| MASURIAN LAKE DISTRICT & THE TOWN OF ELK |
Morning: This is the day when we finally move on our bicycles further into the
Masurian Lake District, the land of 3000 lakes. The special added value is the graceful storks, the mythical birds which are said to bring children and good luck. Masuria is a region with the highest density of stork population worldwide. Every fifth stork nests in Poland, and Masuria is by far their most popular "tourist destination". Our conclusion is that storks apparently have a highly developed sense of aesthetics.
Afternoon: We will cycle up to the town of Elk. The word Elk has no literal meaning in Polish (the animal called elk is called "los" and pronounced as "wash" in Polish) but is associated with the scenic countryside surrounding Elk Lake. If the weather is hot, we will have a refreshing dip in the lake.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in a cosy hotel in Elk.Distances - Day 8: Bike 55 km.
| GIZYCKO - THE CAPITAL OF MASURIA |
Morning: We will slowly make our way to the village of Wydminy and visit an
interesting 16th-century church which was beautifully reconstructed after a Tatar raid.
Afternoon: Later, we will continue to Gizycko (formerly German Lötzen) riding
through many beautiful meadows and forests, but also along the shores of the
delightfully picturesque Masurian lakes.
Evening: Finally, we will reach our mid-range hotel located in Gizycko, a popular
Masurian harbour, where we will enjoy a delicious dinner.Distances - Day 9: Bike 68 km.
| A VOYAGE TO THE
ISLE OF CORMORANTS |
Morning: A boat cruise in Masurian Lakes will take us to Sztynort - a small town located between two scenic lakes. On the way we will see a fascinating nature reserve at Dobskie Lake, where hundreds of cormorants nest in the trees.
Afternoon: Sztynort was a little known place until Nazi foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop chose the 17th palace of Graf Lehndorff for his summer residence. We will visit that palace and continue our bike tour further to Gierloz to visit the historic Hitler's headquarters, the so-called Wolf's Lair (Wolfsschanze) - the place from which he oversaw the attack on the Soviet Union in 1941-1944.
Evening: We will get to our hotel in the town of Reszel after a short coach drive. Dinner and overnight stay.Distances - Day 9: Bike 30 km, bus 20 km.
| AN ORGAN CONCERT IN MASURIA |
Morning: We will start with a short bike tour of the town of Reszel (a visit to the observation tower in the Bishop's Castle).
Afternoon: We will continue to the most popular pilgrimage site in Northern Poland, Swieta Lipka, and explore its Baroque 16th-century church. An organ concert is scheduled on the premises.
Evening: Return to Reszel. Dinner and accommodation as on Day 9.Distances - Day 9: Bike 55 km.
Morning: Transfer back to Warsaw by chartered coach.
Afternoon: As a bonus, we have prepared a 2-hour walking tour of the Old Town of
Warsaw. Expected end of the tour: 5 p.m.
ACCOMMODATION
Typical regional mid-range hotels and guesthouses; rooms with toilet and shower:
Warsaw: *** HETMAN HOTEL
Bialowieza: *** HOTEL BIAŁOWIESKI
Waniewo: *** WANIEWO GUESTHOUSE
Woznawies: *** ZAGRODA KUWASY
Elk: *** PERLA MAZUR (CHRUSCIELE)
Gizycko: ** GAJEWO HOTEL
Swieta Lipka: ** 500 HOTELWHAT IS INCLUDED IN PRICE
• Hotel accommodation as above or similar
• Bus transfer Warsaw - Bialowieza – Warsaw
• English-speaking tour guide
• Small escort mini-bus (transports luggage, can transport 5 people with
equipment if necessary)
• Driver (prepares picnics, does shopping, helps with flat tires etc.)
• Regional full-board fare
• Mineral water during the trips
• Welcome glass of vodka and farewell glass of champagne
• Quality bicycles )seven-speed Sachs gearbox for ladies and six-speed
Shimano gearbox for gentlemen)
• Kayaks (the Narewka river)
• Cultural programme - barbecue with accordion music, visit to the local
beekeeper and the gamekeeper, organ concert in Swieta Lipka baroque
church)
• All admissions (Grabarka, Bialowieza Forest Museum, Animal Park,
Synagogue in Tykocin, Swieta Lipka church)
• Local guides in Bialowieza Forest Museum, in the Red Bogs, and in Warsaw)
• Local maps
• Basic health insurance and tour insurance
• Taxes and service chargesWe allow maximum 20 participants to ensure a personal experience
Poland 
