9/13-OVERSEAS FLIGHT FROM DENVER TO PRAGUE Day 1 9/14 Arrival in Prague Arrive in Prague Meet English speaking guide and board motorcoach for transfer to the hotel. Check in at the hotel. Overnight in Prague. Day 2 9/15 Prague Half day visit of Prague with local English speaking guide Breakfast will be followed by a sightseeing tour of Prague which will include a visit to Castle Hill, Charles Bridge and the Market Square. Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than some other major cities in the region, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form. It contains one of the world's most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic, Neo- Classical and ultra-modern. Overnight in Prague. Day 3 9/16 Prague - Zakopane Check out of hotel and travel to Zakopane. Check in at the hotel. Free time Day 4 9/17 Zakopane Half day city tour of Zakopane with local English speaking guide. Zakopane is one of Poland s prime tourist destinations and retains a charm which today also attracts thousands of foreign visitors. The town, with its stunning scenic surroundings, is located in the Tatrzański National Park in the heart of the magnificent Tatra Mountains. Zakopane is also well known for its unique wooden architecture, style of decoration and tasty regional dishes. In the afternoon meeting with National Park representatives (booked through Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado) Overnight in Zakopane.
Day 5 9/18 Zakopane. Guided natural history day hike in Tatra National Park Five Polish Lakes Valley Five Polish Lakes' Valley is one of the most characteristic and picturesque areas of the Tatra Mountains, where rugged high mountain scenery joins with serenity of great post-glacial lakes and wide meadows. The valley is situated north to the main Tatra ridge on the Polish side of the mountains and remains a popular hiking target throughout the whole year. The valley occupies the upper level of the Dolina Roztoki Valley. It is bound on the north by a high ridge stretching from Swinica Peak to Krzyzne Pass and Woloszyn massif, and on the south by the main Tatra ridge and a prominent, lateral ridge of Miedziane that separates it from Rybiego Potoku valley with famous Morskie Oko Lake. The beauty of the valley is enhanced by a number of lakes, among which, one, Wielki Staw, is the biggest and the deepest (79 m) in the Tatras. A stream coming out of Wielki Staw Lake that falls down to Roztoki valley forms the biggest Tatra waterfall - Siklawa. Day 6 9/19 Zakopane Dunajec river raft Raft trip Dunajec George Dunajec Gorge Raft Trip You can enjoy a gentle raft trip set against a wonderful backdrop of forests and sheer limestone crags. Starting from Sromowce Katy, you will embark on wooden rafts navigated downstream by local raftsmen in traditional regional costume. The journey takes 2 to 3 hours depending on the water level and ends in Szczawnica Return to Zakopane. Overnight.
Day 7 9/20 Zakopane Half day tour with local English speaking guide, tickets for Kasprowy Wierch cable car. Kasprowy Wierch, lying at an altitude of 1987 meters above sea level, is situated in the center of the Polish Tatras. It is beautifully surrounded by the Gasienicowe Tarns Valley, the Goryczkowa Valley, the Kasprowa Valley, and (in Slovakia) the Silent Valley. On top of Kasprowy Wierch there is a restaurant, small hotel and a few stands. There is also a meteorological observatory built in 1937, which is the highest situated building in Poland. In the afternoon enjoy a carriage ride in Zakopane. Overnight in Zakopane. Day 8 9/21 Zakopane Demianowska Valley - Zakopane Travel to Demianowska valley to visit the famous Demianowska Cave and Chopok. Today you will head in the direction of the Low Tatras and Demianowska Valley to see the most beautiful cave in the extensive Demianowska cave system. Freedom Cave, boasts a wealth and variety of karst formations. The cave features not only white dripstone but yellow, pink, red and violet variations, too. All of these dripstone formations are living and growing and are characterized by a unique polished appearance, which in other caves is a rarity. In its entirety (together with the neighbouring Jaskinia Pusta Cave), the cave system is 8900 meters in length. You can then take a dip in the nearby thermal baths at the foot of the Low Tatras or, alternatively, take the chair lift to the summit of Mount Chopok (2024 m), a popular viewing point. The northern and southern slopes of Chopok, the second highest peak in the main ridge of Low Tatras (2024 m a.s.), is the best ski terrain in Slovakia. You can get to Chopok by a seat funicular from Demianowska dolina -Jasna or from Bystra dolina -Srdiecko (a touristic center). Chopok is suitable for short walks and also for difficult ridge touristic activities. Several restaurants are available. Overnight in Zakopane.
Day 9 9/22 Zakopane - Krakow Transfer from Zakopane to Krakow. On the way, stop to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This unique phenomenon was once described as being as remarkable as the Pyramids and more useful! Rooms, passages, great chambers, underground lakes of remarkable colors and chapels with superb statues all carved from salt. Today this is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage monument and one of the most renowned attractions in the Krakow area. Arrive in Krakow. Check in at the hotel. Free afternoon. Overnight Krakow. Day 10 9/23 Tour of Krakow Buffet Breakfast. Meet with English speaking guide at the hotel for a morning tour of Krakow. Krakow - Having escaped destruction during World War II, the city uniquely retains its charming medieval shape. The central Market Square the largest in Europe is where several of the city s architectural and cultural landmarks can be found, and also where the life of the city focuses. In the middle of the square there is the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice, 14 th c.), today hosting a gallery of Polish painting on the first floor, and there is a market selling local artefacts and souvenirs on the ground floor. Opposite the Cloth Hall is St. Mary s Church, world-famous for its altar carved by Wit Stwosz. Krakow is also a university center with the Jagiellonian University founded in 1364 one of the oldest in Europe. Collegium Maius the oldest university building, today the University Museum, is located near the Market Square. The Royal Route leads along Grodzka Street up to Wawel Hill from which the Royal Residence and the Cathedral overlook the Vistula River. Wawel Castle is an interesting example of Renaissance architecture, which houses one of the largest collections of tapestries in Europe. The Cathedral was the coronation place of many Polish kings, and their last resting place. Your tour includes the Castle and Cathedral. Other must-see monuments include Barbican, Florianska Gate, and numerous churches, each rich in history. Overnight at the hotel In Krakow. Day 11 9/24 Transfer to Krakow Airport for Departure to United States Check out of the hotel and depart for airport Transfer by motorcoach to Krakow Balice Airport for departure to U.S.
The below mentioned price includes: - Accommodations in Four and Five Star Hotels: - Buffet breakfast daily at the hotels. - English speaking assistance throughout the trip - Local English speaking guide in Prague on day 2 (half day service) - Local English speaking guides in Zakopane (Tatra guides) on days: 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 - Coach transfers according to the itinerary 49 seat coach included (WC & AC on coach) - Entrances to Demianowska Valley (Cave of Liberty and Ice Cave) - Tickets for Chopok Mountain - Tickets for Kasprowy Wierch and for Gubalowka Mountain - Local English speaking guide in Krakow on Day 10 - Entrances to Wawel Cathedral and St Mary Church in Krakow - Entrance to Tatra National Park for 6 days - Tickets for Dunajec River George - Carriage rides in Zakopane - Local tax in Zakopane and Krakow - Tour Wieliczka Salt Mine - Transfer to Krakow Balice Airport Prices do not include any services not specified above, especially: - Lunches and dinners - Alcoholic beverages - Porterage service for luggage - Services not mentioned above - Air fares from Denver (or home city) to Prague and return from Krakow (see information about special group airfare package) - Items of a personal nature - Travel protection insurance not included, highly recommended (information below)
A valid passport is required for this tour. scheduled return date (advisable at least through March 31, 2012). Passport must be valid at least six months after AIRFARE PACKAGE PRICES A group airfare package through United Airlines has been reserved for this tour. The itinerary leaves Denver on September 13 at 1:55 p.m. flying direct to Frankfurt and connecting to Prague arriving Sept. 14 at 1:00 p.m. local time (7 hour time difference). The return flight leaves Krakow at 10:50 a.m. local time on Sept. 24 connecting in Frankfurt and Washington Dulles arriving back in Denver on the 24 th at 11:35 p.m. local time. The price of the airfare is guaranteed and the taxes are based upon what is in effect at time of ticketing, currently the total roundtrip airfare is $1,323.00. Participants may earn United MileagePlus miles and may also use miles to upgrade service. Early departures or later returns may be available based upon airline space availability; a ticket change fee may be required after date of ticketing. Persons desiring to take advantage of this great airfare package should indicate this when they register. Airline payment will be required in full on June 3, 2011 to take advantage of this special package. LAND PACKAGE PRICES Price per person in USD based upon exchange rate as of 8/27/10 Group of min 12 passengers In Twin/DBL room $2739 per person Single supplement $600 Prices subject to change based on currency rate fluctuations, fuel surcharges, changes in taxes and fees. A deposit of $500 per person will be required with reservation by June 3, 2011. Deposit is refundable up to June 27. Final payment must be completed by June 27. After June 27, 2011, no refunds can be made. Optional travel protection insurance is available and is advisable. Two websites for prices and information: www.travelexinsurance.com and www.insuremytrip.com