Poland — Europe — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

EUROPE POLAND " SLOVAKIA Pedalling in Poland CYCLE GRADE B Ref CPP JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 8 DAYS HOTELS/PENSION ALONG THE DUNAJEC CYCLE ROUTE Cable Car Pedalling in Poland Ref CPP From Krakow airport Nowy Targ To KRAKOW & city cycle tour Stary Sacz Nowy Sacz POL AND LOPUSZNA Zabrzez Du Debno Church n aj ec na D u j ec a c Puscizna moor Chocholow Wooden Village Funicular to Gubalowka 1120m Bialka Gorge Niedzica Reservoir NIEDZICA 14th C Castle Kacwin Dunajec Gorge Green Dunajec Gorge Bl B Mo eskid unt ain s SZCZAWNICA RYTRO Old feudal village k ZAKOPANE Although not an obvious cycling holiday destination, Poland is actually a perfect place to explore on two wheels. As well as unspoilt landscapes, there are magnificent medieval towns set in sparsely populated countryside, villages where the age-old rhythms of life still continue, country roads where farm animals and horse drawn carts are still a common sight and above all else hospitable and friendly local people. We explore a beautiful rural region of Southern Poland, which was once part of the ancient Kingdom of Galicia. Foothills of the Tatras Mountains From Krakow we drive south to the mountain town of Zakopane. Ascending Mt. Gubalowka by funicular we enjoy a beautiful ride down to the timber-framed village of Chocholow in time for lunch in the village inn. Following a disused railway line, quiet country lanes and a riverside path we then pedal past the confluence of the White and Black Dunajec rivers to arrive in the historic village of Lopuszna. Cycling the Dunajec Gorge Theres time to visit an old wooden manor house before we cycle the winding course of the Bialka river, to its gorge near Nowa Bialka. We arrive in Spisz, a region rich in history, folk culture and castles. Reaching one of these castles at Niedzica, we spend the night in a nearby hotel. The next day we cross into Slovakia and cycle along the Pieniny Way, a path for walkers and cyclists only, part is actually carved out of the cliff which runs the length of the Dunajec Gorge. The scene of limestone cliffs and wooden rafts navigating the river down below is breathtaking. From Feudal Villages to Krakow We cross back into Poland to the little spa town of Szczawnica then cycle a lovely route between the beech wood slopes of the Beskid mountains, along the Dunajec river. Our last night in the south is spent at Rytro, an old feudal village at the foot of castle ruins, on Rysy 2499m Slavkovsky 2452m Strbske Pleso Tatranska Lomnica NOVY SMOKOVEC Poprad Aquacity thermal spa km 0 25 FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Krakow; drive Zakopane. 2 Funicular to Gubalowka; ride down to Chocholow; continue to Lopuszna via Nowy Targ. 3 Cycle via Bialka River Gorge and reservoir to Niedzica. 4 Cross into Slovakia; ride along the Pieniny Way through Dunajec Gorge; continue to Szczawnica spa town (Poland). 5 Cycle to Rytro via the green Dunajec Gorge and Zabrzez. 6 Pedal through Poprad valley to Stary Sacz; drive to Krakow via Nowy Sacz. 7 Cycle tour of Krakow and environs. 8 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 6nts hotel, 1nt pension; 7 breakfasts & 2 dinners included. See insert p2.. Bicycles: 21-gear touring bikes with rear pannier bag for carrying day things. Grade & Terrain: Grade B 230km/6 days (average 38km/cycling day). Cycling is mostly on the flat or downhill though there are several short uphill sections, generally when ascending out of river valleys. 80% asphalt, 15% well-maintained gravel lanes, 5% rougher tracks. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader cycles with the group on each day. Luggage is transferred between hotels by small vehicle/van. No vehicle back-up is provided whilst cycling on this trip as it is not necessary. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. On the Trail Our time here will be spent walking the various well-marked trails to discover the many facets of the Tatras rugged cliffs, giant peaks, emerald lakes and silent valleys. A cable car ascends to Lomnicki Stit (2632m), the highest point in the area, rewarding the Rafting on the Dunajec River/L. Lane-Owen traveller with panoramic views over the entire range. For the adventurous, Mount Rysy (2499m) is the highest summit on the waymarked route network. Rafting & Relaxation We take a break from hiking with a gentle raft journey past the towering limestone cliffs of the Dunajec River Gorge and a cycle ride along the Pieniny Way through forests of fir, beech, larch and spruce. At our destination, the Polish Spa town of Szczawnica, we can revive ourselves with a drink of its famous mineral waters. Alternative routes to rejuvenation can be found in the geothermal waters of Aquacity, an eco-friendly haven of mineral rich pools, spas and saunas with a state of the art cryotherapy centre. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Poprad; drive to Novy Smokovec. 2 & 3 Walking in the Tatras. 4 Drive to Majere, gentle rafting on Dunajec; cycle (optional) on Pieniny Way to Szczawnica (Poland). 5 to 7 Walks in the Tatras, visit to Aquacity thermal resort (optional). 8 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel; 7 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: On foot/Charter bus/Raft/Cycle. Comment: The Tatras combine the grandeur of the Alps along with rugged limestone cliffs and escarpments. Walking is graded as moderate with some strenuous sections and we plan to offer a range of walks with different options to accommodate the interests and abilities of the group. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, mountain guide plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18. Cycling through the countryside/Lark Lane-Owen Trek length and gradients 2400m 2000m 1600m 1200m 800m 400m 0m Novy Smokovec Novy Smokovec Novy Smokovec Novy Smokovec Novy Smokovec Novy Smokovec Rest Day Day 2 14.5km or 4.5km Day 3 19km or 7.5km Day 4 Day 5 11.5km Day 6 1km Day 7 18km or 6.5km Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement Po p W h it e D u n a j e c Cerveny Klastor Museum Spa town Pieniny Way P op ra d B i a lk a SLOVAKIA " POLAND km 0 16 Walking in the Tatras/Matej Sanitrar SLOVAKIA High Tatras Trek TREKKING GRADE B/C Ref PI the shady banks of the Poprad. A final short ride takes us through the Poprad Valley to Stary Sacz before we drive to Krakow, Polands most celebrated city. Our final day is spent enjoying a cycle tour of Krakows famous market square, medieval old town and historic Kazimierz district. JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 8 DAYS HOTELS HIGHLAND ESCAPE An exciting 8-day, centre-based trekking tour that takes in the best of the Slovak High Tatras from the mountain resort of Novy Smokovec. The views are breathtaking as we walk through forests and meadows to reach peaks surrounded by clear lakes. Novy Smokovec & the High Tatras In the heart of the High Tatras National Park, the spa resort of Novy Smokovec nestles amongst scenic forested foothills below Slavonsky peak. By winter a ski resort, the area is a trekkers' paradise during the summer months with easy access to the best trails. Containing some of the tallest peaks in Europe between the Alps and the Caucasus, the Tatras are littered with relics of the last ice age; broad valleys carve their way between frost-shattered peaks and over 100 mountain lakes pepper the landscape. High Tatras Trek Ref PI D u n a je c Cable Car Rafting & cycling in Pieniny NP Szczawnica Polish spa town L AND PO SLOVAKIA T H E H I G H T A T R A Lomnicki S 2632m ra d Rest Day Day 8 53

Europe contd… Poland