The Flavors of Lower Silesia and Wroclaw & Polish Pottery Festival
August 13 – August 19, 2023 – SOLD OUT – Please email us at info@polandculinary.com to get added to WAITLIST.
7Days/6Nights
US $2450 /PP
THE AUGUST 2023 TOUR IS SCHEDULED AROUND THE ANNUAL POLISH POTTERY FESTIVAL BEING HELD IN BOLESLAWIEC, POLAND. JOIN US IN 2023 AT THE 29th POLISH POTTERY FESTIVAL ON POTTERY SHOPPING SPREE, REGIONAL FOOD & BEER TASTING, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND MORE…
The Lower Silesia 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, small group tour in Lower Silesia region, one of the most diverse and picturesque regions of Poland.
- Elegant and comfortable accommodations at the 4-star boutique Art Hotel in the city of Wroclaw and the new ibis Style Hotel in Boleslawiec.
- Visits to local markets and Polish Pottery Festival in Boleslawiec; opportunities to learn crafts from local artists.
- Polish cooking class with a local chef in Wroclaw.
- Polish pottery decorating class in Boleslawiec.
- Delicious regional cuisine: freshly made meals and breads, beer and vodka tastings.
- Polish wine tasting and vineyard tour offering a 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” or at the Polish Pottery Festival in Boleslawiec.
Day 1 – Sunday – Wroclaw
This morning after breakfast at Art Hotel we’ll start exploring Wroclaw with a short drive to visit the UNESCO Centennial Hall. This outstanding piece of architecture is over 100 years old and is surrounded by beautiful parks, gardens and a musical fountain. A true Lower Silesian gem! Upon return downtown, we’ll head to Pod Fredra restaurant located in Wroclaw’s Market Square to enjoy a traditional Polish Sunday lunch – “obiad”. We may also visit Spiz restaurant and brewery next door where we’ll get to taste delicious local ales. After lunch, we’ll begin Wroclaw city tour with our local guide. We begin the tour starting with exploring Wroclaw’s historic Old Town; the Market Square, Town Hall and Salt Market. Later in the evening we meet for a Welcome Reception near the Market Square to celebrate the start of our adventure in Poland. Enjoy!
Day 2 – Monday – Wroclaw, Walbrzych, Swidnica
Today we meet in the lobby of our hotel at 9:00 a.m. for a drive to the city of Walbrzych to tour the beautiful Ksiaz Castle. The 13th-century Ksiaz Castle, also called the Pearl of Lower Silesia, is the largest of the Silesian castles and the third largest castle in all of Poland, a place of many cultural and artistic events. After Ksiaz Castle tour, we’ll head for Polish wine tasting with sampling of local foods and vineyard tour at local Winnica Silesian. After wine tasting, we’ll take a short drive to the city of Swidnica to tour the 17th-century, wooden Church of Peace, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent building, the largest baroque timber church in Europe, was erected between 1656 and 1657 in just 10 months. After Church of Peace tour in Swidnica, we’ll drive back to Wroclaw. Upon arrival back at our hotel, enjoy the rest of the evening on your own.
Day 3 – Tuesday – Wroclaw
The best way to enter into the rhythm of day-to-day life in Wroclaw is to visit and shop at Hala Targowa, a historic indoor fresh food market. After Hala Targowa visit, we head to Polish cooking class where we learn how to prepare a typical Polish meal with a local Wroclaw chef. After enjoying our cooking class and lunch, we visit Panorama Raclawicka in a rotunda building presenting the painting of the Battle of Raclawice in April 1794, in which Poles won over Russians. The monumental picture is 374ft (114m) long and 49ft (15m) high and was painted on the 100th anniversary of the victory. Enjoy free evening and dinner on your own. Perhaps take a lazy night boat ride on Odra River to get another view of Wroclaw and this city’s stunning architectural beauty! We’ll have great restaurant recommendations for you.
Day 4 – Wednesday- Boleslawiec
Today we travel to Boleslawiec where the famous Polish Pottery is made. The tradition of making pottery in the region of Boleslawiec goes back hundreds of years. While in Boleslawiec, we’ll attend the annual Polish Pottery Festival, the largest Ceramics Festival in Poland and overnight there for the rest of the tour. Our activities will include Boleslawiec city tour and learning about the city’s interesting history, visiting local ceramics factories, watching parades and participating in hands-on workshop with local artists during the annual Polish Pottery Festival! There will be plenty of free time to shop for Polish Pottery at the festival’s multiple booths at the Market Square and factory stores! Choose from both decorative and pragmatic pottery pieces for loved ones back home, and don’t forget something for yourself! Dinner on your own. Enjoy your evening in charming Boleslawiec and the Polish Pottery Festival!
Day 5 – Thursday – Boleslawiec
To celebrate our fifth day in the beautiful Lower Silesia region and Boleslawiec, we attend the Polish Pottery Festival activities. Visiting local ceramics factories, shopping, participating in hands-on pottery painting workshop with local artists, discovering new designs and more. Tonight we dine together at Gospoda Kruszyna restaurant close to Boleslawiec, serving traditional Polish specialties in a cozy atmosphere.
Day 6 – Friday – Boleslawiec
Today we continue enjoying the Polish Pottery Festival activities. Visiting Antiques Market, local ceramics factories, Ceramics Museum, shopping and watching “Ceramics Carnival” in the evening – a festive parade and ceremonial opening of the 28th Polish Pottery Festival in Boleslawiec. Our Farewell Dinner will be at Brunow Palace near Boleslawiec – a famous spot among both locals and visitors for serving outstanding traditional Polish, regional and seasonal cuisine. Smacznego! – Enjoy!
Day 7 – Saturday – Boleslawiec
Depart for your home country following breakfast, or make your own arrangements to stay longer in lively Wroclaw or Boleslawiec.
Even though our vacations are leisurely, you may want to consider an extra night at the Art Hotel 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 (three nights at Art Hotel in Wroclaw and three nights at the new ibis Styles Boleslawiec Hotel)
- Transfer from Wroclaw hotel to hotel in Boleslawiec in the heart of the Polish Pottery Festival
- Daily breakfast
- Lunch and 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)
- Polish cooking class with local chef in Wroclaw
- Polish Pottery decorating class in Boleslawiec
- 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)
- 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
Szczęśliwej Podróży i Smacznego! - Happy Travels & Bon Appétit!
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