Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Kimmy

Hello! I am Kimmy, a biology major finishing my junior year at EC.  I am currently packing for Poland (which is no fun at all), but am super excited to leave on Saturday!  I have never been overseas, and despite the fact that I am 50% Polish and carry out many Polish traditions (especially at holiday time) no one in my family has ever been to Poland, so my entire family is excited right along with me!  I do not know what specific part of the trip I am looking forward to, probably seeing Warsaw and Krakow because I look forward to seeing the difference between European and American cities. 

Jeremy :)

Hi everyone. My name is Jeremy. I am a double major in Spanish and Political Science. I am most looking forward to Gdynia and the Baltic Sea area I think. :)

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Me love Salt


Casimir_Salt_Gnome
Originally uploaded by ecpoland08
Num Nums! Casimir no need health... Me love salt, and luck :)

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Casimir with the teutonic knights castle

In 1308, the Teutonic Knights were hired to expel the Brandenburgers. from Poland... Wound up causing a whole lot of trouble for Poland...

Casimir says...
Shouldn't have invited these guys in, bad life choice Poland...

Itinerary for ECPoland2008

MAY 3 - 21, 2008

May 3/Saturday – This morning depart Elmira for Philadelphia where you will board your transatlantic flight for Warsaw via Frankfurt, Germany.

May 4/Sunday – WARSAW.

After arrival at the Chopin-Okecie Airport in Warsaw you will be met by you Polish guide and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the Polish capital.

Time to unpack and rest. In the evening, welcome dinner. (D)

Overnight in NOVOTEL CENTRUM

Warszawa, ul. Marszalkowska 94/98, Tel: 621-02-71

From U.S. dial: 011-48-22+ above number

May 5/Monday – WARSAW.

After buffet breakfast, start the day with a comprehensive city tour which will introduce you to Poland's capital, largely rebuilt after almost total destruction of World War II. Begin at the reconstructed Old Town with remnants of the defense walls. The market square is surrounded with faithfully reconstructed colorful houses, romantic cafes, famous restaurants and shops.

Walk to St. John's Cathedral, Warsaw's oldest church and to the picturesque Royal Castle Square dominated by the statue of King Sigismund III Vasa who, in 1569 moved Polish capital from Krakow to Warsaw. Then drive via Royal Route, to Lazienki Park where you'll admire the striking statue of Poland's favorite composer, Frederick Chopin. Along the way you will see some of the famous sites, such as: the President's palace, Warsaw's University, the Warsaw stock market (former Communist Party headquarters), the Belweder. In the afternoon tour the magnificent 18th century Wilanow Palace, built for king Jan III Sobieski who defeated the Turks in the great battle of Vienna in 1683 thus stopping the Europe’s conquest by the Ottoman Empire. (B, L)

May 6/Tuesday – WARSAW.

Today you will take a tour of the Royal Castle, former residence of last Polish Kings only recently rebuilt by the efforts of Polonia around the world. Visit the Army Museum for an overview of the Polish history Afternoon free. (B, D)

May 7/Wednesday – WARSAW/MRAGOWO.

After breakfast visit the museum of Warsaw Insurrection for an insight into the horrific attempt to liberate Warsaw from the Nazi occupation in 1944.

After your tour depart North for the peaceful Mazurian Lake region. Your destination is the “Wolf’s Lair” bunkers which served as Hitler’s headquarter in World War II. An assassination attempt on his life took place here in 1944. (B,D)

Overnight in KOCH Hotel

Ketrzyn, ul. Traugutta 3, Tel: 752-20-58

From U.S. dial:011-48-89+ above number

May 8/Thursday – MRAGOWO/Frombork/GDYNIA.

Depart for the Baltic Coast via Frombork where greatest Polish Astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus, conducted the research on his revolutionary heliocentric theory.

Contineu to the Baltica Coast and the port of Gdynia, birthplace of Solidarity, Lech Walesa, astronomer Jan Hewelius, and Gabriel Fahrenheit. (B,L)

Overnight in Hotel GDYNIA

Gdynia, ul. Armii Krajowej 22, Tel: 666‑30‑40

From U.S. dial: 011-48-58+ above number

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May 9/Friday – GDYNIA.

Start the day with a tour of the historical Gdansk, birthplace of Solidarity, beautifully restored to its medieval splendor. Admire a stunning Town Hall, Artus Court, Neptune's Fountain and St. Mary's Church, the largest brick church in the world. Continue to the beach resort of Sopot and walk on the longest pier on the Baltic. Visit the Amber factory and polish your own piece of amber. In the gothic Cathedral in Oliwa listen to a short concert on the world-famous 18th century organ with mechanized angels that blow trumpets and ring the bells. Balance of the day free.

On the way to the Kaszubian village stop to see the Siberian cottage that was a home to thousands of Polish people sent to Siberia.

Tonight’s dinner is hosted by the Kaszubian family who will introduce you to their unique language and folklore. (B,D)

May 10/Saturday – GDYNIA.

Excursion by boat to the Westerplatte Peninsula where first shots of WWII where fired. A memorial to those who defeated and liberated Gdansk was raised here. (B,D)

May 11/Sunday – GDYNIA/Malbork/TORUN.

This morning depart for the medieval city of Torun,

En route, stop in Malbork to visit the medieval fortress of Teutonic Knights. Here you will tour this incredible medieval structure, a stronghold of the powerful Teutonic Knights in the 15th century. This UNESCO World Heritage sight is the largest brick structure in Europe built with the most modern defensive methods of the time. A seat of the Grand Master, it was one of 120 castles built by the Teutonic Knights in the captured Prussian land from 1226 to 1410 when they were defeated by the Polish king Jagiello in the great battle of Grunwald.

In the evening enjoy a medieval atmosphere of Torun. Visit the Museum of Nicolaus Copenicus where he was born and the historical museum int ethe town hall. (B,D)

Overnight in GROMADA Hotel

Torun, ul. Zeglarska 10/14, Tel: 622-60-60

From U.S. dial: 011-48-56+ above number

May 12/Monday – TORUN.

After breakfast, tour the medieval city of Torun, a World Cultural Heritage Site due to its number of medieval monuments of the Old Town, second after Krakow. Be sure to taste the traditional Torun gingerbread (pierniki) prepared according to the 14th century secret recipe. (B,L)

May 13/Tuesday – TORUN/Biskupin/UNIEJOW.

Depart for central Poland and the pre-historic village of Biskupin where you’ll get acquainted with the daily life of the pre-Slav, Lusitanian Culture, who inhibited these lands in the early Iron Age 700-400 BC.

Overnight in the Castle of Uniejow dating back to the 14th century. (B,D)

Overnight in UNIEJOW CASTLE

Uniejow, ul. Turecka 12, Tel: 288-81-45

From U.S. dial: 011-48-63+ above number

May 14/Wednesday – UNIEJOW/Czestochowa/ZAKOPANE.

Continue South to the Tatra Mountains.

En route stop in Czestochowa, Poland’s National Shrine. Tour the historical museum and the treasury. After lunch, your journey leads via a picturesque route of the Ojcow National Park studded with ruins of castles destroyed by Swedish invasion in the 17th century called the “Deluge”. After arrival in Zakopane settle-in at your hotel in he heart of the city. (B,L)

Overnight in GROMADA Hotel

Zakopane, ul. Zaruskiego 2, Tel: 201-50-11

From U.S. dial: 011-48-18+ above number

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May 15/Thursday – ZAKOPANE.

Today you will admire breathtaking views of the Tatra Mountains from the top of Gubalowka Mountain and get acquainted with this charming resort on a sightseeing tour. (B,D)

May 16/Friday – ZAKOPANE.

Spend another relaxing day in Zakopane In the afternoon take a fun ride on rafts on the Dunajec River in the Pieniny National Park. Return to Zakopane for time at leisure. (B,L)

May 17/Saturday – ZAKOPANE/KRAKOW

This morning depart the Tatra Mountains for the medieval city of Krakow. En route stop in the open–air ethnographic museum in Zubrzyca Gorna and pass through picturesque Chocholow village with typical mountain architecture. On arrival in Krakow, check-in at your hotel conveniently situated in the Old Town, close to most of the tourist attractions. (B,L)

Overnight in CLASSIC Hotel

Krakow, ul. Sw Tomasza 32, Tel: 424-03-03

From U.S. dial (011-48-12+ above number)

May 18/Sunday – KRAKOW.

Today you'll discover one of the most significant centers of European culture, a designated UNESCO site. Not destroyed during the war, Krakow is a treasure house of medieval art and architecture. A walking tour of the old town includes the St. Mary's Church with Europe's largest Gothic wooden altarpiece carved by Wit Stwosz and listen to the traditional trumpeters call that signaled the Tatar invasion in the 12th century. Included is a visit to Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter, Remuh Synagogue and old cemetery. Tour the imposing Wawel Castle where Polish kings ruled for four centuries. Its Coronation Cathedral is the final resting place of Polish Kings, poets and national heroes. In the afternoon drive to Wieliczka, the oldest salt mine in Europe. Here on a 1.3-mile tourist route discover fascinating underground world of salt grottoes, sculptures, chapels and even a sanatorium for asthma patients with a constant temperature of about 600 F. (B,L)

May 19/Monday – KRAKOW/Wieliczka/Auschwitz.

Today you will see the Jagiellonian University, 2nd oldest University in Europe, where Polish astronomer, N. Copernicus, and Pope John Paul II studied. On a special tour of the museum you will see its fascinating collection of medieval treasures as well as Polish movie director's, Andrzej Wajda, Oscar.

After lunch drive to Auschwitz, former Nazi concentration camp, now and a martyrdom museum. Return to Krakow for overnight. (B,L)

May 20/Tuesday – KRAKOW.

Spend another day discovering treasures of this charming city. You will visit some of its fascinating museums: the Czartoryski Museum with Leonardo’s “Lady with the Ermine”, and the Gallery of the Polish Painting above the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall).

Farewell dinner in local restaurant. (B,D)

May 21/Wednesday – KRAKOW.

After early breakfast depart for the airport and board your flight bound for home. (B)