Accompanying Persons Programme
7th September 2008 (Sunday)
- Congress Opening and Welcome Party
8th September 2008 (Monday)
- Kraków - city of different cultures
Departure at 9:00 hrs (duration c.a. 5 hours). Return: c.a. 14:00 hrs
Start from the Auditorium Maximum, Krupnicza street.
Itinerary: walk to the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), visit St. Mary's Church with the beautiful Gothic Altar, Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) - walk along the Royal Route to the Wawel Hill, visit Royal Cathedral and Royal Chambers, then walk to the former Jewish Kazimierz district. Lunch in one of the restaurants located in Kazimierz. After lunch - transfer to the Auditorium Maximum.
- 20:00 -22:00 Entertainment show: mining traditions and traditional miner initiation rite (called "jump over a leather apron").
Meting point: The event starts from the Auditorium Maximum, along the Krupnicza Street and the show will take place on the Main Market Square.
9th September 2008 (Tuesday)
10th September 2008 (Wednesday)
- A TRIP TO MOUNTAINS
Raft trip along Dunajec River in the Pieniny Mountains or in case of bad weather, a tour to Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains. - Raft trip along Dunajec River in the Pieniny Mountains
Departure at 9:00 hrs (duration c.a. 9 hours). Return: c.a. 18:00 hrs
Start from the Auditorium Maximum, Krupnicza street.
Itinerary: transfer to Sromowce (115 km from Krakow), raft trip to Szczawnica, lunch in Niedzica.
The raft trip down the Dunajec river through the Pieniny Gorge and along the Polish-Slovak border is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Poland. The towering cliffs and the limestone rock formations of the gorge itself plus the picturesque mountain scenery, the surrounding national forest and the colorful river guides make for a wonderful day in a pristine and wild environment. For many centuries, the Dunajec valley served as an important trade route to Hungary and so Czorsztyn Castle (13th c.) and Niedzica Castle (14th c.) were built as strategic strongholds high on the cliffs on either side.
Our trip begins at the raft wharf in Sromowce and ends 15 km later in Szczawnica. It lasts c.a. 2,5 hours, depending on the water level of the river. While on the raft, you will enjoy an excellent view of the high summits of Trzy Korony and Mt. Sokolica. Transfer to Niedzica. Lunch (traditional Polish cuisine) complete with highlanders' music band.
Lunch will be served in the 17th c. wooden inn "Dwor" in Niedzica. After lunch - visit the Niedzica Castle.
- Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains
Nestled at the foot of the spectacular Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is the winter sports capital of Poland and its most famous resort. During the winter, plentiful snow and challenging runs make for excellent skiing while the summer months offer hikers mountain lakes, glacial valleys and waterfalls. The mountains are also home to an unique and diverse range of flora and fauna. Our tour starts with a ride up a funicular railway to the top of Mt. Gubałówka and to see a wonderful view of the Tatras. After a short walk around the peak, we return down the funicular to visit the oldest part of Zakopane where the old cottages of the mountaineers still stand, surrounded by ash trees and blackened by the sun. These wooden houses and churches were built in the Zakopane style by the remarkable Polish artist, Witkacy.
In addition to the traditional mountain architecture, magnificent folk costumes and jewellery have also survived here to this day. To better experience the true Zakopane atmosphere, we take a walk along Krupówki, the central mall, lined with restaurants, cafes, boutiques and souvenir shops. Lunch (traditional Polish cuisine) complete with highlanders' music band.
11 September 2008 (Thursday)
- Wieliczka Salt Mine
Departure at 8:30 hrs (duration c.a. 4 hours). Return: c.a. 12:30 hrs
Start from the Auditorium Maximum, Krupnicza street.
Itinerary: transfer to Wieliczka (18 km from Krakow), visit the Mine (2 hrs), transfer to the Auditorium Maximum.
Legend has it that the salt mines in Wieliczka were part of the dowry of the Hungarian princess, Kinga, when she wed Bolesław the Shy over 700 years ago, making the Wieliczka Salt Mine one of the oldest in all of Europe. Over the centuries, devout and superstitious, miners have carved fabulous figures, monuments and altarpieces
out of its salt walls. These amazing works of art, in addition to the mine's historical importance, have earned the Wieliczka Salt Mine a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. Our route through the mine leads you through galleries and chambers on three levels, from 64 to 135 meters below the ground, including the unique and richly ornamented Chapel of the Blessed Kinga. The route is 2.5 km long and you have to walk
down 400 steps all told. The last stop in the mine is the souvenir shop and snack bar. From here, a lift carries you back to the surface. - Farewell concert
