Experience the world your ancestors had to leave.
11 – day tour organized since 2013 through the historical western Galicia, today’s southern and southeastern Poland, in the 19th century occupied by the Austrian Habsburg empire.
Group size: 10 to 15 participatns.
Cost: TBD for 2025
Dates: TBD for 2025
Download the itinerary for 2025 (TBD)
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through the magical region of Old Galicia, where history, culture, and the breathtaking Carpathian landscapes come together. This adventure takes you from the grandeur of royal palaces to the charm of traditional highland villages, uncovering the authentic beauty of southern and southeastern Poland.
Your journey begins in Kraków before heading to Krosno, the “City of Glass.” On Your Ancestors Day, we’ll visit Sanok, home to Poland’s largest open-air museum, where you can step back in time and experience the lives of our ancestors. That evening, enjoy an old-style country party with music and dance with a local folk group. Next, on Nobility Day, we’ll explore the magnificent Łańcut Castle, a stunning example of aristocratic elegance, and visit a traditional nobleman’s manor house to get a glimpse of life in old Poland.
As we journey through the stunning Carpathians, we’ll visit the “Carpathian Troy” Museum, which shares a fascinating 3,500-year-old story. From there, we continue to Zakopane, the vibrant heart of Poland’s Tatra Mountains. Immerse yourself in highlander traditions, take in breathtaking views, and enjoy a delicious dinner with lively local music. This part of the adventure wraps up with a serene raft ride on Czorsztyn Lake and a visit to the enchanting medieval Niedzica Castle.
Back in Kraków, we’ll uncover the city’s rich history with visits to Wawel Castle, the vibrant Jewish district of Kazimierz, and the underground museum beneath the Main Square, where medieval secrets await. On the final day, explore the quite recent communist-era history of Nowa Huta and the moving exhibits at the Schindler Museum.
Don’t wait—immerse yourself in the magical world of Galicia and feel the spirit of the past surrounded by exceptional Polish hospitality!
Our goal is to enrich your understanding of your forefathers’ life. So many of these brave people had to leave their small villages in hope of ensuring a better life for themselves and their offspring. You may already know a lot about them—perhaps you’ve collected church records of your grandparents, read about your grandfather’s village, or listened to family stories your grandma shared when you were a child.
But visiting their Old Country gives you something deeper, more personal and meaningful.
This is experiencing it deeply by being here, seeing, touching, tasting, breathing and talking about all of it.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/JZYJQuNnjB52
Itinerary of PO Galicia Tour
Day 1. Meeting in Kraków and Travel to Krosno
Your journey begins in Kraków, then takes you to the charming little town of Krosno. After checking in at a elegant hotel that once was a palace, you’ll have time to relax and unwind. In the evening, you’ll meet your guide and fellow travelers during a welcome dinner.
Day 2. The Lives of Our Ancestors – Sanok and Galician Traditions
Today, we’ll explore the Open-Air Museum in Sanok, Poland’s largest ethnographic museum. Step back in time to the world of traditional Galician villages and towns and discover how our ancestors lived. Later, we’ll visit Sanok’s charming historic market square and end the day with an evening of lively folk music and traditional dances. Read and see more…
Day 3. The Nobility Day – Łańcut Castle and a Manor House
We’ll start the day with a visit to Łańcut Castle, an impressive residence surrounded by beautiful gardens. Next, we’ll go to the synagogue in Łańcut, a testament to Galicia’s multicultural heritage. In the afternoon, we’ll explore a private museum of noble culture in Kopytowa, where time seems to have stopped in the era of manorial estates. Read and see more…
Day 4. Through the Carpathians to Podhale
Leaving Krosno, we’ll head toward the Podhale region. Along the way, we’ll stop at the “Carpathian Troy” Museum in Trzcinica to uncover the secrets of ancient Carpathian settlements. We’ll drive through the picturesque Beskidy Mountains, enjoying views of the Tatras. In the evening, we’ll check in to a hotel with mountain views and enjoy a regional dinner.
Read and see more about the Carpathian Troy.
Day 5. Zakopane – The Heart of the Polish Tatras
Zakopane will enchant you with its unique architecture and highlander traditions. We’ll visit the cemetery at Pęksowy Brzyzek and the wooden chapel at Jaszczurówka. Then, we’ll ascend Gubałówka or Głodówka to admire panoramic views of the Tatras. The day will end in Chochołów, where we’ll visit a local sculptor’s workshop and enjoy dinner accompanied by highlander music. Read and listen to more…
Day 6. Dunajec and Niedzica – History and Nature
In the morning, enjoy a traditional raft trip down the Dunajec River or a boat ride on Czorsztyn Lake, depending on the weather. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Niedzica Castle, a historic gem where Polish and Hungarian cultures meet. We’ll end the day with dinner surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Pieniny Mountains. Read and see more…
Day 7. Zakopane – Kraków.
After breakfast, we’ll head to Kraków, where we’ll explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Highlights include Wawel Castle, the Main Market Square, and the Cloth Hall. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to wander the city at your own pace. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a charming restaurant in the heart of Kraków. Read and see more…
Day 8. Kazimierz and Auschwitz
In the morning, we’ll visit Kazimierz, Kraków’s former Jewish district, known for its atmospheric alleys and historic buildings. Later, we’ll travel to Auschwitz-Birkenau to learn about the tragic history of Holocaust. After a reflective day, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 9. Wieliczka and Kraków’s Underground Museum
In the morning, we’ll visit the Underground Museum beneath the Main Market Square, revealing Kraków’s medieval history. In the afternoon, we’ll tour the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine, descending into its extraordinary subterranean world. The day will conclude with dinner at one of Kraków’s delightful restaurants.
Day 10. Nowa Huta and Farewell to Kraków
The day starts with a visit to Nowa Huta, a district from the communist era, followed by a tour of the famous Schindler Museum. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner to wrap up our journey.. Read and see more…
Day 11. Kraków – departure.
After last common breakfast in the hotel, we will transfer you to the Krakow Airport. For people interested in flying back from Rzeszow we can organize travel to the Rzeszow Airport. More…
Galicia Tour Booklet (TBD for 2025)
Download the detailed itinerary with description, photos and costs (in pdf) (TBD for 2025)
Blogs from previous Galicia Tour
Cost
The total cost of the Kingdom of Poland Tour for 2025 TBD
Single room supplement: TBD
First minute price until February 15, 2025: TBD in DBL or TWN room occupancy.
Tour cost includes:
- accommodations in 3 and 4 star hotels praised by our former guests,
- two meals daily, every day: breakfast, lunch or dinner,
- transportation between cities by air-conditioned, comfortable bus,
- sightseeing tours as specified in the tour itinerary,
- baggage allowance of one large suitcase per person,
- services of an English-speaking Tour Leader throughout the whole Tour,
- medical, accident and third party insurance,
- hotel taxes,
- transfers on arrival and departure from and to the airports or hotels.
Not included in the tour cost are items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar, gratuity to guides and drivers, air transportation to and from Poland.
Important: The deposit is refundable up to 90 days prior to the start of your tour. If a tour has less than 15 persons who have made reservations 2 months before planned date of starting the Tour, we reserve the right to cancel the whole Tour. In that case, all deposits for that Tour date will be refunded.
If you would like to have a Private Tour customized especially for you, your family and friends in any term, please contact us. To learn more about our full tour offer visit: https://polishorigins.com/tours, or contact us by email: [email protected], phone: 0048 664 407 089 (including WhatsApp, between 6.00 AM – 4.00 PM EST) or messenger https://www.facebook.com/PolishOrigins/.
If you are interested in the area of former Galicia and you are planning to travel there (in the nearest future or just some day), we invite you to join our Facebook Group, where you can meet our former guests, exchange experiences and ask questions to our team members.