Holidays to Poland

With a thousand years of history and plenty to see and do, Poland is a holiday destination that is well worth visiting. To avoid the crowds at the tourist spots, it is usually best to visit Poland in the spring. The summer, when the temperatures can rise from a warm 20°C to a stifling 35°C, is also popular with visitors.

Poland as a holiday destination boasts many wonderful sights, including many that exemplify the country’s history. For those wanting to learn more about Poland’s past and something of its culture, a trip to Klodzko Fortress will be very worthwhile. Covering some 17 hectares, the fortress was originally built in the mid-1600s by the Austrians. The fortress is a labyrinth of pathways and chambers and 40-minute tours are available for visitors.

Poland suffered terribly during the Second World War and was home to the notorious concentration camp built by the German invaders at Auschwitz. The tragedy is remembered through the State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau. This is a very popular location and includes a visitors’ centre at the entrance to Auschwitz, as well as some of the barracks where the prisoners were kept in Birkenau.

Much of the Polish capital, Warsaw, was destroyed by the Germans in World War Two, but has been faithfully restored. Popular places to visit in Warsaw include the Palace of Culture and Science and the Royal Castle. Favoured tourist spots in the capital also include the Uprising Monument and the Krasinski Gardens. A trip along the city’s Royal Way is a marvellous way to see Warsaw at its best.

A holiday in Poland need not only be about viewing the historic sights. The country has over 300 miles of Baltic coastline and a host of delightful resorts. The Polish coast has wonderful amber sands with miles of pine forest providing a delightful backdrop. The most popular resorts during the summer are Katy Rybackie and Krynica Morska.

Seaside towns such as Jastrzebia Góra and Wladyslawowo are renowned for their water sports. Visitors to the Baltic coast can also enjoy horse riding and cycling: a great way to get around and see even more.

A stay in Sopot, located between Gdansk and Gdynia, will give tourists the opportunity to enjoy the delights of a Baltic spa town. Sopot traditionally has the reputation of being exclusive, even during Poland’s communist era. It still has a lot to offer the modern visitor. The town’s wooden pier is the longest in Europe and the beaches are amazing.

For those who prefer beautiful countryside, Poland is the perfect place to visit. The countryside remains relatively unspoiled and the country has 23 national parks. They include the Bialowieza National Park on the border with Belarus, home to a primeval forest where European bison roam. The Bieszczady National Park is a wonderful location for hikers while the Karkonoski National Park offers amazing waterfalls.

For holidaymakers who like eating the local foods, Poland will not disappoint. Traditionally the Poles like plenty of meat and sauces along with pickled vegetables. Bigos is a favourite Polish dish. Known as a “hunter’s stew”, it includes meat and picked vegetables on a cabbage base.

While out and about, milk bars are a favourite place to eat and drink. They offer basic fast foods and are usually very cheap. For those wanting to spend more money and eat local foods, the traditionally styled restaurants mainly found in the Silesia and Lesser Poland regions are particularly attractive. These restaurants are often built from wood and the walls are bedecked with colourful ornaments.

As for drinks, beer and vodka are popular, but the Poles tend to drink less than their fellow Europeans do. Poland also produces its own wines and Dionisos of Jaslo is its most famous vineyard.

Holiday accommodation used to be cheap but in recent years, prices have crept up to the level found in the rest of Europe. In addition to hotels, holidaymakers can also find apartments, pensions and private rooms. Hostels are also an option for those who like to keep accommodation costs minimal.

For those wanting to travel around Poland, train ticket prices are reasonable and there is an inter-city service. An even cheaper option is to travel by bus. The country’s motorway system provides an efficient way for the visitor to travel around in a hire car or one brought from home.