Poland
Poland is a country in Europe with a population of about 40 million. The capital and largest city is Warsaw, and its Old Town district houses the famous Royal Castle, a historical and cultural attraction that functions as a museum. The official language is Polish and Christianity is the major religion.
Poland has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winter. Casual dressing is often sufficient for most occasions. Jeans paired with light tops in summer and heavyweight clothing for winter e.g. sweaters and jackets. Although some cities such as Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk are known to be trendy.
The nightlife is these cities are also quite interesting, and you can enjoy a night out in one of the numerous clubs and pubs. With its proximity to the Baltic Sea, Poland has wonderful spots to enjoy a range of water activities. Kayaking is a popular activity and there are numerous beaches where you can relax and explore the water.
With many mountain trails, hiking is also a popular activity and you can engage in short or long treks and take in the beautiful landscape as you go. There are also fantastic spots for skiing, the region of Zakopane is famous for great skiing spots.
Poland is a popular tourist destination and has 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 14 of which are cultural. Music is an important aspect of its culture and this is featured in Polish festivals. Some festivals and events in Poland are:
- All Souls Jazz Festival.
- Crossroads Festival, features music from all around the world.
- Jazz at the Old Town Festival, a free musical event held at Warsaw’s Old Town.
- Warsaw International Film Festival.
- Cracovia Marathon, held in Krakow, it features long and short distances races.
- International Street Art Festival, a great place to experience and learn about the local culture. Held in the capital, Warsaw.
The transport system in Poland is well developed, road, rail and air travel are available. The seaports along the Baltic Coast also has ferries that connect Poland to other Scandinavian countries.
Poland is home to a large number of fascinating sites, from historical buildings and monuments to sandy beaches and picturesque landscape. Some interesting places in Poland are:
- Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: a town in Southern Poland that features many attractions including a monastery, the Basilica of St Mary, Ecce Homo Chapel, Chapel of the Crucifixion, and Heart of Mary Chapel.
- Karkonoski National Park: one of the most popular tourist sites, it draws about a million visitors a year and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Skiing and hiking are popular activities to engage in and it also has guesthouses.
- Malbork Castle: a Gothic-style castle built in 1406, it also features a museum.
- Slowinski National Park: located along the Baltic Coast, it features moving sand dunes and has a beautiful landmark.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, located on the famous Auschwitz concentration camp. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a state memorial to the victims of Nazism.
- Wroclaw: Wroclaw is one of the oldest and most popular cities in the country, it has a huge Market Square which is home to a Gothic Old Town Hall.
There are numerous places to unwind, and numerous resort towns and hotels for your accommodation needs.
