POLAND & UKRAINE & SLOVAKIA 8 DAYS

For many Polish people Krakow is the most beautiful city in their homeland and the most important cultural metropolis. Every stone can share its history here. Historical background, its colorfulness and rousing music immerse tourists into the unbelievable atmosphere. The old part of the city belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage List. We look around the biggest medieval market square in Europe, Cloth Hall, the building of Jagiellonian University. We also visit marvelous St. Mary’s Basilica with famous Krakow High Altar, carved from lime-wood and two characteristic towers of various height and architecture. Every hour you can hear trumpet melodies, which stop abruptly to commemorate the guards shot by arrows in attempt to warn the city of tartars’ attack. We make a sightseeing tour around Jewish district of Kazimierz on the left bank of the Vistula with its nice cafes, galleries and antique shops. Kazimierz was the location of the famous movie “Schindler’s List”. Among other things, we see the former Kazimierz Town Hall, the Corpus Christi Church and the Synagogue. In the afternoon you have free time to discover the city on your own. In the evening, we have dinner at the hotel.

Once done with the breakfast we leave Krakow. After the usual formalities while crossing the border and an hour and a half drive you will be warmly welcomed in Lviv, the biggest city of Western Ukraine and the cultural capital of the country. After check-in at the hotel and a small break, we take a city tour through the city center of Lviv with our English-speaking city guide. Lviv, Lvov, Lwów, Lemberg, Leopolis – with its Ukrainian, Polish, Soviet and German background, Lviv is many cities in one city, and with a rich architectural heritage reflecting all legacies. The whole city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discovering the city on foot, we get acquainted with the versatility of architectural styles implemented in historical churches and houses, visit the Armenian and the Jewish quarters and see the famous Opera House. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Lviv.

After the breakfast, we leave Lviv and visit the Olesko Castle, the oldest surviving castle in Galicia, as well as the magnificent but now dilapidated former Pidhirtsi Palace. Both are associated with the Sobieski family. Its story was closely linked to the political struggle between Poland, Lithuania and Hungary. While strolling through the castle’s halls you listen to a fabled story of the birth of a Polish king. The castle in Pidhirtsi would obviously be a splendid piece in the Galician crown, if it were not in a bit neglected condition. Back then, it did not trail behind other Western European castles. The castle was often the scene of amusing events, festivities and permanent receptions for the local nobility. Here you also hear a story of a Woman in White that haunts these lands during full moon. In the afternoon we come back to Lviv.

After the breakfast, we leave Lviv to visit Pochaiv Monastery (Pochaivska lavra) – the largest monastery in Western Ukraine, and the second largest men’s monastery in Ukraine. It is said to be founded by monks who fled from the Kyivan Cave Monastery at the time of the Tatar invasion in 1240. Our next stop is in Lutsk – the largest city in the Volyn region. Founded in 1085, Lutsk owes its rapid development to its convenient location on the King’s Highway between the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and Poland. Lubart’s Castle remained in its original form until our days – one of the few remaining monuments of the Lithuanian principality in the Ukraine. The medieval construction dates back to the second half of the 14th century and houses a few interesting collections. It is also breathtaking to visit the underground passages that for centuries connected Lutsk with the surrounding villages. However, the visit is optional because the catacombs are constantly under constructions and are not always accessible to the guests. Nevertheless, the Catholic Peter and Paul Church, under which this labyrinth and prison cell complex lies, always welcomes visitors. The Lutheran Church, the Trinity Cathedral, many houses from the 16th – 19th century and even a mysterious chimera house, decorated with unusual fairy tale characters, complete your impression of Lutsk. In the evening, we leave Lutsk to come back to Lviv for dinner and overnight stay.

In the morning, we leave Lviv and head to Mukachevo through the Carpathians. In Mukachevo we will take a walk around the city center and explore its magnificent churches and houses of Hungarian time. Hungarian past of the city can be felt everywhere whether it is the city hall in Art Nouveau on the market square, the white residence of Rakoczi family or the chapel of Saint Joseph. We also pay a visit to Palanok castle. Situated on 68-meter high massif of volcanic origin, the castle is visible from all parts of the city. The castle dates back to 13th century and for a long time it belonged to Rakoczi family. This proud castle comprises 130 rooms and serves as museum nowadays We would certainly help you to plunge into the wine tradition in Transcarpathia. A highlight of this day is the wine tasting in Serednie. In the oldest and largest wine cellar in Transcarpathia, we enjoy the delicious local wine, while the guide tells us the secrets of local viticulture. Among other things, we hear a bewildering story on how the Soviet government destroyed thousands of hectares of vineyards in the course of anti-alcohol campaign. The next stop for today is in Uzhhorod. The city is located in the triangle area between Hungary, Slovakia and Ukraine. The city ’s unique location and influence of many different cultures have made it definite destination on the tourist map. Uzhhorod is also well-known for its greenery – walking through city streets, you understand that Uzhhorod has its own, discrepant from other cities rhythm. You get a feeling of eternal peacefulness. It is no wonder that people here are happy as no one in a hurry. After the dinner in the city we are heading to the last planned city – Košice, fascinating crossroad of modern and historical Europe and the second largest city in Slovakia and have a stay in hotel.

On this day, after the breakfast, you will have an opportunity to discover the city more closely. Košice is famous for the variety of its geographic landscapes. Along the main street we experience the life of city and explore its most important tourist sites. In the middle of the city is situated the Elizabeth’s Cathedral – indisputable dominant of 15th century, which was built in the East-Gothic style. Nowadays the cathedral is the biggest in Europe. We also see St. Michael’s Cathedral, Urban Tower and Neo-Baroque State Theatre. Not without reason, the city obtained the title of the cultural capital of Europe in 2013. The rest of the day is at your disposal.

Well, our program comes to its end. You take with you unforgettable impressions and the great feeling of having experienced something special. You have spent your time in Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia and learned about culture, and new traditions. We hope that we have managed to persuade you to come here once more in the future. We always welcome you here!