Wholesale FIT tour operator Avanti Destinations has just expanded its offering of vacations, tours and hotels for advisors’ independent travel clients going to Poland and has partnered with the Polish Tourist Organization on a campaign to familiarize advisors with the many options for independent travel throughout this fascinating, off-the-beaten-path country.
The joint awareness campaign consists of a new 38-page downloadable, shareable e-brochure, recorded webinar and offer for one $25 gift card for each FIT booking made between July 20, 2023 and August 31, 2023 for a minimum of three nights in Poland with a minimum land value of $2,500.
Within Poland, Avanti now offers a total of three customizable vacations, 69 hotels, 64 sightseeing tours and experiences, including two new vacations, seven new hotels and five new tours. Avanti sells custom-crafted independent travel vacations exclusively through travel advisors, not directly to consumers.
Medieval Castles, WW2 history, Heritage Travel, Baltic Beaches, Ancient Forests and Rugged Mountains
“For independent travel clients looking for a less-touristed destination, Poland has medieval castles and churches in picturesque cobblestoned old towns and cities, outdoor adventures on Baltic beaches, ancient forests, or rugged mountains, World War II sites and museums, Christmas markets, welcoming people and a vibrant modern culture,” said Paul Barry, Avanti’s CEO.
“For clients of Polish descent, our extensive product offering in eight destinations around the country enables you to create a custom itinerary to help your clients discover their heritage. Non-stop flights between the U.S. and Poland on Lot Airlines simplify getting there. Traveling around the country is easy with an efficient rail and public transportation system. Avanti also offers private drivers/guides to reach more out-of-the-way places. We are very pleased to partner with the Polish Tourist Organization to introduce travel advisors to this proud country with a long history,” said Barry.
Ten million Americans trace their roots back to Poland. Once a major European power, Poland was partitioned several times in the 18th century and ceased to exist as an independent nation for more than 100 years. Over five million Poles perished in World War II, after which it fell under Soviet rule until 1991. The country is a steadfast ally of the Ukraine in the current conflict with Russia.
Polish Destinations
Avanti offers products in four major Polish destinations and three smaller cities: Krakow, the capital of Poland for 600 years, is considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, best known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town, Jewish quarter, Wawel castle (the first UNESCO World Heritage site), remnant of the 9-ft thick medieval city wall and its youthful atmosphere thanks to the students at one of the world’s oldest universities, where the astronomer Copernicus studied; Warsaw, the thriving capital since 1596, filled with historic and modern architecture, museums, nightlife and music from Chopin to alternative, is often called the “Phoenix” city because its ability to rise and rebuild itself after repeated invasions, wars, and tyrannical rulers, including Nazi Germany which completely destroyed most of the city as punishment for the Warsaw Uprising and Polish Resistance; Gdansk on the Baltic Sea has golden sand beaches, clear waters and was Poland’s richest city in medieval times, the place where Germany first invaded Poland in WW2, and the birthplace of the Solidarity Movement that helped bring down the country’s Communist government; Wroclaw (also known as Breslau for the 74 years it was part of Germany) is over 1,000 years old, the third largest city and filled with cobblestoned streets, colorful historic architecture, university students and bridges because of all the rivers and canals that crisscross it; Zakopane, Katowice, Poznan and Osiecznica-Kliczkow are the four smaller cities where advisors can book hotels through Avanti, including a new one in Zakopane and one in Poznan.
Two New Customizable Independent Vacations
These two new recommended FIT vacations may be booked for any date or added to Avanti’s Best of Poland vacation (which features Krakow and Warsaw), or modified to include additional nights, tours and experiences, transfers, and other European destinations. All Avanti vacations are completely customizable.
Colorful Wroclaw
Four days/three nights in this city of rich historical treasures from medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras plus modern-day innovation and high-tech. Included: private five-hour city tour; private five-hour excursion to and tour of the Churches of Peace in Jawor and Sidnica (named after the Peace of Wesphalia); private arrival transfer; choice of accommodations; daily breakfast.
Poland’s Baltic Coast
Four days/three nights in Gdansk, one of Poland’s oldest port cities from the Middle Ages. Includes: private three-hour walking tour of the Old Town with its Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque buildings and the shipyard where the anti-Soviet Solidarity Movement started; private six-hour walking tour of Gdansk sights including an organ concert at the Romanesque Oliva Cathedral, ending with a drive to the seaside resort city of Sopot; private arrival transfer; choice of accommodations; daily breakfast.
New Tours and Experiences
Just added to Avanti’s extensive lineup of Polish historical, cultural, gastronomic and soft adventure sightseeing tours and experiences: private eight-hour tour from Warsaw to Bialowieza wilderness area, one of Europe’s oldest national parks and home to 300 European bison, among 11,000 species of animals and birds; private 2.5 hour walking tour “The Best of Warsaw and the Royal Castle”; private 3.5 hour walking tour in Krakow of Royal Wawel Castle, Old Town, and St. Mary’s Basilica; private city tour of Wroclaw, Aula Leopoldina (elaborate fresco-decorated, baroque hall at the university) and the immense 49 foot by 374 foot Panorama Raclawicka (painting of the key battle of the 1794 Kosciuszka Uprising); private five-hour tour from Wroclaw of the Churches of Peace in Jawor and Sidnica – the churches were named after the Peace of Wesphalia in 1648 ending Europe’s devastating Thirty Years War and resulting in religious tolerance towards Lutherans in this traditionally Catholic region.
For more information on independent travel in Poland and Europe generally, or to book custom-crafted, multi-destination FIT travel 365 days a year throughout Europe, Asia, North Africa, the Middle East or Central and South America, log onto the recently revamped advisor portal or call 1-800-422-5053 to speak with an expert travel consultant.
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