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TOURS
HISTORIC KRAKOW & THE DUNAJEC BIKE PATH
MASURIA
HISTORIC 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.
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SCHEDULE and PRICE
| DATES 2010 |
| Depart every Saturday from May 22nd to September 4th |
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| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$990 |
| Recommended for children 12 years and older: |
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| Single supplement: |
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$150 |
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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:
• For six or more participants, we can arrange a Tour Guide at an additional $175 per person
• Additional nights in Krakow at $70.00 p.p.
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MASURIA
8 Day Independent or Guided Tour
Masuria is unbelievable beautiful: 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 the bicycle tour plus during the extensive programme of boating, canoeing and many sightseeing tours, you discover a country young at heart and the hospitality of the people living here.
Be impressed by the unusually rich varieties of flora and fauna. Summer meadows gleaming in all possible colours catch your attention as well as the many bird species, first of all of course the “heraldic bird of Masuria”, the white stork. The people were very careful with the nature of the Masuria. So the home of the poets Siegfried Lenz and Ernst Wiechert is until now the green lung of Europe. Breathe deeply: welcome in Masuria.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day: Individual arrival in Warsaw
At 10.30am the hotel in Warsaw is your meeting point for all guests. After a three hour city tour you go by bus approx. 220 km to Krutyn.
Day 2: Masurian nature park – Krutyn approx. 45 km
Your first cycling day introduces a part of the vast forest of the Johannisburg heather (Piska native forest) to Wojnowo (Eckertsdorf), with the opportunity of visiting the Philippon monastery.
Day 3: Krutyn (Krutynia) – Mragowo (Sensburg) approx. 40 km
Today we start with a kayak tour on the most beautiful river of Masuria, the river Krutynia. In the afternoon we cycle on the northern Mragowo, our destination of today. You have the opportunity to visit the birth house of the Masurian poet Ernst Wiechert.
Day 4: Mragowo – Holy Linden Tree – Ketrzyn (Rastenburg) approx. 45 km
Today you visit the important pilgrim church “Holy Linden Tree” with the famous organ by Jusua Mosengels. After that you proceed to Reszel, a small town with singular atmosphere deriving from a medieval bishop-fortress. Next destination is Ketrzyn. The fortress of the German Knight-Order with the huge walls and the gothic brick church St. George invite you to a sightseeing tour.
Day 5: Ketrzyn – Wolfsschanze – Ketrzyn approx. 25 km
Only 8 km east of Ketrzyn the old Nazi headquarters-East in Gierloz, the so called Wolfsschanze is situated. On the way to Ketrzyn you have the opportunity to visit the Masurian Museum in Owczarnia. Afterwards free time for a city stroll.
Day 6: Ketrzyn – Gizycko (Lötzen) – Mikolaiki / surroundings approx. 55 km
In the beginning the tour brings you to Sztynort (Steinort). Here you can visit the old ruin of the castle of the earls Lehndorff. By bicycle via Ryn back to Mateuszek or optional by boat from Gizycko with the “White Fleet” (fare not included).
Day 7: Mikolaiki – Nikolaiken – Mikolaiki approx. 40 km
You cycle via Lake Luknajno to Nikolaiken. In Nikolaiken enough time remains for a city tour. Afterwards you cycle back to Mikolaiki.
Day 8: Warsaw and departure
In the morning you go by bus transfer back to Warsaw. Arrival is at about 1 p.m.
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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 surface.
SCHEDULE and PRICE - Independent Tour
| DATES 2010 |
| May 22nd, June 5th, 12th, 26th then every Saturday until August 21st |
| A minimum of four persons required for this independent tour to operate |
| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$1050 |
| Recommended for children 12 years and older: |
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| Single supplement: |
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$220 |
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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 (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
• Bus transfer Warsaw – Masuria and return
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SCHEDULE and PRICE - Guided Tour
| DATES 2010 |
| Saturdays - May 22nd, June 5th, 12th, 26th |
| A minimum of six persons required for the guided tour to operate |
| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$1240 |
| Recommended for children 12 years and older: |
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|
| Single supplement: |
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$220 |
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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 (breakfasts only in Warsaw)
• 21 speed trekking bicycle with pannier.
• Multilingual tour guide
• Luggage transportation from hotel to hotel.
• City tour in Warsaw
• Kayak tour on river Krutynia
• 1 x boat ride to the cormoran island
• Bus transfer Warsaw – Masuria and return
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