Poland by Train

Fly to Warsaw and take a private transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Depending on your arrival time, head into the city for your first look at the carefully reconstructed Old Town and colourful Market Square, or take a stroll along the Royal Route. There is a good choice of cafes, restaurants and bars in the city centre for your first evening in Poland.

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Spend the day exploring Warsaw at your own pace. Begin in the carefully reconstructed Old Town, centred around the colourful Market Square and Royal Castle, before following part of the historic Royal Route towards Lazienki Park. Warsaw also has some of Poland's best museums, including the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Warsaw Rising Museum. Later, walk along the Vistula Boulevards, explore the cafes and restaurants of the city centre or head to the observation terrace of the Palace of Culture and Science for views across the capital. (B)

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Make your way to Warsaw railway station and travel by train to Gdansk. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day getting your bearings, perhaps walking through the historic centre to Long Market and Neptune's Fountain before continuing to the Motlawa waterfront. (B)

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Explore Gdansk at your own pace, starting in the resilient Old Town with landmarks like Long Market and the Neptune Fountain. Stroll along the Motława River and relax at waterfront cafes. Visit Westerplatte for WWII history and the Gdansk Shipyard, birthplace of the Solidarność Movement. Don’t miss St. Mary’s Church, the largest brick church in Europe, with a stunning astronomical clock and panoramic views from its 400-step tower. Alternatively, take a short train ride to Malbork and explore its UNESCO-listed castle, a 13th century fortress of the Teutonic Order. (B)

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Make your way to Gdansk railway station and travel by train to Torun. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel for a two-night stay. The remainder of the day is free to begin exploring Torun's compact medieval centre, perhaps taking a stroll around the Old Town and down towards the Vistula River. (B)

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Torun's compact UNESCO-listed medieval centre is ideal for exploring on foot. Admire its remarkably well-preserved Gothic architecture, visit the Old Town Hall and Cathedral of St John, and see the house associated with astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Head down towards the Vistula River or discover Torun's famous pierniki gingerbread, produced here for centuries. One of the city's gingerbread museums or workshops is a fun way to learn more about this local speciality and perhaps try making some yourself. (B)

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Make your way to Torun railway station and travel by train to Poznan. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel for a two-night stay. Later, head to the colourful Old Market Square for your first look at the city's historic centre, with its Renaissance Town Hall, cafes and restaurants. (B)

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Start in Poznan's colourful Old Market Square, dominated by the impressive Renaissance Town Hall. Visit the nearby Fara Church, known for its richly decorated Baroque interior, before heading towards the reconstructed Royal Castle on Przemysl Hill. Later, continue to Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island), the oldest part of the city and home to the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul. Alternatively, explore more of the Old Town's museums, cafes and restaurants before returning to the Market Square for the evening. (B)

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Make your way to Poznan railway station and travel by train to Wroclaw. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day getting your bearings in the city, perhaps starting in the colourful Market Square with its impressive Gothic Town Hall. Wander through the surrounding Old Town or head towards the Odra River and its network of islands and bridges. As you explore, look out for Wroclaw's famous bronze dwarfs, which can be found throughout the city. (B)

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Spend a full day exploring Wroclaw. Walk across the bridges and islands of the Odra River to Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island), the oldest part of the city and home to the Cathedral of St John the Baptist. Back in the Old Town, visit the Market Square and St Elizabeth's Church, or head to the UNESCO-listed Centennial Hall. You could also visit the impressive Raclawice Panorama, a vast 19th-century painting depicting the Battle of Raclawice. Continue looking out for the city's bronze dwarfs as you explore – hundreds of these small sculptures are now scattered around Wroclaw. (B)

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Make your way to Wroclaw railway station and travel by train to Krakow. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel for a three-night stay. The remainder of the day is free to begin exploring, perhaps heading to the vast Main Market Square to see the Renaissance Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica, or enjoying an evening stroll through the surrounding streets of the Old Town. (B)

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Explore Krakow, a Polish gem rich in history and culture. The UNESCO-listed Old Town, with Europe's largest medieval market square and a fairy-tale castle, showcases the city’s resilience after WWII. Visit the 19th Century Polish Art Gallery and the Czartoryski Princes Museum. The Museum of Communism in Nowa Huta offers insights into life during the communist era, with exhibits on daily life and an underground nuclear shelter. Wander through the revitalised districts of Kazimierz and Podgórze, home to the former Jewish Ghetto and Schindler's Factory, where history comes to life. (B)

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Enjoy a final free day in Krakow or pre-book an excursion outside the city. Visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum or explore the underground chambers, passageways and chapels of the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine. Alternatively, travel by train to Zakopane at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. Spend time around lively Krupowki Street and, weather permitting, take the funicular up Gubalowka for panoramic views across Zakopane towards the mountains. We recommend pre-booking Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka, particularly during busy periods. (B)

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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. Take a private transfer to Krakow Airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)