Azorcan Tours, Edmonton, AB (2026)

06/01/2026

🚨 SAVE THE DATE! 🚨

🏒 2028 Finland World Juniors Launch Party

📍 Edmonton, Alberta
📅 Saturday Evening, December 12, 2026
🎟️ Exclusive to Priority List Members

Be the first to hear all the details as we officially launch our Finland 2028 World Juniors travel packages!

Can't make it to Edmonton? The event will be streamed live for all Priority List Members.

✅ Following the announcement, an exclusive Priority List registration window will open, giving members first access to reserve their spot.

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Know someone who would love to join you in Finland? Send them here to join the Priority List: www.azorcan.net/priority-list

📣 Please share this post with your hockey friends and fellow World Juniors fans!

More details coming in November.

05/26/2026

DAY 10 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
KRAKOW - WIELICZKA SALT MINE – FOLKLORE SHOW

In the morning, we departed for the Wieliczka Salt Mine. The guided tour is a surreal experience exploring an underground world carved from salt, with winding tunnels, vast chambers, underground lakes, and elaborate sculptures deep beneath the earth. Highlights include the stunning Chapel of St. Kinga, where even the chandeliers are made of salt crystal, creating an atmosphere that feels both historic and otherworldly.

The mine dates back to the 13th century and was one of Poland’s most important economic resources for hundreds of years, producing salt continuously until 2007. Miners spent generations expanding the labyrinth by hand, turning parts of it into chapels and artworks, and today it stands as one of Poland’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In the evening we went to the folklore evening at Skansen Smaków for our farewell dinner. It is designed as a full “Polish countryside feast” experience rather than just a stage performance. It takes place in a large wooden highlander-style inn near Kryspinów Lake, about 15 minutes outside central Kraków, with rustic interiors, long communal tables, live musicians, dancers in traditional costumes, and a very energetic dinner-party atmosphere.

05/25/2026

DAY 9 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
KRAKOW

Our group met outside the Kraków Barbican in the morning. The guide began by explaining how the Barbican and the old city walls protected Kraków hundreds of years ago. Once we walked through St. Florian’s Gate and into the Old Town, we walked on the cobblestone streets, passing colorful buildings, tiny cafés, and hidden courtyards. The guide mixed history with local stories, so it never felt too formal or overloaded with dates.

Reaching the Main Square was probably the moment that stood out most for all of us. The square is huge, and seeing the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica up close was impressive. Horse carriages moved through the square while people sat outside cafés and walked between the market stalls, which gave the whole area a lively atmosphere. We also stopped to listen to the trumpet call from the church tower, which was one of the highlights of the walk.

The walk toward Wawel was quieter. We passed buildings belonging to Jagiellonian University and heard stories about students, kings, famous people, and enjoyed a stop at an underground university café. Then we learned about Pope John Paul II, who was closely tied to Kraków, where he served as Archbishop before becoming pope in 1978. Sites like Wawel Cathedral and the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy reflect his lasting influence on the city.

Walking around Wawel Royal Castle was one of the best parts of the tour. The castle courtyards were surprisingly calm compared to the busy Old Town, and the guide explained how Polish kings once lived there and why the site is still so important today. We spent some time around Wawel Cathedral hearing stories about royal coronations and burials, and from the ramparts we could see the famous dragon statue down by the river.

05/24/2026

DAY 8 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
KRAKOW - OSCAR SCHINDELRS FACTORY

In the evening, we visited Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory to learn about life in Kraków during the N**i occupation of Poland in World War II. Walking through the museum was a deeply moving experience. The exhibits recreated the atmosphere of the city under German control, showing how everyday life changed almost overnight as fear, discrimination, and violence spread through the community. Photographs, personal stories, and preserved artifacts helped us understand the suffering endured by Jewish families and other residents during this dark period in history.

We also learned about Oskar Schindler, the German businessman who used his factory and personal influence to protect more than a thousand Jewish workers from persecution and death. Despite being a member of the N**i Party at first, Schindler gradually became determined to save as many lives as possible, risking his fortune and his own safety to shield his workers from concentration camps. Hearing the individual stories of survival made the experience especially emotional and unforgettable.
The museum did more than present historical facts — it gave us a powerful sense of the resilience, courage, and humanity that persisted even during one of history’s darkest chapters. Leaving the factory, we carried with us a much deeper understanding of the impact the war had on Kraków and a renewed appreciation for the importance of remembering these stories so they are never forgotten.

05/24/2026

DAY 8 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU

We departed Ostrava in the morning and journeyed toward Krakow, where we would spend the final three days of our tour. Along the way, we visited the deeply moving The Holocaust memorial site of Auschwitz I, where we joined an expert local guide for a powerful and thought-provoking tour. Walking through the preserved grounds, exhibitions, and prison blocks offered a sobering insight into the experiences of those imprisoned there during World War II.

Following the visit, we continued to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the vast extermination and concentration camp that became one of the most significant symbols of the atrocities committed during the war. As we explored the remains of the camp, including the railway tracks, barracks, and memorials, our guide provided historical context and personal stories that helped bring the scale and human impact of these events into perspective. The visit was a deeply reflective experience and an important opportunity to learn about one of history’s darkest chapters while paying respect to its victims.

05/22/2026

DAY 7 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
BOUZOV CASTLE

We traveled through the scenic hilly and forested countryside from Moravian Karst to Bouzov Castle. Upon arrival, we followed a picturesque pathway leading to the castle’s main entrance and into the central courtyard. The castle was extremely impressive, with its striking towers, fortified walls, and beautifully preserved medieval architecture creating a memorable first impression.

We enjoyed a guided tour of the castle, exploring its historic rooms, grand halls, and learning about its fascinating history and legends. Bouzov Castle is a medieval fortress originally built in the late 13th century, later significantly rebuilt in a romantic neo-Gothic style during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was extensively renovated by the German Teutonic Order, which owned the castle for several centuries and transformed it into a representative residence. Because of its fairy-tale appearance, complete with towers, battlements, and ornate interiors, it has frequently been used as a filming location for historical and fantasy movies.

After our visit, we continued our journey to Ostrava, where we checked into our hotel for an overnight stay.

05/22/2026

DAY 7 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
MORAVSKY KRAS – PUNKVA CAVES

In the morning, we checked out of our hotel in Prague and began our journey east toward Ostrava. The drive took us through the beautiful Czech countryside, with rolling hills, forests, and small villages along the way.

Our first stop was the stunning Moravian Karst, where we visited the famous Punkva Caves. The experience began with a charming tram ride through the woods to the cave entrance, building anticipation as we travelled deeper into the forested landscape. Once inside, we explored a fascinating underground world filled with enormous limestone chambers, dramatic rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites shaped over thousands of years. Our guide explained the history and geology of the cave system, making the visit both scenic and educational.

One of the highlights of the tour was seeing the spectacular Macocha Abyss, a massive sinkhole that plunges deep into the earth and creates an almost surreal atmosphere. The most memorable part, however, was the boat trip along the underground Punkva River. Drifting silently through the dark caverns while the water reflected the cave formations around us felt magical and unlike anything we had experienced before. The peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty made it a truly unforgettable stop on our journey.

After completing the tour, we returned by tram and stopped at the nearby restaurant, where we enjoyed a delicious meal and had some time to relax before continuing on our way. Feeling refreshed, we departed for our second stop of the day, the impressive Bouzov Castle, eager to explore another piece of Czech history and architecture.

05/22/2026

DAY 6 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
PRAGUE – VLATAVA DINNER CRUISE

After enjoying some free time exploring the charming streets, shops, and cafés of Prague, our group gathered in the early evening for one of the highlights of the trip — a memorable dinner cruise along the beautiful Vltava River. We boarded the Prague Boats vessel, the PRAHA, and set off on a relaxing two-hour journey through the heart of the city.

The cruise featured a delicious buffet dinner with a wide selection of food, allowing everyone to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere while taking in the scenic surroundings. After dinner, many of us headed to the open-air top deck, where we enjoyed stunning panoramic views of Prague’s historic architecture, famous bridges, and well-known landmarks from the water as the city transitioned into the evening. Seeing Prague from the river created a truly memorable experience and provided the perfect ending to our exciting stay in the Czech capital.

05/22/2026

DAY 6 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
SKODA FACTORY – MLADA BOLESLAV

In the morning, we transferred to the city of Mladá Boleslav for a fascinating visit to the renowned Škoda Auto Factory and Museum. Upon arrival, we were introduced to the long and proud history of one of the Czech Republic’s most famous automobile manufacturers, whose roots date back more than a century.

Our guided tour began inside the impressive production facilities, where we had the opportunity to witness the remarkable precision and organization involved in modern car manufacturing. The guide explained how raw sheets of metal are carefully cut, pressed, and stamped into essential vehicle components such as doors, hoods, and body panels using enormous industrial machines. Watching the automated machinery at work gave us a real appreciation for the engineering and technology behind every vehicle produced at the plant.
We then continued into the assembly halls, where the factory was operating at full capacity. It was fascinating to observe the production lines in motion as thousands of workers and advanced robotic systems worked together seamlessly to assemble the vehicles step by step.

During the tour, we learned that approximately 26,000 people are employed at the factory, working around the clock in 24-hour shifts to maintain continuous production. Our guide also shared the impressive statistic that the plant produced more than 600,000 cars in 2025 alone, highlighting the enormous scale of operations and the factory’s importance not only to the Czech economy but also to the global automotive industry.

Following the factory visit, we explored the museum, where beautifully restored historic vehicles traced the development of Škoda Auto from its early beginnings as a bicycle and motorcycle company to the internationally recognized car brand it is today. The visit provided a unique insight into Czech industrial history and offered a memorable behind-the-scenes look at one of Europe’s leading automobile manufacturers.

05/21/2026

DAY 5 - ISU IMPERIAL EUROPE TOUR
CZECH CRYSTAL FACTORY

In the afternoon, the group travelled to the riverside town of Nižbor to visit a traditional Bohemian crystal factory, where they discovered the craftsmanship behind one of the Czech Republic’s most famous exports. During the guided tour of the working factory, the group followed the entire production process from start to finish, beginning with the intense heat of the furnaces where molten glass is shaped by skilled glassblowers. They watched master craftsmen carefully cut, engrave, polish, and decorate the crystal by hand using techniques that have been passed down through generations. The visit offered a unique insight into the precision, artistry, and patience required to create authentic Czech crystal, renowned worldwide for its brilliance and quality. The group also had the opportunity to view a stunning collection of finished crystal pieces in the showroom and learn about the long tradition of glassmaking in the region, making the visit both educational and inspiring.

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