Essential Poland

Fly to Gdansk and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Depending on your arrival time, head into the historic centre for a first look at the colourful merchant houses of Long Market and the waterfront along the Motlawa River. There is a good choice of restaurants and bars in and around the Old Town for your first evening in Poland.

• Hotel Description

Spend the day exploring Gdansk at your own pace. Walk along the Royal Route through the historic centre, passing the Golden Gate, colourful facades of Long Market and impressive Artus Court before reaching the waterfront and the city's distinctive medieval crane. Visit St Mary's Church or learn more about Gdansk's important place in recent European history at the excellent European Solidarity Centre and Museum of the Second World War. Later, follow the Motlawa waterfront, cross to Granary Island or stop at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the historic centre. (B)

• Hotel Description

Make your way to the station and travel by train to Torun for an overnight stay. One of Poland's oldest cities, Torun's remarkably well-preserved medieval centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and compact enough to explore on foot. Wander through the Old Town to see the imposing Town Hall, Cathedral of St John and red-brick Gothic buildings, or visit the house associated with astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Torun is also famous for its traditional pierniki gingerbread, with museums and workshops dedicated to this local speciality. (B)

• Hotel Description

There may be time for a final stroll through Torun before making your way to the station for the train to Warsaw. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day getting to know the Polish capital. Head to the reconstructed Old Town and Market Square, walk part of the Royal Route or simply settle into one of the city's many cafes and restaurants for the evening. (B)

• Hotel Description

Spend a full day exploring Warsaw. Begin in the carefully reconstructed Old Town, centred around the Market Square and Royal Castle, before following part of the Royal Route towards Lazienki Park. For an insight into the city's history, visit the Warsaw Rising Museum or POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, while music lovers may prefer the Fryderyk Chopin Museum. Alternatively, explore contemporary Warsaw around the city centre, cross the Vistula to the Praga district or seek out some traditional Polish food at one of the city's surviving milk bars. (B)

• Hotel Description

Make your way to the station and travel by train to Krakow. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the Old Town, where the vast Main Market Square is surrounded by historic townhouses, cafes and restaurants. See the Renaissance Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica or take an evening stroll towards Wawel Hill and the Vistula River. (B)

• Hotel Description

Spend the day discovering Krakow's historic centre. Explore the Main Market Square and Cloth Hall before continuing to Wawel Hill to visit the Royal Castle and Cathedral. Later, head to Kazimierz, Krakow's historic Jewish district, with its synagogues, museums, cafes and restaurants. Across the river, Oskar Schindler's former enamel factory houses an excellent museum examining life in Krakow during the German occupation of the Second World War. Alternatively, pre-book an excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. (B)

• Hotel Description

Make your way to the station and travel south to Zakopane, set beneath the peaks of the Tatra Mountains. After checking into your hotel, spend the afternoon exploring the town. Stroll along lively Krupowki Street, look out for the distinctive wooden architecture of the region or take the funicular up Gubalowka for views across Zakopane towards the mountains. In the evening, try some traditional highland cuisine in one of the town's restaurants. (B)

• Hotel Description

Spend the morning enjoying Zakopane and its mountain setting. Depending on the season and weather, follow one of the walking trails in the surrounding area, take a cable car or funicular for panoramic views, or explore the town and browse for local crafts and smoked oscypek cheese. In winter, Zakopane is Poland's main winter sports resort. Later, make your way to the station and travel by train back to Krakow for your final night. (B)

• Hotel Description

Depending on your flight time, there may be time for a final stroll through Krakow, some last-minute shopping around the Main Market Square or a relaxed breakfast or coffee before departure. Transfer to Krakow Airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)