Mennonite Heritage & Historical Tour of Poland

About this Tour

Poland was the homeland of Mennonites for approximately 400 years. Consequently, the history of Poland is part of the Mennonite history. Anabaptists from Holland and the lowlands of Germany found a safe sanctuary in Poland as early as the I540’s. Mennonites came to Poland to escape the religious persecution of Western Europe. As a result many Dutch and German Mennonites settled in Poland and remained there until migrations took them to South Russia and America. Many Mennonites remained in Poland until after the Second World War. Most Mennonites have overlooked these centuries in their own history. They actually lived longer in Poland than they resided in South Russia and Ukraine.

Itinerary

DAY 1, MONDAY, JULY 4

International travel departing from various destinations via Toronto to Warsaw, Poland. (D, B en-route)

DAY 2, TUESDAY, JULY 5

Our transatlantic flight arrives in Warsaw early afternoon. After customs and immigration we will transfer to downtown Warsaw and check in at the hotel. We will have opportunity to freshen-up, relax and explore a bit of downtown Warsaw personally, before we enjoy our welcome dinner to Poland followed by a folklore performance. After dinner and our entertainment we will have time for introductions, tour updates and other necessary announcement before we retire for a good night’s sleep. Hotel Westin (B, D)

DAY 3, WEDNESDAY, JULY 6

After our first buffet breakfast in Warsaw, we will immerse ourselves into Polish history and begin our day tour of Warsaw. We will visit the marvels of the rebuilt historic Old Town, walking through beautiful parks, and visit the lovely royal palace on the water. We will also spend time visiting the sobering site of the former Jewish ghetto and see many other significant and beautiful sites of this historic city. We may even have time for some personal shopping and relaxation. Hotel Westin (B, L)

DAY 4, THURSDAY, JULY 7

After breakfast we will have hotel check-out and leave Warsaw and drive through the scenic and picturesque country-side along the Vistula River on our way to the Mennonite sites to the west and north. We will see where the Mennonite villagers lived until the war. We will stop at the former Mennonite Church at Nieszawka (Obernessau) on our way lo the UNESCO city of Torun, Copernicus’ birthplace, where we will enjoy a walking tour of the city and a delightful meal in the city before we retire for the night. Hotel Torun (B, D)

DAY 5, FRIDAY, JULY 8

After breakfast and check-out we will continue north, stopping to see the old walled city of Chelum, and continuing on through the region where the Mennonites formerly lived and attended the Vistula Valley churches al Przechowka, Montau, Tragheimerweide and Schoensee. We will visit many villages that were part of these church regions, focusing on those villages where ancestors of the tour participants lived and worshipped. When possible, we will even explore some of the Mennonite church cemeteries which still exist. We arrive in Gdansk for dinner and 4 nights stay. Hotel Qubus (B, D)

DAY 6, SATURDAY, JULY 9

After breakfast, we tour the city of Gdansk both on foot and by bus. We walk through the old city, strolling through the High Gate and down the Long Market, visiting the old city hall, St Mary’s Church, the Neptune Fountain, the “porches” on Mary Street and the Green Gate along the Motlawa Canal. We travel by bus to Westerplatte Peninsula, where the Second World War began, and see the Solidarity Museum and the former Lenin Shipyards. In the afternoon, we begin our excursion to the Mennonite villages in the Vistula Delta area, eating lunch at Nowy Dwor (Tiegenhot) and visit our first selection of villages in the Gross Werder as lime permits.

DAY 7, SUNDAY, JULY 10

After breakfast, we travel towards the south east to visit many more villages focusing on villages where our ancestors lived many years ago. That puts us right in the neighborhood of another group of Mennonite villages and cemeteries like Heubuden, Ladekopp, Tiegenhagen, Orloff, Baerwalde and Neu-Munsterberg. The massive castle of the Teutonic Knights at Marianburg is in this area .This is the largest brick castle, which served as the headquarters for the Teutonic order until its defeat in 1410. Hotel Qubus (B, L)

DAY 8, MONDAY, JULY 11

This will be a free day where you can relax and enjoy the sites and activities in the Gdansk area. You may want to explore the beaches of the Baltic Sea, visit some of the jewelry stores and be informed on how to recognize and purchase true amber, visit a local cathedral for an organ concert, or just relax in any one of the many outdoor restaurant and absorb the local flavor of Gdansk. Our guide will be able to give you even more options. Hotel Qubus (B)

DAY 9, TUESDAY, JULY 12

This morning we will have early check out and travel toward Elblag where we will visit the old Mennonite Church building dating back to 1590 and the later Mennonite Church, now a Polish Catholic Church. We will visit some villages in the so called “Klein Werder” as time permits. We will return to Warsaw for night. Hotel Westin (B, L)

DAY 10, WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

After breakfast we will have hotel check out and continue our journey to Krakow, the ancient capital of Poland, and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The landscape will change as we drive towards Krakow. After hotel check in we will enjoy our lunch and begin our walking tour of the city visiting the magnificent city square with its ‘Cloth Hall” marketplace, St Mary’s Basilica and continue our walking tour to the Wawel or castle hill and visit the oldest part of the Krakow, including the cathedral. You will have the evening to relax and enjoy the night life of Krakow. Hotel (B, L)

DAY 11, THURSDAY, JULY 14

After breakfast, we will visit Schindler’s Factory in Krakow, one of Poland’s finest museums presenting the Second World War experiences in Krakow. From here we will travel to Birkenau Auschwitz, a concentration camp established by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. In 1942 it became the greatest mass murder ever committed against citizens of many countries. Some 1.5 million people of 28 nationalities died here. Evening is at leisure. Hotel (B, L)

DAY 12, FRIDAY, JULY 15

After breakfast we will visit Wieliczka, the oldest European salt mine, situated 13 km from Krakow. It is an impressive underground world of salt chambers, with large halls, galleries, sculptures and much more. On the world scale of sites it is exceptional and is one of the wonders of Poland. After the tour we will return to Krakow and you will have opportunity to do the rest of your shopping, exploring or just enjoying the many outdoor restaurant around the large central market. Hotel (B)

DAY 13, SATURDAY, JULY 16

After our breakfast we will have hotel check out and travel back to Warsaw enjoying the beautiful Polish countryside. Enroute we will stop in Czestochowa. Later afternoon will give you time to re pack and prepare for our final farewell dinner in Warsaw. Westin Hotel (B, L)

DAY 14, SUNDAY, JULY 17

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before check-out. You will be able to store your luggage at the hotel giving you some personal free time before we depart for the airport at 2 PM to catch out flight back to N. America. (B)

More Info

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Non-refundable $400 CAD deposit per person, unless tour is cancelled due to lack of interest
Non-refundable air deposit of $250 CAD per person
Internal land travel by bus/train as per itinerary
Hotel/airport transfers
Double room occupancy. Single supplement is $600 CDN
Meals as specified in the itinerary and as provided by airlines
Sight-seeing as per itinerary
Tour guide, tour host and bus driver
Admission to all sights as per itinerary
Gratuities for services provided by waiters and chambermaids in hotel/restaurants
Detailed handbook of the entire tour

PACKAGE EXCLUDES:

Tour booking fee of $250 CAD for clients booking own flights
Expenses of a personal nature
Flight and tour cancellation
Medical, luggage, life insurance
Optional beverages
Passport fees
Meals not specified in itinerary
Personal gratuities to guides, bus drivers and bell hops
Side tours not outlined in the itinerary
Penalty for late submission of final payment
Tourist visa processing, if necessary

DEPOSIT:

Registration and deposit of $400 CAD deadline is March 1, 2016, payable to Len Loeppky.
Final payment is due April 1, 2016.

NOTES:

Estimated airfare: $2300 CAD (blocked with AC/LOT)
Estimated land price: Poland $3300 CAD
Non-refundable air deposit of $250 CAD per person
Airfare payment will be by credit card with due date determined by airlines
In order to facilitate payment matters, all tour costs after the initial deposit payment will be processed by Canada One Travel.
For details on insurance please contact the travel

Tour Guide

Len and his wife Audrey reside in Steinbach, Manitoba and are active members of the Evangelical Free Church. Len has been involved in education/administration for many years and Audrey was a nurse by profession.

During their five years in Lithuania, Len organized tours throughout Eastern Europe including his first tour to Ukraine. Since then he has hosted eleven tours to Ukraine/Russia. Len has taken five English Language Institute teams to Ukraine.

They have also led four tour groups to Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador and Peru. Len attended the Mennonite Historical Conference in Omsk 2010 and planned/hosted a tour to Moscow, Omsk and Slavgorod in the summer of 2011 & 2013. The focus was on the Mennonite settlements in Siberia. Subsequent tours in 2014/15 focused on Poland and Ukraine. The 2016 Tour is focusing on Mennonite Heritage and Historical Poland.