Day 1  Friday
Depart USA
Depart on your overnight flight to Poland's capital city, Warsaw.

Day 2  Saturday    D
Warsaw, Poland
Welcome to Warsaw and the Republic of Poland, bordering 7 European countries and the Baltic Sea. This strategic location has been both the country's blessing and curse. It helped mold past dynasties when powerful Polish kings joined league with the Bohemians and Hungarians. But as well it led to unwelcome attention, invasions, by Teutonic Knights, Prussians, the Ottoman Turks and others. Remainder of the day is free until the get-acquainted reception and dinner. Stay at the new Westin Warsaw Hotel, near the Old Town and Market Square. WESTIN WARSAW HOTEL

Day 3  Sunday    BL
Warsaw/Royal Castle
Join your local guide for sightseeing. Follow the "Royal Route", where famous monuments reflect the rich past: the Royal Castle, the twin-spire Church of the Holy Cross, and Lazienski Palace. Visit the Royal Castle, seat of kings from the 17th century. See the Knight's Hall and the paintings by Bellotto. These paintings were the resource used when reconstructing Warsaw's Old Town. The colorful Market Square is fascinating, carrying you back 600 years. See Radziwill Palace where Chopin played his first concert and the Warsaw Pact was signed in 1955. This evening enjoy a Chopin music concert. WESTIN WARSAW HOTEL

Day 4  Monday    BLD
Black Madonna/Krakow
Depart Warsaw, south through Polish countryside of farms and tranquil villages to Czestochowa and Jasna Gora Monastery. Monks settled here in the 14th century and became famous for heroic defense against the Swedish army 200 years later. Today's invaders are pilgrims, coming to see the Black Madonna. The icon, believed painted by Luke, author of the Gospel, traveled from Jerusalem and Constantinople before coming to the Monastery. Now it is Poland's holy icon. Afternoon arrival Krakow, one of the finest medieval cities of Europe. Krakow is a treasury of culture; its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay three nights at the SHERATON KRAKOW HOTEL.

Day 5  Tuesday    BD
Krakow/Wawel Castle/free time
Sightseeing includes a stroll through Krakow's Old Town to the Market Square, one of the largest in all Europe. See the intricate Gothic altar masterpiece in St. Mary's Church. Visit delightful Wawel Castle, the Royal Castle dating back 800 years with the famous tapestry collection from Flanders. Your afternoon is free. The craft shops in the Renaissance-style Cloth Hall are fun to browse or explore the Jewish quarter, setting for the movie, Schindler's List. Dinner is out on the town, with folklore entertainment. SHERATON KRAKOW HOTEL

Day 6  Wednesday    B
Krakow/Auschwitz/Wieliczka Salt Mine
You can enjoy free time in Krakow for your own explorations or join in the (included) excursions. It is your choice. This morning an excursion is provided to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous Nazi Concentration Camp of WWII, liberated by the Red Army in January 1945. This afternoon you can participate in the visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, unique in the world. Still a working mine, salt has been taken from the shafts for 700 years. Spacious chambers, chapels and crystal grottoes have been carved in the salt. The chapel is wired for electricity and also used as a concert hall. SHERATON KRAKOW HOTEL

Day 7  Thursday    BLD
Brno, Czech Republic
Cross the border to the Czech Republic. Though modest in size, the Republic has 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, evidence of its formidable past. Drive through Moravian countryside to Kromeriz, a medieval market town and seat for powerful Bishops from the 1200s. The Renaissance chateau has charming formal Italian gardens. Spend the night in Brno in southern Moravia. Your hotel dates from 1596 and is in the heart of town. HOTEL ROYAL RICC

Day 8  Friday    BD
Kutna Hora/Prague/Old Jewish Quarter
Visit Kutna Hora this morning. Silver was discovered nearby in the 13th century and the town became the richest in Bohemia. The town center is on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list. See affluent medieval merchant homes and the Gothic Cathedral, impressively unique. Midday arrival Prague, among the most beautiful cities worldwide. This afternoon walk through Josefov, the Old Jewish Quarter. Visit the oldest synagogue in Europe and see the remarkable cemetery, where space was so precious the graves were layered atop each other for centuries. RENAISSANCE PRAGUE HOTEL

Day 9  Saturday    BD
Prague Castle/St. Vitus Cathedral
Continue sightseeing of Prague. See Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square. Visit Prague Castle. The complex contains the Old Royal Palace, the Golden Lane and St. Vitus Cathedral. Walk to Stare Mesto (Old Town) square and see the astronomical clock. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Ancient lanes and byways beckon. Rejoin your fellow tour members for the farewell dinner at the RENAISSANCE PRAGUE HOTEL.

Day 10  Sunday    B
Conclude Prague
We hope you've enjoyed the best of Poland, Moravia and Bohemia. Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Or consider joining the Imperial Cities: Prague, Vienna & Budapest itinerary, for a remarkable vacation trip. Those taking both tours receive complimentary extended sightseeing or a concert performance in Prague.