POLAND

Poland officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) and Lithuania to the north.

The brochures for Poland will lure you with descriptions of romantic beaches along the Baltic and the enchanting lakes of Mazuria, of the sheer splendor of the Carpathians and the handsome boulevards of Warsaw. True, these natural assets are among the most untamed and pure landscapes in all of central Europe today- but they’re not all that Poland is about.

Poland may not have the riches or the regalia to advertise its historical heritage, but if you look closely you will know that it possesses a historical legacy like few others. Ravaged by the onslaught of two world wars and occupied by some of the most fearful armies of all times, Poland is a country that has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of destruction of Hitler’s army.

From the war memorials of Krakow to the Gothic churches of Dachau, from the Nazi camp grounds in Auschwitz to the upscale nightclubs lining the streets of Warsaw, Poland is a country waiting to tell you a story.

Capital: Warsaw

Best Time of Visit:

• The best time to do some serious sightseeing in Poland is either late spring or the beginning of fall – the weather is pleasant, there are plenty of cultural activities and the beach bum crowd will have thinned out.
• But if you want to brush shoulders with other beach lovers, head out to the Baltic shores during July and August – packed with energetic holiday makers from all over the world. This is also the ideal time to visit the lake districts.

Min Days Required: 6 days

Places of Interest: 

• Bieszczady Mountains
• Czestochowa – Jasna Gora, Our Lady of Czestochowa / The Black Madonna, Pauline Monastery, Sanktuarium Matki Bozej Jasnogorskiej
• Danzig – Harbor Crane, Banks of the Motlawa River, High Gate or Upland Gate, Long street
• Warsaw – National stadium, Warsaw Uprising Museum, Palace of culture and science, Chopin statue
• Krakow – Wawel, Old Town, Kazimierz
• Auschwitz — Auschwitz concentration camp, Oswiecim Synagogue, SoÅ‚a River
• Tatra Mountains

Climate:

• Poland has a temperate climate with summers that are pleasantly warm, and winters that are cold. It is during July and August, the warmest months that you will find the Baltic beaches packed with tourists from all over the world.
• Snow is common, especially in the southern Carpathian, and tends to linger.
• Winter averages are usually between 0° and –6° C.

Currency: Zloty

Things to carry:

• Beachwear and sun tan lotion if you come in July or August.
• A windcheater for windy days in spring or fall is a must.
• Prescription medicine
• Woollen clothes for the winter.

How to get there:

Air:

•  There are direct flights to Warsaw from most major European destinations, as well as from major US cities such as New York and Chicago, and international travellers can connect quite easily.