If you’re interested in luxury travel in Poland, then look no further than Luxury Boutique Travel – a family-run tour operator with its registered office in Rzeszów, Poland.
Luxury Boutique Travel is a family-run business. Essentially, it is a network of relatives spread around Europe. In addition to organising tours in Poland, the company also arranges personalised journeys in Slovakia, Austria, Turkey, Germany, Czechia and Iceland. Moreover, Luxury Boutique Travel organises transition trips, combining visits to places like Krakow with Prague or Vienna, Zakopane with the High Tatras in Slovakia, or even extending transatlantic journeys to Poland or Germany by including stops in countries such as Iceland or Turkey.
I recently had the pleasure of catching up with founder and owner of Luxury Boutique Travel, Mariusz Czułno, to talk about his reasons for setting up the company and what distinguishes his tour operator from the competition. Check out the interview below:
1. Can you reveal all about your background and what inspired you to set up Luxury Boutique Travel?
❝ Our journey to founding a personalised travel business is rooted in my professional career and personal relationship with my wife, Izabela. Over the past 30 years, we’ve visited various countries and liaised with people working in a multitude of industries. With my wife’s invaluable support, I worked as a sales representative for large international enterprises, primarily in the furniture industry. We acquired new business partners and negotiated contracts, attending countless meetings and, most notably, undertaking international trips to forge collaborations with foreign partners.
These international trips resonated most with us as we were meeting people of various nationalities and learnt their work practices and perspectives. I recall many instances when our formal negotiations extended into less formal dinners, where we shared stories about our families, traditions, and dreams. Through these interactions, we discovered a profound passion for cultural exchange, a passion that made our work incredibly enriching.
In our personal lives, my wife and I cultivated a deep passion for travel too. Initially, we explored the beauty of our own country, Poland. When our children had grown up, we ventured beyond Poland’s borders to discover more of Europe. Our trips were not about merely ticking off famous landmarks. Instead, we immersed ourselves in local cultures, staying in small guesthouses, savouring meals in family-owned restaurants, and enjoying the quiet charm of often-overlooked local spots. We preferred travelling by car, which allowed us the flexibility to stroll through picturesque towns and villages, chat with locals, and experience how people truly live in various places.
Through these professional and private experiences, our vision of offering personalised travel services in Poland began to take shape. We realised that many visitors never truly experience Poland in a deeply personal and authentic way, missing out on experiences that go far beyond what one can glean from standard brochures and official booklets.
Our own journeys have deepened our appreciation for Poland’s unique allure – not just its beautifully restored historical landmarks and modern infrastructure, but also its quaint, well-maintained towns and picturesque villages, featuring cozy guesthouses, charming eateries and vibrant local festivals. We are continually struck by the unparalleled cleanliness of our streets, the tranquillity of our public spaces and the reassuring sense of safety that permeates even the most bustling cities. We wanted to share this often-overlooked Polish charm with others, revealing a Poland rich not only in history and culture, but also brimming with charm, warmth and authenticity.
Further inspirations for offering customised and local travel services came from our friends living abroad – mainly in the US, Canada, and the UK. Some of them sought our help in planning trips to Poland to retrace the footsteps of their ancestors, often famous historical figures. These requests were about more than just travel; they were about deeply personalised and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Our shift from international corporations to personalised travel services was a natural evolution, driven by our love for getting to know new people and their lives and dreams. Our passion for cultural exchange perfectly complements our travel business, especially one that offers such a personalised approach to clients – whom we prefer to call guests – where we interact with them to tailor journeys that are as unique as they are themselves.❞
2. Could you provide an overview of your company and its services?
❝ Luxury Boutique Travel is a tour operator founded by myself and operated with support from my close relatives. I have to give a shout out to my son, Patryk, whose international academic experience enables multilingual communication with clients, and his partner, Aldona, who brings expertise and support in international accounting and finance.
We initially began as a travel agency. However, acting as intermediaries between tourists and tour operators limited our ability to control the quality of services we provided, especially the level of personalisation we are committed to. By transitioning into a tour operator this year, we can manage and oversee every detail, ensuring that our guests receive the highest quality service possible.
We offer bespoke travel services that we define as luxury travel. Instead of offering pre-packaged tours, we adopt a highly personalised approach. For us, luxury travel in Poland, or elsewhere, doesn’t have to be expensive, but it must always be customised to each guest’s needs. Whether a guest prefers a 5-star resort or budget accommodation, public or private transportation, self-guided or fully-guided tours, we meticulously plan, implement, and oversee every aspect of their journey.
Luxury travel also means our direct participation. It is common for me and my close family members to personally welcome guests at the airport or meet them during their trips. These personal meetings are a natural extension of our e-mail correspondence and video chats with guests during the travel planning process.
Additionally, luxury travel with us encompasses a broad range of services offered in one place – from carefully selecting accommodation and arranging transportation, to pre-booking entry tickets, organising guided tours, providing round-the-clock travel guidance, or ensuring immersive experiences, such as as private workshops or genealogical tours. Moreover, regardless of their budget, our guests always receive personalised advice and support from our dedicated travel concierges.
Our focus on personalisation has earned us a loyal clientele who frequently recommend us to their friends. Also, we are continually expanding and refining our offerings to meet the evolving needs of discerning travellers.
In summary, you can think of us as a hub that coordinates and arranges all aspects of travel services, including accommodations, restaurants, tour guides, drivers, workshops, social meetings, research studies, and many more.❞
3. What steps are involved when it comes to arranging your clients’ travel plans?
❝ Our process of planning and implementing travel plans for our clients involves coordinating multiple steps, often simultaneously. The process always begins with an individual consultation to understand our guests’ preferences, allowing us to craft a truly bespoke itinerary. Then, we move on to meticulous planning.
First, depending on guests’ needs, we book all agreed attractions, arrange guides or workshops, organise access to archives or libraries, or plan meetings with local historians or artists, among other activities.
Equally important is planning the optimal sequence of visits, especially if the trip covers multiple regions. For example, it’s more time-efficient to plan a route that avoids backtracking, such as travelling from Gdańsk to Warsaw before unnecessarily heading back north to Mazury.
Next, we focus on accommodation and restaurant reservations, ensuring they both match our guests’ tastes. We consider various accommodation types; for example, international hotel brands, charming guesthouses, or private apartments. We take into account room types such as those for families or travellers with pets, as well as accessibility needs and dietary requirements. Location is also crucial.
Transportation is another key element. For public transport, we find the most convenient connections and review their quality, reliability, and current offers like combined or long-term tickets. For private transport, which is more often preferred by our guests, we ensure the availability of our cars and drivers, including backup options for unforeseen requirements.
Throughout the planning process, we maintain close communication with our guests, providing updates and seeking their feedback to ensure everything is perfect. Once the itinerary is finalised, we provide a comprehensive travel pack with all necessary details. During the trip, we oversee its implementation, while our travel concierges remain contactable for any needs.❞
4. I noticed on your website that you provide services for luxury travel in Poland based on two separate tiers – Standard and VIP. Can you go into these tiers a bit more, describing the pros and cons of each?
❝ It is important to note that, in line with our luxury travel concept, both travel tiers offer the highest level of personalisation in trip planning, as well as our direct involvement in trip implementation.
In terms of trip planning, both tiers provide the same high level of customization. We eliminate the need for guests to search for and verify individual travel services, browse numerous resources, read countless reviews, make reservations, or send special requests. Instead, we take care of all these details while considering our guests’ specific preferences.
When it comes to trip implementation, in turn, our travel tiers may differ in the quality and exclusivity of some of the services provided.
The Standard tier is ideal for those seeking personalised attention at a reasonable cost. It may include pre-bookings at budget-friendly accommodations, such as three-star hotels, which are generally well-maintained and located within a 30-minute walk from city centres or major attractions. This tier can also feature our personalised recommendations for public transportation and self-guided exploration opportunities. In turn, our pre-bookings may refer to entry tickets, guided group tours, half-day or full-day excursions during a longer journey, etc.
The VIP tier appeals to those who desire greater comfort and exclusivity. It usually includes four-star hotels or private apartments located in the heart of a city’s Old Town, hotel restaurants with a wider selection of dishes available throughout the day, and, in particular, full-day personal drivers and guides, and private culinary and craft workshops, etc.
These two tiers should not be confused with pre-packaged tours. They merely provide an overview of our recommendations and serve as a starting point for more detailed, individualised trip planning. Guests have the flexibility to dip into both tiers so that they can benefit from the services they desire. For example, perhaps they would like to stay at a five-star resort while opting for self-guided sightseeing.❞
5. I have read that you routinely organise one, two and three-week trips to Poland. Can you describe a few typical itineraries for a one-week trip compared with a three-week trip?
❝ Given the highly personalised nature of our trips, outlining typical itineraries is challenging. However, here’s a general idea of what a one-week trip versus a three-week trip might look like.
For a one-week trip, guests typically explore two or three main cities with short excursions to nearby attractions. For example, they might spend 3-4 days in Warsaw, followed by another 3-4 days in Kraków, exploring the history and culture of each city. They might also take half-day or full-day trips to popular sites like the Wieliczka Salt Mine or The Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Some clients wish to engage in less conventional activities, such as local cultural events or workshops.
In contrast, a three-week trip allows for a more extensive exploration, including both well-known and off-the-beaten-path destinations. A common theme is a circular journey around Poland, e.g. starting and ending in Kraków, with stops in major cities like Wrocław, Poznań, Toruń, Gdańsk, Warsaw, and Lublin. This route offers a comprehensive view of Poland’s diverse landscapes and cultural highlights.
Another option for an extended trip is a deeper immersion into local life. For instance, guests could explore the mountain regions of Southern Poland and Northern Slovakia and Czechia, travelling through the extensive mountain ranges of Carpathians and Sudetes. This journey would provide opportunities to experience the countries’ diversified highlander culture, architecture, and cuisine, with stays in mountain lodges, hiking excursions, and interactions with local communities. The trip could also include thematic explorations, such as following the heritage of local artists, discovering historical landmarks, or seeking out specific wildlife.❞
6. So not all of your guests are interested in visiting the ‘usual suspects’ such as Kraków, Warsaw and Gdańsk?
❝ Indeed not. Many of our guests come to Poland and neighbouring countries specifically to explore their family heritage and ancestral roots. For them, we craft sentimental journeys to local towns, or even to forgotten churches and moss-covered cemeteries. We have organised genealogical tours that included visits to their ancestral villages and meetings with local historians, and we even arranged for them to meet distant relatives. This deeply moving experience allowed them to connect with their roots in a way they never imagined. From our perspective, such tours certainly fall within the bracket of luxury travel in Poland as we are committed to creating truly bespoke and memorable journeys for guests who wish to discover their family history.
Other guests are interested in unique architectural treasures, such as the Polish towns of Kazimierz Dolny, known for its picturesque Renaissance architecture; Zamość, a UNESCO World Heritage site; or Lanckorona, a charming village with 19th-century wooden houses.
History enthusiasts enjoy trips to sites such as Malbork Castle, probably the largest brick castle in the world; and Krzyżtopór Castle, one of Europe’s largest palaces. These locations often feature special events like ghost tours and historical reenactments. We can also arrange meetings with local historians.❞
7. Which destinations would you include in a two-week itinerary for clients who aren’t fussy about where they go?
❝ A most intriguing question. The first step, as always, would be to understand the guest’s travel expectations, such as their accommodation, transportation and guidance needs, as well as their preferences for city sightseeing, cultural immersion, social experiences, or active leisure. But let’s assume the guest has no special expectations and simply wants to see Poland for two weeks – a challenge we’d be thrilled to take on.
Our goal would be to blend Poland’s cultural treasures with its natural wonders. We’d balance major cities and iconic landmarks with explorations of local life and hidden gems, ensuring an experience that surpasses standard services offered by large travel companies.
The journey could begin in Gdańsk, known for its maritime history. Beyond the Old Town, we’d visit the famous shipyard cranes, a significant architectural monument, and the European Solidarity Centre, to find out more about Poland’s pivotal role in ending communism. Finally, we’d visit some of the unique natural beaches nearby, renowned for shifting sand dunes and birdwatching tours.
From Gdańsk, we’d move to the Mazury region, one of Europe’s largest and most pristine lake districts, where we could offer private sailing tours to remote islands and hidden forests. Then, after exploring the capital city of Warsaw, with its historic sites like the Royal Castle and Wilanów Palace, we’d venture to Kampinos National Park for serene hiking trails or guided walks through wildlife-rich forests.
Beyond the Royal Route of amazing Kraków, we’d visit nearby Ojcowski National Park, where guests could enjoy guided tours of amazing rock formations, limestone cliffs and caves, as well as savour local delicacies in rustic settings. Heading south, we’d reach the Tatra Mountains, known for rugged peaks and highlander culture, staying in luxury lodges or traditional shepherds’ huts, and learning about highland Oscypek cheese-making.
In Wrocław, alongside enjoying the city’s Gothic architecture, we’d explore the nearby underground routes and bunkers from World War II. We’d also visit the Barycz Valley, with guided tours of fish ponds and with artisanal workshops.
Our personalised services would ensure a seamless (luxury) experience. We would personally manage all accommodations, guided tours, local meetings and workshops. Our drivers, in turn, would enable smooth transport between all local destinations across Poland. Without this comprehensive support, planning and arranging such a diverse journey would be much more challenging and time-consuming.❞
8. How do you handle clients who aren’t interested in trips of one-week or longer but are more into guided day trips to famous historical sights, such as Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa?
❝ Every client is a valued guest, whether they’re visiting us for a month or just a single day. In all cases, our goal is to provide a personalised service, where every aspect of the trip is carefully curated to meet our guests’ needs. Regardless of the duration of the trip, we may still need to organise transport, recommend attractions, secure entry tickets, arrange knowledgeable guides, or suggest top local dining spots.
However, a shorter time frame typically means less complexity regarding the travel arrangements, allowing us to plan these trips with as little as one or two weeks’ notice. Conversely, for longer stays of two weeks or more, we recommend starting the planning process at least a month in advance. This extra time helps ensure availability for accommodations and services that perfectly match the guests’ preferences.❞
9. How’s it going with arranging social and cultural experiences for clients?
❝ Arranging social and cultural meetings for our guests is a major highlight of our offer. One of our most popular experiences is the ‘pierogi moulding’ workshop, which perfectly illustrates our commitment to personalised and immersive travel.
The process begins with us diving into our guests’ preferences to tailor the workshop to their tastes. We then meticulously choose not only the venue but also the chef, ensuring both are renowned for their authenticity and ambiance. This attention to detail guarantees that the workshop isn’t just a culinary lesson but a full immersion in Polish traditions.
Our collaboration with the chef involves designing the workshop to meet guests’ expectations, whether they’re interested in the history of pierogi, or the art of making the dough and moulding these delightful dumplings. We also tailor the level of hands-on involvement according to the guests’ preferences. The experience culminates in a relaxing meal where guests savour the pierogi they’ve crafted.
Another engaging experience we offer is a traditional pottery workshop. We select authentic studios celebrated for their craftsmanship. Local artisans guide guests through the history of pottery, showcase traditional techniques, and lead hands-on sessions where guests create their own pieces. The storytelling and craftsmanship of the artisans enrich the educational and captivating experience. After shaping their pieces, guests can choose to glaze them or have them shipped home.
We ensure that each experience is tailored to our guests’ interests and provides a genuine connection to local traditions and artistry.❞
10. Can you reveal all about a few of the trips you have planned for the summer or Autumn of 2024?
❝ Currently, we have an exciting trip planned for four ladies and one gentleman from Canada whose dream is to follow in the footsteps of two prominent figures of the Catholic Church: St. Maximilian Kolbe and Pope John Paul II.
Although they are coming to Poland in September, we’ve been in constant contact since May, exchanging numerous emails and holding video calls to meet these particular guests’ expectations to discuss the various aspects of their trip.
This two-week journey will be very sophisticated. The guests will travel across Poland, staying in both grand hotels and quaint pilgrim houses, and visiting both large cities and small towns linked to the lives of St. Maximilian and John Paul II. Moreover, our guests requested us to arrange genealogical research as they have Polish ancestors. For this reason, we found some genealogists and historians who confirmed their ability to conduct the study in the relevant area for our guests.
Another noteworthy trip planned for September involves a family of adventure enthusiasts from Australia. Their goal is to explore the wild and rugged terrain of the Bieszczady Mountains, known for its untouched and rich wildlife. Four adults and three teenagers will be staying there for a week. One of the unique aspects of this trip is the night they will spend in a shepherd’s hut, where they’ll learn about local customs and participate in cheese-making.
Both journeys showcase our commitment to creating personalised travel experiences that cater to the diversified and unique passions of our guests.❞
11. Finally, can you summarise what sets your company, Luxury Boutique Travel, apart from other tour operators?
❝ What sets Luxury Boutique Travel apart from other tour operators are three key factors: our unwavering commitment to personalized service, our family-run business model, and our carefully curated network of partners.
First and foremost, our personalised approach means we treat clients as our personal guests. We offer a highly personalised approach to each guest, regardless of their budget and the quality and exclusiveness of services they book with us.
We always develop personal contact with our guests, believing that travel is not just about visiting places but about forging lasting relationships. Unlike pre-packaged tours, we craft individualised itineraries tailored to each guest’s unique preferences, and oversee every detail from planning through to execution. We even greet guests personally at the airport or during their journey. Finally, our dedicated travel concierges ensure personalised advice and support, regardless of budget.
Second, our business model is uniquely shaped by our family. This direct involvement allows us to offer a level of personal engagement and accountability that larger, impersonal operators cannot match. This means that our guests enjoy direct personal contact with those who are deeply invested in and fully responsible for our business. Unlike larger operators, we do not rely much on external staff, therefore offering a level of trust and dedication that is rare in the industry.
This familial involvement also guarantees a wealth of international experience and cultural insight we share within our family, ensuring consistency and quality in our operations.
Third, we have built a close network of meticulously vetted and trustworthy partners. We collaborate closely with a select group of accommodation providers, travel guides, culinary experts, historians, and artisans, all of whom we have rigorously evaluated to meet our high standards.
We personally oversee and are continually expanding this network to ensure that every experience we offer is authentic, enriching, and aligned with our guests’ expectations. This network ensures authentic experiences. Our guests receive not just a trip, but a series of meaningful and immersive interactions that are deeply rooted in local culture and traditions.❞
Find out more about Luxury Boutique Travel and get in touch:
https://luxury-boutique-travel.com/
Contact Patryk Czułno: contact@boutiquetravelhub.com