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TOURS
KRAKOW & THE DUNAJEC BIKE PATH
MASURIA
KRAKOW & THE DUNAJEC BIKE PATH
8 day Independent or Guided Tour
Many of the most beautiful cycle paths in Europe run along river valleys flanked by mountains and hills. They follow ancient trade routes, through little towns full of beautiful historic buildings. The routes take us along the old towpaths, just above the water level, where for centuries horses pulled boats and rafts upstream. Although these routes lead into the mountains, the cycle path along the river is gentle and pleasant. A well known attraction on the Dunajec are the countless wooden rafts moving up and down the river. A few years ago the opening of new border crossings made the paths through the Pieniny hills on the Slovakian side along the famous gorge accessible to visitors. You will also come across the authentic folk traditions of the Goral and Spisz people. As you follow the cycle trails through the villages of Podhale you feel almost like a pioneer of the last century.
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Krakow
Individual arrival. Stroll through the old town this evening during your free time.
Day 2: Krakow - Zakopane (approx. 25-30 km/16-19)
You start with a cycle tour through Krakow, the former capital of Poland and residence of the Polish kings. Experience the wonderful atmosphere of this city. Afterwards bus transfer to the village of Zab (approx. 2,5 hours), where you start another bike tour to Gobalowka. Enjoy the gorgeous panorama of the High Tatra. On the confluence of the rivers Poroniec and Zakopiankath, the White Dunajec emerges.
Day 3: Zakopane - Lopuszna (approx. 60 km/38 miles)
You start with a cable car ride to the top of the Gubalowka. In the winter this area is Polands best ski area. You then cycle to Chocholow, a village famous for it´s "living open air museum" . Via the moor of "Puscizna" you reach the valley of Cichy Potok ("the quiet stream") and the village of Nowy Targ, the center of the Gorale people. Soon after you reach the historic villages of Waksmund and Lopuszna.
Day 4: Lopuszna - Niedzica (approx. 30 km/19 miles)
You follow the river Bialka till the impressive gorge at Nowa Biala. You are now in the region of Spisz, which has a rich history and unique culture. Until 1918 this area was part of Hungary and home of several ethnic groups: Gorale and Ruthenians lived in the villages, Germans in the towns and Hungarian nobility in the castles.
Day 5: Niedzica - Szczawnica (approx. 35-40 km/22-25 miles)
You cross the border to Slovakia and ride to the village of Cerveny Klasto (Red Monastery). Admire the highest point of the Pieniny mountain range, the imposing three peaks of Trzy Krony (Three Crowns). You will feel like you are in a different world once you enter the Dunajec gorge - as breathtaking scenery awaits you. Next you cycle through another gorge, Lessnicky Potek, before you return to Poland and reach the small spa town of Szczawnica.
Day 6: Szczawnica - Rytro (approx. 60 km/38 miles)
Between two ranges of the Beskid mountains lies the "green Dunajec Gorge". You ride over a suspension bridge to the right river bank, on small paths through farming hamlets, beautifully decorated with flowers, until Lacko (known for Slivovitz production) and on to Rytro, an old feudal village.
Day 7: Rytro - Krakow (approx. 15-25 km/19-22 miles)
You start with a beautiful downhill ride through the Porad Valley to Stary Sacz, one of the most interesting towns in Southern Poland. From here you return by bus (approx. 2,5 hrs.) to Krakow, where you spend the night in the quiet Kazimieerz district, once the Jewish quarter. Enjoy your last evening of the tour with Klezmer Music.
Day 8: Krakow
Individual departure or extension.
AIRPORT / TRANSFERS
International flights go in/out of Krakow. There is a regular public bus shuttle into the central city.
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TOUR RATING: Easy
The cycling routes are flat to slightly hilly, short uphill stretches and gradual downhill stretches, on quiet side roads and forest trails.
INDEPENDENT TOUR - SCHEDULE and PRICE
| DATES 2012 |
| Depart every Saturday from May 19th to September 8th |
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| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$940 |
| Recommended for children 12 years and older: |
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| Single supplement: |
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$150 |
| Upgrade to all 3 and 4 star hotels |
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$175 |
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| This tour includes: |
• 7 nights accommodation in a mix of 2 and 3 star inns and country hotels. All rooms with private facilities
• breakfast AND dinner each day.
• 21 speed trekking bicycle with pannier.
• maps & road guide book
• luggage transportation from hotel to hotel.
• 7 day phone service hotline
• Klezmer concert
• 2 x bus transfers (Krakow-Zab, Stary Sacz - Krakow)
Optional Services:
• Additional nights in Krakow at $70.00 p.p.
ESCORTED TOUR- SCHEDULE and PRICE
| DATES 2012 |
| Depart every Saturday from May 19th to September 8th |
A minimum of five persons are required for the escorted tour to commence |
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| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$1410 |
| Recommended for children 12 years and older: |
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| Single supplement: |
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$150 |
This tour includes: |
• 7 nights accommodation in a mix of 3 and 4 star inns and country hotels. All rooms with private facilities
• breakfast AND dinner each day.
• 21 speed trekking bicycle with pannier.
• maps & road guide book
• luggage transportation from hotel to hotel.
• 7 day phone service hotline
• Klezmer concert
• 2 x bus transfers (Krakow-Zab, Stary Sacz - Krakow)
• 1 x mountain railway ride Zakopane-Gubalowka
• multilingual tour guide
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MASURIA
9 Day Independent or Guided Tour
Discover the extraordinary beauty of this little known part of Poland. The country of 3000 lakes and millions of white storks. Huge native forests and nature parks, wide heather plains and wonderful clean rivers and crystal clear lakes are part of the scenery, as are century old avenues.
On our bicycle tour with it's extensive programme of boating, canoeing and sight-seeing tours, you'll discover a country young at heart and the hospitality of the people living here.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Warsaw
Individual arrival. Meeting time with the tour guide at 7 pm at your starthotel. Afterwards you walk to a restaurant in the city centre. Overnight in the 5* hotel Radisson SAS.
Day 2: Warsaw - Krutyn
After breakfast you will have a guided city tour in Warsaw and in the afternoon transfer to Krutyn (approx. 200 km/125 miles).
Day 3: Krutyn (approx. 45 km/28 miles)
Bike tour through the surroundings of Krutyn. Visit the Russian-orthodox Philiponen - Abbey
Day 4: Krutyn - Sensburg (approx. 40 km/25 miles)
In the morning, canoe trip along the river Krutyn. In the afternoon, you start cycling to Sensburg.
Day 5: Sensburg - Heiligelinde- Rastenburg (approx. 45 km/28 miles)
Be impressed by the unique landscape and visit the famous baroque church of Sw. Lipka. Via Rössl, with it's knight's castle, to Rastenburg.
Day 6: Rastenburg - rest day (approx. 25 km/16 miles)
Today you can visit "Wolfsschanze" (formerly Hitler´s headquarters).
Day 7: Rastenburg - Lötzen - Nikolajken/surroundings (approx. 55 km/34 miles)
The unforgettable landscape of the Masurian lakes, will fascinate you.
Day 8: Nikolajken/surroundings (approx. 55 km/34 miles))
Today you cycle through the "Johannisburger Heide". A visit to the Russian-orthodox monastery in Wojnowo is recommended.
Day 9: Warsaw
Transfer by bus to Warsaw (approx. 240 km/150 miles), arrival at approx. 1:00 p.m. Individual departure or extension.
Tour Rating - Moderate
The daily distances range between 25 and 65 km in partly hilly landscape. Mostly on country and forest lanes, sometimes even on cobbled surfaces. |
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SCHEDULE and PRICE - Independent Tour
| DATES 2011 |
| Every Saturday from mid-May to mid-September |
| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$1050 |
| Recommended for children 12 years and older: |
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| Single supplement: |
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$260 |
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| This tour includes: |
• 8 nights accommodation in a mix of 3 star inns, B & B's, and country hotels (5 star in Warsaw). All rooms with private facilities
• breakfast AND dinner each day (breakfasts only in Warsaw).
• 21 speed trekking bicycle with pannier.
• maps & road guide book
• luggage transportation from hotel to hotel.
• 7 day phone service hotline
• City tour in Warsaw
• City walking tour in Ketrzy/Rastenburg
• Visit the Wolf's Lair
• Bus transfer Warsaw – Masuria and return
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SCHEDULE and PRICE - Guided Tour
| DATES 2012 |
| Every Saturday from mid-May to mid-September |
A minimum of six persons required for the guided tour to operate
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| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$1195 |
| Recommended for children 12 years and older: |
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| Single supplement: |
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$260 |
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| This tour includes: |
All overnights in double rooms with shower/WC- 7 x half board (Warsaw only bb)
- Lunch package on Day 2
- Paddle tour on river Kruttina
- Ship journey to Isle of Kormora – nature protected area
- Multilingual Polish guide from/to Warsaw
- Visit of sights: Swieta Lipka, Holy Lime-Tree, Monastery of Wojnowo, Salon of Marion Dönhoff, Wolfsschanze, Museum of Masuria, Castle in Rössel
- 21- or 7-gear rental bike
- Campfire and accordion music
- Barbecue Menue on last evening
- Kayak tour in Krutynia
- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
- City tour in Warsaw
- Bus transfer Warsaw – Masuria – Warsaw
- Visit „Holy Lime-Tree“
- Visit „Wolfsschanze“
- City walking tour in Ketrzy/Rastenburg
- Ship journey with the “White fleed”
- Tour documentation with maps and detailed route description
- 7-day-service hotline
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