General Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Poland. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure that what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
TRAVEL TO POLAND: This tour is organized by our British company, Sunbird, and starts and ends in London. The cost of the group flights between London and Warsaw are included in the tour cost. We strongly recommend that you join the tour in London as it removes a range of possible problems that might occur if you attempt to meet the group in the tour country. You can choose, however, to make your own travel arrangements to Warsaw; you would receive a corresponding discount in the tour cost should you decide to do this. Please read the Important Travel Information for Participants on Sunbird Tours.
ENTERING POLAND: US citizens visiting Poland for less than three months do not need a visa, only a valid passport. Americans should ensure that their passports are date-stamped upon entry. Citizens of other countries should contact the nearest Polish embassy or consulate.
POLAND MAP AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view maps of Poland in the University of Texas series here. You can review the U.S. Department of State background notes on Poland here.
HEALTH: There are no major health problems in Poland. Water is safe to drink at all the places we stay. You can review the latest CDC advisories here.
CLIMATE: We can expect almost any kind of weather during this trip. It could vary from continuous overcast skies with lots of rain and low temperatures to bright, sunny and very warm. There could still be snow in the mountains. A good waterproof jacket is needed as is a warm sweater, but it is advisable to bring a sun hat as well.
PACE OF TOUR AND DAILY ROUTINE: This tour is not a strenuous one, but we do have some early starts, most of which are for optional pre-breakfast excursions. Leisurely walking, occasionally over moderately rough terrain, is the only physical requirement. Old Kraków itself is a delightfully small and self-contained city which can be easily explored on foot. In the forests there is some uphill walking. Some longer and more strenuous walks (though not more than two miles) may be necessary for a chance of Ural Owl and other specific birds. However, the vehicle is never far away if anyone wants to return early or sit out any particular walk. We may have a pre-breakfast walk in some areas and on most days we stay out, taking a packed lunch with us. We will always return to our hotel in good time to shower and change before our concert. On a few days we might have an early evening meal and return to the field to look for owls or visit a lek.
ACCOMMODATION: Throughout the tour we will be staying in good-quality accommodation. All rooms will have private facilities and hot water. Towels are provided but are often quite small, so you may want to consider bringing a spare one.
FOOD: In recent years the standard of food in Poland has improved with a wide variety of local dishes including many wholesome soups. Breakfasts typically consist of a selection of cold cheeses and meats, and most hotels provide something cooked as well, typically boiled sausages or eggs. We’ll have packed lunches on most days, but these can be particularly plain and simple.
TRANSPORT: We will be using a small bus or large minibus throughout the tour.
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group if possible. If any lodge, accommodation, or location where the group is staying or is gathered has a more restrictive smoking policy than the WINGS policy, the more restrictive policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS & SUNBIRD TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information & Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
FINAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Poland will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Updated: February 2008