Discover Poland

We meet at London St Pancras and take the Eurostar to Brussels, continuing by rail to Berlin for two nights.

• Eurostar Meal

We set out on a guided walking tour of Germany's capital to uncover its fascinating history, contrasted with the city's vibrant present. We see the remains of the Berlin Wall, a poignant reminder of the city's turbulent past that's now decorated with colourful street art, and the Brandenburg Gate. A spectacular 18th-century neoclassical monument, this is the city's oldest surviving gate and is a symbol of unity in Germany. With a free afternoon, you could visit the Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie, which details the history of the Berlin Wall, or head to Potsdam, home to the Baroque flower gardens of Park Sanssouci.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Berlin, travelling through Poznan by rail to Wroclaw - our base for two nights.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with a guided walking tour of Wroclaw, introducing us to the city's sprawling canals, beautiful bridges and historic Old Town. We start exploring the most historic part of the city, Ostrow Tumski Island. Across the river is the university, where we visit the Aula Leopoldina ceremonial hall, home to Baroque-Rococo embellishments and traditional Polish frescoes. We also stop by the Market Square where we find city hall and some impressive burgher houses which once housed the wealthiest citizens of medieval Wroclaw.

• Breakfast

We take the train to Krakow, where we stay for four nights. The city is filled with beauty, much of it original as Krakow survived World War II largely unscathed. After checking into our hotel, we head out for a guided tour of the cobbled streets of the Old Town. Dating back to the 7th century, Krakow is one of Poland's oldest cities and is rich in cultural heritage, much of which we see with our local guide complete. We visit the former royal residence at Wawel Hill, one of the first sites to be inducted into the UNESCO Heritage list and once the residence of Polish royalty, as well as St Mary's Church - a fantastic example of Polish Gothic architecture.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your day is free until lunchtime when we meet at a nearby bistro for a private pierogi making class. These delicious dumplings are a Polish staple and are commonly filled with cheese, potato and onions before being fried in butter. As well as the delicious pierogi, we also get to sample other local delicacies such as Zurek soup, served in a bread bowl, and a variety of sweet treats.

• Breakfast

Today includes a visit to Oswiecim, the town the Germans called Auschwitz. We take a moving tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum; Nazi Germany's infamous concentration camp which has been preserved as a poignant reminder of the crimes against humanity committed here. We visit the original camp 'Auschwitz I', where prisoners would enter under the chilling 'Arbeit Macht Frei' sign, and 'Auschwitz II: Birkenau', the larger camp where the original railway and platform remain. We understand that this excursion may be too upsetting for some people, so alternatively, you could spend the day exploring Krakow at your own pace.

• Breakfast

We leave Krakow by coach, bound for the Salt Mines of Wieliczka, the oldest operational mines in Europe and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We take a guided tour of the intricately carved underground chambers, including a magnificent cathedral and impressive statues. Everything we see within the mine is the handiwork of the original salt miners, an amazing feat of engineering that showcases our human ability to shape the natural world. There are a myriad of tunnels and even an underground chapel to explore, all hewn from the salt rock itself. In the evening, we take a walk through Krakow's Jewish District, where we stop to dine at a local Jewish restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Catching the train to Warsaw, we arrive at our hotel for three-night stay. A city where stylish glass structures and Baroque mansions stand beside the Stalinist architecture of communist Poland, Warsaw's eclectic architecture tells a captivating story about the nation's history. This 'phoenix city' has certainly risen from the ashes, and is a thriving hub of culture with a beautiful UNESCO-listed Old Town, excellent museums and plenty of enticing places to eat.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We enjoy a sightseeing tour of Warsaw this morning, seeing the historic market square, St John's Cathedral and Castle Square, which sits in front of the red-brick Royal Castle. The rest of your day is free until the evening, when we take our seats to celebrate one of Europe's most famous composers, Frédéric Chopin. Held at the atmospheric Dean's Palace, and with seats for just 80 audience members, this intimate performance amid grand 19th-century surroundings makes the most of the venue's excellent acoustics and is followed by a drinks reception during which local alcohol and plum cake are served.

• Breakfast

Your day is free in Warsaw. If you're looking for an authentic experience that gives you a snapshot of Polish history, keep your eyes out for a milk bar, or bar mleczny. Milk bars started popping up in the late 1800s during communist rule, but grew more popular during the 1930s as no-frills canteens that served government-subsidised, hearty food to Poland's working class. Today, they're enjoying a revival thanks to their nostalgic interiors, retro ambience and affordable - not to mention delicious - homemade meals. Milk bars these days attract all sorts of people, so grab a bowl of tasty goulash and enjoy some of the best people-watching in the country.

• Breakfast

Leaving the Polish capital by rail, we journey to Bielefeld, in Germany, for an overnight stay.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Continuing to Brussels after a final breakfast, we connect with the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal