|
Krakow-Travel Guide
Krakow is the perfect introduction for the first
time visitor to Poland. The city was left unscarred
by the Second World War and today stands as one of
the most beautiful
cities in Europe. Take a seat at
one of the many pavement cafes in
Krakow's Main
Square (also known as Rynek Glowny). Walk along the
Royal Route to
Wawel castle and cathedral. Visit one
of the oldest universities in Europe at
Jagiellonian
University or go to the Czartoryski Museum to see
Leonardo Da Vinci's "Lady with Ermine". Explore the
old
Jewish quarter at Kazimierz. Scratch your head
at the rather bizarre
giant burial mounds
dotted
around the city. Wieliczka Salt Mines are not far
from Krakow and a trip to the
Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps is an
unforgettable experience.
Warsaw-Travel Guide
The capital of Poland
and starting to rediscover it's identity after 50
years of Nazi and Communist rule, Warsaw is a city
with a point to prove. Overlooked by many tourists
for the more obvious delights of Krakow, Warsaw has
more than enough sights
to
cater for the "city break" tourist. Visit the
Old
Town of Warsaw, painstakingly rebuilt after complete
destruction by the Nazis. Take a walk around the
delightful Lazienki Park and Palace where peacocks
roam free and red squirrels eat out of your hand.
Take a trip to
Wilanow Palace, the summer residence
of many Polish Kings and Queens and wander around
the exquisite gardens there. Go to the
Palace of
Culture and take a trip to the viewing deck for
unrivalled views of Warsaw. Everywhere around Warsaw
lie
memories of World War Two, simply wander the
streets and discover commemorative wall plaques in
memory of fallen citizens at the hands of the
Gestapo and SS.
Tri City
(Gdansk, Sopot & Gdynia)-Travel Guide
The neighbouring
seaside towns of Gdansk,
Sopot and
Gdynia are
collectively known as the Tri City area and are only
a 15 mins drive from each other. Largely
undiscovered by British and American tourists the
Tri City area offers outstanding natural
beauty with it's sandy beaches and forests. The
Old
Town of Gdansk has been lovingly restored to it's
former glory and is very easy to explore on foot.
The bohemian resort of Sopot, now with an impressive
choice of luxury hotels and villas, has a great
choice of bars and restaurants and also hosts many
art and music festivals. The seaside port of Gdynia
hosts the Heineken Music Festival every year which
attracts top bands and singers from around the
world. The town also has a strong reputation for
it's sheer choice of shopping. Take a 1 hr trip to
the Hel Peninsula, a finger of land that curls into
the Baltic Ocean. At it's narrowest point it's wide
enough to accommodate a road and a rail track.
Further down, the peninsula widens out and it seems
incredible to see fishing villages and holiday
resorts.
Wroclaw-Travel guide
Wroclaw is carving a
reputation for itself as one of the most
sophisticated and cosmopolitan cities in Poland.
Nicknamed the "Venice of Poland", Wroclaw is
surrounded
by canals and rivers and is crisscrossed by scores
of bridges. The city is a delight to explore with
Wroclaw's Market Square in the Old Town being particularly
beautiful. Take a walk to Wroclaw University and
gawp at the exquisitely decorated Aula Leopoldina.
Stroll around the botanical Japanese Gardens or
climb to the top of St John's Cathedral for stunning
views of the city. Don't miss out on one of the most
memorable paintings you're ever likely to see, the
Panorama Raclawicka.
Zakopane-Travel guide
Known as the Winter
Capital of Poland, the ski resort of
Zakopane is
nestled in the foothills of the Tatry mountains in
southern Poland. Extremely popular with skiers and
snowboarders Zakopane isn't just a one trick pony.
The area also offers area of outstanding natural
beauty with mountain trails and glacial lakes making
Zakopane a very popular destination all year round.
Be sure to climb to the picturesque
Morskie Oko lake
or walk around the old cemetery in Zakopane and
admire the rather unusual headstones carved out of
wood.
Mazury-Travel
Guide
Arguably the most
popular destination for Poles within their own
country is the Mazury
region
in North East Poland. This region is famous for it's
many lakes and and forests earning it the nickname
the "Land of a thousand lakes". The Mazury region is
the perfect place to enjoy the "great outdoors" as
it lends itself perfectly to so many activities.
Naturally, sailing and kayaking are very popular
here but also rambling, cycling, fishing and bird
watching. There is an abundance of accommodation
choices in the region from basic chalets to lakeside
villas.
Czestochowa-Travel Guide
Regarded as the
spiritual heart of Poland, Czestochowa is the home
of the Black Madonna which has been venerated by
Poles over the centuries. The picture is said to
have miraculous qualities and the late Pope John
Paul II had a special affinity with
the painting and the monastery of
Jasna Gora. The
bullet holed sash the Pope was wearing during the
failed assassination attempt on him was donated by
him to the monastery and now hangs by the side of
the painting. In August, hundreds of thousands of
pilgrims walk from all over the country to pay
homage to the Black Madonna and gives the town a
very warm, feel good atmosphere. There's plenty to
explore at the Jasna Gora monastery apart from the
chapel of the Black Madonna. The monastery contains
a treasury and armoury which are well worth seeing.
A climb up the steeple rewards you with fabulous
views of the monastery and the surrounding area. The
ruins of Olsztyn castle lie about a 40 minute drive
from Czestochowa and visitors can climb the hill to
explore what remains of the white limestone castle.
Kazimierz Dolny-Travel Guide
Virtually unheard of
outside of Poland, this quaint little town is a real
gem waiting to be discovered. Located on the Vistula
river about a 2 hour drive south from Warsaw,
Kazimierz Dolny has been charming visitors for
centuries. This small town is
a perfect weekend retreat. The market square is
surrounded by medieval houses with the square
leading upto the Parish Church. Kazimierz Dolny
regularly hosts art exhibitions and music festivals
and has acquired something of a bohemian reputation.
A few minutes from the market square lies the
Landscape Park (an protected National Park).
Throughout here are plenty of footpaths leading you
to spectacular views over the Vistula rivers and
also castle ruins and towers. Boats regularly take
tourists for cruises up and down the river where you
can fully admire the natural beauty of the area.
Several nature reserves exist within the town's
boundaries and Kazimierz Dolny is well known for the
large varieties of water fowl that breed there.
|