Poland

The former Polish capital is full of history and tales from the last thousand years. Start your tour on the Grand Square, the largest of all medieval European cities, is arguably one of the world’s most beautiful plazas. Follow the Royal Road which links the main city gate and Wawel Castle through Krakow’s main streets. Wawel Hill is a mecca for every Pole and a must. From the 11th century on Poland’s monarchs took up their residence here in Wawel Cathedral. The place overflows with art treasures and architectural jewels. Don’t miss the Kazimierz Jewish quarter, one of the main European Jewish centres in the past. Enjoy the traditional Polish food and – very important – the Polish vodka, for many people the best vodka in the world.

Warsaw is a truly fascinating city with its Old and New Towns, protected old architecture alongside modern shopping malls, and love of culture mingled with a Communist disdain for all things beautiful, the city is a mixture of numerous influences and historic events. Constantly evolving and changing – while fiercely mindful of its turbulent past – there are many ways to explore this uniquely East European city. Paradoxically, Warsaw’s Old Town is only 50 years old. After World War II (90% of it was destroyed) proudly and laboriously reconstructed to its present form. In 1980 it was placed on the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. One of the most often photographed places in Warsaw is the monument of Frederic Chopin in the beautiful Lazienki Park. On summer Sundays you can listen to a piano concert of this great Polish composer.

Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania

Three small countries in Eastern Europe that have always maintained their identity despite their difficult history - just as different as their languages are their capitals.

TALLINN, the capital of Estonia, is a medieval beauty that seduces with its narrow cobbled streets, Hanseatic history and great cuisine. Modern art also beckons in the KUMU museum. Latvia's capital RIGA is famous for its unique Art Nouveau architecture. Also worth a visit is the Central Market - opened in 1930 in a former hangar for airships and one of the largest markets in Eastern Europe. VILNIUS, the capital of the southernmost of the three countries of Lithuania, impresses with its magnificent baroque architecture and is called the Jerusalem of the East because of its numerous churches

Always worth a trip for music lovers: the Sunday Chopin concerts in Lazienski Park in WARSAW, the opera festival in RIGA and the great choir tradition in TALLINN.

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