Lesser Poland

Vacation Overview

Cooking Your Way From Krakow To Zakopane Culinary Vacation

Lesser Poland (Malopolska), located in the southeast part of the country, isone of Poland’s most beautiful and “delicious” regions. In addition to its many unique historic and resort attractions, it is home to the region’s magnificent capital city: Krakow, designated as a “European City of Culture” in 2000. The Old Town district of Krakow was built around Europe’s largest medieval market square, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But Lesser Poland is also home to the highlanders, or “gorale,” as they are called in Polish. And, while we’re in the charming town of Zakopane and surrounding areas, we will spend lots of time immersed in highlander culture: cooking,singing and dancing in their homes and restaurants. The highlanders' rich culinary and cultural traditions make this region one of the most exciting Polish destinations to explore in depth.

Outdoor Attractions: Lesser Poland offers an exceptionally varied and pristine landscape. First-rate hiking and biking trails run through the Tatra Mountains, offering stunning views of gorgeous scenery. Winter sports facilities and folklore events attract travelers here in every season. This region is also famous for its many fine health resorts and national parks that protect its unique environment.

Urban Amenities: Krakow, the capital of Lesser Poland, boasts many of the best museums, theaters and architecture in the country. Krakow is also home to one of the world's oldest and most distinguished universities, the Jagellonian University founded in 1364. Krakow's Main Square is filled with unique and beautiful cafés, restaurants, and pubs. The square is frequently used for concerts and artistic events. Cultural events or culinary festivals happen during each month of the year, offering residents and visitors many opportunities for fun and entertainment. We'll dine and cook with Krakow's talented chefs in some of the city’s best restaurants. And, we’ll take time to explore its unique architecture and history during our custom-designed city tour.

Main Attractions

7-day/6-night custom-designed, intimate cooking vacation in Poland's Lesser Poland region, immersed in beautiful Krakow and the unique highlander culture.

Elegant and comfortable accommodations at a luxurious: 4-star Villa Marilor palace/hotel in Zakopane, and 4-star Hotel Turowka, located within Krakow's metropolitan area.

Visits to local markets; opportunities to learn crafts from local artists.

Hands-on and demonstration-style cooking lessons throughout the week.

Delicious regional cuisine: freshly made meals and breads, plus beer and vodka tastings.

Visits to agrotourist farms, famous for warm hospitality and Polish countryside experiences.

Motor excursions into famous cities and towns to see renowned art and architecture, including buildings on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

An excursion by raft through the Dunajec River Gorge.

The option to extend your time in Krakow and further explore this spectacular southern Polish city.

Day By Day Itinerary

Our Exciting Itinerary for "Cooking Your Way From Krakow To Zakopane" Culinary Vacation

Day 1 - Sunday

We meet in the lobby of the Grand Hotel in Krakow at 10:00 a.m. for a group transfer by motor coach to the Villa Marilor in Zakopane, our home for the next four days. This spectacular 4-star hotel was once a small palace and now includes a luxurious spa and swimming pool. In addition to its beautiful location, the palace offers traditional Zakopane hospitality. During our drive to Zakopane, we stop at Chocholow and Witow villages, both on the Lesser Poland Timber Architecture Route. Next stop: a sumptuous home-made lunch at an agrotourist farm, Lesniczowka u Zieby, in the village of Dolina Chocholowska. Further exploration of this area may include sampling the famous, handmade oscypki and bryndza cheeses or highlander tea – which includes vodka – before we resume our journey to Zakopane. After settling into Villa Marilor, we take a short tour of this romantic palace, relax in the pool or spa, or go for a leisurely walk around Zakopane. This evening we gather for a festive Welcome Dinner at Villa Marilor restaurant, meet the head chef and dine on local specialties.

Day 2 - Monday

After breakfast, we attend our first cooking class in the highlander village called Gronkow. We learn the secrets of preparing the all-time regional favorite, moskole: potato pancakes with meat and mushrooms. In the afternoon, we travel back to Zakopane and tour this beautiful mountain town for the rest of the day. We visit the many museums, take a leisurely walk along the town's famous Krupowki Street, and stroll a few side streets. Later we ride a cable car up Gubalowka Hill to get the best panoramic view of Zakopane, and the Tatra Mountains and other maintain ranges. Our evening meal is at Bakowo Zohylina restaurant in Zakopane, which offers regional specialties with folk entertainment.

Day 3 - Tuesday

Today we travel to Dursztyn village for our second cooking class. On the menu this time is the undisputed Polish and regional favorite, pierogi – dumplings, with all kinds of stuffings. In the afternoon, we travel to Sromowce-Wyzne village to begin our trip on a wooden raft through the Dunajec River Gorge. It is one of the best-known attractions of this region. The daily raft trips have been organized by “gorale” the highlanders since the early 19th century. To celebrate our third day in beautiful Lesser Poland, we dine at Karczma Pieninska, in the highly picturesque small health resort of Szczawnica. We'll also sample Szczawnica's alkaline spring waters. This night, we celebrate with delicious regional Polish food, drink and music.

Day 4 - Wednesday

Today, we travel to nearby Lopuszna to cook with village women. Using a traditional regional recipe we prepare kwasnica goralsko, highlander sauerkraut soup, as part of our lunch. Before leaving Lopuszna, we may also visit the 16th-century wooden church and a manor house that accommodates the Noble Culture Museum. Then, we travel to Debno Podhalanskie village to visit a timber church where the interior includes unique paintings and precious Gothic sculptures from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The church is on the UNESCO List of World Heritage sites. Further exploration of this unique area may include a carriage ride and hike to gorgeous Morskie Oko Lake, or learning local crafts at the School of Dying Trades in Bukowina Tatrzanska. We also visit bacowka, a small mountain shepherd hut, where smoked sheep cheese is made in a traditional way by a highlander. Sample the famous “oscypek” at a cheese and lamb tasting. Tonight, for the final meal of our highlander culinary adventure, we dine at the Karczma Czarci Jar restaurant in Zakopane. The restaurant is famous among locals and tourists for its outstanding, hearty regional fare.

Day 5 - Thursday

After an early breakfast, we travel to Krakow, the capital of Lesser Poland, to begin our urban culinary experience. On the way to Krakow, we make a short stop at the city of Nowy Targ to do some shopping at the local open market. Every Thursday, people from the entire region (and even neighboring Slovakia) shop at this famous market. After we check into the luxurious, 4-star Hotel Turowka, located within Krakow's metropolitan area, where we'll stay for the next two days, we take a guided tour of the city. Krakow is Poland’s third largest city and escaped the devastation that obliterated other Polish cities during World War II. Its perfectly preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is on the itinerary for this afternoon's tour. We also visit Market Square, the largest medieval town square in Europe, the 14th-century Wawel Castle and Cathedral, and Kazimierz – former Jewish district. Later, we will also venture to a fresh food market, called Stary Kleparz, a centuries-old tradition. Locals and visitors shop in an unforgettable atmosphere for fresh, traditional Polish food products, which we'll have an opportunity to taste: breads, cheeses, meats, fruits and vegetables. Krakow is full of restaurants that offer memorable dining experiences. Tonight we dine on modern Polish cuisine at Ancora restaurant, located near the Market Square. Signature dishes by owner/chef Adam Chrzastowski are beautifully presented and of exceptional quality.

Day 6 - Friday

After breakfast, we head to the Culinary Institute in Cracow near Wieliczka for our last cooking class. We'll learn how to prepare a typical Polish three-course meal with the owner and head chef of the institute, Marek Widomski. After our class we'll tour the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine, a virtual underground city, with galleries, lakes, chapels and murals – all carved from salt – and a UNESCO World Heritage site. After our Wieliczka tour, you are free to enjoy the sights and shops of Krakow on your own or with our professional guide. Krakow offers a good choice of art, crafts, and souvenirs. We recommend Cepelia store, which has a great selection of quality Polish folk handicrafts. Our Farewell Dinner will be at Wesele restaurant, serving old Polish and Krakow delicacies and specialties located in the heart of Krakow's Market Square.

Day 7 - Saturday

Depart for your home country after breakfast, or make your own arrangements to stay longer in beautiful Krakow.

Even though our vacations are leisurely, you may want to consider staying an extra night at the Grand and Turowka hotels, located within Krakow's metropolitan area, before and/or after the trip. You may find that the extra time will make your week even more relaxing and enjoyable.

Vacation Details

What's Included

Six nights accommodations, double-occupancy, with en suite bathroom (four nights at Villa Marilor palace in Zakopane and two nights at the Hotel Turowka, located within Krakow's metropolitan area).

Arrival transfer from Grand Hotel at 10:00 a.m. to Villa Marilor palace in Zakopane

Daily breakfast

Six dinners

Six lunches

Local beer, vodka, tea, and coffee with all included meals (Please note that drinks consumed outside of mealtime are not included)

Four hands-on and/or demonstration-style cooking lessons

White cooking apron with Poland Culinary Vacations logo

Excursions to cultural sites, all entrance fees and food artisan visits

Rafting through the Dunajec River Gorge

Transportation where specified

English interpreters

All luggage transfers

Taxes and service charges

What's Not Included

Airfare or other non-specified transportation to the trip starting point, and from the trip ending point

Meals and alcoholic beverages not specified in the itinerary

Personal expenses such as laundry or telephone calls

Passport or visa fees

End of vacation gratuities for guides (not required, but greatly appreciated)

Insurance of any kind

Dates

Coming Soon!

Cost

Option 1. $2,950 per person, based on double-occupancy ($500 deposit). Single supplement is $350 - program as described above, lodging in four and five star hotels, all meals included.

Option 2. $1475 per person, based on double-occupancy ($500 deposit). Single supplement is $350 - program as described above, lodging in two and three star hotels. Thursday dinner in the city on your own. No specials or discounts apply.

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