be operated with local guides only.
Your extension stay in Warsaw is not escorted by a tour guide. All internal transfers are included.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way, so to ensure your comfort and well-being, two bottles of drinking water will be provided on touring days.
On your arrival in Poland, you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Furnel Travel International, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ Furnel Travel representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
