Poland Reborn

The City That Chose to Be Reborn

We meet at the airport and board our direct Aegean Airlines flight to Warsaw. Upon arrival, we begin our first introduction to the Polish capital with a short panoramic tour, offering an insight into its history and its vibrant contemporary character.

Warsaw was devastated on an immense scale during the Second World War, yet its reconstruction went far beyond rebuilding its streets and buildings—it became an act of collective memory. The city we see today combines its meticulously reconstructed historic heart with contemporary architecture, cultural venues and a dynamic urban atmosphere.

Transfer to the hotel, check-in and time to relax.

Memory and the Royal Face of Warsaw

Today is dedicated to discovering Warsaw. We begin at Castle Square and the Sigismund's Column, before continuing into the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most remarkable examples of post-war reconstruction.

In the Market Square, we encounter the Warsaw Mermaid, the city's iconic symbol, before strolling through the Cathedral of St. John, its historic streets and landmarks that tell the story of Warsaw's royal and civic heritage. Our sightseeing also includes the Palace of Culture and Science and the sites associated with the memory of the former Jewish Ghetto and the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

Later, we visit the gardens of Wilanów Palace, the historic royal residence of King John III Sobieski. Their elegant symmetry, tree-lined avenues and Baroque setting reveal a more aristocratic side of Warsaw. Entrance to the palace gardens is included.

Return to the city centre and enjoy free time for a stroll, a coffee or the opportunity to sample local flavours.

From Textile Mills to a City of a Hundred Bridges

After breakfast, we depart for western Poland, with our first stop in Łódź, a city that grew around the textile industry and has transformed much of its industrial heritage into vibrant spaces for culture, art and contemporary creativity.

Along Piotrkowska Street, the city's historic thoroughfare, and through its revitalised industrial districts, we discover a side of Poland very different from that of its royal cities. Here, the old factories were not demolished—they were given a second life.

We continue to Wrocław, built along the Oder River, among islands and bridges. In the Market Square, we admire the city's colourful architecture and its historic Town Hall. We also pass the University and the riverbanks before reaching Ostrów Tumski, the Cathedral Island and the oldest part of the city.

Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

A Place of Remembrance

After breakfast, we depart for the Auschwitz–Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Today's visit is not approached as just another sightseeing stop. It is a carefully guided encounter with historical testimony and the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution. Entrance and the guided tour are included.

At Auschwitz I, the preserved buildings, exhibitions and historical artefacts present the operation of the camp and the daily lives of its prisoners. At Auschwitz II–Birkenau, the vast scale of the site, the railway tracks, the remains of the gas chambers and crematoria, and the memorials to the victims reveal the industrialised nature of mass extermination.

More than 1.1 million people lost their lives at the camp complex, the vast majority of them Jews, alongside Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and many others. The visit concludes without unnecessary commentary; the site itself calls for time, reflection and silence.

We then continue to Krakow, where we check in to our hotel and enjoy time to rest.

The Royal Heart of Poland

Today is dedicated to Krakow, the former royal capital of Poland and one of the best-preserved historic cities in Central Europe.

We follow the Royal Route towards Wawel Hill, where the castle and cathedral are closely linked with coronations, royal dynasties and defining moments of Polish history. In the heart of the Old Town, we reach Rynek Główny, home to the Sukiennice Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica. The medieval square remains the vibrant centre of the city.

We continue to Kazimierz, the historic district where Jewish and Christian Krakow coexisted for centuries. Its synagogues, courtyards and streets preserve the memory of a community that profoundly shaped the city's identity.

After the guided walk, enjoy free time to experience Krakow at your own pace.

A World Carved in Salt

After breakfast, we depart for Wieliczka, one of Europe's oldest and most important historic salt mines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The guided Tourist Route takes us approximately 135 metres below the surface. Along a journey of around 3.5 kilometres, we discover underground chambers, wooden structures, salt lakes, sculptures and chapels carved entirely from salt. The highlight is the Chapel of St. Kinga, a spectacular underground space created by generations of miners. Entrance and the guided tour are included.

The route includes approximately 800 steps, around 380 of which are part of the initial descent, while the return to the surface is made by lift. After completing the visit, transfer to Krakow Airport and direct flight back to Athens.