Autorondreis Grand Tour Polen

About the destination: Capital city of Germany, Berlin is one of the most thrilling and the most historic place in Germany and in Europe. No other German city has more "visible" history to offer, despite all the scars of WW2 and the division during Cold War times. No other German city has such a rich cultural life. Berlin's architecture is quite varied. It is now possible to see representatives of many different historic periods in a short time within the city center, from a few surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultra-modern glass and steel structures at Potsdamer Platz. Because of its tumultuous history, Berlin remains a city with many distinctive neighborhoods. Belin has so many faces. It is attractive, cosmopolitan, multicultural and multiethnic city with very friendly locals and lots to do and see.

About the destination: Poznań is a large city in the region called Wielkopolska, in the Greater Poland, in the west of Poland, on the Warta River. Poznań is among the oldest cities in Poland and was one of the most important centers in the early Polish state in the tenth and eleventh centuries. It is best known for its renaissance old town, destroyed during the World War II and then rebuilt. The Renaissance town hall, old houses, charming side streets, numerous museums, monuments, cafes and people walking about - all of them create the unique atmosphere of the place. Stary Rynek, the old town square, is one of the finest in Europe. This is the center of old, medieval Poznań, and has been superbly rebuilt after severe destruction in Second World War. Cafés and bars line the square and it is a superb spot for ordering a drink and watching the world go by. Town Hall is the centerpiece of the Rynek. St. Peter's and Paul's Cathedral - the first polish cathedral and the only one between years 968 and 1000, and the Środka district is located just few minutes from the Cathedral Island.

About the destination: Torun is one of the oldest cities in Poland, founded in the 13th century. The Gothic Old Town is famous for its imposing Town Hall on Rynek Staromiejski (Old Town Square) with its distinctive square tower. Near the entrance to the Town Hall is a monument to Toruń's most famous citizen, the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who was born here in 1473. The city has about 210,000 inhabitants and is one of the two administrative centres of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship.

About the destination: Lying on the Bay of Gdansk and the southern cost of the Baltic Sea, Gdansk is a beautiful port city with a long history. It is a large centre of economic life, science, culture, and a popular tourist destination. As a port city and a major partner in the Hanseatic League, Gdansk has always been in contact with foreign countries. Today, Gdansk is the capital of the Pomeranian province and an important administration centre. After WWII Gdansk was largely in ruins, but the buildings underwent an extraordinary restorations, it seems impossible to tell which facades are original and which have been restored. Gdansk’s market square, Dlugi Targ, is the centre of town. The Dwor Artusa, just opposite the Neptune Fountain, served as headquarters of the Hanseatic League; its original 16th century facade looms over the square and it is today a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Gdansk. Gdansk is home to the largest Gothic church in Poland: St Mary's Basilica. Dominant over Gdansk’s skyline since its completion in 1502, St. Mary's has since become one of the iconic landmarks for the city. Climb the steeple for a panorama of the city. A trip up the tower of the Town Hall includes a series of photographs of Gdansk after the war. Ul Mariacka, behind Mariacki Cathedral, is perhaps Gdansk most beautiful street, with exquisite Hanseatic architecture. If you want to take a break from the big city, and relax a little bit, head to the Brzezno Park. This small city park is located on the coast, near Nowy Port. And if it’s sunny head down Stogi Beach, the city’s best. Stogi beach is large, has quite clean and fine sand, lifeguards, and several food stands and bars. Charming historic old town streets, many museums, and its excellent access to the popular coastline of the Baltic make Gdansk an energetic destination crammed with many ways to have fun.

About the destination: Olsztyn is a historic town in northern Poland. The most attractive part of the city is the centrally positioned Old Town, encircled by a set of fortified walls. Olsztyn is also a renowned cultural and academic centre, boasting a large philharmonia and a university in addition to the numerous cinemas, theatres and cafes. What's more, the city is heavily influenced by both Polish and German cultures, which manifest themselves in cuisine and customs of its inhabitants.

About the destination: Białystok is the largest city in north-eastern Poland and the capital of Podlachia. Bialystok is settled by various nationalities (Poles, Russians, Belorussians and Tartars) and religious groups (Catholic and Orthodox) who coexist there peacefully. The most attractive sight in Bialystok is a palace dubbed the "Small Versailles".

About the destination: The image of Warsaw as a grey concrete jungle, a wasteland of homes in the Soviet era, does not correspond with the reality of the last 15 years of this vibrant city. This metropolis has much more to offer, many things to visit, an impressive cultural scene and a lively nightlife. Warsaw is looking ahead leaving its Soviet past in the past where it belongs. At the end of World War II, 85% of the city was in ruins and the city had to undergo a major reconstruction. The successful reconstruction received recognition in 1980 when UNESCO declared the Old Town of Warsaw World Heritage Site. Located in the Mazowieckie province, in central-eastern Poland, the city is unevenly divided by the Vistula River. Most tourist attractions are on the left bank of the river, while on the right bank we have the up and coming elegant district of Prague. The epicentre of Warsaw for visitors is the so-called Royal Route (Trakt Królewski), which runs north-south from the New and Old Towns, past the elegant Nowy Swiat shops, palaces that survived the war and the royal gardens Lazienki Park, before arriving at the Wilanów Palace, to the south of the city centre. The city also has many green spaces with lush lakeside parks where rowing boats sail during the sunny summer days and where visitors can find plenty of al-fresco cafes. In the parks, free classical music concerts are also held, with big audiences, a scene that is far from the somber images of communist-era Warsaw. Today the city offers an amazing nightlife, young locals dress elegantly to head to the cool bars and groovy clubs in the city. It is definitely a city that vibrates as soon as the sun goes down. Although some people claim that Krakow has the beauty, Warsaw has the culture, the energy and the action.

About the destination: Zakopane is a very popular winter resort and summer getaway town in the Tatra mountains. Zakopane is rather like a large village, with wooden folk cottages adjacent to Art Nouveau houses that remain from the town’s popularity at the end of the 19th century. There are plenty of museums in the town, the most significant and oldest being The Tatra Museum. There is also the Natural History Museum of Tatra National Park and biographical museums of famous Polish artists.

About the destination: Wroclaw, is located in Northern Silesia on the river Odra is the fourth largest city in Poland. It is a unique European metropolis having absorbed Bohemian, Austrian and Prussian influences the city displays many artistic styles. During World War II 75% of the buildings were destroyed but reconstruction began immediately after the war trying to keep the original style of the buildings. The Rynek, or Central Square, is the architectural centre-point of Wroclaw. The Rynek boasts not just one, but two, Town Halls. The New Town Hall and the much older original one. The New Town Hall dominates the western part of the square and is the home of the city council and Mayor of Wroclaw, but it is the older one that is of most interest. Known just simply as 'The Town Hall' is the city's most iconic landmark. The flamboyant architecture of its exterior is enough to keep most people happy but it's also possible to visit the Museum of City Art and its stunning Gothic interiors. On the north-west corner of Rynek is 14th-century St Elizabeth’s church with its 83-metre tower. The two small houses on the corner connected by a gate, are known as Hansel and Gretel. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, built in the 13th century, is the largest church in the city. It has three different chapels with three different style: Baroque, Gothic and Viennese. There is an elevator to the top, from there visitors will get good river and city views. This enjoyable city by the Odra offers good museums, historic buildings, concert halls, theatres, parks and over 120 canal, plus a picturesque central square and a memorable cluster of churches by the river.

About the destination: Dresden is a baroque jewel set on the Elbe River. Dubbed the Florence of the North, the capital of Saxony, is a city full of monumental staircases, panoramic terraces and spacious squares decorated with statues of saints and monarchs bursting with solemnity. Virtually destroyed shortly before the fall of the Reich in 1945, the city has recovered sufficiently to become an animated and arty, not to mention beautiful, destination. The exquisite baroque palace Zwinger now contains half of Dresden’s museums. The most important are the Alte Meister Gallery, one of Europe’s oldest and best painting collections, and the Historisches Museum with a superb collection of ceremonial weapons. Not far from the Zwinger Palace, we find the Hofkirche, the Catholic Church, which allows an interesting comparison with the Prostestant Kreuzkirche, located on the Altmarkt area, the historic hub of Dresden. Strolling around the Neumarkt area, you will eventually find yourself in Frauenkirche at Noitmarkt Square. This round church is considered an outstanding example of Protestant sacred architecture, featuring one of the largest domes in Europe. The church was rebuilt after the reunification of Germany and is now a symbol of reconciliation. Dresden will mesmerize visitors with its beauty, the sheer abundance and grandeur of the city's cultural treasures are enough to take your breath away. And since Dresden also just happens to be set amidst a dazzling river landscape, the amazement will soon be accompanied by pure joy.