POLAND 2020

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNCG'S EMERITUS SOCIETY PROGRAM

WITH GUEST LECTURER DR. JEFF JONES

JUNE 14 to 23, 2020

$3850 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

Single Supplement $1025

Tour includes 9 nights accommodation, 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, all trip-related admissions and guides, transportation and gratuities. Cost does not include airfare, airport transfer or alcoholic beverages.

TRIP BEGINS AND ENDS IN WARSAW

 SUNDAY, JUNE 14th

TOUR BEGINS AT 3:00 P.M.

Begin our trip with a welcome and introductions before stepping outside the doors of the Bristol into the world of Old Town where we are guided through the sites of pre-war Warsaw.

DINNER :: KUZNIA SMAKU

A charmingly traditional restaurant just steps from our hotel

 MONDAY, JUNE 15th

Professor Jones gives his first talk, Early Polish History-late 18th Century: Christianization & the Partition of Poland

WARSAW UPRISING MUSEUM

Opened in 2004 on the 60th anniversary of the Uprising, the museum is renowned for the vivid and moving witness it provides of the Poles valiant if doomed 1944 revolt.

LUNCH :: BESAMIN

We grab quick lunch at the Polin Museum’s restaurant before beginning our tour.

POLIN MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF POLISH JEWS

Opened in 2014 on the former site of the Warsaw ghetto, this spectacular museum--as noted for its architecture as for its programing--has quickly become one of Warsaw’s greatest cultural assets

DEPART BY DIRECT TRAIN FOR KRAKOW 

We are in luck. Polish trains are new, fast and luxurious!

 TUESDAY, JUNE 16th

We begin our introduction to Krakow with a walking tour of Old Town before moving on to the WAWEL HILL COMPLEX

LUNCH :: WESELE

A delicious lunch in the heart of Old Town Krakow

THE SEWERYN UDZIELA MUSEUM OF ETHNOGRAPHY

We receive a guided tour of Poland’s rich and variety folk traditions in this museum known for its prized collections of costumes, crafts and artifacts.

DINNER :: RESTAURANT STARKA

Our 'vodka dinner', Restaurant Starska specializes in excellent food served with an equally excellent variety of vodkas—and Poland specializes in vodka. We’ll spend some time sipping our way into greater vodka knowledge as we dine at this small and delicious spot

 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17th

We focus this morning on the long, deep and often tragic history of Jewish life in Krakow including a walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto and a guided tour of OSKAR SCHINDLER’S ENAMEL FACTORY MUSEUM

LUNCH ::  SZARA

Our delightful exploration of Poland’s fine culinary tradition continues

WIELICZKA SALT MINE

Opened in the 13th century and continuously operated until the late 1990’s, we tour these salt mines and take a trip into 700 years of Polish history.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18th

AUSCHWITZ BIRKENAU

It seems best to let this experience speak for itself as we go to bear witness to one of history’s great crimes. Please note that this is an optional trip for participants some of whom may prefer to have a day of self guided exploration in and around Krakow

Professor Jones gives his next talk: Poland as an Avenue of Invasion: the Napoleonic Period, World War I & World War II

DINNER: POD NOSSEM

We dine well tonight in this elegant and delicious spot

 FRIDAY, JUNE 19th

DEPART BY DIRECT TRAIN TO GDANSK

We arrive in time to stretch our legs and get acquainted with one of Poland’s other great cities, Gdansk.  For over a thousand years and through ever changing allegiances, Gdansk has been a mighty maritime trading center. This history has given it a unique flavor in both spirit and architecture.

OPEN DINNER

SATURDAY, JUNE 20th

We begin our day with our next talk by Professor Jones, World War II (cont'd) & the Holocaust in Poland

TOUR OF THE MARITIME MUSEUM

We take an in depth look at what makes Gdansk Gdansk, its abiding relationship with the Baltic Sea

MUSEUM OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR II

Opened in early 2017, the museum has quickly become one of the ‘must see‘ cultural institutions in Gdansk and is considered by many to now be the best World War II museum in the world

DINNER :: GDANSKI BOWKE

Beautiful located on the banks of the Vistula, Gdanski Bowke serves delicious traditional food in charming surroundings

 SUNDAY, JUNE 21st

Professor Jones concludes with his last lecture, Cold War & Post-Communist Poland

EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CENTER

This highly regarded center is dedicated not only to telling Solidarity’s story but to those of other Cold War labor and resistance movements in Eastern Bloc

CASTLE OF THE TEUTONIC ORDER, MALBORK

Another must see--and another UNESCO World Heritage Site--this 13th century building is thought to be the largest castle in the world and tells the fascinating story of the Teutonic Knights and their critical role in Polish history.

DINNER OPEN

MONDAY, JUNE 22nd

DEPART BY DIRECT TRAIN TO WARSAW

OPEN AFTERNOON

FAREWELL DINNER :: DELICJA POLSKA

This is where Warsaw citizens celebrate special occasions as do we tonight!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23th

Tour ends with breakfast