Taking Your Ensemble to Poland

When planning a performance tour, Poland is not usually at the top of most people’s lists of must-see locations, but trust us when we suggest that you strongly consider Poland before planning your next trip. Poland not only has some of the most stunning town squares and historic old towns, but it also has a fantastic folk music culture and a strong history of classical music, highlighted by Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin. This is a historic location with amazing architecture, wonderful cuisine, and stunning natural surroundings.

Poland has a long and rich musical history, even if music may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think about this country. There are amazing folk songs from the slopes of the Tatra Mountains, wonderful operatic arrangements, the wildly popular Chopin polonaises, many outstanding jazz artists, and many brilliant composers and musicians. Along with Chopin, many other outstanding composers, including as Stanislaw Moniuszko, Wladyslaw Szpilman, and Micha Kleofas Ogisk, were born in Poland.

Poland has many incredible venues, from the nation’s numerous historic cathedrals to its world-class concert venues. Experience their extensive musical history by taking in a professional performance or playing in front of passionate audiences.

Krakow has long been the center of Polish academic, artistic, and cultural heritage. It was fortunate enough to avoid being destroyed during World War II, so the city’s architecture is still in place and truly outstanding. The enormous Renaissance Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is located in the center of the Main Market Area, which is the largest pedestrian square in all of Europe.

Krakow also has a long history of music, which can be heard at several venues throughout the city. The premier Polish opera company, Opera Krakowska, performs roughly 200 concerts every year, including operettas, ballets, and musicals. The main music venue in the city, the stunning Krakow Philharmonic hall, has 693 seats for orchestral performances and a new 50-pipe organ that was installed in 1996. Krakow is also home to the Academy of Music, the alma-mater of Polish composer, Krzysztof Penderecki

The Old Town in Gdansk has the ideal combination of medieval structures, cobblestone streets, and stunning architecture. We advise taking a stroll around this historic region and stopping to admire some of the attractions along the way, such as the Town Hall, the King Sobieski Monument, the Gdansk Granaries, and the Gdansk Mills.

Even though some people are familiar with a few well-known Polish dishes, like pierogis, Polish cuisine has a lot more to offer — especially if you’re a more adventurous eater. Polish golabki (cabbage rolls), Kotlet Schabowy (similar to Wiener Schnitzel), Gulasz, Zrazy (slow cooked beef), and Paczki (Polish donuts) are just some of the local favorites.

Poland is one destination that isn’t necessarily marked on everybody’s travel maps, but is quickly becoming a top choice for touring ensembles. With splendid architecture, incredible historical sites, delicious cuisine, a rich musical history and top-notch venues, there’s something for everybody in Poland.

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To learn more, take a look at some of our sample Polish itineraries or schedule a call with one of our tour consultants. This destination can easily be combined with destinations like Germany, Hungary, or the Czech Republic for a truly unique performance tour!