Mazovia

Vacation Overview

A Taste of Poland in Mazovia and Warsaw Culinary Vacation

What do world-renowned piano composer Frederic Chopin, Nobel Prize winning scientist Madame Curie, and the “Phoenix City” have in common? They are all Polish. And the year 2010, Chopin’s 200th birthday, is the perfect year to find out more about all three as you dine and cook your way through the region of Mazovia in east-central Poland.

During this culinary vacation, we’ll see two sides of life in Poland: urban and rural.

Warsaw, Poland’s capital city, earned its nickname of “Phoenix City” because it has risen from ashes many times during past centuries. It is the largest city in Poland and home to 53 museums, The Royal Lazienki Park, and Wilanow Palace. Warsaw’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Market Square, adorned with the statue of Warsaw Mermaid (the symbol of Warsaw), is filled with excellent restaurants, cafés, art galleries and music clubs. Cultural and culinary events, as well as festivals, happen often in Warsaw. During this custom-designed culinary vacation, we’ll dine and cook with talented chefs in some of Warsaw's best restaurants. And, we’ll also take time to explore the city’s history, architecture, and culture.

In the countryside, Mazovia offers enchanting accommodations in castles, palaces, and manors. In Kurpie we’ll experience regional folklore culture: colorful costumes, handicrafts, music, dance, and cuisine. Mazovia features Kampinos National Park, a popular area for walking, biking, and horseback riding; 9 landscape parks, 171 nature reserves, vast forests, remnants of royal wilderness, and numerous resort towns. Poland’s largest river, Vistula, runs through the Mazovia region, flowing through an unregulated channel, nurturing wildlife and sculpting sandbars. Agrotourism — very popular in Mazovia — allows people from other regions of Poland, and other countries, to experience life and work in the Mazovian countryside.

During both the urban and rural parts of our Polish adventure, we’ll cook, visit local markets and cultural centers, sample gourmet meals and local breads, and taste regional beer and vodka. And no matter where we travel, we’ll experience the warmth and comfort of Polish hospitality.

Join Poland Culinary Vacations for a cooking adventure in Mazovia, home to Madame Curie and “Phoenix City.” Celebrate Chopin’s 200th birthday in the company of new friends and savor the flavors of distinctive Polish cuisine.

Main Attractions

7-day/6-night custom-designed, intimate cooking vacation in Poland's Mazovia region and capital city of Warsaw

Elegant and comfortable accommodations at Lochow Palace in the countryside and 5-star luxurious, boutique Hotel Le Regina, located near Warsaw’s historical Old Town district

Visits to local markets and opportunities to learn crafts from local artists

Hands-on and demonstration-style cooking lessons

Delicious, freshly-made regional cuisine, plus beer and vodka tastings

Visits to agrotourist farms famous for warm hospitality and Polish countryside experiences

Motor excursions into well-known cities and towns to see celebrated art and architecture, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Gondola rides at Royal Lazienki Park in Warsaw and the Narew river in Pultusk

The option to extend your time in Warsaw and further explore this historic capital city

Day By Day Itinerary

Our Exciting Itinerary for "A Taste of Poland in Mazovia and Warsaw" Culinary Vacation

Day 1 - Sunday

We meet in the lobby of Lazienkowski Hotel in Warsaw at 10:00 a.m. for a group transfer by motor coach to the romantic Lochow Palace in the countryside, our home for the next four days. Lochow Palace and Park complex dates back to the 19th century and it has been owned by several aristocratic Polish families. In addition to its interesting history and beautiful location, the palace offers elegant guest rooms, dining rooms, ballrooms, a spa, and warm hospitality. But before leaving Warsaw for Lochow Palace, we stop at the Royal Lazienki Park to hear Chopin’s music performed near his monument. We also enjoy a sumptuous Sunday brunch at the famous Belvedere restaurant and take a scenic gondola ride. In late afternoon, we resume our journey to Lochow. After settling into Lochow Palace, we take a short tour of this romantic palace, relax in the spa, or go for a leisurely walk around the grounds. This evening we gather for a festive Welcome Dinner in the Lochow Palace dining room, where we meet the Executive Chef and dine on regional specialties.

Day 2 - Monday

After breakfast, we attend our first cooking class in an 18th century wooden manor in Paplin village. We'll cook delicious regional recipes on an old wood burning stove in the manor, and then enjoy the results for lunch. This afternoon we travel to the historic Krzesk Vodka Distillery, founded in 1896. Krzesk produces the world-famous Chopin vodka, which we will sample. For the rest of the afternoon we’ll explore the cultural trail of Liwiec Valley. We may visit a 17th-century Palace in Stara Wies, the Kruszewski Brothers Bell Foundry, the Muzeum of Folk Weaving, and other regional attractions. To celebrate our second day in beautiful Mazovia, we feast on delicious traditional Polish food and drink at Kameralna restaurant in downtown Wegrow.

Day 3 - Tuesday

Today our cooking class will be with Lochow Palace Executive Chef Halina Piedziak in the palace kitchen. Chef Halina will prepare a few of her favorite Polish and regional recipes for us like: kulebiak, pierogi sojki, chicken roulades, racuchy and show us her unique techniques in the kitchen. In the afternoon, we travel to Kurpie open-air ethnographic museum in the village of Kadzidlo. While there, we get acquainted with Kurpie folklore, regional cuisine, and the art of paper cutting. We also hear live music and watch dance performances. This evening we’ll attend a dress-up party at Gospoda Pod Debem Inn near Wyszkow, which offers excellent traditional Polish cuisine.

Day 4 - Wednesday

Today, we travel to nearby Gwizdaly to cook with village women. On the menu is one of the undisputed Polish favorites, Bigos (Hunter’s Stew), and a few other regional dishes like: pyzucha-gwizducha, potato pancakes with carrots or onions, cold soups and herb teas. This afternoon, we travel to “Mazovian Venice”: Pultusk, a historic town on an island with the longest marketplace in Europe. After visiting the Old Town in Pultusk, we’ll spend the afternoon at Polonia House located in the former bishop’s castle. Polonia House is noted for its great entertainment, exceptional Polish cuisine, and gondola rides over the Narew River. Tonight, for our final meal in the Mazovian countryside, we dine on delicious Old Polish cuisine in the Tavern restaurant in Polonia House. In a rustic atmosphere, we can watch chefs prepare delicious food as we enjoy a beautiful view of the Narew River.

Day 5 - Thursday

After an early breakfast, we travel back to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. We check into the luxurious, 5-star Le Regina Hotel, located near Warsaw’s historical Old Town district. Here we stay for the next two days. After check-in we take a guided, walking tour of the city, to the Old Town, Barbican, Palace Square, and the Royal Castle. We also get a panoramic view of Warsaw from atop the Palace of Culture and Science. There is also an option to visit the Frederic Chopin Museum in Ostrogskich Castle. During a short break from our sightseeing we stop at one of Wedel’s Chocolate Lounges. Wedel is Poland’s oldest chocolate brand and was created in Warsaw. Tonight we dine on traditional Polish cuisine at Polka restaurant, located in Warsaw’s Old Town. The restaurant is famous for welcoming its clients with legendary Polish hospitality and using top-quality ingredients in all recipes.

Day 6 - Friday

After breakfast, we head out to our last cooking class, where we learn how to prepare a typical Polish meal with Chef Karol Okrasa, a Polish celebrity and TV cooking chef. After our cooking class, you are free to enjoy the sights and shops of Warsaw on your own or with our professional guide. Later, we tour the famous 17th-century Wilanow Palace Museum and Park, the former residence of Kings Jan III Sobieski and August II and the most distinguished aristocratic families of Poland. The Park covers 106 acres and surrounds the Palace with various styles of artistic gardening: Baroque, English, English-Chinese, and Neo-Renaissance. After visiting Wilanow Palace, we have time for some shopping at Cepelia store, which has a great selection of Polish folk handicrafts. We may also visit Hala Mirowska, a historic, fresh-food shopping center which until 1944 was the largest shopping center in all of Warsaw. Our Farewell Dinner is at 2009 Michelin Guide recommended Fukier restaurant, located in Warsaw’s Old Town.

Day 7 - Saturday

Depart for your home country after breakfast, or make your own arrangements to stay longer in Poland’s capital.

Vacation Details

What's Included

6 nights accommodations, double-occupancy, with en suite bathroom: 4 nights at Lochow Palace in Lochow and two nights at the 5-star, boutique Hotel Le Regina in Warsaw’s historic Old Town district

Arrival transfer from Lazienkowski Hotel in Warsaw at 10:00 a.m. to Lochow Palace in Lochow

Daily breakfast

6 dinners

6 lunches

Local beer, vodka, tea, and coffee with all included meals (Please note that drinks consumed outside of mealtime are not included)

4 hands-on and/or demonstration-style cooking lessons

White cooking apron with Poland Culinary Vacations logo

Excursions to cultural sites, all entrance fees and food artisan visits

Gondola rides at Royal Lazienki Park in Warsaw and the Narew river in Pultusk

Transportation where specified

English interpreters

All luggage transfers

Taxes and service charges

What's Not Included

Airfare or other non-specified transportation to the trip starting point, and from the trip ending point

Meals and alcoholic beverages not specified in the itinerary

Personal expenses such as laundry or telephone calls

Passport or visa fees

End of vacation gratuities for guides (not required, but greatly appreciated)

Insurance of any kind

Dates

September 12 - September 18, 2010

Cost

Option 1. $2,950 per person, based on double-occupancy ($500 deposit). Single supplement is $350 - program as described above, lodging in four and five star hotels, all meals included.

Option 2. $1475 per person, based on double-occupancy ($500 deposit). Single supplement is $350 - program as described above, lodging in two and three star hotels. Thursday dinner in the city on your own. No specials or discounts apply.

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