Krakow
The ancient capital of Poland and residence for centuries of its kings was the only major city in Poland to survive WW2 essentially undamaged. Its assembly of monuments was listed in 1978 by UNESCO on its first World Heritage list. Yet there is more to experience than ancient buildings and museums. Krakow is alive and vibrant – a city with both character and soul.
Krakow remains a major centre of Polish culture and in keeping with the architectural and artistic riches of the city Krakow was awarded the title "European City of Culture 2000". Visitors will delight in both its obvious and hidden attractions such as the Rynek Glowny[the market square], Bazylicka Mariacka [St Mary’s Basilica], Sukiennice [the Cloth Hall], 33 museums and the numerous cafes, bars and restaurants often hidden away in atmospheric medieval vaulted cellars.
The Wawel comprises the Cathedral and the Castle; a recent visitor described it as a combination of the Tower of London, St.Pauls Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.
Kazimierz is perhaps best known for its Jewish Quarter and consequent Schindler connection but it also contains a number of important catholic churches and the Ethnographic Museum which gives a fascinating insight into the lives and customs of rural Poland through the ages. It is also home to many small bars, restaurants and galleries and really comes to life in the evenings.
Just 15 km south of Krakow is the famous Wieliczka Royal salt mine (a UNESCO world heritage site), which has been operating uninterrupted for over 700 years. It has a labyrinth of tunnels extending over 300km with the deepest being some 327m underground. There are chapels, altars and biblical scenes all carved from salt.
Alternatively 80km to the North West is the Auschwitz-Birkenau holocaust museum.
Many other interesting towns are within easy reach of Krakow including Czestochowa with the Icon of the Black Madonna housed at the Monastery of Jasna Gora. If you are only in Poland for a short visit the small, but perfectly formed, Ojcow National Park will give you a flavour of the Polish countryside yet is only a short drive away.
Zakopane
Situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is the most famous mountain resort in Poland and the ideal base for both alpine walking and winter sports.
There are numerous small galleries and museums and the central pedestrianised main street, ul Krupowki, has a good selection of shops, bars and restaurants. At the bottom end is a local market selling a wide range of goods including the local smoked sheep’s cheese ‘Oscypek’ and strings of dried wild mushrooms.
The Tatra Mountains
The Tatras are the western reach of the Carpathians and the only alpine range. Although a relatively small area they provide easy access to some spectacular mountain walking. The vegetation changes with altitude from mixed forest, below 1200m, to evergreen spruce, then dwarf mountain conifers and highland pastures, up to 2300m, and finally bare rock and moss. The alpine meadows contain many species of alpine flora, some unique to the area, and there is a wide variety of both bird and animal life. Eagles, buzzards, nutcrackers, wood grouse and wall creepers can be spotted as can deer, wildcats, wild boar, wolves, chamois, marmots and possibly the brown bear.
It is easy to enjoy the scenery and the flora and fauna without being either super fit or an experienced mountaineer. Many of the walks are on level or gently sloping, well surfaced paths and on the more popular trails there are usually horse drawn carts to take the effort out of the ascent or descent and allow you to enjoy the scenery at leisure. For those wishing more of a challenge the less frequented higher routes will prove very rewarding.
Warsaw
The capital city of Poland was essentially destroyed in WW2 and it is now primarily a post war city. The historic Old Town has been meticulously rebuilt from the foundations up as official estimates say that around 90% was destroyed. Those interested in history will be drawn to the Royal Castle, the Old Town, the Cathedral and museums and the buildings along the Royal Way. Others will enjoy the hotels, restaurants, shopping and theatres. It is Poland’s most cosmopolitan and dynamic urban centre with a blend of old and new in both style and spirit.
Wildlife
For those interested in flora and fauna the Biebrza and Bialowieza National parks offer elk, bison,wolves, boar, beaver and otter as well as 270 species of birds. In addition to the wildlife the alpine flora in the Tatras is well worth investigatingin the Spring
