Travel to Poland with Youngstown State University History Professors Helene J. Sinnreich and Thomas Leary.  The 8 day trip will take participants through the three largest cities in Poland – Warsaw, Lodz and Krakow – and for a two day study tour of Auschwitz concentration camp.  

Begin the tour in Warsaw’s Old Town which was established in the 13th century and reconstructed following the destruction of World War II.  Continue to Lodz and learn the history of 19th century Poland and industrialization.  Tour the historic main street with the largest remaining example of secession style architecture.  Lodz, the Manchester of the East, offers an opportunity to examine industrial architecture and the palaces of former industrialists.  Learn about the restoration and adaptive reuse of many of these buildings.  Tour the Textile Museum.  Those interested in film will have the option to tour the Polish National Film School to see where directors such as Roman Polanski were trained.  Visit the remnants of Jewish life in Lodz and the Lodz Ghetto including the largest remaining Jewish cemetery in Europe.  From Lodz, travel to Auschwitz for a two day study tour followed by a tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mines, one of three UNESCO World Heritage sites visited on the trip.  Next learn about communism in Poland with a tour Nowa Huta, a communist created factory town.  Explore Krakow including the medieval town and Wawel castle, tour the Jewish quarter where Schindler’s list was filmed and see the Schindler Factory, and visit the Czartoryski Museum to view an original Leonardo Da Vinci painting.            

Depart from Youngstown State University campus on Friday, March 9, 2007 and return on Sunday, March 18, 2007.  

Cost: $2230.  Trip includes airfare to Poland, hotel accommodation in Poland, transportation in Poland and transportation to the airport from YSU campus, entry into museum and tour sites, guided tours and instruction, orientation session before departure to Poland, daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 3 dinners.  Participants are responsible for having a valid passport, meals other than those included and any other personal expenses.      

For more information or to discuss land only tour options at a cost of $1380, please contact Dr. Helene J. Sinnreich at hjsinnreich@ysu.edu