Silesia

Overview

The Flavors of Lower Silesia and Wroclaw

THE AUGUST 18 - 24, 2013 CULINARY VACATION IS SCHEDULED AROUND THE ANNUAL POLISH POTTERY FESTIVAL BEING HELD IN BOLESLAWIEC, POLAND. JOIN US IN 2013 AT THE XIX POLISH POTTERY FESTIVAL ON POTTERY SHOPPING SPREE, REGIONAL FOOD & BEER TASTING, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND MORE...

The Lower Silesia culinary vacation offers a fantastic introduction to a rare gem in the world of European cuisine. It remains a little-known culinary destination, unless, of course, you are of Polish ancestry. In that case, you'll remember eating delicious, traditional Polish food during holidays while enjoying the music, dance, and rich traditions so intertwined with the cuisine. Whether you join us as a traveler discovering Poland for the first time, or you are seeking to reconnect with your own family traditions, this will be a unique and meaningful vacation that provides a strong sense of home in the midst of new experiences.

Outdoor Attractions: Situated in southwest Poland, this area features diverse wildlife, the rugged Sudety mountains, rivers and pastoral valleys, as well as striking cave formations, old growth forests, and more than a dozen scenic and national parks. In the towns and villages, people celebrate the outdoors in their gorgeous botanical gardens, pristine mineral springs, and healing health resorts.

People who have settled in the Lower Silesia region come from many different parts of Poland and Europe. They are known for their hospitality and willingness to share their agricultural lifestyle with visitors, which is one reason why agrotourism is growing so rapidly here. We'll visit agrotourist farms and participate in hands-on cooking classes. With the local farmers as our teachers, we'll learn how to prepare both regional and traditional specialties.

Urban Amenities: Wroclaw, the capital of Lower Silesia, nicknamed "The Venice of Poland," sits on twelve islands along the Odra River. This historic city showcases Gothic, Flemish, and Viennese Baroque architecture, although it's known as a progressive incubator of avant-garde theatre and modern art. With a thriving university and growing scientific sector, the diverse population demands eclectic entertainment, fine restaurants, and trendy boutique shopping.

After we've dined and cooked with chefs in some of this vibrant city's best restaurants, an architectural and historic tour of Wroclaw will round out our experience.

We know you'll fall in love with the beauty of Lower Silesia, and with its culinary abundance. You'll want to return to this region of Poland again and again!

Main Attractions

7-day/6-night custom-designed, intimate cooking vacation in Poland's Lower Silesia region, one of the most diverse and picturesque areas of Poland.

Elegant and comfortable accommodations in the beautiful 16th-century Zamek na Skale castle/hotel & SPA in the Polish countryside and 4-star boutique Art Hotel in the city of Wroclaw.

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 bread, plus wine, beer and vodka tastings.

Visits to agrotourist farms: legendary hospitality and the chance to experience life in the Polish countryside.

Motor excursions into famous cities and towns to see renowned art and architecture, including buildings which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, plus many more cultural discoveries.

The option to extend your time in Wroclaw and further explore this lovely city, dubbed "The Venice of Poland".

Day By Day Itinerary

Our Exciting Itinerary for "The Flavors of Lower Silesia and Wroclaw"

Day 1 - Sunday

We meet in the lobby of Wroclaw hotel at 10:00 a.m. for a group transfer by motor coach to a spectacular 16th-century Zamek na Skale castle (a four star luxury hotel with SPA center in the historical cellars of the castle) in the village of Trzebieszowice, our home for the next four days. In addition to its beautiful location, our castle has an interesting history: the Prussian king, Frederik Wilhelm III, once invited the Russian czar, Alexander I, to join him and his entourage there for a birthday celebration. Enroute, we stop at Karczma Zagloba, in the town of Swidnica, for a sumptuous lunch. We also visit the 17th-century, wooden Church of Peace, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further exploration of this region may include sampling hand-made pralines at a Chocoffee shop, or a visit to a gingerbread bakery before we resume our journey to Trzebieszowice. After settling into Zamek na Skale, we take a short tour of this truly romantic and comfortable castle, relax in the spa, or go for a leisurely walk in the nearby park. Later in the evening, we meet head chef, Marek Mol, for a festive Welcome Dinner in the castle restaurant featuring specialties of the local cuisine and chef's exclusive culinary creations made especially for us.

Day 2 - Monday

After breakfast at the castle, we attend our first cooking class with Halina Jurak from Jaszkowa Gorna village. We learn the secrets of preparing the all-time Polish favorite, pierogi, stuffed dumplings. Then, we get an introduction to the Polish bread-baking traditions at a family owned "Bagietka" bakery in Jaszkowa Dolna village. The aroma and taste of the freshly-baked breads in the bakery is unforgettable! In the afternoon we'll tour Klodzko and beautiful Polanica Zdroj, a health resort town. While there, we must taste the mineral water from the "Wielka Pieniawa" spring and take a leisurely walk through the town center and surrounding health park. Our evening meal is at Gospoda Altheide right in Polanica Zdroj. Smacznego!

Day 3 - Tuesday

Today we travel to Boleslawiec where famous Polish ceramic pottery is made. The tradition of making pottery in the region of Boleslawiec goes back hundreds of years. We'll get a tour of the ceramics factory and participate in a hands-on workshop with local artists. In the afternoon, as we make our way back to our hotel, we'll make a stop in town of Walbrzych. While there, we visit the 13th-century Ksiaz castle, also called the Pearl of Lower Silesia, the largest of the Silesian castles and the third largest castle in all of Poland, a place of many cultural and artistic events. To celebrate our third day in the beautiful Lower Silesia, we dine at Korona restaurant in the town of Klodzko. Korona restaurant is famous among locals for serving outstanding Polish and Silesian cuisine and a popular venue for wedding receptions.

Day 4 - Wednesday

Today, we head to nearby Krosnowice village for our third, hands-on cooking class with Halina Puk. Using a traditional Polish recipe and natural ingredients from the owner's farm, we prepare barszcz czerwony, red beetroot borscht, as part of our lunch. Then, we travel to Kletno where we visit the most beautiful cave in all of Poland, "The Bear's Cave." On the way to Kletno we make a short stop at the town of Stronie Slaskie, to visit "Violetta," a 200-year-old company that manufactures high quality, hand made, crystal glass products. For those ready to shop, the company gift store has many of their beautiful products for sale. As we make our way back to our castle, we may also drop in on the local food artisans at their agrotourism farms. Upon return to the castle, enjoy free time, relax at the SPA and dine on your own at the castle's restaurant on this final day of our culinary adventure in beautiful Lower Silesia.

Day 5 - Thursday

After an early breakfast, we travel to Wroclaw, the capital of Lower Silesia, to begin our urban culinary experience. After checking into the Art Hotel, where we'll stay for the next two days, we head to lunch at the Krakus Fraternity restaurant. Located right next to KS "Wratislavia" Polmos distillery, the restaurant specializes in Polish dishes accompanied by a vast selection of vodkas. Following lunch we enjoy a guided tour of the distillery. We learn the secrets of vodka production and watch the entire process in historic production halls. Then, we take a guided tour of Wroclaw's historic Old Town, including Market Square, Town Hall, and Salt Market. Later, we may also visit Spiz restaurant and local brewery where we get to taste delicious local ales. Wroclaw has many great restaurants specializing in Polish cuisine. Tonight we dine at JaDka, one of the most elegant of them all, located in the theater district. Enjoy!

Day 6 - Friday

After breakfast, we enter into the rhythm of day-to-day life in Wroclaw by touring and shopping at Hala Targowa, a historic indoor fresh food market. Next, we head out to our last cooking class for the week, where we learn how to prepare a typical Polish meal with a local Wroclaw chef. After cooking class and lunch, we may visit Panorama Raclawicka or take a lazy boat ride on Odra river to get another view of Wroclaw and its stunning architectural beauty. There's free time to shop for gifts at Cepelia store. Choose from both decorative and pragmatic Polish handicrafts for loved ones back home, and don't forget something for yourself! Our Farewell Dinner will be at Karczma Lwowska restaurant, serving old Polish specialties from the eastern borderlands, and located in the heart of Wroclaw's Market Square. There's live entertainment, too!

Day 7 - Saturday

Depart for your home country following breakfast, or make your own arrangements to stay longer in lively Wroclaw.

Details

What's Included

Even though our vacations are leisurely, you may want to consider an extra night at the Wroclaw and Art hotels in the city of Wroclaw before and/or after the program. You may find that the extra time will make your week even more relaxing and enjoyable.

Six nights accommodations double occupancy with ensuite bathroom (four nights at the Zamek na Skale castle and two nights at Art Hotel in Wroclaw)

Arrival transfer from Wroclaw hotel at 10:00 a.m. to Zamek na Skale castle

Daily breakfast

Daily lunch

Dinner as outlined on itinerary

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

Three 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

City tour of Wroclaw (with professional city guide)

Boat ride on Odra river in Wroclaw

Transportation where specified

English interpreters

All luggage transfers

Taxes and service charges