Coastal Cooking in Pomerania and Gdansk

Day 1 – Sunday
We meet in the lobby of Villa Baltica at 10:00am for a group transfer by motor coach to Manor House Lisewski Dwor in the beautiful Kashubian countryside, our home for the next three nights. The Manor House Lisewski Dwor offers elegant rooms and world class cuisine. While staying at the manor, guests are only a short drive to major area attractions among them the Baltic Sea coastline and Lake Zarnowiec. Enroute to the manor, we make a stop in Gdansk Oliwa, a quiet and charming small city just outside Gdansk. In Oliwa, we’ll visit the 13th century Oliwa Cathedral built by Cistercian monks, Abbots’ Palace which houses the Contemporary Art Branch of the National Museum, a beautiful park and get a view of Lech Walesa’s residence. During summer months, many culinary and cultural events take place in Gdansk Oliwa and offer a perfect opportunity to experience local culture and flavors. Later in the evening and after settling into the Manor House we meet for a festive welcome dinner at the manor’s restaurant to enjoy delicious Polish and Kashubian specialties.

Day 2 – Monday
After breakfast at the palace we attend our first cooking class with women from Gniezdzewo village. Get a taste of Kashubian life and savor homestyle cooking while preparing several Kashubian recipes. In the afternoon, we head out to Jastrzebia Gora, a seaside resort with beautiful beaches and Puck, a town in Northern Kashubia or Norda located on the Puck Bay. Puck functions as the Northern regions center and hosts many interesting events like the Sea Pilgrimage of Fishermen – the only pilgrimage by boats in Europe. While in Puck we visit historic Market Square, Yachting and Fishing Port, Museum of Puck County, Pier of the Puck Bay and Seaside Promenade. Our dinner is at Nordowi Mol restaurant in Celbowo serving traditional Kashubian cuisine.

Day 3 – Tuesday
Your day starts with a short northward drive to the beautiful Hel Peninsula. On arrival enjoy the views of the Peninsula while we explore luxurious resort towns with romantic, pristine beaches. Here we visit centuries-old fishing villages starting with: Wladyslawowo, Chalupy, Kuznica, Jastarnia, Jurata and Hel, the Pearl of the Peninsula, one of oldest towns of Pomerania and the only town surrounded by the sea on three sides in Poland. As we break for lunch, why not sample a meal of fresh local seafood specialties? We’ll do just that at famous Maszoperia Cafe & Restaurant in Hel. After lunch, we continue to explore this fascinating area with visits to The Fishery Museum, The Hel Cape – the beginning of Poland, The Lighthouse, The Seal Sanctuary and Fishing Port. We may also take a scenic boat ride on the Baltic Sea to get another view of the Peninsula from the water. Upon return to the manor, enjoy free time, relax and dine on your own at the manor’s restaurant.

Day 4 – Wednesday
This morning we head to Lebcz village to cook and taste more of the authentic Pomeranian dishes with Regina and her friends. Our hosts will share with us not only their culinary talents but also arts and crafts unique to this region. After cooking lesson we take a scenic ride through Kashubian countryside to Gdynia and Sopot, as we make our way back to Gdansk. We spend the afternoon exploring the most interesting sights of both of these coastal cities. In Gdynia, we make sure to visit and shop at the famous fresh food market built before World War II. In Sopot, Poland’s premier seaside resort and known most popular international destination we walk off our lunch on the Esplanade, a walking and cycle path which runs alongside sandy beaches. We climb the Old Lighthouse to take in breathtaking views of the coast and Sopot. Next we go down to visit Sopot’s Pier which provides stunning views of the Baltic Sea by day and night. Our dinner at Brovarnia Gdansk Restaurant and Microbrewery right in our hotel serving excellent, award winning freshly brewed beer and “Old Gdansk” cuisine will make this a night to savor and long remember.

Day 5 – Thursday
A trip to Malbork where we’ll tour the Teutonic Knights Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must see while visiting Pomerania region of Poland. We’ll spend half a day exploring this world’s biggest brick castle and learning about interesting history of the Teutonic Knights. After touring the castle we take in a delicious lunch at Gothic Cafe & Restaurant in Malbork castle. The castle restaurant holds a Culinary Heritage of Pomerania designation for it’s patronage of regional food suppliers and serving of regional cuisine. We meet Bogdan Galazka, Gothic’s friendly and talented chef and cookbook author as we enjoy our lunch. In the afternoon we return to Gdansk to sightsee the most important places: Town Hall of the Main City, Neptune Fountain, Saint Mary’s Street, The Royal Route, Crane Over the Motlawa River and various churches. Dinner will be on your own tonight in one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. Consider visiting Metamorfoza restaurant in Gdansk where on the menu you’ll see a mix of traditional Polish cuisine with flavors borrowed from other world cuisines as well as the art and science of molecular gastronomy.

Day 6 – Friday
After a relaxed breakfast this morning we head out to Pomerania Culinary Academy in Gdansk for our last regional cooking lesson with chef Krzysztof Szulborski. This afternoon, enjoy the sights along Motlawa River aboard Black Pearl, galleon-style ship as we cruise to Monument to the Westerplatte Defenders, site of the first battle of World War II. Later, finish your souvenir shopping or meet our guide on a short tour of Solidarity Museum and Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers. In the evening join us for a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers that is not to be missed, multi-course menu that embodies the very best of Polish and regional fare at Pod Lososiem restaurant in Gdansk paired with famous Goldwasser Vodka. Pod Lososiem restaurant is one of the oldest and best known restaurants in Gdansk and it is here that Goldwasser Vodka was first distilled in 1598. Na Zdrowie! Cheers!

Day 7 – Saturday
Depart for your home country after breakfast, or make your own arrangements to stay longer in beautiful Gdansk.

Even though our vacations are leisurely, you may want to consider staying an extra night in Villa Baltica in Sopot and Hotel Gdansk, located in Gdansk Old Town, before and/or after the trip. You may find that the extra time will make your week even more relaxing and enjoyable.

• Six nights accommodations, double-occupancy, with en suite bathroom (three nights at Manor House Lisewski Dwor and three nights at Hotel Gdansk, located in Gdansk Old Town).
• Arrival transfer from Villa Baltica in Sopot at 10:00 a.m. to
• Manor House Lisewski Dwor.
• 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
• 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