Even though Europe has always attracted tourists, some parts of it remain completely underrated. Poland is one such country, located in Central Europe. It has a rich history which dates back to thousands of years ago and a thriving culture which has been shaped over many years and during many different historical phases. Poland has a population of around 38 million. Due to its rich background, tragic history, and beautiful scenery, Poland is slowly becoming a popular tourist site.
With the right mix of modern and historic attractions, Poland has something to offer to everyone.
Warsaw was a city which housed the country’s most notorious ghetto and was also completely destroyed during World War II. Today it blends old Soviet architecture with new trends to create a very impressive and upbeat town. However, Warsaw is also home to the Old Town which remains a popular site because of the charming, old buildings which were supposed to house priests in the 17th century. It is also a good idea to try Polish cuisine in Warsaw which it is also famous for.
On the other hand, places like Krakow, Gdansk, and Wroclaw are beautiful peeks into history. Krakow, the country’s former royal capital was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of breathtaking Gothic and Renaissance architecture in the form of churches, monasteries, and official buildings. It is also the site of a lot of tragedy during World War II. One of the places that tourists always visit is Auschwitz which housed one of the biggest concentration camps during the Nazi regime. Wroclaw has the interesting Art Hotel that should definitely be visited for its exquisite interior.
Poland is also very beautiful with a varied landscape including mountains, lakes, as well as the sea. Apart from the scenic Baltic coast, you can also visit the Slowinski National Park which is famous for its brilliant greenery and sand dunes. If you like mild water sports, you can visit The Great Masurian Lakes. There are also medieval castles and caves in the Krakow-Wielun Upland for the more adventurous tourists. For trekkers, the Carpathian Mountains are present in all their glory in the South.
Apart from sight-seeing, Poland also offers great shopping places from contemporary malls to old-style bazaars. You can buy pretty things from the little galleries in Old Town Warsaw, or pick up souvenirs from the Main Square or The Cloth Hall in Krakow. You will also find new and second-hand books, amber stones, lace, clothes, decoration pieces, and jewellery at varying prices. There are also some famous night clubs and jazz clubs in Krakow and Warsaw which assure tourists of a fun night life.
Polish cuisine is another different aspect of this adventure. A lot of the traditional Polish food includes meat- mostly pork, chicken, and beef. Poles love using sausages, mushrooms, sour cream, and beetroot in their dishes. If you want to eat real Polish food, you’ll have to forget about calories!
Poland is definitely one of the most versatile and enjoyable places that Central Europe can boast of and is steadily becoming more popular as a holiday destination.
Ciechocinek
Poland 27.03.2016