Poland
Poland lies right in the centre of Europe and can be reached very
easily from every part of the continent. A flight from Berlin or Vienna
takes just 1 hour, from Paris or Rome 2 hours and from London 2,5
hours. 9 airports in major cities attract more traffic every year, also
because of quickly multiplying low-cost connections.
Polish selection of hotels, pensions or SPA's includes thousands of
comfortable venues located both in and out of the cities - neighboring
the best tourist highlights. Modern hotels of the biggest chains with
standards ranging from 1* to 5*, cozy traditional lodges or
impressive castles and palaces fitted with the most up-to-date
amenities-there is plenty to choose from in Poland...
Since the changes of 1989 Poland is a country in quick development,
and that can be easily seen. For instance, mobile phone networks
cover 95% of the country and Poland is 8th in Europe when it comes to
accessibility to ATM's. No need to worry for other tourist facilities
either. Every day new restaurants, cafes or night clubs are being
opened and in some places - like Cracow or Lodz - they outnumber
noticeably those in other European cities.
A guest in the house is God in the house - says and old Polish saying to
which foreign visitors quickly become well-acquainted. Today, this
tradition of hospitality is not only a promise of meeting friendly and
warm-hearted people. It is also a guarantee of receiving the best
quality of service and most caring attention. All for very attractive
prices when compared to the rest of Europe.
The Poland of today is a flourishing country, one of the modern European democracies.
However, it is only 20 years ago that Poles have begun building their current
success and prevailing over their tempestive past. It is only recenly that history
has calmed down in Poland, after taking the country through its highest oeaks
and darkest valleys. The thrilling fates of Poland a large state in the heart
of Europe are still relatively little known in the work) and always turn to
be a very fascinating discovery for our visitors.
Heaven
of nature
In Poland there are nature sites protected
by law even since the 15th century..
Perhaps that is why it is in Poland that you
will find the most pristine landscapes of
Europe, as the Biafowieza Forest or
Biebrza Marshlands. 23 National Parks
and over 120 Landscape Parks are a true
paradise for nature lovers, encompassing
almost all possible scenery: alpine
mountains, sea coast, woodlands, lakes,
rivers, marshes... even deserts! Most
important, they all offer fantastic
opportunities for seekers of active rest.
Kaleidoscope
The cultural wealth of Poland is a natural consequence of its rich history.
A very strong national culture combines here not only with the different local
folklores but also with the legacy of national minorities that have been present
in Poland for centuries: Lithuanians, Ukrainians, Jews or Germans. Fine arts,
on the other hand, have always taken from and given to the heritage of classic
European culture, with Frederic Chopin as the main icon, but also more recent
artists like Czesfaw Milosz or Krzysztof Kieslowski.
The north-eastern part of Poland is a land of fabulous green nature, fascinating
folklore and cities of very special history, as the Polish capital Warsaw or
the postindustrial metropolis of todz.
Out of the cities, visitors will
find extraordinary areas for
active rest, as the incredible
lake region of Mazury or the
national parks of Biafowieza
and Biebrza - world-famous
for their exceptional inhabitants: the almost extinct
European bison and over 230
different species of migratory
birds.
North-West
White sand beaches and Gothic castles are typical landmarks of the Polish seaside
region of Pomerania.
Its capital, Gdansk, is a 1000 year-old city with moving history, to mention
only the outbreak of WW2 or the Solidarity movement. South of Pomerania lies
the land of Wielkopolska, cradle of the Polish state and depository of its oldest
relics. Poznan, the charming capital of Wielkopolska, is surrounded by numerous
historic hotels, once residences of the finest Polish aristocratic families.
South
The beautiful historic cities of Krakow and Wroctaw are two capitals of southern
Poland, respectively of the montane regions of Matopolska and Silesia. The delightful
ranges of Sudety and Karpaty form there an incredible variety of landscapes,
particularly beloved by hikers, skiers and mountain bikers. The Tatra region
neighbouring Krakow is famous for the best ski resorts and original highlander
folklore while the environs of Wroctaw boast an impressive collection of old
castles and historic SPA's. Warsaw
Capital of Poland since the late 16th century, Warsaw has been the residence
of Royal Courts in times of their greatest lavishness. Hence such architectural
pearls as the Palace on the Water in the tazienki Park or the Wilanow Palace,
called "little Versailles". In the '20 Warsaw has justly gained fame
of a beautiful and chic city - the "Paris of the East", as many claimed.
However, the city's tragic fate led to its almost complete destruction during
WW2. The impressive afterwar reconstruction gave Warsaw a totally different. Poland is one of the few countries in Europe which can boast such a variety
of landscapes and the existence of large tracks of parkland rich with fauna
and flora, preserved in almost their natural state.
Poland’s most valuable natural regions are protected within the boundaries of
twenty-three national parks that occupy the total surface area of 300,000 hectares,
or one percent of the whole country’s area. Eight of them, the Babiogorski,
Bialowieski, Bieszczadzki, Kampinoski, Karkonoski, Poleski, Stowinski, and Tatrzanski
National Parks have been registered on UNESCO’s list of World Biosphere Reserves;
additionally, the Bialowieski National Park has been included in UNESCO’s list
of Cultural World Heritage.
In the national parks the lovers of nature will find everything: from unique,
large marshlands to vast expanses of natural forests and shifting seaside dunes.
They may also encounter the bison — Europe’s biggest animal. Poland is also
a paradise for those who enjoy bird watching as it is home to 80 percent of
all European bird species.
Tourist trails and educational paths leading through the parks make getting
acquainted with nature much easier. Services offered by professional guides
and specialized travel agencies are available to those who wish to practice
different forms of nature tourism.
The wonderland of Poland’s nature awaits you.
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