Trip Overview
Travel deep into the heart of southern Poland with AdventureWomen, a centuries-old time capsule of culinary and folk-art traditions. Divide your time equally between charming Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains and the stunning medieval city of Krakow, where uniquely local experiences offer the perfect backdrop for new friendships. From cooking classes and market visits to a river float trip and salt mine exploration, revel in the colorful customs and boundless hospitality that keep this a truly original corner of Eastern Europe.
Bring your spirit of exploration, and your appetite, to the charming Malopolska region of Poland, a tapestry of idyllic mountain landscapes, the old-world traditions of its Highlander (gorale) culture, and the intriguing heritage of its capital city, Krakow. Meet your AventureWomen traveling companions in beautiful Krakow and catch your breath during a relaxing overnight before heading to Zakopane, your home for the next four days. En route, stop for a delicious homemade village lunch, the perfect introduction to the local cuisine and to one another!
Zakopane
Follow your expert, companionable Polish guide into the heart of the culture to learn both its history and unique local lore. You are also accompanied by an AdventureWomen Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way!
Have your wooden spoons at the ready as you participate in preparing the favorite regional dish, moskole: potato pancakes with meat and mushrooms. Kudos to your delicious lunch! Drive into Pieniny National Park and embark on a scenic float trip aboard a traditional wooden raft once used to move logs down the Dunajec River. Soaring cliffs and the rugged Tatras peaks give way to the splendid 360-degree views of the Dunajec River Gorge. Dinner is at your leisure for two nights in Zakopane offering the chance to explore local dining with new friends. Smacznego – Bon Appetit!
Join the lively local scene during a guided walk through town, and search for the perfect souvenir at the Gubalowka Hill craft market. Nearby, the photographic wonderland of Chocholowska Valley was once the sheepherding center of the Tatras Mountains. Take a scenic hike here, wending your way through forest glades and past picturesque shepherd’s huts. Reward yourself at the end of the day with an optional luxurious spa treatment at your hotel.
In a mountain village near the Slovakian border learn the fine art of painting on glass and create your own precious souvenir. Meet a local celebrity restaurateur for a delicious lunch, then drive along the UNESCO Trail of Wooden Architecture through the mountains, visiting wooden churches, manor homes, and local grocery markets. A special dining and folkloric music and dance experience is the perfect way to savor your last evening in Zakopane.
Krakow
Turn northward for the return journey to Krakow, stopping at a shepherd’s hut in Bacowa to taste oscypek, the traditional highland smoked sheep cheese. Beautifully preserved Krakow, the medieval jewel that escaped the devastation of World War II, welcomes you for the next two nights. Investigate the nooks and crannies of vast Market Square and medieval Old Town (a UNESCO site) and visit Wawel Cathedral and Castle, Poland’s ancient center of royalty. Explore the fascinating neighborhood of Kazimierz, the city’s former Jewish quarter for 500 years until its destruction during the Second World War. Thanks to Steven Spielberg’s film, Schindler’s List, the neighborhood has been rediscovered and transformed into a lively center of cafes and art galleries.
Your final culinary adventure begins in Stary Kleparz, Krakow’s venerable covered market showcasing traditional Polish food products. Sampling is encouraged! Meet your local chef instructor and prepare to create, and feast on, a sumptuous three-course Polish meal. Next, descend 1,072 feet underground, into the Wieliczka Salt Mine, another UNESCO site, for a guided walk through is tunnels and caverns. Marvel at the chapels, vast murals, and intricate chandeliers artistically carved into the crystal mineral.
Celebrate your adventures with a fabulous farewell dinner in the heart of Krakow’s Market Square. As you savor the flavors you’ve come to love, toast to new friends and culinary camaraderie, to the beautiful landscapes of Lesser Poland, and to the warmth and persevering spirit of its people who so fiercely embrace and uphold their ancestral traditions.
Main Attractions
- Discover the delicious culinary heritage and colorful Highlander traditions of Malopolska, Poland’s southernmost region
- In fragrant markets and local kitchens, learn to prepare the favorite recipes of the region
- Hike through scenic Chocholowska Valley, ride a traditional wooden raft through the Dunajec River Gorge, and descend deep underground to explore the massive caverns of famed Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Visit the beautiful wooden churches along the Trail of Wooden Architecture
- Explore Krakow’s Old Town and the city’s old Jewish quarter
What You'll See and Do
- Architecture
- Cooking Class
- Hiking
- Historical Sites
- Local Delicacies
- National Parks
- Sightseeing
- Spa Element
- UNESCO Site
- Walking
- Wine Tasting
- Women-To-Women Exchanges
Download Extended Itinerary
- May 4 > May 11, 2024
Download Itinerary PDF
