After breakfast, we attend our first cooking class in one of the highlander villages in the Podhale region. We learn the secrets of preparing the all-time regional favorite, moskole: potato pancakes with meat and mushrooms and other local recipes. In the afternoon, we travel back to Zakopane and tour this beautiful mountain town for the rest of the day. We take a leisurely walk along the town’s famous Krupowki Street, and stroll a few side streets. Later we ride a chair ski lift up Gubalowka Hill to get the best panoramic view of Zakopane, and the Tatra Mountains and other maintain ranges. Dinner on your own. We recommend Restaurant Sabala, on Zakopane’s main street. Watch the world go by from cozy restaurant terrace and celebrate with delicious regional Polish food, drink and music.

This morning we travel to Sromowce-Wyzne village to begin our trip on a wooden raft through the Dunajec  River Gorge. (In the event of inclement weather, instead of the rafting trip we will  learn local crafts at the School of Dying Trades in Bukowina Tatrzanska) The rafting trip is one of the best-known attractions of this region. The daily raft trips have been organized by “gorale”, the highlanders since the early 19th century. After rafting and lunch, we travel to Debno Podhalanskie village to visit a timber church where the interior includes unique paintings and precious Gothic sculptures from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The church is on the UNESCO List of World Heritage sites. This afternoon, enjoy free time in Zakopane: go shopping for locally made handicrafts, experience luxurious spa treatments at our hotel or go for a stroll down Krupowki street. Dinner on your own. We recommend Mala Szwajcaria restaurant in Zakopane, famous among locals and tourists for its outstanding Polish and European cuisine.

Today, we travel to another village in the Podhale region to cook with local highlander women. Using traditional recipes we prepare kwasnica goralsko, highlander sauerkraut soup and other regional specialties, as part of our lunch. On our drive thru Podhale we will be making short stops by wooden churches, manor houses, grocery stores and at Chocholow and Witow villages, both on the Lesser Poland Timber Architecture Route. In the village of Chocholow we'll visit Jan Zieder's art studio. He's a local wood carver and artist and will have an opportunity to purchase some of his unique, hand made, quality carvings. To celebrate our fourth day in beautiful Lesser Poland, we dine at Gazdowka u Zajaca restaurant in Dolina Chocholowska, which offers regional specialties with folk entertainment.

After an early breakfast, we travel to Krakow, the capital of Lesser Poland, to begin our urban culinary experience. On our drive back to Krakow, we visit Bacowka, a small mountain shepherd hut, where smoked sheep cheese “oscypek” is made in a traditional way by highlanders. Upon arrival in Krakow, we take a guided tour of the city. Krakow is Poland’s third largest city and escaped the devastation that obliterated other Polish cities during World War II. It’s perfectly preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is on the itinerary for this afternoon’s tour. We also visit Market Square, the largest medieval town square in Europe, the 14th-century Wawel Castle and Cathedral, and Kazimierz – former Jewish district. Krakow is full of restaurants that offer memorable dining experiences. Tonight we dine on traditional Krakow cuisine at Biala Roza restaurant. Chef Lukasz Cichy at Biala Roza uses top quality regional products to create modern arrangements of flavors of the past. Smacznego! - Enjoy!

After breakfast and before we head to our last cooking class of the week, we'll make a stop at the fresh food market called Stary Kleparz, a centuries-old Krakow's tradition. Locals and visitors shop in an unforgettable atmosphere for fresh, traditional Polish food products, which we’ll have an opportunity to taste: breads, cheeses, meats, fruits and vegetables. Once we arrive at our cooking class location, we'll meet local Krakow chef who will teach us how to prepare a typical three-course Polish meal. After our cooking class we'll tour the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine, a virtual underground city, with galleries, lakes, chapels and murals – all carved from salt – and a UNESCO World Heritage site. After our Wieliczka tour, you are free to enjoy the sights and shops of Krakow on your own. Krakow offers a good choice of art, crafts, and souvenirs. We recommend Cepelia store, which has a great selection of quality Polish folk handicrafts. Our Farewell Dinner will be at Wesele restaurant, serving old Polish and Krakow delicacies and specialties located in the heart of Krakow's Market Square.

Depart for your home country after breakfast, or make your own arrangements to stay longer in beautiful Krakow.

Even though our vacations are leisurely, you may want to consider staying an extra night at the Grand and Legend Hotels in Krakow. You may find that the extra time will make your week even more relaxing and enjoyable.