Indvidual travelers are of course free to choose their own airlines and itineraries. But inexperienced international travelers are advised to take the same flights as the guide. The guide will be happy to assist personally any travelers who join him on his flights from Chicago to Gdansk, and also those who join him on his return flight to the United States. This will include help with airport transfers and passport control in Europe, and with passport control and customs upon return to the United States.
PROPOSED ROUND-TRIP FLIGHT (as of January 11, 2016)
MONDAY, JUNE 27
* UA 1722 MSP-ORD 2:50 pm-4:10 pm (1 hr 30 min; 1 hr 10 min layover)
* UA 952 ORD-MUC 6:00 pm-9:50 am (8 hr 50 min; 4 hr 50 min layover)
* LH 1644 MUC-GDN 2:40 pm-4:10 pm (1 hr 30 min)
FRIDAY, JULY 08
* LH 1377 GDN-FRA 2:30 pm-4:10 pm
(spend night of Friday, July 8, at a Frankfurt airport hotel)
SATURDAY, JULY 09
* UA 906 FRA-ORD 12:45 pm-3:15 pm (9 hr 35 min; 2 hr 35 min layover)
* UA 304 ORD-MSP 5:30 pm-7:05 pm (1 hr 35 min)
Price: $1,914.26
Hotel: $140.00 (est)
Airport Hints
Changing planes in Munich can take as little as an hour, thanks to the usual German efficiency. Expect to go through passport control and security (once or even twice).
The real hassle comes when passengers land in Chicago. All passengers must deplane, wait to retrieve their luggage, and then personally take their luggage through US Customs. Upon clearing US Customs, passengers drop their luggage off again and take an airport train to their next flight. In Chicago, this process has taken the guide anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 1/2 hours.
The guide has learned from ten years of travel to Eastern Europe that it's better to play it safe with layovers. It's far better to spend an hour or three of utter boredom waiting for your next flight than it is to be running full speed through O'Hare with your shoes off and your tongue hanging out hoping you make it.
Do I need a visa to visit Poland? If so, can it be obtained on arrival in Poland or must it be obtained before leaving the US?
ReplyDeleteNo visa required!
DeleteJust to clarify.
DeleteNo visa is required for United States of America citizens.
Małgorzata Mazur
Just wondering if this trip is still scheduled as posted. My four sisters and I are anxious to firm up dates so we can make airfare and lodging arrangements. We also hope to make some adjustments to the itinerary because we are not Winona Kashubians and hope to visit some villages of our ancestry, too. If, for some reason, this trip is cancelled, we will plan our own trip on different dates so would like to know that as soon as possible. Thanks for any updates you can provide.
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteThank you for your post.
Even if you don't want to participate in the tours mentioned in the planned programme you can join the trip.
The programme will be modified partly according to your wishes and the separate tours to villages indicated by you will be included also.
You are not obliged to go everywhere with the group however it is the opportunity to see more interesting and historic places in Kashubia.
I suppose that you have sent already email to me.
I considered your remarks and I would work on special additional programme for you in the frame of this tour.
However I fully recommend to go together with the group to Malbork, Hel, Szymbark and to take part in Kashubian Congress in Wdzydze.
When the full list of participants is fixed the programme for you and your sisters will be ammended according to your individual requests.
Kind regards
Malgorzata Mazur
Thank you for the additional information about making possible adjustments to the itinerary. How do I sign up for the tour?
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteYou should contact Józef Jan Hughes re flight and hotel booking.
Detailed programme concerning visit in particular villages will be agreed when list of participants will be fixed.
The basic programme provides Gdańsk/Tricity, Malbork/Stutthoff, Kartuzy/Szymbark, Hel, European Solidarity Center tours and the essential part of the programme - World Kashubian Congress in Wdzydze !!!.
In July 01,05 the tours for ancestral villages are provided however the short visits in some villages can be arranged additionally also June 29, July 04 (for not Winona Kashubians if Bytów Castle is also not interesting this time), July 06 (additional tour from Jastarnia to Puck,Rumia can be organized). July 07 - the sightseeing of the European Solidarity Centre takes usually about 1,5 to 2 hrs and some additional tours and sightseeing can be arranged as well.
I hope the above information give you an idea of the tour programme and enable you to arrange the flight, hotel reservation and insurance (medical, accident and other) formalities.
Actually I have an idea about the remaining details which will be agreed when the list of participants and villages will be known.
So, please contact Józef to agree flight and hotel details and I will be in touch with him and all of you to agree further details.
Please consider also that even if we visit ancestor villages of other participants it is very nice occassion to know each other and region of all your ancestors - Kashubia.
You can contact me also via email: mamazur@hotmail.com for individual questions and remarks.
I am in continuous contact with Józef as well.
I recommend you to join the tour and especially to take part in the Annual WORLD KASHUBIANS CONGRESS which this year will take place in WDZYDZE !!!
Kind regards
Malgorzata