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19 Day
Conducted Tour
       
Poland Tour with Helsinki,
Hong Kong and Thailand Stopovers

For only $5,675
per person twin share
This includes all taxes and fuel levies

Tour departs Australia May 17 and returns June 4, 2012
This is good value for a tour of this nature because all of the following are included:
  • Air fares with Qantas and Finnair from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane into Warsaw return.   
  • An 11 day tour of Poland in the peak early-summer period, visiting all the interesting places in this fascinating but seldom visited country.  
  • Two days in Helsinki (Finland) with tours. 
  • A 2 day stopover in Hong Kong on the way over.
  • A 2 day stopover in Bangkok on the way back. 
  • Good 3 to 4 star accommodation. 
  • Many meals and all entrance fees. 
  • All transfers and transport. 
  • Services of local tour guides and if there are 12 or more travellers there will be an Australian tour leader.

For people without a travel partner wishing to travel at twin share rates, we will do our best to match them up with someone else, but this is not guaranteed. For a single room there is an extra cost of $935.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

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                 ITINERARY FOR POLAND TOUR - MAY 2012

Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner

17.05.12 Australia - Hong Kong
Depart Sydney at 10.40am on QF 127, arriving in Hong Kong at 6.00pm.
Depart Brisbane at 12.05pm on QF 97, arriving in Hong Kong at 7.00pm.
Depart Melbourne at 2.15pm on QF 29, arriving in Hong Kong at 9.45pm.
All flights will be met at the airport and transferred to the Park Hotel in central Kowloon for overnight.

18.05.12
(B)		 Hong Kong
Morning is at leisure. Check out of the hotel at 12 noon and at 12.30pm depart on a Hong Kong Island Tour.
This is an excellent orientation tour - the city changes so rapidly that it will refresh 'old memories' and delight 'first timers'. The tour begins from the famous fishing village of Aberdeen to see the 'floating community' - still very much a part of Hong Kong's society. Here an opportunity to join a 'sampan' is available, allowing a 'close up' view of waterborne life. Afterwards a short visit to a prestigious jewellery factory, where meticulous craftsmen fashion works of art from gold and gems. Then pass by picturesque Repulse Bay. Visit Stanley Market where you can pick up bargains at just a fraction of the price in town. Proceed next to the ride up to Victoria Peak for a panoramic view of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the surrounding islands.
After this tour you will be returned to the hotel for some time at leisure. Please return to the lobby of the hotel by 8.45pm for your 9pm departure transfer to Hong Kong Airport. 

19.05.12
(D)		 Hong Kong - Helsinki - Warsaw
Depart Hong Kong at 12.25am on AY 70, arriving in Helsinki at 6.05am.
Depart Helsinki at 9.45am on AY 745, arriving in Warsaw at 10.25am.
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city.
The afternoon is at leisure. At 6.00pm you will meet your guide and the rest of the group in the lobby. Drive along the beautifully renovated Royal Route with its historical monuments and residences. Stop at Castle Square for a short walk through Old Town and then have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Your meal will include typical Polish dishes and famous Polish vodka, 'Zubrowka'.

20.05.12
(B/L)		 Warsaw
This morning we introduce you to the highlights of Warsaw. A half-day sightseeing tour includes Old Town, beautifully rebuilt after World War II, with the impressive Royal Castle, seat of the kings of Poland. Here the Constitution of May 3rd was proclaimed in 1791, the second oldest constitution in the world, after the US Constitution. You will admire some of its 300 rooms and see the Canaletto Room with 23 of his paintings, the Throne Room, the magnificent Knight's Hall with six large paintings by Marcello Bacciarelli, the Marble room with its 22 portraits of Polish kings and the largest and most impressive of all the castle's chambers, the Ballroom. After lunch served at a local restaurant in Old Town, we continue our tour with a drive to the area of the former Warsaw Ghetto. En route, you will see the building of the National Opera House and Town Hall. During your tour of Warsaw we invite you to the famous Warsaw Cafe to taste a typical Warsaw pastry called 'paczek'. This evening you will take an unforgettable musical journey through the world famous compositions of our greatest composer, Frederic Chopin, at a piano recital. A glass of sparkling wine will be served during intermission.
21.05.12
(B/L)		 Warsaw - Czestochowa - Zakopane
After breakfast we depart for Zakopane - one of the most popular vacation resorts in the Tatra Mountains. En route, we stop in Czestochowa to visit the Jasna Gora Monastery and the Black Madonna Shrine with its miraculous icon. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Czestochowa. In the evening we arrive in Zakopane beautifully situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, in the valley between Gubalowka and Giewont. It is the most popular resort in Poland and one of the most beautiful places in all of Poland, owing to its picturesque location. Once, a small mountain village, Zakopane became a fashionable artist's retreat at the beginning of the 20th century.
22.05.12
(B/D)		 Zakopane - Krakow
In the morning you will have a sightseeing tour of Zakopane, whose wooden architecture blends with the natural landscapes and it is copied in other parts of Poland and is known as Zakopianski Style. You will visit the Jaszczurowka Chapel, a great example of the wooden architecture in Zakopane, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima at Kreptowki, which was built by the people of Zakopane to thank the Lady of Fatima for saving the Pope after an attempt on his life. Admire the breathtaking views of the Tatras from the top of Gubalowka Mountain and shop for souvenirs of arts and crafts of the Highlanders (Gorale) in the local shops.
After lunch on your own you will have free time. Before we continue on to Krakow, take a spectacular rafting trip on the Dunajec River in Pieniny National Park. Tonight's dinner will be served at a local restaurant in Krakow's Old Town Market Square.
23.05.12
(B/L)		 Krakow - Auschwitz - Krakow
This morning's sightseeing tour will feature Wawel, the Royal Castle, home to three dynasties of Poland's monarchs. Its stately halls and exquisite chambers are filled with priceless art, valuable period furniture and rare ancient objects. The collection of monumental 16th century tapestries is matchless. You will also visit the Wawel Cathedral, the place of the cult of St. Stanislaw and St.Jadwiga, Queen of Poland. Its 18 chapels are true architectural masterpieces. The giant bell, Zygmunt from 1520 ranks with the world's largest. This is the place where Polish kings were crowned and buried. Following Wawel we drive to Old Town with its restored Main Square of magnificent wooden altar by Wit Stwosz. In the middle of the square is Cloth Hall built before 1349, but renovated in the 16th century with many shopping stalls inside. After lunch, we drive to Auschwitz to visit the Martyrdom Museum of the former Nazi concentration camp, the infamous factory of death.
24.05.12
(B/D)		 Krakow - Wieliczka - Krakow
After breakfast you have time to explore more of Krakow on your own. In the afternoon we will invite you for coffee and cake at the famous Krakow cafeteria. We then will drive to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an unforgettable tourist attraction with underground chambers, grottoes, and chapels carved from salt. Dinner with a folkloric show will be at a local restaurant in Wieliczka, before we drive back to Krakow.
25.05.12
(B/L)		 Krakow - Lowicz - Torun
After breakfast, we leave for Torun. On the way, we will stop in Lowicz, a typical Mazovian town famous for folk art, colourful costumes and beautiful paper cut-outs. You will be invited for a home-hosted lunch by a local family, whose charming cottage is located at the foot of the former Lowicz Castle. You will be welcomed in a typical Polish way, with bread and salt, and enjoy your meal served by the young married couple in their lovely house. You will have time to talk about their day to day life and have your dessert in a beautiful garden. We continue to Torun, where the balance of the day is at leisure.
26.05.12
(B/L)		 Torun - Gdansk
In the morning, we see the highlights of Torun. It is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus and considered one of the most magnificent historic cities of Poland. Its Old Town has been included in UNESCO's list for its impressive 13th century Town Hall, superb churches and historic streets preserving Torun's past glory. A visit to the Copernicus Museum is included in your itinerary. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Torun. In the afternoon we drive to Gdansk. Upon arrival, we take a brief walk through the town's Old Town.
27.05.12
(B/L)		 Gdansk - Malbork - Gdansk
Today, we tour Gdansk in depth. We start from the Upland Gate - a fragment of the city's former fortifications and one of its main gates. Just behind it, we pass by a baked brick construction consisting of the Prison Tower and the Torture House - relics of the 15th century Gothic defense walls. The Golden Gate, situated next to the prison tower, opens onto Long Market - a magnificent street, with grand mansions decorated with late Renaissance and baroque facades. A real feast for the eyes!!! It is here that the richest burghers of Gdansk once lived. Next, we come upon the Main Town and the Artus Court - a building used for Hanseatic League meetings. It is renowned as the most beautiful court among all of Europe's Hanseatic cities. Just behind it stands the tower of St.Mary's Basilica, a part of the most precious and largest red brick Gothic church in Gdansk. On our way back we pass by Mariacka Street, with its gabled terraced houses and elegant boutiques. We continue to Malbork for lunch and visit the Teutonic Knights Castle. It is the largest brick building in Europe and one of Poland's greatest tourist attractions. After coming back to Gdansk the balance of the day is free to give you time to shop for Baltic arts and crafts, including unique amber jewelery and trinkets.
28.05.12
(B/L/D)		 Gdansk - Gdynia - Sopot - Oliwa - Warsaw
After breakfast we drive to Gdynia, youngest of the tri-city complex, which also includes Sopot the famous and fashionable seaside resort. Here you can still see the oldest and longest wooden pier in Europe. We will also visit Oliwa Cathedral famous for its one of a kind pipe organ, to enjoy a concert. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we drive to Warsaw. A farewell dinner will be served at a local restaurant in Warsaw this evening.
29.05.12
(B)		 Warsaw
After breakfast we transfer to the airport. Depart Warsaw at 1.05pm on AY 3776, arriving in Helsinki at 3.45pm. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation:  Sokos Hotel Presidenti
30.05.12
(B/L)		 Helsinki
After breakfast you have a full day (7 hour) tour of Helsinki and Old Porvoo. You start with a Helsinki city sightseeing tour including the Senate Square, University and Lutheran Cathedral - all displaying neo-classical architecture of the 1840's, the colourful Market Square by the sea in the South Harbour, Kaivopuisto Park and diplomatic residences, the imposing statue of Marshall Mannerheim, the Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall and Sibelius Monument. Visit is made to Temppeliaukio Church - called the 'Rock Church' as it is carved into solid rock. Afterwards you travel out of Helsinki and less than an hour later you arrive at the picturesque town of Porvoo, the second oldest town in Finland. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. After lunch you will enjoy a visit to the Porvoo Museum/Old Town Hall located in the Old Town. The Old Town Hall was completed in 1764 and is one of Finland's oldest town halls and it now houses the Porvoo Museum and has exhibitions on the history of Porvoo, including artifacts, art and industrial art. In 2010 a special exhibition on prehistoric times and the Middle Ages will be opened. The walking tour around the old town will also include the cathedral (outside visit). The old town plan is from the Middle Ages, the low small houses, picturesque yards and narrow streets form this historically unique wooden town. The story of a seafaring and trade community is clearly recognisable from the red warehouses on the riverbanks. You will have some free time for a cup of coffee and a walk in the Old Town, with the quaint shops and artisan's workshops. The tour ends back in at your hotel in Helsinki.
Accommodation:  Sokos Hotel Presidenti
31.05.12
(B)		 Helsinki - Bangkok
The morning is at leisure until your 2pm transfer to the airport. Depart Helsinki at 5.10pm on AY 89, arriving in Bangkok at 7.15am the next morning (01.06.12). 
01.06.12
 Bangkok
Arrive into Bangkok at 7.15am. You will be met and transferred to the Asia Hotel, centrally situated in the wonderful Siam Square shopping and entertainment area. The rest of the day is at leisure. There is a sky-rail station directly across the road from the hotel and keen shoppers can take the sky-rail out to Bangkok's huge Chatuchak weekend market for wonderful bargain price shopping.
02.06.12
(B/L)		 Bangkok
Today there will be a full day tour to the floating market and rose garden. You travel out to Damnoen Saduak, about 100kms west of Bangkok. First you have a long tail boat ride through rural klongs to the floating market where a huge range of produce and goods is sold from small boats. After this you visit a Thai handicraft centre before travelling on to the beautiful rose garden for their internationally famous culture show followed by a short elephant show. An international buffet lunch is included.
03.06.12
(B/L)		 Bangkok - Sydney
Morning at leisure. Early afternoon departure for a great farewell lunch at a top Thai restaurant in Siam Square. After this you will visit the beautiful  flower market, followed by a visit to the premises of a jewellery manufacturer. Transfer to Bangkok airport. Departing at 8.55pm on QF 24, arriving in Sydney at 9.00am the next morning (04.06.12). 
04.06.12
 Sydney - Melbourne - Brisbane
Brisbane passengers depart Sydney at 11.05am on QF 520, arriving in Brisbane at 12.35pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Sydney at 12.00noon on QF 431, arriving in Melbourne at 1.35pm.
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Conditions for Macleay Valley Travel's Poland Tour

Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $400.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable in full 10 weeks prior to departure. 
Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.
Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired.
Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia. Visas are not required for any of these countries if travelling on an Australian passport.
Health and Fitness - Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour. Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.
Not  Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), travel insurance etc.
Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.
Basic Tour Price and Taxes - Air taxes and Fuel Levies are included in the basic tour price if the tour is paid in full on or before the due date on the final invoice. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to charge for any increase in Air taxes and Fuel Levies if the tour is not paid in full by the due date.
Breakaway Fee All fully inclusive prices are based on group travel and any deviation from the set  itinerary will incur a breakaway fee.
Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. 
Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affiars (fair trading) department.
Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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