Forests, Lakes and Storks: Cycling in Masuria (15/0136)

Services

• 2 nights in Ruciane Nida
• 2 nights in Mrągowo
• 2 nights in Święta Lipka
• 2 nights in Mikołajki
• half board with…
• 8 x buffet breakfast
• 8 x three-course dinner at the hotel
• bicycle tours as mentioned in the programme
• visit to Old Believer’s monastery in Wojnowo
• visit to Mrągowo
• visit to Kętrzyn
• visit to the Marian sanctuary in Święta Lipka
• organ concert in Święta Lipka
• visit to the ruins of Lehndorff’s palace
• visit to Giżycko
• visit to Mikołajki
• visit to the Masurian Landscape Park
• permanent tour guide assistance
• 21^st person free of charge in single room
• 42^nd person free of charge in double/twin room
• 24/7 telephone hotline
• free photo downloads for your promotion

Programme

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival in Warsaw. Meeting our guide and drive to Ruciane Nida, located in the southern part of the Great Masurian Lakes. Overnight in Ruciane Nida.

Day 2: Pisz Forest

[bicycle tour about 30 km] After breakfast, you start your first bicycle tour through the Pisz Forest, the second largest woodland territory in Europe, which has remained unchanged and wild throughout centuries. Its innumerable swamps, moors, lakes, winding rivers and the variety of fauna and flora will delight every visitor. The narrow roads lined up with old trees and the beautiful landscape with numerous storks’ nests makes this region very attractive for cyclists. In Wojnowo, visit to the Old Believer’s monastery from the mid-19^th century and a small Orthodox cemetery located on a promontory running into Lake Duś. After that, we recommend a boat cruise on the Krutynia River and taste fresh-caught fish in a local restaurant. Overnight in Ruciane Nida.

Day 3: Wilflife Park

[bicycle tour about 40 km] Breakfast and bicycle tour to Mrągowo, a popular summer holiday resort with nice houses and a lot of restaurants. The town was set up in the 14^th century. In the afternoon, we recommend a visit to the Wildlife Park in Kadzidłowo, where you can admire wolves, deer, Polish ponies, wild boars and fowls. The biggest attraction of the park are beavers and wisents. A sightseeing tour of Mrągowo and overnight.

Day 4: Great Masurian Lakes

[bicycle tour about 40 km] During today’s bicycle tour you will admire the beauty and stillness of Masurian Lake District. The small city of Sorkwity is located directly at the Krutynia River, where starts the famous kayaking route. Overnight in Mrągowo.

Day 5: Marian Sanctuary

[bicycle tour about 45 km] After breakfast, you drive to Święta Lipka, admiring the picturesque landscape on the way. Visit to Poland’s most important Marian sanctuary. It has gained the fame of the most spectacular baroque church in northern Poland and is visited each year by thousands of pilgrims. The church prides itself with a magnificent organ from the beginning of 18^th century. After visiting the church, you will have an opportunity to listen to an organ concert. Overnight in Święta Lipka.

Day 6: Hitler’s headquarters

[bicycle tour about 45 km] A bicycle tour to Kętrzyn, located on the west side of the Lake Mamry, where you can visit the Teutonic Knight’s castle, erected as a stronghold in 1329. A fortified church with 48-metre-tall tower and the famous horse stud are also worth seeing. In Gierłoż, you can visit the “Wolf’s Lair”, Hitler’s wartime headquarters, which is one of the most interesting places in the region. Drive back to Święta Lipka. On the way, a possibility to see the Masurian museum in Owczarnia. If you are still not exhausted, we recommend a bicycle tour to the picturesque town of Reszel. Elegant burgher houses surround the main square. The most remarkable building is the Bishop’s castle founded in the 14^th century. Overnight in Święta Lipka.

Day 7: Landscape of Tree Alleys

[bicycle tour about 50 km] In the morning, bus transfer to Stara Różanka, where today’s bicycle tour starts. Here you are in the middle of the so-called “Landscape of Tree Alleys”. You drive to Sztynort and visit the ruins of von Lehndorff’s palace and can have a rest in a local restaurant “Gospoda Sztynorcka”, which is one of the most beloved restaurants of the region. Visiting Giżycko, the main tourist resort. This small town is situated in picturesque surroundings on an isthmus separating lakes Niegocin and Kisajno. It is also a meeting place of water sports enthusiasts. A sightseeing tour of Giżycko and, on request, a boat cruise through seven lakes to Mikołajki. Overnight in Mikołajki.

Day 8: Masurian Venice

[bicycle tour about 30 km] In the morning, a sightseeing tour of Mikołajki, Poland’s summer capital with a yacht harbour, called “Masurian Venice”. It is located between the lakes Śniardwy and Talty. There is a large marina with many hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops. Afterwards, bike excursion to the Masurian Landscape Park. You will have the possibility to observe wild swans in a nature preserve. We can arrange your farewell dinner as barbecue. Overnight in Mikołajki.

Day 9: Departure

Breakfast, transfer to Warsaw and departure.