Polish Cooking with Chef Anna Hurning in Szczecin, Poland
May 21 – 27, 2023
7Days/6Nights
US $2450 /PP
Szczecin is the capital of West Pomerania and an important tourist and economic centre of the region. The incredible number of monuments, tourist highlights and cultural events attract crowds of visitors from Poland and around the world every year. Some of the must-sees in Szczecin include:
The Pomeranian’s Duke Castle – the Castle houses a Cultural Centre, an Opera, the Provincial Marshal’s Office and the Krypta Theatre housed in the crypts of the former dukes. It also offers exhibition halls with works of historical and contemporary art, as well as original ducal sarcophagi from the 17th century.
Old Town of Szczecin – the enchanting Old Town near the Oder Wharf is filled with irresistible restaurants and cozy cafes.
Wały Chrobrego (King Chrobry’s) Embankments and the Wharf – once used as fortifications, today the Wały Chrobrego embankments form a spectacular observation deck from which you can admire the vast panorama of Szczecin. The Wharf of the Oder River is the starting point for hydrofoil and cruise ship excursions. Leading to the deck are stairs with unique restaurants on both sides, and a fountain with two large columns resembling lighthouses. In the southern part of the Wały Chrobrego embankments is Maritime University, a Contemporary Theatre and the Maritime Division of the National Museum.
St. Jacob Archcathedral Basilica – from the almost 100-meter-high observation deck of the Basilica, you can admire the spectacular panorama of Szczecin. If the weather is nice, you will be able to clearly see the city’s most prominent monuments, Lake Dąbie and the railway station.
Main railway station – the historical railway station has a monumental hall with a glass roof supported on columns, as well as a bunker with two tourist routes connected with World War II and the Cold War.
This May, travel in the company of new friends, sightsee and cook with chef Anna of Polish Your Kitchen and savor the flavors of distinctive Polish and Western Pomeranian cuisine.
Main Attractions
- 7-days/6-nights custom-designed, Polish food and wine focused vacation in Szczecin and Western Pomerania region of Poland on the Odra River – Poland’s second largest river – and Baltic Sea coast. Plus day trips to Baltic Sea towns of Miedzyzdroje – dubbed Polish Hollywood and Swinoujscie – a seaside health resort on 44 islands and harbour.
- Comfortable and convenient accommodations at boutique Park Hotel in Szczecin, within walking distance to Szczecin’s famed Waly Chrobrego (King Chrobry’s Embarkments) and Wharf on the Odra River.
- Visits to local fresh food markets; opportunities to shop for food gifts made by local artisans (Starka – noble rye vodka produced in Szczecin is the flagship regional product. Starka’s recipe is top secret and it has been produced for over 500 years).
- Two hands-on cooking and baking lessons throughout the week with chef Anna of Polish Your Kitchen.
- Opportunity to receive autographed copy of Anna’s latest cookbook – Polish Your Kitchen – My Family Table.
- Delicious Polish cuisine: freshly made meals and breads, plus wine, beer and vodka tastings.
- Turnau winery tour and Polish wine tasting.
- Daily excursions by bus into well-known cities and towns to see celebrated art, architecture, nature and regional cuisine.
- The option to extend your time in Szczecin or stay on the Baltic Sea coastline and further explore this spectacular region of Poland.
Day 1 – Sunday – Szczecin
After breakfast, join us on a combination of a bus and walking Szczecin City Tour of must-see attractions with local guide. We’ll tour the Pomeranian’s Duke Castle, Old Town Szczecin, King Chrobry’s Embankments and the Wharf and St. Jacob Archcathedral Basilica. The City Tour will also include a stop at the Jasne Blonia Square to enjoy the spring flowers. This evening we’ll gather for a delicious Welcome Dinner at Park Hotel restaurant with introductions and meet chef Anna of Polish Your Kitchen. Welcome to Szczecin, Poland!
Day 2 – Monday – Szczecin
Later this morning we’ll head to our first cooking class with chef Anna and lunch afterwards. We’ll cook along with Anna both Polish and regional specialties: pierogi, “Paprykarz szczecinski” – local fresh fish spread with red peppers (Fresh fish abounds in local cuisine. Fish are served in various forms: fried, smoked or cooked in a soup. In many places, fish can be bought freshly caught straight from a fishing boat in West Pomerania) cucumber soup and traditional dessert. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Central Cemetery in Szczecin – Europe’s largest necropolis and Central Railway Station under which there is the largest civil air-raid shelter in Poland. Dinner on your own. We recommend Wyszak Restaurant and Brewery for delicious food and locally brewed beer. Cheers! – Na zdrowie!
Day 3 – Tuesday – Szczecin – Swinoujscie
Today we’ll take a drive from Szczecin to Swinoujscie, a seaside health resort and harbor situated on 44 islands with the widest beaches on the Polish shore. Western Pomerania has its own Lighthouse Route which includes seven lighthouses from which visitors can enjoy fantastic views stretching from their tops. Today you’ll have an opportunity to climb the highest in Europe and the entire world brick lighthouse (over 300 steps, 68 meters high) located in Swinoujscie. Early dinner in Swinoujscie before returning to Szczecin at Rybna Chata restaurant which has been awarded a certificate by the West Pomeranian Culinary Heritage Network, recognizing restaurants that foster regional tradition.
Day 4 – Wednesday – Szczecin – Baniewice
This morning we’ll drive south of Szczecin to Turnau Vineyard for a tour and Polish wine tasting. While there, we’ll also try local homemade delicacies: breads, cheeses, fish and meats with the award winning Polish wines. On the way, we’ll enjoy Western Pomerania’s charming countryside; nature, fields and forests and rural sacral architecture. The secret “Crooked Forest” near Gryfino with 100 old crooked pine trees is especially unique and worthwhile seeing. Dinner on your own upon return to Szczecin. We recommend Spizarnia Szczecinska which offers local cuisine.
Day 5 – Thursday – Szczecin
Later this morning we’ll head to our second culinary workshop with chef Anna. It will be a baking class where we’ll prepare all-time favorite; paczki and faworki. In the afternoon, enjoy free time in Szczecin. Shop souvenirs and/or Polish amber shopping or relax at our Park Hotel spa or take a leisurely walk on the many park paths surrounding our hotel. Tonight, we’ll meet for dinner at Na Kuncu Korytarza restaurant located at the Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle in Szczecin.
Day 6 – Friday – Miedzyzdroje – Szczecin
Today we’ll take a day trip to town of Miedzyzdroje on the Baltic Sea – one of the best-known Polish seaside resorts, dubbed Polish Hollywood, to enjoy wide sandy beach, longest pier in the West Pomeranian part of the coastline and Walk of Fame. On the way to Miedzyzdroje, we’ll make stops in Wolin; a town situated on the southern tip of the Wolin island and Wolinski National Park to admire incredibly rich and diverse landscapes. This evening we’ll enjoy our Farewell Dinner in Miedzyzdroje at Port Restaurant, casual waterfront spot with a patio featuring seafood and smoked fish dishes, plus pasta and dumplings. Smacznego! – Enjoy!
Day 7 – Saturday – Szczecin
After breakfast, depart for your home country or extend your stay in beautiful Poland.
- Six nights accommodations, single and double occupancy, with en suite bathroom in conveniently located, boutique, four-star Park Hotel in Szczecin
- Daily breakfast
- Daily lunch as outlined on itinerary
- 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)
- Two hands-on Polish cooking lesson with chef Anna Hurning
- Opportunity to receive autographed copy of Anna’s latest cookbook – Polish Your Kitchen – My Family Table
- Private tours and Polish wine tasting at a local vineyard
- Day trips to Baltic Sea towns of Miedzyzdroje and Swinoujscie
- 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
Szczęśliwej Podróży i Smacznego! - Happy Travels & Bon Appétit!
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