Poland Holidays 2012

Poland is a large central European country, bordered by the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Russia, the Ukraine, Germany and Belarus. It can be split up into five major regions, and has much to offer travelers as a one stop destination or part of a greater tour of Europe.

Greater Poland

Greater Poland is a natural wonder with rolling dunes far inland, a variety of wildlife, and great for bird watching. In Gniezo you will find a city settled between two lakes, the famous bronze Gniezo Door (built in the 12th century), and the Museum of the Beginnings of Poland. Gołuchów is home to the aurochs stockyard and renaissance Gołuchów castle. Poznań is a city with a history stretching back to the 8th century, with the oldest Polish church and Cathedral. Zielona Góra is the Polish wine capital, and here you can sample many fine vintages at different wineries and take wine tours.

Lesser Poland

Lesser Poland is home to Subcarpathia, Lublin, and the Holy Cross Mountains. Visit Krakow for a real clubbing experience and a metropolitan feel. Bochnia is one of the oldest salt mines in Europe, and tours are held daily. The Eagle Nest Castle Ruins in Jura shouldn’t be missed if you enjoy history and want to get some good snaps. Lesser Poland is the most mountainous of the regions, and hiking excursions are available during the warmer months. Finally, you can also visit the former German Nazi camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. You can find cheap busses and rail from Krakow and take a tour (daily) of the camps or the Galicia Museum in the city of Kazimierz.

Masovia

Masovia is the most metropolitan of Poland, and here you will find Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Warsaw has a lot to offer with concerts, festivals, and nightlife. In the summer there is the Warsaw Film Festival, Warsaw Summer days, and the Jewish Cultural Festival. If you’re traveling to Warsaw in mid-May, check out the Long Night of Museums. Here you can wander about Varsovian museums and art galleries for free in the middle of the night, and see something you might not have had the chance to. When going out, remember to try Wyborowa, the most popular rye vodka in Poland. It can be a little sweet, but definitely a taste you can’t miss!

Podlachia

If you want to be at one with nature, you should visit Podlachia. Here you can visit pristine primeval forests that have remained untouched over the centuries, visit nature sanctuaries with rare fish and foul, and explore the backwaters of Poland for yourself.