* Musical Poland
*
October 18 - 26, 2006
We invite you to discover the rich musical life of this fascinating country -- a place of international and local festivals, colorful folklore, opera traditions and impressive music events. Poland, homeland of Frederic Chopin, is a living museum awaiting your inspection. It is where world-famous musicians perform in the Warsaw Chamber Opera House, Philharmonic Hall and the National Opera.
Your tour will include deluxe accommodations, selected sightseeing to feature art and architecture, fine meals, and the services of an experienced Dailey-Thorp tour director. We hope you will join us!
* * * I T I N E R A R Y * * *
Wednesday, October 18 - WARSAW
Arrival in Warsaw. All tour guests arriving in Warsaw today will be met and escorted to the hotel. Accommodations at the 5-star LE REGINA HOTEL.
Walk through Warsaw's Old Town whose history goes back to the late 13th century. The Old Town was completely reconstructed after WW II and entered on the UNESCO list of the World Heritage. Pass through the beautiful Market Square surrounded by town houses where you can find the great restaurants, souvenir shops, museums and art galleries.
Welcome dinner at one of the local restaurants beautifully located in the Old Town with big windows overlooking the Market Square.
Thursday, October 19 - WARSAW
Half-day tour of Warsaw starting with the Castle Square to see the first non-ecclesiastic statue in Warsaw, King Sigismund's Column, and the originally Gothic castle dated to the 15th century, expanded throughout the centuries, which was the seat of the kings of Poland. It was there where the Third Of May Constitution was promulgated in 1791, the first in the world after America.
Continue your sightseeing IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FREDERIC CHOPIN: Holy Cross Church, Chopin Drawing Room, Ostrogski Castle - the seat of Frederic Chopin Society, Protestant Church of the Holy Trinity, Church of Nuns of the Visitation, Lazienki Royal Park. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Evening private CHOPIN CONCERT in one of the historical interiors of Warsaw. A piano recital will take on an unforgettable journey through the world-famous Frederic Chopin's compositions performed by the best Polish pianists.
Friday, October 20 - WARSAW
Morning visit to The Royal Lazienki Palace and Park - one of the great attractions of Warsaw. The historic complex, full of monuments of architecture, paintings, sculptures and handicrafts, fascinating with its harmony and beauty, was inspired by Poland's last king, Stanislaw August Poniatowski. An easy stroll yields an opportunity to visit the famous Palace on the Water: the Amphitheater with a stage set among the ruins of the temple of Baalbeck; the Old Orangery with the beautiful, unique Private Royal Theater. Each building could be a setting for a different occasion. Early dinner at a local restaurant.
This evening at the National Opera House: Mozart's DON GIOVANNI. A new production of this great masterpiece.
Saturday, October 21 - WARSAW
Morning drive to ZELAZOWA WOLA, the birthplace of Frederic Chopin. Visit the former manor house, now a museum devoted to the great composer and his family. Walk along the beautiful park surrounding the museum.
Drive to LOWICZ, a typical Mazovian town famous for its folk art: craft and paper cut-outs. Visit the Regional Museum with an interesting collection of colorful paper cut-outs and folk costumes.
Drive to the ruins of the former Lowicz castle. You will be welcomed by a young married couple who have a charming wooden house set by the ruins. Enjoy a private recital of STANISLAW MONIUSZKO opera arias performed by the soloists of the NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE. After the recital you will have a chance to taste typical Polish dishes during dinner. Drive back to Warsaw.
Sunday, October 22 - KRAKOW
Morning drive to Krakow. En route, stop in CZESTOCHOWA to visit Poland's holiest shrine, the BLACK MADONNA, in the Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora. Also visit a special exhibition -- WAY OF THE CROSS -- painted by Jerzy Duda-Gracz, a famous Polish painter. Lunch at a local restaurant en route. Accommodations at the GRODEK HOTEL conveniently located in OLD TOWN.
This afternoon an orientation walk through the Old Town and its many 14th century Renaissance buildings. In addition, we have asked permission to visit the famous COLLEGIUM MAIUS, where Copernicus studied.
This evening at the Opera House: Bizet's CARMEN.
SLOWACKI THEATER -- an impressive opera house built in 1893 which reflects the high cultural ambitions of Krakow at the end of the 19th century. The building was modeled on Paris' Grand Opera House, and was designed by Jan Zawiejski who incorporated Polish architectural motifs, especially the attic.
Monday, October 23 KRAKOW
Morning visit to the ROYAL CASTLE and CATHEDRAL (see of the former Cardinal Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II) on the WAWEL HILL, remodeled according to the new Renaissance taste in the beginning of the 16th century. See the magnificent collection of tapestries and the Treasury Room. Afterwards, see the interior of the ROYAL CATHEDRAL, the place where Polish kings were crowned and buried.
Afterwards, a walking tour of Krakow, the former capital of Poland. Walk through the OLD TOWN with the Main Market Square with magnificent houses and palaces. In the middle of the square is the CLOTH HALL built before 1349, but altered in the 16th century. Inside are many shopping stalls and on the first floor is the National Museum which has a collection of Polish sculptures and paintings from the 18th to the 20th century. Also in the square is the magnificent, extensive Gothic CHURCH OF OUR LADY with the famous wooden altar created by Wit Stwosz. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure -- time for shopping.
This evening at the Opera House: The ballet, LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE.
Tuesday, October 24 - KRAKOW
Morning visit to WYSPIANSKI MUSEUM, newly opened, in the SZOLAYSKI tenement-house. Arranged in chronological order and around themes, the exhibition rooms include: the artist's personal objects, sketches from journeys, portraits of family and friends; "The Zelenskis' Drawing Room" - equipped with furniture designed by Wyspianski; a reconstruction of the meeting room of the POLISH ARTISTS' SOCIETY, designed by Wyspianski in 1904, editorial work, illustrations and drawings; "Stanislaw Wyspianski: Set Designer and Reformer of the Theatre" - set and costume designs; "The Franciscan Workshop" - the recreated workshop of the artist when he was decorating the Franciscan church in Krakow, with a design of the God the Father stained glass from 1903; "The Restorer's Workshop" - restoration records of the Holy Cross church; "Wawel-Akropolis" - a mock-up of the artist's vision of the Wawel Hill development; and “The Sapphire Workshop” - the name of the artist's last workshop and the place where Wyspianski's easel paintings have been gathered, including his last self-portrait.
Stanislaw Wyspianski (January 15, 1869, Krakow - November 28, 1907, Krakow) was a Polish playwright, poet, painter, architect; he was skillful in cabinet making as well. Wyspianski was one of most outstanding and many-sided artists of his time in Europe. He successfully joined the trend of modernism with themes of Polish history. In a series of stained-glasses in the Franciscan church in Krakow, he expressed religious emotion. His modernism became nearly flamboyant here. He wrote many dramas covering crucial moments of Polish history. His famous drama "Wedding" is an almost sadly sarcastic view of the Polish society of the 19th century.
Afternoon tour of the former Jewish district of KAZIMIERZ. The large Jewish community began to coalesce in Kazimierz around the end of the 14th century. This turned into a potent nucleus of Jewish culture and learning. It is here that Moses Isserles, a distinguished philosopher and writer known by the name of REMUH, lived and worked. His grave can be found in a Krakow cemetery, which, like the synagogue founded by his father, is also named Remuh. Early dinner at a local Jewish restaurant.
This evening at the Opera House: Puccini's LA BOHÈME.
Wednesday, October 25 - WARSAW
Morning drive to Warsaw. Check in at the LE REGINA HOTEL. Time to relax. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
This evening at the National Opera House: Mozart's DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE.
Thursday, October 26 - DEPARTURES
Morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Land Arrangements: $4,995.00 per person
Single Room Supplement: $1,265.00
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The deposit required to hold space on this tour is $1,500.00 per person.
LAND ARRANGEMENTS PRICE INCLUDES:
* Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 5 dinners. * Accommodations at leading hotels for 8 nights. * All performance tickets. * All taxes, entrance fees. * All transfers where necessary. * Wine with all included lunches and dinners. * Gratuity to the Dailey-Thorp tour director. Land arrangements price is based on sharing a twin/double hotel room. Land Arrangements Price does NOT include: Air fare; items of a personal nature; accident/baggage/cancellation insurance.
AIR TRANSPORTATION:
Upon request, Dailey-Thorp can arrange any flights, from any airport, to join this tour. Tour participants may also book their flights through their local travel agent or directly with the airlines.
CANCELLATION OF TOUR:
LAND ARRANGEMENTS: For cancellation by the client, these charges will apply: Cancellations received 60 days or more prior to tour commencement = $250.00 per person; 59-31 days prior = 50% of land arrangements price; less than 31 days prior =100% of land arrangements price; no appearance/no written notice = 100% of the land arrangements price. No refunds will be made for any part of the tour package, such as sightseeing, meals, performances or transfers, which are voluntarily omitted by any tour member; the tour is sold as a package. We must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of the tour.
AIR TRANSPORTATION: Cancellation of AIR FLIGHTS will be subject to the cancellation policy of the airline.
TRIP INSURANCE: WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. An application for travel insurance will be included with our acknowledgment of your reservation. We suggest that you apply for it as soon as possible after signing up for a tour. Should it become necessary for you to cancel due to illness (but not business reasons) the policy may cover your losses (subject to insurance terms).
All cancellations must be in writing. All tour programs subject to change.
CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS HEARTILY RECOMMENDED!
#2680 --- 7/18/06
