| Polish up on Poland with City Breaks Guide |
City Breaks in Poland
Warsaw:
Poland's capital makes an interesting city break, Warsaw, lies in the centre of the country that is located on the main international transit routes. Occupying both banks of the Vistula River, the city has a population of nearly 1.7 million. The most striking thing about Warsaw is its regeneration following the devastation of World War II. The first bombs of the German Luftwaffe fell on the city at dawn on Sept. 1, 1939. During the Nazi occupation, about 85 percent of the city's were reduced to rubble, and 700,000 people lost their lives. Razed as a result of Hitler's orders in 1945, most of Warsaw was rebuilt within a dozen years. A visit to the Historical Museum of the City of Warsaw on the Old Town Market Square shows a film that depicts the city's calculated devastation. Through the efforts of the entire nation, and the support of Polish communities abroad, the precious castles, monuments, cathedrals and government buildings that were -and are- the heart and soul of Warsaw were meticulously restored.
Eastern Poland: Chelm Province
Eastern Poland comprises the territories of three provinces bordering on Ukraine: Chelm, Zamosc, and Przemysl. These lands are well endowed with diversified landscapes and dotted with numerous historical ruins and monuments of architecture, a fantastic area for a cultural city break.
The northern part of the Chelm Province contains the scenic Leczynsko - Wlodawskie Lakeland, also called Polesie. This land, full of marshes, bogs, flood waters, and unpolluted lakes and small rivers, is a real paradise for those who love nature, hiking and cycling trips, angling and canoeing. It is a land of vast and dense forests.
The Sea:
The Polish coastline is about 500 kilometers long and welcomes those who want a beach city break. The shore is usually sandy, and the beaches invite rest. During the hot summer days, bathing areas are marked with buoys and supervised by lifeguards.
Walks along the seacoast are good for people with upper respiratory tract problems as well as for those with thyroid conditions due to the fact that the sea breeze contains a large quantity of iodine. It is often possible to come across a piece of amber amidst the shells and pebbles thrown out onto the beaches by storms.
The best known seaside resorts are - starting from the west:
Swinoujscie, Miedzyzdroje, Dziwnow, Kolobrzeg, Ustronie Morskie, Darlowo, Ustka, Leba, Jastrzebia Gora, Wladyslawowo, Jastarnia, Hel, Sopot and Krynica Morska.
The Slowinski National Park is situated near Leba. With its shifting sand dunes, it has been appointed to the list of the World Biosphere Reserves.
Lake District
Lakelands are the most attractive areas for rest and recreation in Poland. Mushrooms, wild berries and herbs may be gathered in the forests, Poland's true green lungs. The lakes draw enthusiasts of swimming, water sports and anglers and offers a peaceful, yet sporty city break.
Lakes interconnected by rivers and canals are particularly suitable for sailing and kayak runs. The numerous camping grounds, bivouac sites and waterside hostels along the lake fronts make long and interesting trips possible. Passenger boats also sail over certain lakes. They take tourists on cruises or simply provide transportation.
Water Cruises in these lake districts are very popular. Among the many choices, the Elblag-Ostroda Canal is particularly interesting as it links two rivers by a series of locks and ramps. In certain places, a land traverse is necessary.
Mountains
The mountains guarantee a magnificent rest. Tourist paths lead through the most picturesque spots dotted with shelters where hot meals and accommodations are available. For this reason, planning trips lasting several days is quite possible.
The Swietokrzyskie Mountains are the oldest massif in Poland. They are overgrown with forests which include a fir covered wilderness area with rock rubble and numerous grottos and caves: the Swietokrzyski National Park.
The Sudeten Mountains, with their multifarious rock formations, especially in the Stolowe Mountains, are awaiting the enthusiasts of mountain hikes, as are the densely forested Bieszczady and Beskidy in the huge Carpathian Range. The Carpathians also include the youngest alpine-like mountain range, the Tatras.
The Tatras offer excellent city breaks for the amateurs of mountain climbing, but there are also numerous paths for regular tourists. Dangerous sections are equipped with safety gear such as chains and clamps. The whole area of the Tatras has been included into the Tatra National Park. The town of Zakopane is situated at the foot of the Tatras. It is one of the biggest tourist centers in Poland and is also its winter sports capital. Zakopane is well-known for its highlanders' folklore and folk culture.
Raft runs, which start at Sromowce Nizne, are another seasonal tourist attraction of the region. Rafts are floated down the River Dunajec, which winds its way through the Pieniny Range, a short distance away from the Tatras. The mountains attract great numbers of skiing enthusiasts. The snow cover lasts from December through March, and even into May in the upper parts.
The best-known winter sports city break centers are:
Carpathians: Zakopane, Bukowina Tatrzanska, Szczyrk, Wisla, . Brenna, Ustron and Zwardon
Sudeten Mountains: Szklarska Poreba, Karpacz, Miedzygorze . and Duszniki - Zieleniec
A variety of ski lifts await skiers: T-bars, J-bars and chair lifts, as well as gondolas and funiculars. Ski trails are marked. The black runs indicate competition level slopes, the red slopes are for advanced skiers, the blue are for intermediate skiers and the green are for beginners. All major winter sports centers have equipment rental shops.
Cross-country skiing may be practiced in the Bieszczady Mountains, Suwalskie and Kashubian Lakelands, Lublin Plateau, and in the Krakow-Czestochowa Uplands.
Come on..Polish up your Polish
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