From the Baltic Sea's famous shipyards in the northern city of
Gdansk to the snowy peaks of the Tatra Mountains and
Krakow's Old Town, Poland has something for everyone. The central
capital, Warsaw, may not be as beautiful as Krakow to the south, but has its own
charm, as well as some of Poland's best restaurant and club action. Explore the
relative newcomer to the tourist scene, Wroclaw, north-east of Krakow on the
Oder River.
Background
After gaining independence in 1918, Poland was involved in World War II from the
start and today you can honour the country's distressing, yet
inspirational, history in its world-class museums. See where the Solidarity Movement
started in northern Gdansk and find the bullet-scarred remains of the
Warsaw Uprising. Explore the southern city of Krakow with its
Jewish legacy and make sure you try some authentic bagels washed down with a glass
of vodka. South of Krakow is the year-long rural playground, the Tatra
Mountains.
Urban
Most visitors head straight for Wawel Castle and the old Jewish quarter of
Kazimierz in Krakow. However, you should also marvel at
Warsaw's totally reconstructed, UNESCO-listed Old Town
and its excellent Rising Museum. Travel north to hunt for amber on the Baltic
Sea shores around the port city of Gdansk. Wroclaw is an engaging city
with Gothic towers that is currently undergoing something of a comeback. If you have
time, take the road less travelled to explore the brainchild of Stalin, the new town
of Nowa Kuta where brutal Socialist architecture merges with wooden churches
and new hotels.
Rural
Poland has an enormous rural population, and travelling around the country involves
passing through many villages. The most beautiful are in the Tatra Mountains
in the south where Zakopane lures the crowds for some serious après
ski. In summer, you can hike, track bears and bison, or fish on lakes and rivers.
And although the Baltic Sea might not spring to mind as a number-one vacation
spot, be pleasantly surprised as you relax by the crystal waters and beautiful white
sandy beaches of Gdansk and Sopot.
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