Painting Dreams in Wroclaw, Poland 2018

The Rynek – This Medieval market square in Wroclaw is now the heart of a pedestrian zone. Founded according to Magdeburg law as early as the Rule of Henry I the Bearded between 1214-1232.

Monika & her Poland connections are organizing their third annual retreat for a small group (max. 10) to experience Wroclaw, Poland, commonly referred to as the ‘meeting place’ This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Wroclaw with a fluent Polish guide. Wroclaw was the European Capital of Culture for 2016 was selected from 230 cities in the world as “Best City to Live” in 2015.

The retreat is planned for August 6-20, 2018. Accommodations will be in a modern flat in the city’s core.

While the focus will be on artistic development with Monika, there will also be optional, but included daily, guided adventures; including but not limited to visiting zoological gardens and a guided optional daytrip to Auschwitz. During the tour we will explore the city, learn about Polish culture, savour the local cuisine and attend events hosted by New Horizon Film Festival part of the European Cultural Capital Celebrations, shop at local markets, visit an extensive collection of museums and galleries and maybe even hunt for some local gnomes of which you can find all over the city!

We hope to make this tour a truly unique and inspiring vacation for the many women that will come together to experience this incredible location. Wroclaw is the capital city of Lower Silesia and is an exceptional place. A meeting place for cultures and people, a city of beautiful monuments and extraordinary experiences.

Wroclaw is etched with deep history noted as early as 142AD. It has been home to Slavic Tribes, Bohemians, Mongols, Saxons, Austrians, Prussians, Jews, Germans, Gypsy’s and of course Poles! This city has been under the control of the Roman Empire, Napoleon, Prussia, and Germany! The city has been through numerous rebirths and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to explore it with other Canadian Women.

Guest Tentative Program August 6, 2018

This is a tentative schedule & a work in progress, which may be changed with little notice, subject to weather, local event schedules & the whim of the Polish! Guests need to be flexible and open to new discoveries, and so, events, activities, painting schedule & meals may be changed, added or deleted. A full art class itinerary will be distributed once all tours and activities are confirmed but please expect a minimum of 8 blocks of 2-3 hour scheduled time to create. Please also note that as this is Monika's hometown city, we will also have spontaneous invitations from family and friends who are already curious about meeting the Canadian Women coming to Poland this summer!

Monday, August 6- Day 1 – Arrival

Arrive in Wroclaw, settle into our hotel. While we await all guest arrivals, we will explore local art galleries and take a walk along the beautiful Oder river which is one that flows from the Czech Republic, through Poland, borders Germany and then into the Baltic Sea. A welcome dinner will be held at Przystan Restaurant (Marina) situated alongside River Oder.

Tuesday, August 7 - Day 2

Continental Breakfast served at the hotel. After breakfast, we will head to Rynek, explore St. Elisabeth’s Church and climb the tower for a breathtaking view of the old town. We will take a break at one of the many patio restaurants in the Rynek for coffee, to enjoy the local atmosphere and discuss social media/business promotions for artists or sketch while observing the city square. We will also hop on a city tour.

Photos by Sabrina Cameron, Poland Visit 2015

Wednesday, August 8 - Day 3

Continental Breakfast served at the hotel. After breakfast, we will take the tram to explore the elaborate Botanical Gardens. We will also have time reserved for painting class, so please bring the mobile medium/supplies you would like to work with. A trip to the local Science Museum cannot be missed as well.

Photos by Monika Blichar-Poland Retreat 2016

Thursday, August 9 - Day 4

Continental Breakfast served at the hotel. After breakfast, we will travel by tram to view Raclawice Panoramo. Panorama of the Battle of Raclawice was unveiled in 1894, this massive and detailed panorama painting, created by artist Jan Styka, depicts the 1794 Battle of Raclawice. Then onto the National Museum, established in 1947, which holds the largest collection of contemporary art in the country. We will take respite in the onsite café for lunch.

Panorama Photos Wally24.com and Adeon.com

Friday, August 10 - Day 5

Continental Breakfast served at the hotel. After breakfast, we will travel by tram to Centennial Hall. We will also have time reserved for painting class, so please bring the mobile medium/supplies you would like to work with. A must see in Wroclaw is the zoological garden, established in 1865, it covers an amazing 82 acres in the city centre. After entering the zoo, we will stop for lunch at one of the local Polish restaurants on premises before exploring. Bring comfortable footwear for the full day. A Polish tradition is fruit syrup with beer!

Zoological Gardens-Photos Monika Blichar with Sabrina Cameron, Visit to Poland 2015

Saturday, August 11 - Day 6

Daytrip to Auschwitz. Travel by private car with stops at several of Poland’s oldest castles. Lunch included. **Please note this is an optional day excursion – it is included in your tour package; however this excursion maybe a very sensitive trip for some guests – alternate arrangements can be made.

Ksiaz Castle Photo: Forbes.com

Sunday, August 12 - Day 7

Continental Breakfast served at the hotel. After breakfast, we will travel to Swiebodski Flea Market, an extensive market only held on Sundays. Vendors begin setting up at 8am, market is opened from 10-3, but most vendors begin packing up at 1. We think this will be an unforgettable experience, the size of this market is almost incomprehensible. The main entrance is near Plac Orlat Lwowskich. This will be a perfect opportunity for photographers and cultural anthropologists!

River Oder (pronounced Odra) run directly through Wroclaw (pronounce vrot-slaf) and is the second largest river in Poland. Wroclaw is defined by this great sprawling river with its numerous bridges and 12 picturesque islands. Sand Island was home to a high density of attractive houses; however in World War II these were reduced to rubble and is currently a quiet park. Wroclaw is commonly referred to as the ‘Venice of Poland.’ River Oder is still an active part of Poland’s trade economy

Monday, August 13- Day 8

Continental Breakfast served at the hotel. A reflective walk to White Stork Synagogue. Then, off to explore Wroclaw Market Square, located very close to the wedding Palace, historical temples of different religions and the City Promenade – a place where locals and tourist take walks and rest. We will also have time reserved for painting class, so please bring the mobile medium/supplies you would like to work with.

Tuesday, August 14 - Day 9

Full day excursion, we will travel by private car 65km southwest of Wroclaw to explore the Riese Complex and/or Ksiaz Castle. The Ksiaz Castle is one of Europe’s largest Castles, known as the ‘jewel of silesia’

Wednesday, August 15 - Day 10

Continental Breakfast served at the hotel. Today we go on the hunt for Wroclaw’s famous Dwarfs, there are over 300 dwarfs spread all over the city and will take you through areas of the city centre that we haven’t thoroughly explored! Prizes will be awarded!!!! Special brochures with maps will be distributed and application software will be available for smart phone users.

Photos by Monika Blichar-Poland Retreat 2016

Thursday, August 16 - Day 11

Continental Breakfast served at the hotel. A Tour of the outlying countryside by private car. Today’s stops will include a hilltop climb (possible drive to Sudeten Mountains) with picnic lunch and shopping at the local factory outlet Mall. **Social media/marketing and/or painting class could be an option as well. After dinner, we will enjoy Farewell cocktails at the Sky Bar, located on the top floor of the Monopol Hotel, the most exclusive in the city.

Friday, August 17 - Day 12

Guest Departure. Travel arrangements to trains, buses or airports will be completed. Guests who would like to travel to Gdansk as a group have the option to add this into their trip for a 3 day, 2 night Gdansk trip. Additional cost of $500+gst CAD. Includes transportation to Gdansk by train and shared accommodation. Continental breakfast, activity passes and museum passes included.

Friday/Saturday, August 18/19 - Day 12 /13

Explore the city centre of Gdansk. Museums, galleries, open air markets, the Amber Museum, Solidarity Museum and much more await your visit! A short 30 minute ferry to Sopot to enjoy the beach at the Baltic Sea!

Sunday, August 20 - Day 14

Guest departure to either Wroclaw or Warsaw.

Special Notice to Guests

Painting Dreams International Wroclaw Tour Itinerary is a work in progress. We have our days filled with exploring the city's Museums, Markets, Parks & Monuments. However; the evening activities and daytime festivals will not be updated until June and July. New Horizon Film Festivals Program is not released until June 29 and will be a surprise for all guests! Optional items also include the Wroclaw Opera House and excursions or events as festival and event calendars are released.

If you’re an early bird take advantage of the beautiful walkways around River Oder.

During the afternoons/early evenings, we will have free time; find a local coffee shop and enjoy some people watching or a good book, or stroll to the shopping mall. Work on your art in your room, or take a stroll to the park for some plein air painting or sketching time. Feel free to ask other guest to join you!

Some of our evenings will be spent at hotspots like the Neon Bar or cuddled in comfy chairs in the Rynek watching English films or Foreign Films with English Subtitles.

Please feel free to contact either tour coordinator with inquiries or request:

Monika Blichar www.MAB Art Studio.com 1-604-999-6177

Sabrina Cameron www.Coastal Storm Gallery.com 1-250-588-8824

Suggested Reading Material

Tourism

"A Guide Book to Wrocław"-Available on Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Guidebook-Wroclaw-R-Eysymontt/dp/3899603257

Lonely Planet Poland -Available on Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/174179322X/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1/276-5617931-8092660?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_r=1VN6MNREV2KQ0YP5HQRV&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_i=3899603257

History

Poland: A History
by Adam Zamoyski

God's Playground: A History of Poland, Vol. 1: The Origins to 1795 (Volume 1)
by Norman Davies

Copernicus' Secret: How the Scientific Revolution Began
by Jack Repcheck

Famous Polish People to Research

Jacek Yerka, http://www.yerkaland.com/

Pope John Paul II, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II

NOTES:

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CHECKLIST:

_____Passport & flight information sent in to coordinators

_____Emergency contacts, medical conditions/concerns and waivers submitted

_____Spending money for free time, shopping, a few market meals, alcoholic drinks etc.

_____Painting supplies: paint, canvas rolls, camera, brushes, etc.

_____Comfortable walking shoes / mini umbrella / light raincoat and sweaters

_____Any technology transported in safe cases with proper Euro Adapters packed for use on
trip. (Ipad, IPhone, Laptops, Cameras, cords and chargers etc.)

_____Miscellaneous items? (Make your own notes here!)

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