Solidarity
The New Poland
June 19 – 29, 2008
HEROIC CHARACTER
After four decades of Soviet-dominated communist control, Poland rose
up against its oppressors, beginning with a series of crippling strikes
by workers at the Gdansk shipyards in 1980-1981. These events led to an
agreement with authorities on the establishment of the Solidarnosc (Solidarity)
trade union. The Soviets did not yet know it, but they had just sown the
seeds of their own destruction within Poland. By the end of the decade,
Solidarity had become the political embodiment of Polish nationalism.
It was a very long time in coming. Ever
since it was first settled in the Neolithic period, (4000 to 2000 B.C.),
the region now known as Poland has seen other countries coveting it as
prize to be won. Its prime location on the Baltic Sea to the north made
it a desirable stop on maritime trading routes. By land, Poland provided
easy access through the back door to the Russian states in the northeast,
and to the rest of Eastern Europe in the south and southeast. For centuries,
it has been fought over, conquered, controlled, divided, subdivided, obliterated
as a political entity from the map, and nearly blasted to Kingdom Come
during wartime.
Following World War II, Poland had to contend
with charges from the international community that it was anti-Semitic
and had colluded with the Nazis. The truth of the matter is that few places
in Europe suffered quite so harshly as Poland. The Nazis fired the first
shots of World War II in Poland and used the country first as a staging
ground for its offensive against Russia and then as repository for some
of the most notorious concentration camps.
In all, six million Poles (nearly 20% of
the population) died during WW II, while the Nazis annihilated virtually
all of Poland’s three million Jews in concentration camps. Anyone
lucky enough to survive usually wound up serving as slave labor. When
the Soviets arrived and pushed the Nazis out, they came not as liberators
but as occupiers of a different sort.
For nearly two decades now, Poland has been
free from outside control and has gotten down to the business of rebuilding
both its reputation and the physical landmarks of its long, rich history.
Today, travelers admire the beauty of old cities like Krakow and the energetic
vibe of a cosmopolitan metropolis like Warsaw. Nature provides a glorious
array of wild scenery in national parks, nature reserves, mountains and
lake districts. The country’s sad history is evident in the remains
of Auschwitz and Birkenau.
Show your solidarity with Poland’s
great progress by joining Toto Tours as we journey to the New Poland for
the very first time. This nation, risen from the ashes, still has a proud
cultural heritage with strong traditions that will find their way into
your heart.
ITINERARY
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Travel Day / Bound for Krakow
Arrange your international flight to leave your home city sometime
today, arriving in Krakow, Poland tomorrow morning. (Search for flights
using the airport code: KRK) As with most of our international tours,
we recommend that you consider arriving one day early to get over jet
lag. We will be happy to reserve an additional night at our group hotel
if you decide to arrive in Krakow early.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Arrival in Krakow/ Welcome Dinner
Because we are not flying as a group, we will scheduled one airport
pick-up at the Krakow International Airport, timed to accommodate the
greatest number of arriving tour participants. Please try to arrive
no later than 4:00pm. If you arrive at a time when it is not convenient
to utilize our group transfer, we will provide tips on the best way
to get to the hotel by public transportation.
After checking in at our hotel the afternoon
is at leisure. This evening we gather in the hotel for a welcome cocktail,
with introductions all around. Afterwards, Toto Tours hosts a Welcome
Dinner at a local Restaurant. (Welcome
Dinner included)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Krakow Sightseeing
After a hot buffet breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a half-day
sightseeing tour of Krakow’s major sites. Krakow is one of Poland’s
oldest cities, dating back to the 7th century, and it is the only one
whose old architecture survived World War II intact. No other city captures
its intriguing past like Krakow, with the Old Town encompassing Gothic
church towers and an imposing castle.
Our tour includes a view of the Barbakan defensive
bastion, a visit to the 14th century market hall (still in operation),
St. Mary’s (containing the best example of 14th century gothic
art in its huge alterpiece), the Royal Cathedral which served as the
coronation and burial place of Polish royalty, and Wawel Castle to see
16th century Flemish tapestries and other works from the Renaissance
and Baroque periods. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are
free. (Breakfast)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Auschwitz & Birkenau
This morning we drive to the west of the city to visit the notorious
concentration camps. Oswiecim, more familiar by its German name “Auschwitz”,
was originally established as a barracks to hold Polish political prisoners,
but with Hitler’s encroachment in the country, the camp developed
into the largest center for the extermination of European Jews. The
second camp, Birkenau, was largely destroyed by the retreating Nazis
at the end of the war, but the size of the place is staggering with
barbed wire enclosures stretching off to the horizon almost as far as
the eye can see. We return to Krakow in the afternoon and the remainder
of the day is free. (Breakfast)
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wieliczka Salt Mines
Today’s adventure finds us journeying outside the city to visit
the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines. This eerie world of underground pits
and chambers was hand carved from solid salt. We take a lift down and
back, and enjoy a guided tour by a miner.
The highlight of the tour will be the Chapel
of St. Kinga, a massive underground temple carved out over the course
of 30 years. Every feature, from chandeliers to altar pieces, is made
from salt. We enjoy lunch together, then return to Krakow where the
remainder of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sandomierz / Lublin
This morning we depart Krakow for the medieval town of Lublin. En route,
we stop for lunch in the town of Sandomierz, an extraordinary medieval
center dating back to the 10th century. Arriving in Lublin, enjoy a
guided city tour. Part of the afternoon will be spent making a panoramic
walking tour through the old town with a photo stop at Lublin Castle.
Dinner is included this evening at our hotel. (All
Meals)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Zamosc
Enjoy a full day excursion to the town of Zamosc, founded at the end
of the 16th century and once an important center on the trade route
linking Northern and Western Europe to the Black Sea. Its Old Town has
recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Our excursion includes is a guided panoramic
walking tour of the Old Town, with entrance to the Zamoyski Palace.
Take time to explore the town and enjoy lunch on your own. In the afternoon,
we return to Lublin for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Zelazowa Wola / Warsaw
Our journey takes us to Warsaw today. En route, we stop to stretch
our legs and enjoy free time for lunch at Zelazowa Wola. The town is
known for its picturesque landscape with numerous winding streams surrounded
by willows and hillocks. More importantly, it was the birthplace of
a Polish national icon—composer Frederic Chopin.
Following a lunch break, take a guided city
tour on foot, including entrance to Chopin’s birthplace and the
surrounding park. Continuing on to Warsaw, we check in at our hotel
by late afternoon and the evening is at leisure. (Breakfast)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Warsaw Sightseeing
Take a guided sightseeing tour of Warsaw this morning. Nearly bombed
to rubble in World War II, the city has been almost entirely rebuilt,
which accounts for modern architecture having struck an uneasy truce
with the more classic lines of the restored landmarks. The driving portion
of the tour will pass the Palace of Culture and Science as well as the
Barbakan. Then we disembark for a panoramic walking tour of the Old
Town, the Royal Way, including entrance to the Royal Castle. Returning
to the hotel, the remainder of the day is free. Tonight will be a good
time to venture out to sample gay nightlife in Poland! (Breakfast)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today is entirely free to explore Warsaw in more depth and see the
places that interest you most. Tonight we celebrate the strength of
our group solidarity, forged during our adventures in Poland, with a
Farewell Dinner hosted by Toto Tours at a local restaurant. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast. Arrange your international
flight to depart at any convenient time today. We provide one group
transfer to the airport, scheduled to accommodate the greatest number
of departing tour participants. If this transfer does not meet your
needs, we will assist you in arranging a private transfer by taxi to
the airport. (Breakfast)
ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)
Krakow: Sheraton
Hotel
Lublin: Mercure
Unia
Warsaw: Sheraton
Hotel
TOUR PREPARATION
Entry Requirements—For U.S. Citizens a valid
passport is the only document required to enter Poland, for stays less
than 90 days.
Immunizations—No immunizations are currently
required for travel to Poland, but it is wise to have your inoculations
up-to-date. Is your tetanus booster current?
Exit Requirements—You must pay a departure tax
equal to about $20 U.S. upon departure from the WarsawAirport (WAW airport
code).
SUGGESTED VIEWING
- Schindler’s List (1993)—filmed
at Auschwitz, Krakow
- Decalogue (1990)—a massive 10-hour
TV miniseries filmed in Warsaw
WHAT TO BRING
In June the weather will be still fairly cool throughout Poland, with
daily temperature ranging between 52 and 75 degrees F. You won’t
need a suit jacket or tie, as the tour is informal and dinner attire
will be nice casual. Try to pack light and bring only two small pieces
of luggage. Pack for layering, and plan mix and match outfits! Pack
any medications you require in a carry-on bag and leave expensive jewelry
at home!
Suggested Packing List:
____ Passport
____ 5 pair long pants (mix blue jeans, cotton khakis or chinos)
____ 2 pair shorts for walking/hiking
____ Socks and underwear for 10 days
____ Light sweater and windbreaker
____ Inexpensive poncho for use in case of rain
____ Comfy walking / hiking shoes
____ Daypack or fanny pack
____ T-shirts (5 - 6)
____ Casual long-sleeved shirts (4 - 5)
____ Sleepwear (optional)
____ Sunscreen / lip balm / sunglasses
____ Personal toiletries
____ Swimsuit
____ Camera with extra batteries / plenty of film or digital memory
____ A good book for the long flights
MONEY MATTERS
The Zloty is the national currency of Poland (the code is PLN when
looking up exchange rates), which is subdivided into 100 groszy. Notes
are in denominations of PLN 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. The new coins are
in denominations of PLN5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszy.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at all border crossing points, hotels
and bureaux de change, some of which are open 24 hours. Cash can also
be obtained from Visa credit cards at banks. American Express, Diners
Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in larger establishments. As
of May 31, 2007, the exchange rate was $1 U.S to 2.83 PLN.
To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations”
link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the
form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check.
You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or
MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure
(by March 31, 2008). Tour registration is not complete until we have
received both the signed reservation form and your deposit check or
credit card authorization.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards
as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500
maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our
mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.
LIABILITIES & DISCLAIMERS
Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to
these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole
or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness,
medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person
from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard
liability form.
We strongly encourage you purchase
Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Poland! We
will provide the necessary forms upon receipt of your deposit, or you
can apply online by following the link at the bottom of this page. You
can also book your travel insurance with a phone call to Toto Tours.
The tour operators reserve the right to
accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and
to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed
departure with a minimum of ten participants.
Toto Tours is not responsible for airline
cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants
for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed
departure.
THE TOTO SPIRIT
Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated
from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even
encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified
by certain traits. They are:
-
fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor
and accentuate the positive;
-
good natured realists who are willing to accept
situations as they exist;
-
undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays
or bad weather;
-
willing to forego some of the amenities we normally
take for granted;
-
eager to try new things & test limits;
-
punctual;
-
not whiners!
Start a Solidarity movement of your own by convincing a friend to join
you on this tour of Poland! If you have any questions, please call toll-free:
800-565-1241.
THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)
Price: $2,895 double occupancy
Private Room: $800 extra, if available.
(Not required. Toto Tours can match you with a roommate if you are traveling
alone and prefer to share a room.)
Deposit: $500 (Due at time of registration
for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)
Remaining Balance: $2,395 double / $3,195 single
(Assumes $500 deposit has already been made)
Remaining Balance Due: March 31, 2008
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this
date.)
Included: Nine nights hotel accommodations;
one group airport transfer at the beginning and the end of the tour;
Welcome Dinner; Farewell Dinner; meals, activities, and transportation
as listed in the itinerary, fully guided and escorted tour.
Not Included: Round-trip air transportation
to Krakow (KRK) and returning from Warsaw (WAW); meals and activities
not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft
drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; any other expenses
of a personal nature. Tips to drivers and guides not included.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to
cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow
the link below or call us for more information.
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