2012 TOUR OF POLANDThe Lira Ensemble offers the best cultural tours of Poland –
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Thursday, July12th |
We depart from O'Hare Airport on LOT Airlines in the early evening, enjoy dinner over the Atlantic and breakfast over Europe. All meals/refreshments onboard, including wine and beer (should you want them), are covered in your tour price. We nap/sleep or watch a movie or two, then land at Chopin Airport in Warsaw, Poland’s heroic capital city, on Friday morning. |
Friday, July 13th |
We arrive in Warsaw about 10am and transfer to the Sheraton in Three Crosses Square, one of Warsaw's finest hotels. We tour historic Old Town and New Town Market in Poland’s capital city and see a short documentary film about the tragic plight of Warsaw during World War II. We tour the magnificent, recently restored Royal Castle. We enjoy a light lunch in one of the charming restaurants in Old Town. We freshen up for our evening which begins with a private concert of music of Poland’s greatest composer: Frederic Chopin. Our welcoming dinner is at one of Warsaw’s most exclusive restaurants. Then we overnight at our hotel. |
Saturday, July 14th |
We enjoy a breakfast buffet at our hotel, with a large choice of Polish, Continental, and American dishes. After breakfast, we follow Warsaw’s Royal Route with its many palaces, churches and monuments and see more of the capital city. We lunch at one of Warsaw’s famous restaurants. After lunch, we drive into the countryside to visit Zelazowa Wola, the birthplace of Frederic Chopin. Then we drive to Lowicz, the Mazovian town known for its colorful paper cutouts. We enjoy a folk art presentation and entertainment at the unusual home of Kasia and Wojtek Gronecki, who serve us a homemade, home-grown dinner in their cottage. We tour the ruins of the castle they are restoring before driving back to our hotel for the night. |
Sunday, July 15th
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After breakfast at our hotel, we attend Mass (if you like) at Holy Cross Church where Chopin’s heart is buried. Then, we visit Wilanow Palace, the summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski, one of Poland’s greatest heroes, who saved Europe from Turkish invasion at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. We lunch at a quaint restaurant, then you have some time on your own for shopping, resting or wandering around Warsaw. Dinner is at one of the best restaurants in Poland. Next, we enjoy a Mozart opera, just as Amadeus would present it, as part of the internationally acclaimed Mozart Festival at the Warsaw Chamber Opera House. Then we overnight at our hotel. |
Monday, July 16th |
Breakfast is at the hotel, then we drive southwest to the city of Lodz, Poland’s second largest city, once an important industrial center. We do a short tour of Lodz (pronounced “WOULD-GE”) to see how Poland is recovering from communism. Lunch will feature local specialties, then on to the city of Wroclaw (pronounced VROH-ts-wahf), the capital of Lower Silesia. We tour Wroclaw’s charming Town Square. We have a group dinner reservation at perhaps the best spot in town, the Czarist Royal Restaurant, where you have your first chance to make your own menu choices and pay individually. Then to the new Sofitel Old Town Wroclaw Hotel for the night. |
Tuesday, July 17th |
Our breakfast at the hotel is also a buffet, which is customary in Poland. Then we tour the city of Wroclaw with its Gothic architecture and Silesian style – different than in other parts of Poland. We visit the marvelous Aula Leopoldina, decorated in the ultimate Baroque Rococo style, at the University of Wroclaw. We see the Raclawicka Panorama, the 360-degree painting of the Battle of Raclawice at which Tadeusz Kosciuszko led Polish troops in revolt against the Russians – and won the battle. Lunch is at a local restaurant, then we have time for shopping or resting. In the early evening, we drive to Borowa Palace for a Polish picnic featuring a bonfire and yummy Polish country treats. After much fresh air, food and drink, you will probably sleep very well at the Sofitel in Old Town. |
Wednesday, July 18th |
After breakfast at the hotel, we head southeast into the mountains. We stop at Swidnica to see a UNESCO Site, the Church of Peace – one the biggest timber-framed religious buildings in Europe with very unusual architecture and construction. Lunch is at the Kraskow Palace where you can see how the Polish landed gentry lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. We continue our drive south through the gorgeous scenery of the foothills and the beautiful Polish Tatra Mountains, part of the Carpathian chain. We arrive at Zakopane and check into the new Grand Nasalowy Dwor Hotel. For dinner, we try some of Zakopane’s unique cuisine at a local restaurant before we part for the night. |
Thursday, July19th |
After breakfast at the hotel, we tour Zakopane with its distinctive architectural style of intricate wood carvings. Zakopane is Poland’s most popular ski resort town, so we go up into the High Tatras in a cable car. Back in the valley, we visit the Orski Gallery of works by Polish-American artist Ryszard Orski. Lunch is on your own today and there is time for resting or shopping in the afternoon. There is much to buy here, especially unique mountaineer folk artifacts. Our hearty dinner is at a highlanders’ inn with lots of atmosphere. We overnight at the Grand Nasalowy Dwor. “Dwor” means manor house. |
Friday, July 20th |
After a good rest in the clean mountain air, we breakfast at the hotel. We drive to a national park for a restful - totally not dangerous - raft ride down the Dunajec River Gorge at the very southern border of Poland. Slovakia on the other side of the river. We enjoy Polish country food for lunch, then head for Krakow, a city beloved by many, many people. We stop to see the historic church at Debno, an excellent example of old Polish wooden architecture. We check into the Sheraton Krakow – one of the best hotels in Poland. Our dinner is at what is probably the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world, and is also a Cracovian tradition – Wierzynek – in Old Town Square. Our gourmet meal will be scrumptious. We overnight at the Sheraton. |
Saturday, July 21st |
Breakfast is at the hotel, then we tour Krakow, the capital of Malopolska (Little Poland - the heartland). Conde Nast Traveler Magazine calls it “the most European of all cities.” We see Wawel Castle and Cathedral, St. Mary’s Church, Old Town Square, the Sukiennice (an historic shopping mall) and much more. We have lunch at one of Krakow’s many delightful restaurants, then visit the famous Sukiennice Gallery of 19th century Polish art. Next, we see Krakow’s newest attraction – the Underground Route on Old Town Square –a great way to learn about the history of this fantastic city. Dinner is at another of Krakow’s exquisite restaurants, then we overnight at the Sheraton. |
Sunday, July 22nd |
We attend Mass (if you like) at one of Krakow’s many historic churches. Breakfast at the Sheraton is always great, then we drive to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi German concentration camp - an unforgettable experience. It is an extremely tragic, but important part of Polish history. We stop at Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul the Great. We return to Krakow in time for lunch on your own, then some time for shopping, resting or wandering the cobblestone streets of this charming city. We will suggest many enchanting restaurants at various price levels, if you like. You may want to dine at one of the many outdoor cafes. The food is delicious and not pricey. We re-group in the evening to drive through the Jewish district, Kazimierz, where we have a typical Jewish meal with terrific klezmer music. We return to the Sheraton for the night. |
Monday, July 23rd |
We rise very early for breakfast at the hotel before we drive west to Czestochowa, the spiritual capital of Poland. We see the miraculous, historic painting of Our Lady and tour the monastery on the Mount of Light. We will have the opportunity to request Masses to be celebrated at the foot of the painting, for friends and family, and also a chance to buy religious souvenirs at Czestochowa. We lunch at the delightful small palace in the village of Czarny Las. We drive back to Krakow to Lagiewniki, the new Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, a movement begun by one of Poland’s newest saints, Sister Faustina. We see the new John Paul II Center there. We stop in the suburb of Nowa Huta to see the striking church here that helped launch the career of Blessed John Paul. Dinner is at another Krakow landmark restaurant, then we overnight at our hotel. |
Tuesday, July 24th |
Since you have been very good travelers and very busy, we offer you all the morning off. You can sleep in and have a leisurely late breakfast, do some final shopping, or start packing, or do anything else that makes you happy. Lunch is on your own. In the early evening, we tour the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine – which has to be seen to be believed. Our farewell dinner is in one of the salt chambers – a very unusual, enjoyable experience. We enjoy a Polish folk song and dance before returning to the Sheraton. |
Wednesday, July 25th |
Do have a large breakfast, because this will be one of the longest days of your life, due to our trans-Atlantic flight. You have free time in the morning and lunch on your own before we transfer to Krakow Airport in the late morning. Our flight to Warsaw takes only about an hour. Since bags will be checked through to the US, your arms will be free for a bit of duty-free airport shopping (or window shopping). The Chicago flight departs at 4:30pm and arrives about 10 hours later, but it will be 7:40pm in Chicago. |
PLEASE NOTE: The tour itinerary is subject to change. And there will be some urprises!
The cost of the 2012 Tour of Southern Poland led by Lira Board Members is:
FROM CHICAGO: $5,379.00 PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY,
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $900; CHILDREN OVER 12, FULL PRICE
PLUS $255.27 TAX (which is subject to change and has changed in the past)
You may depart from New York City at a somewhat different price.
You may also fly Business Class, if you like. Ask us about the additional charge. LOT has no first class compartments.
Tour payments may be made by check only. Sorry, no credit cards.
PLEASE NOTE: A minimum of 21 adults must register for this tour, or the price will be $400.00 higher.
At least 16 people must register for the tour or it cannot take place.
Since the value of the US dollar in relation to the euro has been so erratic recently, we must add:
If the dollar falls steeply, there may be an additional charge; if the dollar rises significantly, there may be a refund.
A portion of the tour price is deductible from your federal taxes. A tax receipt will be issued after the tour.
A $1,500.00 DEPOSIT IS DUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE - ANOTHER $1,500.00 ON APRIL 1st
THE BALANCE IS DUE ON MAY 1st
| If you wish to remain in Poland after the tour, there is an additional airfare charge and you must send $2,000 as your first payment. Lira can help arrange HOTELS, TRANSPORTATION and TOURS for your extended stay. If you want to find your family, your ancestral city, town or village in Poland, Lira can suggest a trusted specialist in Poland withexcellent English. |
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 773-508-7040
OUTSIDE OF ILLINOIS, CALL 1-800-547-LIRA
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
HOTELS: Twin-bedded or double bedded rooms with bath or shower in first class or deluxe hotels. A limited number of single rooms are available at the supplementary charge of $900.00. Hotels subject to change.
TIPS & TAXES: Service charges, as imposed by hotels and taxes by local administrations and government authorities on accommodations, meals, and transportation, are included. Tips to local guides and baggage handlers at the airport and at hotels are included. It is customary for tour members to tip the tour guide (“pilot”) and driver who travel with the tour, on the last day of the tour. These tips are not included.
SIGHTSEEING & TRANSFERS: Sightseeing is as specified in the itinerary, including entrance fees, and subject to change. Transfer upon arrival and departure overseas by motorcoach between airport and hotel and vice versa if traveling with the tour group.
RESERVATIONS & PAYMENT: A deposit of $1,500.00 per person is required at the time of booking. A second installment of $1,500.00 is due April 1, 2012 and the balance is due on May 1, 2012. Reservations and payments are accepted with personal or bank checks only. Sorry, credit cards are not accepted for tour deposits or payments.
TRIP CANCELLATION, BAGGAGE AND MEDICAL INSURANCE: It is advisable to purchase insurance coverage for cancellation due to illness or accident. Applications for suggested insurance as well as baggage and travel insurance will be provided once tour deposits are received.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS: Cancellations must be in writing and the following cancellation charges per person will apply: Up to 61 days prior to departure - $500.00; 60-40 days prior to departure - 15% of the cost; 39-16 days prior to departure - 30% of the cost; 15 to 3 days prior to departure - 60% of the cost; within 2 days prior to departure - 100% of the cost.
YOUR RATE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Passport fees, taxes or tips on services not included in the itinerary; laundry or valet service; excess baggage charges; insurance of any kind; wines, liquors, or any food and beverages not on regular menus of included meals.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: A valid passport is required for all U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling to Poland.
RESPONSIBILITY: The Lira Ensemble acts only as an agent for the hotels, airlines, bus companies or owners, operators or contractors providing accommodations, transportation, meals, tours, or other services. All vouchers, coupons, contracts and tickets issued are subject to any and all tariffs, terms and conditions under which the foregoing or any services whatsoever are provided by such hotels, airlines, bus companies or owners, operators or contractors. By the acceptance of the above, the tour member agrees to the foregoing and also agrees that the ensemble shall not be or become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage to person, property or otherwise in connection with any transportation, accommodation, meals, tour or other services referred to herein, or resulting from neglect or default of any person, corporation or other entity engaged to supply the same. The tour operator reserves the right to make changes in the itinerary, whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions warrant; or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the passengers. They can accept no responsibility for losses of additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine or other causes. All such losses must be borne by the passenger as tour rate provides for arrangement only for the specified. All alterations may be made without penalty to the tour operator. The airline concerned is not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their planes or conveyance. The passenger contract in use by the airline concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and purchaser of this tour and/or passage. ###
THE LIRA ENSEMBLE
TOUR OF SOUTHERN POLAND
July 12th through July 25th, 2012
TOUR REGISTRATION FORM
Please use a separate form for each individual joining the tour.
Each individual must sign personally.
Please print or type. This form may be duplicated.
LEGAL NAME as it appears on your passport ________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________
CITY______________________________________STATE_____ ZIPCODE_______________
HOME TELEPHONE________________________CELLPHONE________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________
Please send all future tour information to me by e-mail_________
DATE OF BIRTH_____________________________CITIZENSHIP______________________
PASSPORT NUMBER_______________________________
PASSPORT EXPIRATION DATE _____________________
I PLAN TO DEPART FROM: ___ CHICAGO ___ NEW YORK CITY
If you do not live in the Chicago or NYC areas,
please contact us before you make any airline reservations.
No visa is needed to visit Poland. Only a valid passport is required.
If you do not have a valid passport, please apply for one at a passport office or post office as soon as possible.
The closer to summer, the longer the lines at the passport office and the longer it takes to get your passport.
Passport offices are listed in the telephone directory under "Federal Government".
Do check your local post office first; many of them accept passport applications.
IMPORANT: Your passport expiration date must be at least six months after your return to the United States.
Would you like a single room throughout the tour? (Extra cost of $900.00)______________
If not, with whom are you sharing a room?________________________________________
Do you want us to find a roommate for you? __________________ Do you smoke? _______
If you are traveling with your spouse, do you prefer twinsbeds?_______________________
Or a double bed?______________
Will you return with the tour on July 25th? _____________
If not, what is your return date? _____________________
Note: An extended stay, past July 25th requires an additional airfare charge
and a deposit of $2,000.00 (rather than $1,500).
If you are planning an extended stay, please call the Lira office as soon as possible.
Would you like us to book hotels/arrange travel/tours for you in Poland after July 25th? ____________________________
Would you like us to contact an expert to do research for you in Poland, for a fee? ____________________________
How did you learn of the Lira Tour?________________________________________________
DISCLAIMER: By making application for the above captioned trip sponsored by the Lira Ensemble, I hereby acknowledge that the Lira Ensemble (including its directors, officers, volunteers and employees) have no connection or responsibility with regard to the transportation or other facilities offered by the tour operator and airline making arrangements for the trip, and that the Lira Ensemble is not contracting parties with regard to any of the arrangements made or to be made. I understand that by signing this document I have contracted directly with the tour operator (Mazurkas Travel of Warsaw) and LOT Polish Airlines or other airline concerned and that contractual responsibilities, if any, are directly between Mazurkas Travel, the airlines, and me. I am fully cognizant of all risks of travel and arrangements for trip of this nature and fully disclaim, waive, and discharge the Lira Ensemble (including its directors, officers, volunteers, and employees) from any and all liability, claims, or responsibilities with regard to the proposed trip and arrangements made with respect thereto, even if caused by the negligence or purported negligence of the Lira Ensemble (including directors, officers, volunteers, and employees).
SIGNATURE OF TRAVELER___________________________________DATE____________
Please send this completed form,
with a $1,500.00 or $2,000.00 deposit as a check payable to the Lira Ensemble,
as soon as possible, to:
The Lira Ensemble, 6525 N. Sheridan Road #CH-LL, Chicago, Illinois 60626
End of Tour Information
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6525 North Sheridan Road #CH-LL, Chicago, Illinois 60626
773-508-7040 or email lira@liraensemble.org
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