Arts & Crafts of Eastern Europe
 

July 31-August 13, 2008

An incredible opportunity to visit some of the most historic cities of Eastern Europe: Warsaw, Krakow, Prague and Budapest.  Join Deb Roberts for this amazing journey to see and learn about the folk-art heritage in these regarded areas.  Our journey starts in  historic Warsaw where together we will begin to traverse the countryside and cities, enjoying the people, scenery, markets, museums and villages that make this area unique to the world of handcrafted arts.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - July 31: Depart from USA to Warsaw, Poland at your leisure, using any airline and departure city of your choice.  Using Deb's "Free to Fly" plan, you may use your airline miles or combine any discounts while avoiding the hassles of meeting up with a group at a designated US departure airport.  You have the freedom to leave when you want and from where you want.

Day 2 - August 1, WARSAW: Arrive at our Warsaw hotel, where the remainder of the day is yours to rest or enjoy the local markets and scenery.   We will meet this evening for a group dinner together.  D

Day 3 - August 2, WARSAW:  Today, after a wonderful breakfast we will meet for a full day's sightseeing tour of Warsaw which will include the Royal Castle, St. John's Cathedral, Lazienki's Palace and the infamous Ghetto Area. A traditional Polish lunch will be included.  The remainder of the day will be at our leisure. B, L.

Day 4 - August 3, WARSAW:  We will meet early today for an excursion to Lowicz which is considered to be the oldest town in Poland. Here we will visit the regional museum to learn of this area's folk-art heritage and folklore.  Following lunch we will visit Maurzyce and their open air folk-village museum.  Returning to Warsaw we will be on our own for the remainder of the evening.  B.

Day 5 - August 4, WARSAW - KRAKOW: A wonderful adventure awaits us as today, we will be departing Warsaw for Krakow.   During our scenic journey we will visit the Wawel Castle for a guided tour of their Flemish tapestry's and other Renaissance decor.  We will also see the Hall of Cloths museum which contains 18th and 19th century Polish art and handcrafts.  Before ending our day in Krakow, we will tour  St. Mary's Cathedral, a 14th century Gothic church, known for it's huge alter piece.  We will enjoy dinner together at hour hotel.   B, L, D.

Day 6 - August 5, KRAKOW-ZAKOPANE:  Today, we will travel to Zakopane, known for its incredible scenery and mountain vistas. We will be treated to traditional folk-art painting lessons at a painter's home in Zalipe before ending the day at our hotel for an evening on our own in Zakopane.  B, L.

Day 7 - August 6, ZAKOPHANE - PRAGUE:  As we enter the Czech Republic our destination today will be its capital city - Prague.  On our way, we will visit Bratislava in Slovakia and tour the well-known  Modra  Ceramic Factory. We will end our day with dinner together at our Prague Hotel.  B, L, D.

Day 8 - August 7,  PRAGUE:  An incredible day in Prague awaits as we visit famed Erpet Crystal Gallery and the Mucha Museum.  The late afternoon is free before we gather in the evening for dinner and a show at Prague's  Marionette Theater.  B, D

Day 9  - August 8, PRAGUE - BUDAPEST:  After a leisurely breakfast, we will enjoy the scenery of the countryside between the Czech Republic and Hungary, sightseeing and stopping at local villages along our way.  Once we arrive in Budapest our time will be free to explore the nearby areas of this historic city.  We will gather together for dinner  in the evening.  B, D.

Day 10 - August 9, BUDAPEST:  An incredible day awaits!  This area is famous for it's painted porcelain, this morning we will visit a porcelain factory and its museum.  The afternoon will be free for our leisure to shop and see some of the incredible historic areas of Budapest.  This evening a special excursion is planned - a cruise on the Danube River. B.

Day 11 - August 10, BUDAPEST:  There is so much to see and today we will visit  some of the well known areas  around Budapest.  We will enjoy a walking tour  Holloko, a historic town and fortress close to the city.  Here we will visit  a weaving house (for a demonstration), the Village Museum of Folkcraft and the Doll Museum.  Following free time and lunch, we will  tour the Godollo Palace, known for its Baroque architecture and decor.  Our adventuresome day will conclude with dinner.  B, D.

Day 12 - August 11, BUDAPEST:  Awaiting us is another incredible day.  Today we learn more about Hungary's contribution to the decorative world as we visit the Museum of Fine Arts (Szepmuvelszeti Museum)  as well as the Museum of Applied and Decorative Arts (Parmuveszeti).  We will have time to ourselves before our day concludes with a cultural show and dinner together.  B, D.

Day 13  - August 12, BUDAPEST:  After our incredible buffet breakfast, today we will find ourselves  in a charming village just outside of Budapest, known as Szentendre.  This is an open air village on the Danube River and is famous cafe's and galleries.  Following lunch we will visit the Royal Palace at Visegrad.  The remainder of the afternoon is your's to relax, shop or take in the city. Our evening will conclude with a farewell dinner.  B, D.

Day 14 - August 13, BUDAPEST - Departure. As all good things must come to an end, today we will depart independently for our return flights to the US.  We will leave Eastern Europe better for learning about the cultures and art that have made this area unique to the world.  B.

êTour Price - $2,749.00, per person double occupancy

êSingle Supplement - an addition of $975 per person will be added to the above for those wishing their own room - limited single rooms available.

Optional Insurance Coverage is available.  Rates are age dependent - but very reasonable.  Please inquire at textiletours@aol.com regarding policy price - including your birth date.  Click here for policy information ECopy of Insurance Certificate
 

TOUR INCLUDES

ê  All transfers between designated cities and venues by deluxe motor coach unless otherwise indicated.
ê  Full time (24/7) services of multi-lingual tour director and guide.
ê  Deluxe First Class Hotels
ê  Museum entrances and tours per scheduled itinerary 
ê  24 meals: full buffet breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 7 dinners.
ê  Porterage of one bag per person (hotels and coach)
ê  All non-optional gratuities
ê  Tour Tote-bag and surprise gifts.

NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR COST

Terms and Conditions apply when registration is received