This tour begins with a two-night stay in Berlin. Travelers will enjoy both a panoramic city tour and two unique walking tours of the restored center, then continue by fast mainline train across the border into Poland. Caught between the German and Russian Empires, Poland has a long history of conflict and troubles, but it is also one of the great success stories resulting from the breakup of the former Soviet states of Eastern Europe.

Tour the grand historic cities of Poznan, Warsaw and Krakow with palace, cathedral and historic home visits. As we explore Warsaw, we marvel at the city's remarkable renaissance from the devastation of the Second World War. Included is a visit to the home of legendary composer and pianist Frederic Chopin, an exploration of the Wieliczka Salt Mine (the oldest operating salt mine in Europe and a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site), and a day-trip to the magnificent Tatra Mountains.

This tour features relaxing multi-night hotel stays and includes breakfast and dinner daily. Several special dinners are included in local restaurants. A few unique optional activities are available during the tour (at a small added cost), such as a wooden-raft trip down the Dunajec River Gorge. We see the railway museums at Sochaczew (narrow gauge) and Chabowka and, for contrast, ride fast mainline trains from Berlin to Poznan and on to Warsaw, from Warsaw to Krakow, and from Krakow back to Berlin, crossing the lovely countryside of former East Germany enroute. Complete details follow. All aboard!

Call 877-929-7245 for air fair and add-ons from your city.

• All rail and coach fares
• All hotels and hotel taxes
• Breakfast and dinner daily, two lunches
• City tours in Berlin, Poznan, Warsaw and Krakow; and the countryside tours to Wolsztyn, Sochaczew, Wieliczka, Chabowka, Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains.
• Admissions are included to the Rogalin Palace, the Sochaczew Narrow Gauge Museum, the Chopin Home, the Salt Mines, the Krakow Cathedral and St. Mary's church, and the Chabowka Railway Museum.
• Luggage handling is included throughout the tour except on the trains from Berlin to Poznan and Krakow to Berlin.
• Services of a professional tour manager

 Day One, Sunday, September 9 (D)
Tour Berlin. Flights arrive in Berlin today. In early afternoon enjoy a Panoramic City Tour enroute from the airport to our hotel for the next two nights, the centrally-located Four Star Hotel Hollywood Media. This unique hotel is themed to classic movies and offers modern rooms with full baths and air conditioning. Travelers will see Potsdamer Platz, the new city center, the Brandenburg Gate and the rebuilt Reichstag (Parliament) Building. Our welcome dinner in the evening is at the hotel.

 Day Two, Monday, September 10 (B,D)
Walking tour of central Berlin. Each participant has a “Berlin Welcome Card” for free use of all Berlin trams, buses and local trains and a “Berlin Museum Ticket” providing free admission to all state museums for use today and tomorrow. This provides great flexibility to break away from the pre-set program. In the morning enjoy a walking tour of the rebuilt historic center of Berlin with an English-speaking local guide. See the city center east district beginning with the Alexanderplatz, the Rotes Rathaus, the soaring TV Tower and the Museums Island. At the conclusion of the walk explore the Berlin Cathedral or the Old National Gallery. The afternoon is free to visit museums, ride the local trains or shop. The hotel is located in the heart of the shopping area on the famous Kurfustendamm Boulevard. In the evening dinners enjoyed in a local restaurant.

 Day Three, Tuesday, September 11 (B,D)
Berlin; train trip from Berlin to Poznan, Poland. In the morning the exploration of Berlin continues with a local guide. Concentrate is put on the area around the Brandenburg Gate, the historic center of the government district. See remnants of the Berlin Wall, the Potsdamer Platz and the Reichstag. In mid-afternoon board the train for Poznan, Poland. You will speed across the farmlands of former East Germany, crossing the border at Frankfort on the Oder. The Polish border region seems architecturally much like Germany, for much of this area was part of Germany from 1793 until the end of the First World War. Yet Poznan resisted the loss of its Polish identity and emerged after the First World War as a proudly Polish provincial capital. Poznan is actually the cradle of the Polish nation. As early as 1000 A.D., this was the seat of the first Polish kings. Poznan is noted for its beautiful Old Town center, with a lovely town hall and museums. Enjoy a two-night stay here at the superior Three Star Mercure Poznan Hotel in the heart of the city. All rooms have private bath and are air conditioned. This hotel has a very nice restaurant and is about a third of a mile from the Old Town district.

 Day Four, Wednesday, September 12 (B,L,D)
Mainline steam train journey from Wolsztyn; tour great house at Rogalin. You will transfer in the morning to the railway center at Wolsztyn. This is the last active mainline steam terminal in regular service in Europe. Here the Polish railways continue to operate steam-powered passenger and freight trains on several pretty rural branches. We travel on the steam service to Granowo and enjoy lunch in a nearby palace! In the afternoon you visit the magnificent palace/estate at Rogalin. A magnificent 18th century complex, the estate includes gardens, a forested park, and a fine art gallery as well as the main “great home”. This was the seat of the rich and powerful Raczynski family. The complex was damaged (but not destroyed) during World War II and has been beautifully restored. Dinner in the evening is at a local Poznan café.

 Day Five, Thursday, September 13 (B,D)
Tour Poznan; train trip to Warsaw; Warsaw panoramic city tour. In the morning you will have a coach tour of Poznan before taking a mid-day express train to Warsaw. Speed across the rich farmlands of central Poland to the noble historic capital city, where you’ll stay three nights at the Four Star Polonia Palace Hotel. This beautifully restored hotel, originally built in 1913, is located in the city center adjacent to the shops of the Galeria Centrum and the Palace of Culture and Science. All rooms are air conditioned and have private bath. The hotel is particularly noted for its spectacular included breakfasts! Upon arrival we enjoy a city orientation tour with dinner in the evening in a fine local restaurant.

 Day Six, Friday, September 14 (B,D)
Tour Warsaw. Tour the historic Warsaw city center, including Castle Square, King Sigismund’s Column, St. John’s Cathedral, the Old Town Market Square, the Barbican and Lenienki Park. The afternoon is free to visit museums or shop. Dinner is included at the hotel.

 Day Seven, Saturday, September 15 (B,L,D)
Sochaczew Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum; Chopin Home and Gardens. In the morning you drive to Sochaczew to visit Eastern Europe’s largest narrow gauge railway museum. Poland formerly had hundreds of miles of narrow-gauge branch line railways. While most have closed, here you can ride a little restored train through the beautiful Kampinowski Forest. The included lunch today is a Polish barbecue! In the afternoon, drive to Zelazowa Wola to visit the home of the legendary composer and pianist Frederic Chopin, who was born here in 1810. The home and its adjoining gardens have been lovingly restored as a memorial to Poland’s greatest musician. Evening dinner back at the hotel.

 Day Eight, Sunday, September 16 (B,D)
Train journey Warsaw to Krakow; walking tour of Krakow. In the morning you ride the fast Intercity train from Warsaw to Krakow. Upon arrival we transfer to the hotel for the next two nights, the Four Star Ostoya Palace . This lovely hotel occupies a restored 19th century palace in the heart of the historic center. All rooms are air conditioned with private bath.

In the afternoon you’ll have a guided walk of the elegant city center with an English-speaking local Polish guide. From the 11th to the mid-16th centuries, Krakow was the royal capital of ancient Poland. In the 19th century, the city became a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, regaining its Polish independence in 1918. The Old Town is both grand and compact and best seen on a walking tour. Visit the beautiful cathedral and historic St. Mary’s church and see the Royal Tombs, Sigismund’s Bell, the Royal Route, and Market Square. Enjoy dinner in the evening in a local restaurant.

 Day Nine, Monday, September 17 (B,D)
Tour the Wieliczka Salt Mines; optional visit to Auschwitz. In the morning travel into the countryside to visit the salt mines at Wieliczka. This series of tunnels and caverns has been active for over 700 years and is not only Europe’s oldest salt mining complex, but also the oldest established industry in Poland. Yet the tour here reveals much more than merely an industrial site. The mines are renowned for their cool and even climate and are long-believed to have curative/healing powers. An underground sanatorium was established here in the 19th century and, as you explore the mine chambers, there are views of underground chapels hewn from the solid salt deposits.

In the afternoon there is an option to purchase a half-day tour to view the museums at the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau. Alternatively, the afternoon could be used to further explore lovely Krakow. The city’s trams (trolley cars) pass our hotel and would be fun to ride. As noted, the historic area is adjacent as well. Dinner is served at the hotel.

 Day Ten, Tuesday, September 18 (B,D)
Visit Chabowka Railway Museum; tour the Tatra Mountains to Zakopane. You will drive west in the morning to visit the Chabowka Railway Museum. Built around a World War II era steam engine maintenance depot, it has grown into one of Eastern Europe’s largest railway museums. Here over 40 steam, diesel and electric engines are displayed with over 100 representative coaches and freight cars. Steam train rides usually are provided (operations depend on equipment availability).

In the afternoon we continue into the foothills of the magnificent Tatra Mountains, the alpine range that marks the Polish border with the Czech and Slovak Republics. There is an option to ride a wooden raft down the magnificent Dunajec River Canyon (additional charge of about $20 per person). The rafts actually are large ten-passenger canoes, steered by two raftsmen with long poles. The experience is an exciting “soft” adventure and presents close-up views of the wild mountain canyon.

Continue to the Tatra Mountain resort town of Zakopane, where we overnight at the Three Star Skalny Hotel. The hotel is located on a high point of land above town with breathtaking views of High Tatras National Park. The hotel is a beautiful contemporary chateau with a nice restaurant and an indoor pool and spa. All rooms have private bath.

 Day Eleven, Wednesday, September 19 (B,D)
Free morning in Zakopane; afternoon tour of the unique wooden architecture of nearby mountain towns. Enjoy a free morning in the mountain resort of Zakopane. Probably the most interesting excursions here would either be to ride the funicular (inclined) railway to the magnificent overlook on Mount Gubalowka or to take the cable car (aerial tramway) to the 6200-foot summit of Mount Kasprowry. Fares are under $10 U.S. for each trip.

In the afternoon you have a unique and highly scenic drive through the mountainous countryside. The first settlers of the Tatra region came from the northern areas of Poland in the 13th century. Beginning in the 15th century, wandering groups of shepherds from Italy also migrated to the area. These diverse cultural strands established the Polish Highlander culture. Tatra Mountain villages are full of traditional buildings, typically one-floor wooden houses with sloping, shingled roofs. These houses often are divided into “white" and “black" rooms. Descend from the mountains for another night’s stay at the Ostaya Palace Hotel in Krakow.

 Day Twelve, Thursday, September 20 (B,D)
All-day train trip through Poland and the former East Germany from Krakow to Berlin. Enjoy an all-day First Class train trip on the comfortable WAWEL Intercity train from Krakow through Wroclaw and Kunowice and into former East Germany. We travel through rich farmlands, deep forests and rolling hills as we travel northwest today. There is an option to purchase lunch in the diner before our late afternoon return to Berlin, where you’ll enjoy a final night and our Farewell Dinner at the Hotel Hollywood Media.

 Day Thirteen, Friday, September 21(B)
Tour ends with a transfer from the hotel to Berlin Templehof Airport today for flights home to all points in North America.

 Departure Dates:

• This tour operates alternate years and will be available again in 2009