poland highlights of active tourism

7/31/2019 Poland Highlights of active tourism

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Poland

Highlights

of active tourism

www.p

oland.t

ravel

Polish Tourist Organisation

ul. Chaubiskiego 8, 00-613 Warszawa

tel. +(48-22) 536 70 70, fax +(48-22) 536 70 04

e-mail: [email protected],

www.pot.gov.pl


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Feel Nature with all your sensesIn the mountains, by the sea, alongside lakes and in

ancient orests, in the primeval orested lands o national

parks, on the banks o mountain rivers, through owering

meadows with distant ribbons o winding rivers an

encounter with the purest orms o Nature.

An adventure with a happy-endingFascinating and mysterious. Under the skies, underwater,

underground or o-road. On oot, on horseback, by bike

and by jeep, on skis, parachuting, paragliding or in a glider,

in a kayak or ATV challenging the elements: Water Air,

and Snow.

Adventures to delight inAnd ater the difculties o some o these exploits are

surmounted its time to sit at a table. Polish cuisine is pure

temptation with its wonderul aromas and delicious dishes.

And its so tasty.

Welcome to Poland the land o adventure with a smile.

Polish Tourist Organisation

Lets go!Adventurein Poland an exhilaratingidea


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Contents

Overland and underground . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lets go walking in the mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

walking by water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

rom green to green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

dashing through the snow... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

extreme downhill on extreme slopes . . . . . . . . . . . 12

to the peaks and higher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Underground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .in a royal cave with a bear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

s al t a nd go ld mi ne s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

labyr inths underneath c it ies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

towns in ortresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Cycling around Poland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .take it to the limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

on a se a made o s and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

it gets more difcult on at ground . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Off-road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .o-road and on stony ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

On horseback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pol ish people love horses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

by lakes and through orests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

On and underwater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .gentle rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

mountain rivers and wild rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Adventure in the wind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .under sa il s made o c louds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

mountain sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

on a board with the wind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

sailing with a kite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

sailing on ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Underwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lets go down to the bottom o the sea . . . . . . . . . . 36

A birds eye view & a pilots perspective . . . . .

lighter than air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

alling in tandem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39


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5. Bieszczady

5. Tatry

3. Sudety

1. Kocieliska Valley

2. Chochoowska Valley

3. Piciu Staww Valley

4. Orla Per

5. Tatra Mountains

The Tatra MountainsMountain gardens

There are over 300 km o well marked hiking trails o dierent di-fculty levels in the region: or strolling, scenic and high-mountainhikes. Some trails reach an altitude o 2300 m. They all cross theTatra Mountains National Park, a mountain garden designed bythe genius o Nature. www.tpn.pl www.tatry.org/pl

www.tatry.ino.pl www.tatry.pl www.e-tatry.com

Chochoowska Valley(10 km long, elevation 920 m)

Beautiul all-year-round and very popular with enthusiasts o sce-nic hikes. Here the high-mountain trails leading to the peaks be-gin: Rako (1879 m), Woowiec (2064 m) or Jarzbczy Wierch(2137 m) with their panoramic views across the Polish and Slova-kian Tatras. www.chocholowska.zakopane.pl www.dolina-chocholowska.witow.pl www.zakopane-online.eu/78,A_Walking_Tour_o_the_

Chocholow.htm

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HEMOUNTAINS

The south o Poland, rom the westernto the eastern borders, is the land o thebeautiul and mysterious Sudetes Mountainsand gently impetuous oothills, the Beskids.

The pride o Poland are the high peakso the Tatra Mountains (a part o the CarpathianMountain range) crowned with the Rysysummit at 2499 m. Mountain trails lead throughvalleys, their slopes covered with trees, or cutthrough the rocks to owering mountainclearings under towering peaks.

The Sudetes Mountainsbeautiful and mysterious

The Sudetes are covered by a net o picturesque trails. Some

reach the highest cloudy peak o the Karkonosze range - nieka(1 603 m), others thread through the Table Mountains. The Moun-tain Ghost, rom Sudetian legends, can be encountered in therocky labyrinths. When walking the trails in the Sudetes it is worthkeeping an eye out or semi-precious stones which are abundantin these ancient mountains, or muons brought here rom Corsi-ca in the 19th century. The European Walking Route (E 3) crossesthe Sudetes. It is several thousand kilometers long: rom thecoasts o the Atlantic to the Black Sea in the Ukraine. Other chal-lenges are posed or hikers by the Orowicz Main Sudetes Trailwhich, over a distance o 350 km, leads rom wieradw to Pac-zkw through some o the most beautiul mountain scenery in theSudetes Mountains, with intriguing, mysterious names: RavenMountains, Owl, Table, Eagle and Golden. www.panorama-miast.com.pl/41/html/bystrzyca.htm www.karkonosze.pl/sniezka/sniezka.php www.sudety.it/index/turystyka/szlaki/ID,7 www.sniezka.karpacz.pl www.stolowe.yoyo.pl www.sudety.it/index/turystyka/szlaki/ID,1 www.sudety.it/index/gory/regiony/ID,10

Bieszczadythe mountains of burning beech trees

The Bieszczady Mountains are difcult to pronounce or non-Polish speakers. But it is worth memorizing the name and visitingthis region.This is a small region o Poland but with many attrac-tions: bald peaks called pooniny, trails through the backwoods othe Carpathian Forest where traces o human activity merge withthose o wolves and bears, then down to hospitable villages owooden huts in the valleys with their Christian and Orthodoxchurches. Here at daybreak you can take a horse down a moun-tain trail, then at noon sail on the Solina Lake and in the aternoonyou can walk to Caryska Poonina and watch the sun set. In theevening you can listen to songs and poetry by a camp fre andhave resh trout or dinner. There are 120 km o marked trails andnature routes in the Bieszczady Mountains. The border trail be-tween Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine is very beautiul and it takes30 hours to cover the 68 km. The lowest peak on the trail is Wys-oki Gro (905 m) and the highest Wielka Rawka (1304 m). www.polandorall.com/bieszczady.html www.bieszczady.net.pl

Kocieliska Valley(9 km long, elevation 1050 m)

Considered the most beautiul valley in the Tatra Mountains.Sharp peaks rise to the skies with the highest - Byszcz (2 159 m).The slopes o Kocieliska Valley contain concealed entrances tothe Mrona and Mylna caves with their wonderul rocky sculp-tures and architecture. www.gory-szlaki.pl/dolina_koscieliska.htm www.tatry.turystyka-gorska.pl/koscieliska.htm

Five Lakes Valley(4 km long, elevation over 1 600 m)

The valley surrounded by granite peaks with its crystal clearmountain lakes glittering in the valley oor is best seen romabove. One o the lakes Wielki Staw is the deepest in theTatra Mountains (79 m). A stream ows out o it orming beautiulwateralls: Siklawa and Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza. A hike to thehighest peak o the Tatras Rysy (2499 m) can start in FiveLakes Valley. www.piecstawow.pl www.man.pl/~lowell/dolina_5_stawow.php

Orla Per(vie ferrate)

The most difcult mountain trail in theTatras, about 5 km long. It was laid

out in 1903 by the priest, WalentyGadowski. Here he built one o Eu-ropes frst vie errate an iron road a mountain trail secured with chainhand rails and ladders. To take onthis trail requires experience, almostacrobatic skills and courage. Thename, Orla Per, comes rom theeagles nests accessible only to ea-gles. www.orlaperc.za.pl www.gory-szlaki.pl/orla_perc.htm www.tatry.turystyka-gorska.pl/

orla_perc.htm www.tatromaniak.r.pl

1. European Walking Route E3

2. nieka

3. Sudety

4. The nienika massi

5. Bieszczady

the mountain of the three seas

The nienika massi (1425 m) consists o several mountains.The at crests with hewn out arduous slopes orm viewing plat-orms rom where you can marvel at this magical landscape. Thisregion was discovered over 100 years ago by the Dutch princess,Marianne. Streams owing into great European rivers: Oder, Elbaand Danube and with them reaching the three seas, Baltic, Blackand North Sea, have their sources here. www.sudety.it/index/gory/regiony/ID,6

Burning beech trees

& blazing mountains

In the Bieszczady Mountains Natures show starts at the end oSeptember. The beech trees growing on the mountain slopes aretransormed into browns, reds and yellows and the mountainsbecome a blaze o colours. The orest vistas are unorgettable;they quiver in the crystal clear air. Once seen you will drawn backover and over again. www.twojebieszczady.pl O

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HEMOUNTAINS


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3. Morze Batyckie

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WALKINGBYWATER

Wandering sands

The Sowiski National Park (the central part o the Baltic coast) ispart o the World Biosphere Reserve. This sandy, desert landscapeis situated on the edges o the sea. Over 80 km o trails have beendemarcated here, starting at sea level reaching 115 m altitude. Oneo Europes largest moving sand dunes which can reach 50 m inheight in places is located near the ebsko Spit. On the trail visit theGardno and ebsko lakes and the open-air museum in Kluki wherehouses, arm tools and works o art created by t he inhabitants o theregion are on view. www.slowinskipn.pl www.pomorskie.pttk.pl www.it-pomorze.pl www.sta.amu.edu.pl/~zbzw/ph/pnp/slow.htm www.polandorvisitors.com/travel_poland/slowinski

Wigierski National Park

There is a well organized 190-km grid o ootpaths, biking and watertrails and 5 educational routes in the Park. Most o them wind aroundthe Wigry Lake situated in the center o the park and are also con-nected with many other lakes. Some o them are real wonders onature: orest lakes called suchary with brown waters rich in miner-als. You can walk through the park all year round, rom dawn to dusk. www.wigry.win.pl www.sta.amu.edu.pl/~zbzw/ph/pnp/wigi.htm

and sunny beaches

The Polish section o the International Coast Trail (E9) passes alongthe shores o the sea rom winoujcie to Braniewo. This routejoins other equally beautiul coastal trails in the area o Gdask, theKashubia Lake District and Tuchola Forest where over 2500 km owalking and cycling routes have been marked out. One o them isthe Copernicus Trail rom Gardeja, through Kwidzyn to Malborkand Elblag. www.pomorskie.pttk.pl www.it-pomorze.pl www.it-pomorze.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task

=view&id=73

Many walking routes have been createdin National Parks and along them you canobserve Nature as i through a microscope.In Wigry National Park its enough to lita tut o grass, stop on the shores o a quietbackwater, listen to the song o the birdsat dawn or the croak o rogs in the distance. 1. Wigierski National Park

2. Drawa National Park

3. Biebrza National Park

Biebrza National Park(north-eastern Poland)

There are 18 trails, 504 km, leading through the most picturesqueswamplands and backwaters o the Biebrza River considered themost beautiul in Europe. This is the largest park in Poland with anarea o 59 thousand hectares. The Biebrza swamps and ecosys-tems themselves are 25 thousand ha in size. Vast valley marshlandswith their distinctive plants are nesting and eeding grounds or anuncountable number o water-swamp bird species and are visitedby ornithologists rom the entire world. www.biebrza.org.pl www.sta.amu.edu.pl

Drawa National Park(north-western Poland)

There are 77 km o marked trails in the park leading through orests,along rivers, by the lakes, along dusty roads, over hills and downvalleys. The park contains 450-year old oak trees and 300-year-oldbeech trees and various oral specimens typical o the Drawa Forestwhich is cut through by the Drawa River and is especially popularwith kayakers. The coat o arms o the Park is the otter. This small,urry animal is a master o hunting underwater, and o eating whileoating on the water. www.dpn.pl

1. Sowiski National Park

2. Baltic Sea

3. International Coast Trail E9

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WALKINGBYWATER

National Parks, walking


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FROMGREENTOGREEN

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FROMGREENTOGREEN

There are twelve championship 18 hole gol

courses and nineteen 9 hole courses waiting

or golfng enthusiasts in Poland. They are

located in dierent regions o the country, in

the vicinity o big cities and exclusive hotels.

www.gol.pl

Warsaw

1. Rajszew

2. Warszawa

3. Krakw

4. Pacztowice

Krakw

Northern Poland

Golf & Country Club(Naterki near Gietrzwad)

A luxury hotel and gol course in the heart o the Warmia andMasuria region. A championship 18 hole gol course designedby British specialists. Its characteristic eatures are deep bun-kers, a high Scottish type rough ground and large (650 sq.m)undulating greens. www.mazurygol.pl

Binowo Park Golf Club(Binowo near Szczecin)

A gol club located in a Landscape Park surrounded by a beechorest. The gol course (championship and 9-hole) is situated

in a hilly area with natural obstacles. The dierence in levels isup to 40 m. www.binowopark.pl

Postoowo Golf Club(Postoowo near Gdask)

This 18-hole championship gol course, 6.5 km long, is located inthe picturesque scenery o Kashubian Pomerania. Apart rom thechampionship gol course there is a practice course or begin-ners. www.gol.com.pl

First Warsaw Golf & Country Club(Rajszew)

The gol course (championship and 20 practice tees) is locatedsome 25 km rom Warsaws center and covers an area o 63 ha.Beautiully laid out it has small, natural water obstacles. www.warsawgolclub.com

Valley Golf & Country Club(Pacztowice)

The 18 hole course, 6.5 km long, was constructed according toUSGA standards. It will satisy the most experienced players.Characteristic eatures: variety o the land, undulating airwaysand deep bunkers. www.gol.krakow.pl

1. Gdask

2. Szczecin

3. Postoowo

4. Binowo

5. Olsztyn

6. Naterki


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1. Suwalszczyzna

2. Mazury

4. Bieszczady

1. Sudety

2. Beskidy

3. Tatry

DASHINGTHROUGHTHE

SNOW...

HIKINGONSKIS

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DASHINGTHROUGHTHE

SNOW...

HIKINGONSKIS

health on the move

The benefcial inuence o cross-country skiing was studied in the60s by American doctor and skier, P.O. Astrand. He proved thatskiing stimulates the circulatory system and improves physical ft-ness, the distribution o oxygen in the body, it increases lung ca-pacity, endurance and harmony o movement. However, it doesnot put pressure on the joints and ligaments as running does. www.nanarty.ino/biegowki www.narty.pl www.sudety.it/index/narty/biegowe www.narty.pl/strony/technika-jazdy/narty-biegowe www.ave.net.pl/narty

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The Tatra Mountainsand Podhale region

There are various interesting cross-country skiing trails in Pod-hale, a vast valley at the oot o the Tatra Mountains. The trails aremarked as oot trails in the lower parts o the mountains or on theat mountain tops in Bukowina Tatrzaska, Biaka or nearbyGorce. There are also marked trails or proessional downhill ski-ing in the Tatra Mountains. The trails above the upper parts o theorest are not well-kept and are difcult. They are best traversedwith an experienced guide, with proessional equipment and bythe physically ft. www.tatry.pl www.visit.malopolska.pl/turystyka/aktywna/?id=88 www.nanarty.ino/polska/malopolska/bukowina-tatrzanska http://przewodnik.onet.pl/1110,1595,1064139,1064143,artyk

ulr.html http://wakacje.staypoland.com/tatry-wypoczynek.aspx www.podhale-sport.pl/s,menu,pol,podsport,1773,biegi_narci-

arskie.html

1. Suwaki region

2. Masuria

3. Warszawa

4. d

Around Warsaw

A 16-km long route crosses the Jzew dunes by the widerRiver in the Masovian Landscape Park. Ski trails in the KampinosForest are marked out through the winter scenery o this ancientorest in the National Park. www.parkiotwock.pl/mazowiecki www.kampinoska.waw.pl/wycieczkinaweekend/11nanartachbi

egowychwokolcyganki

1. Sudetes Mountains

2. Beskidy Mountains

3. Tatra Mountains

4. Bieszczady Mountains

The popularity o cross-country hiking on skisis on the increase every year. No wonder. Its agreat sport or everyone as a natural extensiono the summer season and one o the bestways o prolonging a healthy lie. You can meetteenagers and eighty-year olds on ski routesnot only in Scandinavia but across the whole oEurope. And its hard to tell the dierencesbetween the three-generations.

hiking in the lowlands

Numerous ski resorts rom the west to the east oPoland have specially marked cross-countrytrails. Routes or oroad skiing can be ound onthe traverses o mountain slopes and orestwildernesses.

Beskidy Mountains

In the Silesian and ywiec Beskids Mountains the numerous ski-ing trails pass through well-known skiing resorts: Szczyrk, Wisa,Ustro and Korbielw. In the Sdecki Beskids Mountains cross-country skiing trails pass through Piwniczna, Krynica and Szcza-wnica. Each February the Jaworz Ski Run is held near Bielsko-Biaa and in Rajcza and Zwardo the Peasant Ski Rally takesplace across Poland and Slovakia. www.beskidy24.pl www.e-beskidy.com

Suwaki regionThe Suwaki region in north-easternPoland is a land o orests and lakesideally suited to cross-country skiing.Most o the routes are located to thenorth o Suwaki and each one can bedescribed with no hesitation as themost beautiul. In February o eachyear a ski run, Northern Wander-ings, is organized. It is attended byhundreds o enthusiasts o this sport-ing discipline. www.zima.suwalszczyzna.net www.sot.suwalszczyzna.eu www.zima.suwalszczyzna.pl

Around dThere are routes in the Balimw orest through the nature reserve,Siwica Clearing, and the lowland Rawka River. www.przystan.ekoturyzm.pl/bolimowski.htm

Masuria

The Land o a Thousand Lakes contains many kilometers o ski-ing trails crossing its picturesque countryside. www.gora4w.com.pl www.nibork.pl/osrodek-narciarstwa-biegowego.html www.mazury.ino.pl/zima/narciarstwo-biegowe http://www.tourism-promotion.net/wzgorza-dylewskie-i-bieg-

sasinow

Sudetes Mountains

These are the most important mountains or amateurs o cross-country skiing with 80 km o well-kept trails. The easier ones leadto Orle and Chatka Grzystw with difcult ones on the niekamassi in the Kletno area they are beautiul but demanding. It isworth taking the orest routes to Bielskie, Bystrzyckie or the Kami-enne Mountains and completing the loop around Rymarz andKalenica in the Wielkiej Sowy (Great Owl) massi. Polands biggestopen long-distance crosscountry run Bieg Piastw is organ-ized in March in Jakuszyce near Szklarska Porba. Over 6 thou-sand skiers participate with distances covered rom 10 to 50 km. www.sudety.pl www.bieg-piastow.pl www.szklarskaporeba.pl www.goryizerskie.pl/?fle=grp&group_id=8 www.karkonosze.pl/schronisko_chatka_gorzystow/schroni-

sko_chatka_gorzystow.php

Bieszczady Mountains(Eastern Beskidy Mountains)

The length o the skiing trails in Bieszczady exceeds 130 km.They have been put together or cross-country and skitouring.The most beautiul ones are in the Bieszczady National Park

where snow and wind have created picturesque landscapes inshades o black, white, tinged with the greens o the trees. wakacje.staypoland.eam/bieszczady-wypoczynek.aspx www.bieszczady.pl www.cisna.pl/asp/pl_start.asp?typ=14&sub=133&menu=135&

strona=1 www.bieszczady.net.pl/narty.php www.twojebieszczady.pl/zima.php3

mountain hiking


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2. Tatry

4. Bieszczady3

1

1. Sudety

2. Beskid lski

3. Beskid ywiecki

EXTREMEDOWNHILLONEXTREMESLOPES

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EXTREMEDOWNHILLONEXTREMESLOPES

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1. Sudetes Mountains

2. Silesian Beskids

3. ywiec Beskids

Sudetes Mountains

Silesian Beskids

1. Krynica Zdrj

2. Tatra Mountains

Sdecki BeskidsOne hundred kilometers south o Krakow there is a beautiul moun-tain valley sculpted over millions o years by the Poprad River.Several ski resorts are located in the valley (20 km long) and in itsvicinity: in Rytro, Piwniczna Zdrj Sucha Dolina (Valley), Wierchom-la and Muszyna Zdrj. All routes in Sdecki Beskids Mountains arelamp lit, with artifcial snow (i necessary), skiing, hotel and gastrono-my inrastructures are well developed everywhere. Krynica Zdrj issituated on the southern edge o the Sdecki Beskid Mountains. Thesummer and winter queen o Polish resorts has two popular skiresorts: on Jaworzyna Krynicka (8 routes o dierent difculty levels,including a FIS trail 2600 m and a gondola) and in Sotwiny whereyou can choose rom among 15 downhill routes (rom 120 to 1000m) and a snowboard pipe 110 m long and 40 m wide. www.sudety.pl www.narty.rekreacja.pl www.polandorall.com/polish_mountains-ski-winter.html

ywiec Beskids

Zakopane

Winter sports have an over 100 year long tradition in Zakopane international capital o downhill skiing and ski jumping. In winter,which usually starts here at the beginning o December, the litsstart moving on over 35 routes. All trails are lit, have artifcial snow,many oer snowboard trails. Skiing equipment can be rented andinstructors are available. The best skiing conditions are on Kas-prowy Wierch (1987 m) however the routes are difcult and re-quire proessional skills. Excellent skiing trails can also be ound inother towns in the Tatras: Bukowina Tatrzaska, Biaka Tatrzaska,Poronin and others. www.zakopane.pl http://go-zakopane.com www.hellbell.co.uk/pistezakopane.htm

Szklarska PorbaThere are 5 lamp lit routes waiting or skiers in this popular town inthe Sudetes, - beautiul in summer and in winter. The most difculttrail (with a FIS certifcate) on Szrenica is 2000 meters long. The skipistes Lolobrygida (4 400 m), nieynka (2 080 m) and Bystra(2 510 m) are not easy ones. Several routes have been preparedor beginners: Puchatek (1 470 m) and in Happiness Valley onBabiniec slope (520 m) and on Hala Szrenicowa (636 m). www.szklarskaporeba.pl www.e-szklarska.com/nartostrady.php www.sudetylit.com.pl http://karkonosz.pl www.szklarska.karkonosze.pl

Karpacz

This resort is especially popular among snowboard and intermedi-ate level downhill skiing enthusiasts. The Polish SnowboardChampionships are held here each January. www.karpacz.pl

Zieleniec

The most popular amily resort. It is amous or its longlastingsnow and 20 pistes suitable or all ages: children, parents andgrandparents. www.zieleniec.pl www.duszniki.pl/?page=wyciagi_narciarskie#belka_szara

Szczyrk

This is one o the biggest and most popular winter sports centersin Poland. It is covered with snow rom December through to April.There are 14 kilometers o routes to choose rom starting withthe FIS championship route, the amous Biekula and Golgota,ending with trails or children and beginners. Over 30 lits includinga chair lit on Skrzynka guarantee quick transport to the startingline. Szczyrk also knows how to entertain its guests, aprs ski

.The Highlander way,with a little bit of fantasy!

There are numerous popular skiing trails in other towns o the SilesianBeskids Mountains: in Wisa, Bielsko-Biaa on Szyndzielnia and Klim-czok (a gondola lit), in Ustro lski on Czantoris and Jaszowiec. www.szczyrk.pl

Korbielw

A popular skiing resort located on the slopes o Pilsko Mountain(1557 m), one o the most beautiul mountains in the Beskids. Inthe upper regions o Pilsko, due to a particular microclimate theskiing season starts in November and lasts until frst days o May.The highlight o Pilsko is the elevation dierence 770 meters.Added to this there are: 20 km o downhill routes o various dif-culty levels, 10 rudder bar lits, 1 chair lit and a snow park thoughtto be among the best in Poland. http://korbielow.net/pilsko_trasy_wyciagi/index.php

Tatra Mountains

3. Zakopane

4. Bieszczady


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1. Gry Sokole

2. Jura Krakowsko-Czstochowska

3. Tatry

1. Gry Sokole


3. Tatry

TOTHEPEAKSANDHIGH

ER

TOTHEPEAKSANDHIGH

ER

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nderground

Jura Krakowsko-CzstochowskaThe most popular area or climbing are the old, every unevenlimestone walls in Kobylaska Valley, the Rzdkowickie Rocks,the ridge between Mirw and Bobolice and Zborw Mountain re-serve. These climbing routes can reach 70 meters and their dif-culty is suitable or all levels. www.climbing.ovh.org www.wspinek.r.pl http://topo.uka.pl/content/english/jura/jura_e.php

1. Sokole Gry (Hawk Mountains)


3. Tatra Mountains

1. Sokole Gry (Hawk Mountains)


3. Tatra Mountains

Tatra Mountains

High mountain climbing within the area o the Tatry National Park isallowed in certain designated areas. Summits in the Tatra Mountainsreach 2500 meters. It is not only the altitude but also the technicallydemanding routes which attract mountaineers. Granite walls andclis bearing poetic names: Kazalnica, Zamara Turnia or Kocielecinspire composers, painters and mountain climbing virtuosos. Thepopular climbing routes in the Tatry National Park are: Morskie Okorom Biaczaska Pass, through Rysy, Miguszowieckie Szczytyand Cubryna to Wrota Chaubiskiego, Five Lakes Valley romwinica to Zawrat Pass, Hala Gsienicowa rom ta Pass throughGranaty, Kozi Wierch, Zawratowa Turnia, winica to winicka Passand other. During periods o danger o avalanches you can train onthe south-west slope o Sucha Jama (an old stove or processinglimestone) in Hala Gsienicowa. www.e-gory.pl/content/view/585/145

Sokole Gry (Hawk Mountains)(near Jelenia Gra, South-Western Poland)

Granite rock, Sokoliki, is in-vaded by afcionados andamateurs o rock climbing. Di-erent difculty routes: II, III, IVto VI requiring excellent tech-nique are laid out on six nat-ural climbing walls. There arevarious obstacles: pillars,chimneys and cuts. But thereare also numerous creviceswhich can be used or securitydevices: stoppers, hex andriends. www.sokoliki.net www.czestochowaonline.pl


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A Royal Cave

This is the biggest and most beautiul cave in Ojcw National Parknear Krakw. A lamp lit route (320 m long) leads to places wheresometime in the 14th century, according to legend, one o thePolish kings, Wadysaw okietek, hid. In ront o the entrance tothe cave there are intriguing infltrative sculptures called ice menminutely carved by the rost and wind during winter. www.opn.pan.krakow.pl www.grotalokietka.pl www.krakow-ino.com/ojcow.htm www.ojcow.pl/english/index_1_en.htm

Niedwiedzia (Bear) Cave(Sudetes, 1166 m)

This is the largest cave in Poland with a length o 2.5 km. Theentrance is at 820 m above sea level. The corridors run on 4 lev-els. In Pleistocene times (which ended 11 000 years ago) the cavewas occupied by bears. Their bones have been ound in manyparts o the cave. The time needed to traverse the Bear Cave is50 minutes. www.turystyka.dolnyslask.pl www.jaskinia.pl

INAROYALCAVEWITHA

BEAR

Underground

SALTANDGOLDMINES

Underground

a salt stadium below groundBochnia (40 km from Krakow)

Interesting tourist trails have been marked out in the Salt Mine inBochnia which has been in operation without interruption sincethe 13th century. A microclimate prevails in the Wayn chamber(248 meters below ground). The air is saturated with microele-ments: magnesium, manganese and lime stone calcium. Thereis a long-distance jogging route (benefcial or health) laid out inthese surroundings, a sleigh slide (140 m) on a mining ramp anda ootball feld. All can be reached by a mine train running overone kilometer, 212 meters below ground. In the oldest part o themine galleries closed or hundreds o years among salt sculp-tures and mining tools immersed and ossilised in salt brine, there

is an extremely difcult but extraordinarily beautiul route. Herevisitors will see the tools used and perhaps get a eel o what itmight have been like to be a miner some 500 years ago. www.bochnia.pl www.kopalniasoli.pl

Gold Mine

In Zoty Stok near Kodzko a trail has been opened in an old goldmine. Parts have to be travelled by boat down ooded underground

corridors. On the way there is an 8-meter high underground water-all unique to Poland. An exhibition o old maps belonging to themine, mining tools and a urnace in which gold was smelted can bevisited. It is said that there is still some gold in the mine, so keep

1. Neanderthal mans Cave

2. Niedwiedzia (Bear) Cave

3. Mrona (Frosty) Cave

4. A Royal Cave

5. Mylna Cave

1. Gold Mine Zoty Stok

2. Bochnia

Mrona (Frosty) Cave(Tatra Mountains, 1250 m)

The cave with its delicate outlines ormed by mountain waters isamong the most beautiul caves in the Tatra Mountains. It is lo-cated 120 m above the oor o the Kocieliska Valley. The electri-cally lit route runs along an almost horizontal 480 meter-long cor-ridor. A stroll through this underground gallery o natural sculpturestakes about 50 minutes. http://sktj.pl/epimenides/tatry/mrozna_p.html

Neanderthal mans Cave

In the witokrzyskie Mountains (near the town o Kielce) an un-derground limestone cathedral can be visited. The Paradise Cavewas ormed by underground water over many ages. It isnt big amere 240 meters but it is ascinating. In the cave you can travelback to the times o Neanderthal men who lived in these parts.The traces o their presence are displayed in the museums exhi-bition. Time to complete the route 45 minutes, time travel 45000 years. www.jaskiniaraj.pl

Mylna Cave

This, the most interesting cave in the Tatra mountains, has almost1300 meters o corridors. It can be visited without a guide by ollow-ing the marked route. The trail leads through a labyrinth o corridorssculpted by mountain waters. The conditions are quite demanding:cold, numerous pools o water and low tunnel roos. Take a goodtorch with you, warm clothes and adequate hiking boots. http://sktj.pl/epimenides/tatry/mylna_p.html

a look out! Miners believe thatthe gold in the mines is protect-ed by gnomes ghosts o min-ers who died in undergroundaccidents. Gnomes are riendlycreatures who oten saved min-ers lives. In the Zoty Stok minethe Grey Gnome appears unex-pectedly on the trail. Thedreams o anyone who looksstraight into his eyes will be ul-flled. www.kopalniazlota.pl www.klubpodroznikow.eu/

podziemia/295-kopalnia-zota-zoty-stok-

www.zlotystok.net/kopalnia.php


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maca.obiezyswiat.orgmaca.obiezyswiat.org

Jarosaw and Rzeszw(Podkarpacie, south-eastern Poland)

and Sandomierz uponthe Vistula River(central Poland)

These old mercantile towns oer underground trails intersect-ing corridors and basements o Medieval merchandise storageplaces. Wines and goods rom out o the country were kept inthese basements and during invasions people sought reuge inhere. Today as you marvel at their construction and utility youwill be transported to the times o the Middle Ages. Labyrinthso corridors and cellars which can be visited only with a guideare spread over 200 m in Jarosaw and Rzeszw and over 470m in Sandomierz at a depth o 12 m. www.rzeszow.pl www.jaroslaw.pl www.sandomierz.pl www.wrota.podkarpackie.pl/pl/turystyka/szlaki/sciezki/trasy_

podziemne www.sandomierz.pl/index.php/pl/atrakcje_i_ciekawostki/art19.

html

LABYRINTHSUNDERNEAT

HCITIES

Underground

TOWNSINFORTRESSES

Underground

In the 19th century ortresses were built inseveral Polish towns. Most o them have beenpreserved unchanged up to today. You can visitthem on oot or by bike and penetrate deeplyinto the dark and gloomy basements o thesemilitary sites. They were created by engineersrom three dierent nations which occupiedPoland in the 19th century: Austrians (KrakwFortress and Przemyl Fortress), Prussians(Toru Fortress) and Russians (Osowiec

Fortress). The ortifcations in Krakow (60 kmcircumerence) and Toru are a great attractionor visitors to Polish cities. Only a ew touristsrealize that when standing in the Market Squarein Krakw or in ront o the Monument toCopernicus in Toru they are at the same timein the ce nter o a ormer ortress. This is alsothe case in the beautiul town o Przemyl ullo historic sites and flled with a unique type oculture o a town on the border between twonations: Polish and Ukrainian. Enthusiasts owalking in these ortifed labyrinths will begreatly interested by these ortress buildingswhich are amongst the largest in Europe.

1. Midzyrzecz Fortifed Area

2. Osowiec Fortress

A mysterious town of concreteThe Midzyrzecz Fortified Area(Lubusko Lands, western Poland)

A great ortifcation system, the largest in Europe, built by the Ger-mans, 1935-1939, covers an area o 100 km between the Odraand Warta rivers. Tens o underground bunkers joined by tunnelsorm an underground town with train stations, a net o warehous-es and barracks. Today, bats, including the largest in Europe,pass the winter here. A visit to this underground complex cantake up to 8 hours. Routes between particular positions in theortress are marked out also on the surace. Some visitors chooseto travel using a military vehicle, others preer a bike. There is anobservation tower on one o the trails rom which you can studythe layout o Europes biggest ortifcation. www.bunkry.pl www.miedzyrzecz.pl

The Russian-built Osowiec Fortress

The Russian-built Osowiec Fortress was raised in the years 1882-1915 in the narrow Biebrza River valley (north-eastern Poland).It was never conquered. But today anyone can enter it with noproblem; however a guide is recommended. http://www.monki.com.pl/strony.html

http://maps.pomocnik.com/photo/osowiec-ortress-poland www.wrotapodlasia.pl

1. Sandomierz

2. Jarosaw

3. Rzeszw

4. Chem

Chem(near Lublin, eastern Poland)

Underneath almost the entire terrain o the town o Chem is a two-kilometer net o corridors and mining chambers. It is Europes onlyunderground chalk mine reaching 20 m down into the deposit lo-cated under historical, public buildings. Throughout hundreds oyears pits and labyrinths o passages have been dug out. Theycan be accessed straight rom the tenements above them. Thedark underground which can be visited only with a guide is litup by the white chalk walls on which you can sometimes see theshadow o the White Ghost, the spirit o this land. But people donot tremble in ear down here because o the low temperaturewhich doesnt rise above +9 C, even during summer. www.chelm.pl www.zabytkowakopalniakredy.pl www.podziemiakredowe.pl


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TAKEITTOTHELIMIT

Cyclingaround

Poland

ONASEAMADEOFSAND

Cyclingaround

Poland

Seeing the sights o the world rom the back o abicycle is a very popular and healthy way otraveling. In Poland there are suitable routes at theseaside, in the Lake District, in national andlandscape parks, routes leading to mountainpeaks and down winding ravines and valleys andaround big cities.

In the north o Poland among the thousands olakes and rivers along the coastline o the Baltic Sea,in ancient orests and colourully owering meadows cycling trails lead rom the western to the easternborders o the country. All trails oer services, goodood and interesting entertainment.Necklace of the North

1. Wolin

2. Hanza Union Trail

3. Trail Necklace o the Northtake it to the limit

In the Polish mountains you can choose rom extreme routes re-quiring endurance and good technique and leisurely excursion

routes through orests with scenic views. In some locations thereare special trails or perormance downhill runs. One o the mostdifcult routes in the Sudetes leads rom Midzygrze to Snienik(1425 m). It requires a good level o ftness and experience. Otherpopular biking trails are: Kowary Bypass (near Kowary) 33 kmlong, altitude dierence 500 m, the Euro Regional Cycling TouristTrail, Liczyrzepa, and other international biking routes leadingthrough Poland, Czech Republic and Germany. Each trail is analtitude challenge rom 500 to 1100 meters. Dierent parts o theBeskid Mountains ywiecki, Sdecki, Wyspowy, Niski oerbiking trails climbing steep mountains and gentler routes in valleysand along rivers. Some are along the most scenic pedestriantrails, around the towns o Szczyrk or Wisa. In Zawoja, a popularvacation area, the trails are difcult and demanding and you haveto be at the peak o your potential. However the challenge is usu-ally the reason or choosing the more interesting routes. www.rowerowakraina.com www.szklarska.ig.pl/cms,334.php www.karkonosze.ws/trasy_rowerowe_szklarskiej_poreby_ artykul_54.html

1. Trail Liczyrzepa

2. Podkarpacie Region

Green Bikes in Podkarpacie Region

In the Podkarpacie Region in south-eastern Poland there are trailsbelonging to the network, Greenways (R 61 and R 63). They arelocated around the international biosphere nature reserve in theEastern Carpathian Mountains comprising national parks in threecountries: Bieszczady National Park in Poland, Pooniny NationalPark in Slovakia and Uaski National Park in Ukraine. Taking thegreen bike trail you will pass through the most beautiul towns, vil-lages, landscapes and historic sites in Podkarpacie. Visiting ancientburial mounds and settlements, wooden houses and Catholic andOrthodox churches with their unique architecture will take you back3 to 4 thousand years. During winter the green bike trail, all coveredin snow, is very picturesque. www.wrota.podkarpackie.pl www.Rowery.ePodkarpacie.com www.zielonyrower.pl

This coastal cycling trail (part o the R 10 international cyclingroute) extends over 258 kilometers along the Baltic shorelinethrough Wolin National Park and popular health resorts,winoujcie, Koobrzeg, Midzyzdroje, Dziwnw and Rewal. Youcan stop at gol centers (Koczewo, ukcin) or at picturesquefshing cottages where the traditional cultural landscape has beenpreserved. www.it-pomorze.pl/index.php?option=com_

content&task=view& id=430&Itemid=128

Wolin National Park

As you ride through the Park on Wolin Island located along thehistorical mercantile trail rom Hamburg to Gdask you will beable to see in the landscape the turbulent past o this island romprehistoric times to World War II. Today, Wolin National Park o-ers scenic points and trails and educational routes with a totallength o 50 kilometers. The jewel in the park is the TurquoiseLake with its dark green waters. www.polskawakacyjna.pl/wolinski_park_narodowy.html www.miedzyzdroje.ino.pl/wolinski_park_narodowy.php www.wolinpn.pl/html/turystyka/aktywna.htm

The Greenways Trail in northern Poland called the Necklace o theNorth is 870 km long. The route passes through Western Pomera-nia, Tuchola Forest and Krajno Land through sites o its historicalheritage, picturesque towns and landscape parks. In the roadsideinns travellers can taste regional dishes, the ruits o the orest andthe amous bread rom Barwice, bread tasting like bread. www.greenways.pl/index.php?lang=eu

Hanza Union Trail


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There is a good n etwork o lon g-distance andregional trails through ancient orests,historical towns, numerous attractions andnational parks.

ITGETSMOREDIFFICULT

ONFLATGROUND

Cyclingaround

Poland

ITGETSMOREDIFFICULT

ONFLATGROUND

Cyclingaround

Poland

borderland trails

In the north-east corner o Poland, the picturesque land o lakesand orests a trail called the Suwaki Region Cycling Ring hasbeen laid out. The jewellers term ring has been used becausetaking this trail you will discover the treasures o the borders oPoland and Lithuania: beautiul landscapes, unusual culture andthe hospitality o its inhabitants. When you are invited or a mealor during your stay in inns and agro tourist arms try the regionaldishes: skacz layered cake, kalduns, and zeppelins potatonoodles in the shape o Ferdinand Zeppelins airships. www.suwalki.pttk.pl/index.php?submenu=14&page=pokaz&

id=152

Odra River Trail

The main biking route in western Poland, 313-km-long, runsbeside the Odra River, the border between Poland and Ger-many. It starts in the town o Wrocaw and passes on bothbanks o the Odra through Gogw, Radoszyce (erry), Chobi-enia (erry), cinawa, Lubi and Brzeg Dolny (erry). www.greenways.pl/index.php?content&id=30&lang=pl www.oderneisse-radweg.de/content

1. Gdask

2. Trail R1

3. d

4. Czstochowa

5. Krakw

6. Suwaki

7. Region Cycling Ring

8. Warszawa

International trails

There are several international cycling trails crossing Poland in-cluding the longest, R 1. This International Cycling Route starts inCalais, France and wends its way through Belgium, Holland, Ger-many, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to Saint Petersburgin Russia. During 675 km o its length it joins up with the bestcycling trails in northern Poland. www.greenways.pl/index.php?content&id=4&lang=pl

National Parks

In the Sowiski National Park the route winds along the seashore,over sand dunes, through Kluki with its Museum, Wsi Sowiskiej.Cycling routes in Wigry National Park are laid out around WigryLake. In Narwia National Park the 90 kilometers o green routesrun between the backwaters o the Narwia River and ocks oaquatic birds. www.slowinskipn.pl/spn_pl.php?lang=pl&site=turystyka_szlaki www.wigry.win.pl/praktyczny/szlaki2.htm www.npn.pl/index.php?id=7&lang=pl

by bike on the storks trail

The Stork Trail in the Podlasie region crosses our national parks:Biaowiea National Park, Narwia National Park, Biebrza NationalPark and Wigry National Park, the ancient Augustw Forest andSuwaki Landscape Park. This route is ideal or nature lovers, enthu-siasts o rare plant and bird species and mammals which can all beseen in this garden o nature. On the way the scenery rapidly chang-es rom orests to meadows. Thousands o birds y overheadamongst them magnifcent white storks which nest in this area. www.greenways.pl/index.php?content&id=32&lang=pl www.suwalszczyzna.pl/pol_ver/pol05.htm

between old towns

Famous Polish towns Krakw and Czstochowa are joined bythe 188-km long Eagles Nest Cycling Trail. The route passesthrough the picturesque region o Jura Krakowsko-Czstochowska, its limestone hills and ravines, at an altitudebetween 300 and 450 meters. Polands oldest ortifed castlescalled eagles nests can be visited along the way. There arealso various cycling routes in national or landscape parks sur-rounding other old and amous towns in Poland: Warsaw: Mas-ovian Landscape Park - 40 km and the Kampinos Cycling Trail 200 km d: Arturwka, a biking loop around the town 70km Gdask: numerous cycling trails in the Tricity LandscapePark and the Kashubia Region Switzerland a picturesque landlocated less than 40 km rom central Gdask. http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurajski_Rowerowy_Szlak_Orlich_

Gniazd

1. Sowiski

National

Park

2. Odra River

Trail

3. Stork Trail


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2. Gry witokrzyskie

1

1. Mazury

O-road doesnt mean a way o spendingtime ater hours its a liestyle. Driving on

roads ull o potholes into difcult, inaccessibleregions but in beautiul countryside orparticipating in rallies are only some o thehighlights o this popular sport using all terrain,4x4 vehicles and GPS technology. In a way thisis the ulfllment o the Easy Rider dream.

There are plenty o areas or terrain driving withclubs and organizers o o-road expeditions.

You should keep in mind however that o-roaddriving is not permitted everywhere. Sometimesobtaining permission is necessary, especially inprotected nature zones. www.polskioroad.com www.adventure-sky.pl/oroad.php

OFF-ROADANDONSTON

YGROUND

Off-road

OFF-ROADANDONSTON

YGROUND

Off-road

1. Masuria

Close to Wodawa in Polesie(Polesie Lubelskie)

The annual, International O-Road Car Rally IPA oroad Poland,is organized in the Hanna Commune in the Wodawa District(Lubelskie Voivodeship). The event is organized by the MazovianVoivodeship Group o the International Police Association (IPA).The competition is attended by experienced and beginner driverso competitive o-road cars, standard tourist cars and quads.Navigation driving, trial tests and time driving trials are part o thecompetition. www.wlodawa.eu/?p=948

1. Wodawa

2. witokrzyskie Mountains

Masuria

The lowland routes in Masuria are surprisingly difcult. Apart romasphalt roads, orest roads and roads along lakes and rivers thereare swamp crossings and steep uphill trails. Popular o-roadroutes start in well-known tourist towns: Mrgowo, Pisz, Szczyt-no, Gizycko and Ek. www.polskioroad.com

witokrzyskie MountainsThe witokrzyskie Mountains, located almost in the middle oPoland, are the central point on o-road maps. Expeditions ondifcult tracks in the Kielce area and hard mountain crossings canbe coupled with visits to historical sites in the region which boastsa very ancient culture.


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2. Bieszczady

11 1. Puszcza

Augustowska

POLISHPEOPLELOVEHO

RSES...

HORSE-RIDINGMOUNTAINTRAILS

Onhorseback

BYLAKESANDTHROUGH

FORESTS

Onhorseback

1. Chodowiecki Equestrian Trail

2. Augustw Forest

1. Sudeten Equestrian Trail


Horses have a particular place in Polishculture and tradition: they are treated asriends and partners and are very popularanimals. Stables are located rom theSudetes to the Baltic Sea also in the vicinityo Gdask, Krakw, Pozna, Warsaw andWrocaw. Equestrian centers all have dierentbreeds: rom tiny ponies and graceul Huculsto pure blood Arab and English horses. Theyorganize horse-back riding courses,

gymkhanas or western cow boy flm stylemeetings. Periodic equestrian events enjoygreat popularity: rodeos in Western City nearKozia Skaa (Karpacz area) in August, theIndian Summer in Puszczykowo (nearPozna), bathing with horses in lakes andnight treks in the Masuria National Park.Each year on November 3,on St. Hubertus Day the patron o hunters horse riding events called ox hunt areorganized.

http://holidays.staypoland.com/poland-horseback-riding.htm www.equinetourism.co.uk/worldwidehorseholidays/poland.asp

horse-riding mountain trails

The Equestrian Trailin Augustw Forest(north-east Poland)

This trail joins two national parks: Biebrza National Park andWigry National Park. It starts in a oresters lodge in Grzdy andruns through meadows and orests and the most beautiul winterand summer landscapes o the Suwaki region, Augustw andWigry National Park. Length: 246 km. www.suwalszczyzna.net/suwalszczyzna.html&lang=en www.stajniazascianek.pl/rajdykonne.html

Sudeten Equestrian Trail(Sudetes Mountains, south-west Poland)

This route is over 360 kilometers long rom Ldek Zdrj to Karpaczthrough picturesque valleys and passes in the Sudetes Mountains.

There are 13 mountain horse tourism hostels en route where excel-lent ood and comortable accommodation are waiting or travel-lers. One, or a ew days excursions are oten organized on the trail. www.western.one.pl/nowa/drukuj.php?nid=19

Daniel ChodowieckiEquestrian Trail(northern Poland)

In 1773 Daniel Chodowiecki (Gdask, 17261801), prominentgraphic and artist, chancellor o the Berlin Fine Arts Academy,travelled or over 60 days on horseback rom Berlin to Gdask.During his journey he jotted down drawings, described the people,events and landscapes. They were published as an album, DanielChodowieckis diary rom the journey to Gdask in 1773. TheChodowiecki route was transormed into a horse trail rom Gdaskto Krg. It is divided into 12 sections on the sea shore betweenboarding houses where you can stay overnight and enjoy the deli-cacies o the local cuisine, rent horses, carriages and a guide.Length o the trail: 274 km; daily sections: 11 to 26 kilometers. www.konie.biz www.konno.bigm.pl

Bieszczady Mountains(south-eastern Poland)

Stay in the saddle enthusiasts appreciate the Bieszczady Moun-tains or the wonderul landscapes, mountain trails and those ex-traordinary ponies called Huculs. The Bieszczady National Park isthe only strictly protected nature reserve where mountain equestri-an tourism is allowed on marked trails. In the summer season (Maythrough September) equestrian meetings are organized regularly 2 to 6 days long. The Bieszczady trails are over 150 km long. www.bieszczady.net.pl/konie.php www.wrota.podkarpackie.pl/pl/turystyka/aktywna/konna

Huculs a strong and gentle pony

This is a mountain pony, bred in the austere climate o the easternCarpathians. They have an iron constitution and a tough but gen-tle character. They are oten used in therapy. The surmount ob-stacles higher than themselves (140 cm) and are champions omountain expeditions. They are known or their intelligence andcaution: they can fnd their way home in the biggest blizzard andbeore they step onto a ootbridge over a mountain creek they tapthe logs with their hoos to check i the bridge is solid.


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2. Mazury

GENTLERIVERS

Onandunderwater

BIRDRIVER

Onandunderwater

1. Black Hacza River

2. Masuria

3. Drawa River

4. Rospuda River

5. Krutynia River

Over 4 800 kilometers o Polish rivers areused as water routes. Gentle lowland riversunold beore the eyes o kayakers, theribbon o their crystal clear current windingthrough avenues o trees and reeds bendingover the water. Wild and insubordinatemountain rivers ow where they want to,crashing over granite rocks. Traveling onthese rivers is always an adventure,sometimes mild, other times wild.

Down the Black Hacza RiverOne o the most picturesque kayaking trails consists o two stag-es: rating on the Black Hacza River and the Augustw Channel.The trip starts on Wigry Lake. Up to Jaowy Rg the river squeez-es itsel through high escarpments and ows underneath a cano-py o trees. Time needed to complete the route: 12 days, length110 km; daily sections: 10-12 km. www.splywy.pl/czarna_hancza

bird river

The Biebrza River and its backwaters is a paradise or birdenthusiasts who come here rom all over the world. The trail issituated in the Biebrza National Park. It winds by beaver andelk reuges and countless colourul ocks o aquatic, migratoryand non-migratory birds. The Biebrza Trail passes throughswamps and the backwoods which acilitates bird watching.The Biebrza River countryside b eautiul at all times o theday. Length rom Lipsk to the Biebrza conuence with theNarew River: 145 km, daily sections: up to 14 km. www.agrobiebrza.a3.pl www.tratwy.pl www.splywy.pl/biebrza

On a Highland raft

The oldest, longest and most beautiul mountain kayaking trail onthe Dunajec River is 15 km long with a decline o almost 40 me-ters. During a two and a hal hour long trip on rats the Dunajecwill generously oer you unexpected sensations and picturesqueviews. Cutting through rock walls rising 300 meters above thewater the river turns on itsel seven times and sometimes it is hardto say in which direction the rat is going. As you marvel at theviews listen to the stories which the Flis dont try to keep to them-selves. They are as great storytellers as they are helmsmen.

Krutynia River

This river is the most beautiul kayaking trail in Europe. It meandersbetween moraine hills, passes through 17 lakes and the thickets oPiska Forest. Rare bird species are a special eature o the trail. Curiousblack storks y close to the kayaks as ravens, cormorants and cranessoar above your head. There are numerous hostels in the region oer-ing comortable accommodation and delicious regional dishes with thelocal specialty: European White Fish. Time needed to complete theroute: up to 8 days, length: 100 km; daily sections: 10-24 km. www.splywy.pl/krutynia www.krutynia.com.pl

The Great Masurian Lakes Route

One o the longest trails in Europe crossing the biggest Polish lake niardwy, the insignifcantly smaller Mamry and Niegocin lakesand ribbon lakes, Nidzkie, Bedany and Taty. Length: 111 km, timeneeded to complete the route: around 10 days. www.splywy.pl http://mazury.ino.pl/uslugizegl.html

Biaka, proud queen of the mountains

Biaka in the Tatra Mountains is a crystal clear river, alluring andhaughty as a queen o the mountains. It is the most difcult moun-tain kayaking waterway in Poland - WW IV-IV+ and is accessibleonly to skilled kayakers with good equipment. Mountain kayakersusually choose the section rom Jaworinka (Jurgw) to CzarnaGra, ull o high ravines, rocky shores and shallows. Here in Julythe annual Mountain Kayaking School camps take place. BiakaRiver is navigable only seasonally. It is most difcult and challeng-ing ater abundant rain all and in Spring when the snows in thehigh passes o the Tatra Mountains begin to melt.

Mountain rivers and wild rivers

1. Biebrza bird river

2. Biaka

3. Dunajec

choppy waves

Taking a pontoon or kayak down the Dunajec River requiresexperience; this river should not be dismissed as easy. It isbest to use proessional equipment and the services o aguide. The thirteen kilometer section o the river with a 12%drop is a real challenge or kayakers. It is an extremely dif-cult natural kayaking water-way where you need to avoid thestony banks and rocks and fght the rushing current andwaves. However, the Dunajec River does become gentlerlater when it passes through Chorshtyn Lake, SromowceNine and the Pieniny National Park where it orms a pictur-esque ravine.

On the Rospuda River

The three day kayaking trip on the Rospuda River requires experi-ence. It is difcult where the river enters Augustw Forest as itrushes like a mountain torrent and the way is hindered by water-alls, allen trees and rocks. The route is beautiul and mysterious.Strong sensations guaranteed. Length: 80 km, daily sections: upto 12 km. www.splywy.pl/rospuda

Riding the Drawa River current

The water way on this lowland river will charm everyone. Greatbackwaters, numerous twists and turns, tree trunks and thickreeds orm the stunning scenery unolding rom Krzywe Lake inthe post-glacial Five Lake Valley, through several lakes in theDrawa Lake District and the Drawa National Park. Length: 173 km. www.kajakowe.com.pl www.jermak.com

The Augustw Channel

A two-day trip on the 35-km long section o the Augustw Chan-nel rom Rygole to Augustw is an exceptional adventure. Thetrail leads through Augustw Forest, the orest lakes o the Au-gustw Lake District and around 18 dams historical engineeringsites. Each dam is a masterpiece o construction rom over 170years ago and still unctioning aultlessly. www.kajaki-biwaki.pl www.kajaki.orma-t.com.pl/czh_03.html www.szekla.pl www.necko.pl/splywy.html www.splywy.net l www.suwalszczyzna.pl/pol_ver/pol06.htm

Dunajec, a river with character

On the international six-point scale o white water rivers (WW), theRiver Dunajec is rated at the 3 rd level o difculty. Its strong currentcuts through granite rocks and sculpts picturesque ravines.Sometimes it ows as it likes with a mountaineers contrarinessand robustness. www.naszewyprawy.net www.isacy.com.pl www.adventure-sky.pl


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Masuria, land of a thousand lakes

Picturesque lakes surrounded by orest-covered shores are con-nected by natural and artifcial canals into one o Europes longestinland sailing route The Great Masurian Lakes Trail. The routeows through the largest lake in Poland niardwy Lake (dis-tance end to end: 22 km, breadth: 13 km). Many yachtsmen setout at dawn the wind flling their sails, as the frst rays o the sunreect on the water. Besides these well known and popular Mas-urian sailing routes there are mysterious and rarely visited spotssuch as the Zamordejski headland on Nidzkie Lake or Skana Bayon Taty Lake where the best views are at dawn and dusk. Thereis much entertainment waiting or sailors in the hostels ater thecruise has fnished, entertainment in yachting style. http://zagle.mazury.ino/portalik.php?lang=pl www.mazury.com.pl http://czartery.prv.pl

UNDERSAILSMADEOFC

LOUDS

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Drawsko Lakeland sparklingribbons of lakes(Middle Pomerania)

A land or devotees o nature and serenity. Here you will fnd yoursilence, your niche among the post-glacial ribbon lakes and 200meter high moraines. The largest lakes in the Drawsko region(surace 1871 ha, depth to 80 m) are Lubie, Pile, Siecino, Ko-morze, Wilczkowo and Trzesiecko, all ideal or yachting. However,beore setting o, make sure you have a yacht with a hinged, col-lapsible mast to get under the many low bridges over the narrowchannels joining some o the lakes. www.jeziorodrawsko.com/zeglarstwo.html www.jarmak.pl

1. Szczecin Bay

2. Dbie Lake

3. Masuria

Western Pomerania,from a lake to the sea

Western Pomerania is very popular with sailing enthusiasts or itsmany navigable reservoirs. Start on a lake and fnish at the sea,sailing rom Dbie Lake, through Szczecin Bay into the Baltic Sea.In Trzebie on Szczecin Bay in the Main Sailing Center there is aamous sailing school. www.coz.com.pl http://zalewszczecinski.net

Dbie Lake a boatinglabyrinth

Only skilled sailors and helmsmen can cruise Dbie Lake. It issmall, short, up to 4 m deep and has troublesome waves reach-ing 1.5 meters. An added hindrance are the fshing nets some-times spread over large areas. In this labyrinth o fshing nets, witha strong wind and gentle waves, tacking can be a great pleasure,but only or older sea dogs. www.dabie.pl http://marinas.pl/akweny/jezioro-dabie www.polskieszlaki.pl//jezioro-dabie-w-szczecinie.htm

1. Gdask Bay

2. Drawsko Lakeland

4. Powidzkie Lake

Gdask Bay(Pomerania)

This Bay on the Baltic Sea is visited every summer by thou-sands o yachtsmen and windsurers. Sandy coasts (no stonesor rocks) along the entire shoreline o the Bay present avour-able conditions or yachting and boating. There are ports lo-cated in a relatively small area: Gdask, Gdynia, Sopot andmany well known health resorts as well as fshing docks: Hel,Jastarnia, Puck and Rewa. In most o them it is possible tolaunch boats rom trailers on the quay. www.port21.pl/czartery/article_245.html www.blekitnypiotrus.pl/?idk=21&ido=215

Greater Poland

Powidzkie Lake

This crystal clear lake is a vast post-glacial ribbon (surace: 1175ha) within the Powidzki Landscape Park. The bed o the lake andthe crayfsh strolling there can be seen at a depth o 5 m. Thereare boating enthusiasts who spend their every spare momenthere. They arrive rom the urthest corners o the country and sailat dawn along the shores covered with orests, pick mushrooms,catch some fsh and have a delicious breakast amidst the rushesand reeds in this natures garden paradise. www.jezioropowidzkie.pl www.yachtcharter.republika.pl


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photo:P.

Olejnik

Mountain sailing

In southern Poland, amidst hills and mountains, behind dams onmountain rivers, there are beautiul artifcial lakes. On many othem you will be sailing in the shadows o giant mountains: Otmu-chowskie Lake in the Sudetes oothills, Nysa Kodzka River(length: 6 km, breadth: 3 km), ywieckie Lake in the Small Be-skids Mountains, Soa River (length: 8 km) and Czorsztyn Lake inthe Pieniny Mountains. www.niedzicazamek.pl/atrakcje.html www.wczasy-neptun.pl/ino.php

MOUNTAINSAILING

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ONBOARDWITHTHEWIND

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1. Otmuchowskie Lake

2. ywieckie Lake

3. Czorsztyn Lake

4. Solina Lake

On board with the wind

You can practice windsurfng everywhere in Poland where there areyachting centers and the Great Masurain Lakes are top o the list.On the western shore o the Baltic Sea there are avourable condi-tions or windsurfng on the southern and northern side o WolinIsland located on the borders between Poland and Germany.Strong western winds are prevalent in this area. Puck Bay, sepa-rated rom the Baltic Sea by the Hel Peninsula (a 34 km long, nar-row sandy isthmus) is the capital o summer sports. Its inner bay,the Small Sea, has a surace o 104 square kilometers and is up to9 m in depth. Temperate water, low waves, dominant westerlywinds along the shore creates ideal conditions or windsurfng. www.windsurfng.odszkodowania-24.net

1. Wolin

2. Hel Peninsula and Puck Bay

3. Masuria

The capital of mountain sailing

Solina Lake (Eastern Beskids) is considered to be the capital omountain sailing. Fanciully shaped shorelines (over 160 km), smallcapes, impressive peninsulas, hidden bays, picturesque islandscovered with orests, orm a water reservoir with changeable windconditions: storms and sudden calms. These are the perect condi-tions or mountain sailing. Length o the lake: 25 km, breadth: to2.5 km, average depth: 35 m (maximum 60 m). In some o theyachting and health resorts around Solina Lake there are well-de-veloped service points (boat rental), restaurants and hotels. And inthe evenings you can hear the murmur o voices rom around campfres, a distant disco and pub, all to the aroma o grilled local fsh. www.wrota.podkarpackie.pl/pl/turystyka/atrakcje/solina www.port21.pl/czartery/article_547.html www.zacumuj.pl/region.php?rid=3


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1. Kraina Wielkich Jezior

Sailing with a kite

Kitesurfng oers unlimited possibilities or having enormous un in

water and the air. This ad, ashionable not only among youngpeople, is a combination o a mini surfng board with a kite andprovides many moments o pure delight. Looking at people glid-ing 10 m above the water, hanging rom lines attached to a kite itis hard not to be a little jealous. These are people with wings.People on a journey. One o the best places or kitesurfng isRewa Bay near Gdynia. It is a sheltered location where the wingso a kite can be spread in saety. www.kitesurfng.pl

SAILINGWITHAKITE

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1. Hel Peninsula

2. Puck Bay

3. Rewa Bay

Sailing on iceIce-yachts

Winter yachting on ice using ice-boats (yachts on ice skates) isgaining an increasing number o enthusiasts. People love thissport or its speed. Champions reach over 100 km per hour. Inact anyone can be a champion especially on the Great MasurianLakes where in Giycko, Wgorzewo or Mikoajki the conditionsare excellent and the traditions o this sport go back a long way.The lakes reeze in December and sae ice lasts until April. Apartrom traditional ice-boats you can try out new some o the inven-tions: iceyer an ice-boat with windsurfng sail and iceboard awindsurfng board on ice skates. www.bojery.pl http://bojery.mazury.ino.pl/bojery

1. Great Masurian Lakes

Better for you than sexor cigarettes

Its a great way o losing weight. You just need 2 to 4 days de-pending on the wind to learn how to kitesurfng. Ater youll neverthink again about any other sport or ways o spending your sparetime. You just have to check the weather orecast and thestrength o the wind on your avourite beach beore every week-end and holidays. The Hel Peninsula oers many proessionalplaces to learn this sport and to put it into practice. At 500 mrom the beach the water is at waist level. Here you will eel verysae enabling you to learn how to windsur and kitesur veryquickly. www.SurPoint.pl l www.boardandkite.pl www.ekolaguna.com.pl l www.kitecenter.pl www.kiteakademia.pl l www.kite.pl www.wake.pl

21 Morze Batyckie


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1. Morze Batyckie

4. Tatry

www.underwater.pl

www.underwater.pl

www.underwater.pl

www.underwater.pl

www.nurkomania.p

l

www.nurkomania.p

l

www.nurkomania.p

l

LETSGODOWNTOTHE

BOTTOMOFTHESEA

Underwater

LETSGODOWNTOTHE

BOTTOMOFTHELAKE

Underwater

The Baltic Sea

The Baltic is a difcult and demanding sea or divers. Huge waves,strong currents and rapidly changing conditions underwater re-quire experience and good security measures. Numerous shipwrecks scattered on the sea bottom are a reminder o World WarII. They are also a requent destination o underwater excursions.Gdask Bay has over 200 wrecks in its depths and thats onlyat the entrances to the harbours in Gdask and Gdynia. You candive to those which are not used by the Polish Navy. Close to theHel Peninsula rests the wreck o the warship, ORP Grony. Theover 30-meter-long wreck is at 18 meters lying on its starboardside. With the good visibility and modest sea currents it is an ex-cellent location or frst-time divers. Expeditions are organized byproessionals rom several wreck diving centers in Hel, Gdynia,Wadysawowo, eba and Koobrzeg. www.exstream.com.pl www.hotdive.com www.nurkomania.pl www.kdp-pttk.org.pl www.scubadiving.pl www.underwater.pl

Hacza Lake(Suwaki Lake District, north-eastern Poland)

In the deepest Polish lake (over 108 m) with crystal clear water(visibility to 30 m) there are underwater rock walls with tiny cavesinhabited by burbots a fsh with a mustache. The reservoir isor experienced divers only.

1. Baltic Sea

2. Gdynia

3. Hel

In the darkness of mountain caves

Diving in caves is an extreme sport, accessible to only a ew. Acave diver must be highly resistant to stress and undergo longtraining in all the skills needed in this discipline. The best spots orcave diving are ound in the Tatra Mountains (southern Poland):Mitusia Cave (siphons up to 70 meters deep), Sniena Studnia(the Snow Well Cave) up to 33 m, Wielka niena Cave (to 15 m),Kasprowa Nina Cave (to 24 m) and Bystra Cave (to 28 m).

1. Czarnogowy Lake

2. Biae Filipowskie Lake

3. Jaworzno-Szczakowa

4. Tatra Mountains

5. Mitusia Cave

Czarnogowy Lake(Szczecin Lake District)

The lake (surace 36 ha) is situated in a ooded opencast silicatemine. It is 40 m deep. The bottom o the lake drops vertically andan underwater orest o trees between which only courageousdivers swim, can be seen in the emerald water. On the steepshores o the lake you can fnd traces o Jurassic auna, ossilbrachiopods, snails and sea urchins.

Biae Filipowskie Lake(near Suwaki, north-western Poland)

A mountain, crystal clear lake in the lowlands. This is a lake orthose who need to dive in quiet places where only anglers andcolourul aquatic birds are encountered. This post-glacial lake hasa steep shore line making it easy to descend. A private divingschool is located nearby. Length: 3 km, breadth: max 700 me-ters, average depth 17 m. www.nurkomania.pl/nurkowisko_biale_flipowskie.htm

In crystal clear lakes

The temperature below the thermocline (depth 9 m) is 4 C inPolish lakes in summer. It is best, thereore, to dive in lakes inwarm, dry diving suits and not in wet suits.

askie Lake(Rybaki, Olsztyn Lake District)

The lake, located in the vicinity o resorts, is very pure and is up to50 m deep. Under the careul eye o instructors you can dive romthe shore, a boat and participate in exciting night diving.

Diving in a mineJaworzno-Szczakowa (80 km west of Krakow)

An artifcial reservoir has been ormed in an old opencast dolomitemine. There are two giant mining diggers under the water ormingan underground obstacle course. Diving here requires experienceand can be perormed only with instructors rom the Diving Cent-er at this popular reservoir.

4. askie Lake

5. Hacza Lake

1 Zatoka Gdaska


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1. Zatoka Gdaska

3. Bieszczady

www.ParasailingCenter.pl

In the mountains and hills o southern

Poland Sudetes, Beskids and Tatra

mountains there are excellent conditions

or aerial sports: gliding, hang gliding,

paragliding and parachuting. The scenery is

beautiul and the air is resh as you oat

down gently. There are aero club airfelds

belonging to training centers in the various

disciplines in many towns in the oothills. In

central and northern Poland (Masuria,

Pomerania and Greater Poland) the gentle

hills and good thermals guarantee frst-rate

ying or experienced and beginner pilots.

Polish glider pilots have won the highest

awards in international competitions with

light-crat pilots or many years world

champions in precision ying. Many o them

work at aero club airfelds which oer scenic

ights and ying courses. A ight with a

world champion its worth a try.

www.azl.pl www.lotnie.pl www.aeroklubpolski.pl/aerokluby_regionalne

lighter than air

LIGHTERTHANAIR

Abirdseyeview

&apilotsperspective

FALLINGINTANDEM

Abirdseyevie

w&apilotsperspective

1. Szybowcowa Mountain

2. ar Mountain


falling in tandem

To start your adventure with parachuting you dont need to havethe skills o a jet pilot. Almost anyone can jump with a parachute(the frst time with the assistance o an experienced instructor).You need to meet certain requirements and complete a shorttraining course at one o the numerous airfelds at aero clubs inPoland with these services. Pleasure parachute ights pulled byspeed boats, terrain vehicles or quads may be excellent prepara-tion or parachute jumps. Popular pulled-parachuting centers canbe ound in Sopot and other towns in the Bay o Gdask, in Mas-uria, by Kisajno Lake and near Lublin at Zemborzycki Bay. www.lotniskoketrzyn.pl www.parasailingcenter.pl www.parasail.pl www.skyadventure.pl http://skydiveatmosera.com www.skokispadochronowe.com.pl

1. Gdask Bay

2. Masuria

3. Kisajno Lake

4. Zemborzycki Bay

ar Mountain(761 m, ywiec Beskids Mountains)

ar Mountain in the vicinity o the ywieckie and Midzybrodzkiemountain lakes and ywiec Beskids guarantees excellent condi-tions or aerial sports. There are oot launch areas or hang gliderson the mountains to the west and to the north. One o the bestknown and popular glider training centers in Poland is situatedhere. Many aviation clubs use their services when organizingcourses and events or enthusiast o sailing the skies. http://lotniczapolska.pl/Zar-kolebka-polskiego-szybownict-

wa,142

The Bieszczady Mountains andsurrounding areas

The lay o the land here avours gliding, hang gliding and paraglid-ing. Courses or gliders pilots and parachutists are organized atairfelds belonging to aero clubs in Krosno and Brzemiechowa.Parachutists oten jump with a drop zone over the nearby SolinaMountain Lake. This area has been chosen not only or its avora-ble weather conditions but also or the magnifcent views o theEastern Carpathian Mountains where the borders o three coun-tries meet: Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. www.aeroklub-podkarpacki.pl www.7y.pl

Szybowcowa Mountain(561 m, Karkonosze Mountains, near Jelenia Gra)

The mountain rom which a panoramic view o the Jelenia GraValley spreads is a place where many ying events and glider,paraglider and hang glider meetings are held, with excellent con-ditions or aerial sports the amous Karkonosze wave, strongthermals, lee waves, ridge lits, above the Sudetes Mountains. Onthe slopes o Szybowcowa Mountain there are good conditionsor launching and landing or beginners and experienced airmen.The season lasts rom May to September. www.srebrna-gora.pl


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StockholmMoskva

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BudapestWien

Berlin

Amsterdam

LondonParis Brussel

VarsovieKiev

Republic of PolandArea: 312,000 sq km. Location: Central Europe. Po-land borders on Germany, the Czech Republic, Slo-vakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia. Itsnorthern border 500 km long runs along the BalticSea coast. Population: 38,000,000. Flag: White andred. Ofcial language: Polish. Capital city: Warsaw.Other major cities: d, Krakow, Wrocaw, Pozna,Gdask, Szczecin, Katowice, Lublin. Climate: Tem-perate, the average temperature in July is 19C (67F),but there are many summer days when temperaturesrise to 30C (86F). The best time o the year or prac-ticing winter sports is between January and March.

Public holidays and work-free daysNon working days are Sundays, Saturdays, and theollowing holidays: New Years Day (Jan. 1st), theEaster (Easter Sunday and Monday are moveableholidays), Labour Day (May 1st), the anniversary othe Constitution o May Third (May 3rd), CorpusChristi (Thursday, movable east), Feast o the As-sumption (Aug. 15th), All Saints Day (Nov. 1st), Na-tional Independence Day (Nov. 11th), ChristmasHolidays (Dec. 25th and 26th).

Where to stay?All hotels are classifed and their categories rangerom inexpensive to luxurious. Rooms can be booked by telephone or Internet:

www.discover-poland.pl,www.hotelsinpoland.com, www.polhotels.com,www.hotelspoland.com, www.polhotel.pl,www.warsawshotel.com, www.visit.pl,www.orbisonline.pl, www.pph.com.pl

Ma ny historic and old buildings(palaces, castles, manors, mills) were adaptedor tourist purposes tel./ax +(48 22) 646 91 50,[email protected], www.hhpoland.pl

Booking of rural B&B accommodations :

tel. +(48-52) 398 14 34,mobile +(48-602) 459 137,www.agritourism.pl,www.agroturystyka.pl, [email protected]

Youth hostels:

tel. +(48-22) 849 81 28, ax 849 83 54,www.ptsm.org.pl

Camping:tel./ax +(48-22) 810 60 50,www.pcc.eu

Polish Tourist Country Lovers Association:www.pttk.pl

How to Pay?The Polish currency is the zloty (PLN). You can payusing other currencies e.g. Euro, ater you have cometo an agreement with the vendor, but this is not al-ways the case. Most transactions are done in zloty.Money can be changed at banks or exchangecounters (Kantor). Credit cards are accepted in mostshops and or services in the whole o Poland. Cashdispensers o the dierent banks are available 24/24in cities and towns. The ofcial money is the zloty di-vided into 100 groszy. Polish money is in circulationas coins and banknotes. Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50groszy and 1, 2, 5 zloty. Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100and 200 zlotys.

Customs regulationsCustoms rules and procedures are similar to thoseprevailing in the majority o EU countries.Detailed inormation is available rom the Ministry oFinance, tel. +(48-22) 694 31 94, www.m.gov.pl

AirSeveral airports operate in Poland in the ollowing cit-ies: Warsaw, Krakow, Gdask, Katowice, od,Pozna, Rzeszw, Szczecin, Wrocaw and By-dgoszcz. LOT Polish Airlines is Polands national car-rier. In order to fnd the necessary inormation, alltravellers planning to come to Poland and move

around the country by air should visit the LOT web-site: www.lot.com. In addtition, several other carriers,including budget airlines such as Easy Jet www.easyjet.com, Germanwings www.germanwings.com, WizzAir www.wizzair.com, Ryanair www.ry-anair.com, Norwegian www.norwegian.no, Aer Lin-gus www.aerlingus.com

TrainPoland has a well-developed rail network. MajorPolish cities are interconnected by Intercityexpress trains running between European cities. Thenational railway network is administeredand serviced by the Polish State Railways (PKP). Allnecessary inormation can be ound on the PKPwebsite: www.pkp.pl, www.intercity.pl, www.rozk-lad-pkp.pl and tel. +48 42 194 36

BusAny place in Poland can be easily reached by an ex-tensive network o national and local roads. Coachservices are operated throughout the year through-out the year by the state and private bus companiesacross the country.

TaxiTaxi stands are marked with the TAXI sign. Taxis canbest be booked by phone. Higher rates are chargedor travel out o city limits, on Sundays and holidays;a special night are is applied between 10 pm and 6am.

Traffic regulationsThey are compatible with the rules in the EU coun-tries. The relevant speed limits on Polish roads are: 50 km/h for all vehicles in built-up areas 90 km/h on lane roads; 110 km/h on expressways 130 km/h on motorwaysHeadlights must be switched on at all times whiledriving.

Useful telephone numbersThe nationwide toll-ree 24 hour emergency phonenumbers include: Ambulance 999 Fire Brigade 998 Police 997 Mobile Phone Holders Assistance 112. Tourists can use the following emergency number

in operation during the whole summer season:0-800 200 300, +48-608 599 999.

INFORMATION

Practical

Publisher: Polska Organizacja Turystyczna/ Polish Tourist Organisation, 00-613 Warszawa, ul. Chaubiskiego 8, tel. +48-22 536 70 70, fax +48-22 536 70 04, e-mail: [email protected], www.pot.gov.pl

Editor:Art Rodar s.c. Witold Krysiak, Dorota Rostek; www.artrodar.pl; Graphic layout: Art Rodar, Magorzata Rodek; Text: S. A. Pacua; Translation: Z. Nowak-Solinski;

Photogrphs: D. Bartoszewski, A. Baszczyk, R. Ejchler, P. Florek, P. Hoy, M. Kauny, S. Kapciak, M. Moczko, M. Modrzewska-Lewczuk, L. Nazdraczew, P. Olejnik, M. Olszewski, J. Podrucki, D. Rostek, K. Stpie,

A. i R. Tomczyszyn, M. Winiewski, T. Zakrzewski, ZA, East News, Flash Press Media, TravelPhoto;Archives: www.gory-szlaki .pl, SFPDN www.bojery.pl, www.golf.krakow.pl, www.mazurygolf.pl, www.ojcow.pl,

www.ParasilingCente r.pl, www.underwater.pl, www.nurkomania.pl, www.sowa.pl, POTArchives .

GB

Branches o the Polish Tourist Organisation Abroad

Recommended Active Tourism Organisations in PolandAKTIV TOURS REISENSp. z o.o., ul. Jakowa Dolina 114, 80-286 Gdask tel. (48 58) 344 38 80, 344 38 79 www.aktivtou rs.com.plAVE Polonia Incoming Touroperator, ul. Gawronw 20, 40-527 Katowice tel. (48 32) 205 38-30 www.ave.turyst yka.pl, www.ave-polonia.euAVENA TRAVEL, ul. Szlak 65, 31-153 Krakw tel. (48 12) 633 11 34 www.avenatravel. plATA Sp. z o.o., ul. Kisielewskiego 4, 80-275 Gdask tel. (48 58) 341 48 85 , 341 40 31 www.atatravel.com.plBUSINESS TRAVEL, Halina Hoowska, ul. Z. Nakowskiej 4C lok. 9, 80-286 Gdask tel. (48 58) 347 64 15 www.business. travel.com.plEURO POL TOUR Sp. z o.o., ul. Moniuszki 7, 40-005 Katowice tel. (48 32) 253 02 07 www.europol.com.plEXCALIBUR TOURS, ul. Gobia 8, 31-007 Krakw tel. (48 12) 421 05 77 www.excaliburt ours.plFLY AWAY TRAVEL Sp. z o.o., ul. Przycka 26, 02-402 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 332 77 77, 332 77 36 www.yawayincen tive.plGEOVITA Sp. z o.o. , ul. Krucza 6/14, 00-537 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 583 52 11 www.geovita.plGrupa A-05 Sp. z o.o., Pl. Na Groblach 14/2, 31-101 Krakw tel. (48 12) 429 62 23 www.a05.plGRUPA TRIP Sp.j., ul. Tetmajera 18, 34-500 Zakopane, ul. Wilana 8, 00-317 Warszawa tel. (48 18 ) 20 20 200 www.trip.plJAN-POL, Incoming Tour Operator Sp. z o.o. , ul. Misioka 8, 31-525 Krakw tel. (48 12) 665 14 50, 665 14 51 www.janpol.comPUHP JUNIOR S.C., Biuro Podry, ul. Stoeczna 25, 15-349 Biaystok tel. (48 85) 744 43 26, 741 57 20 www.bialowieza. net.plBiuro Turystyki KALINKA, ul. Marszakowska 115, 00-102 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 620 53 75 www.kalinka .plKONTYNENTY Sp. z o.o., ul. Widok 18, 00-023 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 828 11 88 www.kontynent y.com.plBiuro Turystyczne KRAKUS, Rynek Gwny 30, 31-010 Krakw tel. (48 12) 432 31 20 www.krakus.com .plMAZURKAS TRAVEL, Biuro Podry Sp. z o.o. , Al. Wojska Polskiego 27, 01-515 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 536 46 00, 536 46 01 www.mazurkas.com .plPOLAND TOUR, ul. Marszakowska 43/14, 00-648 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 499 65 16 www.polandtour.plPROMENADA S.J., Jacek Ubik, Jerzy Ubik, ul. Kociuszki 44/2, 30-105 Krakw tel. (48 12) 427 24 93, 427 17 70 www.promenada.plT.T. RICARDO JUNIOR, ul. E.Plater 12/15, 00-669 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 621 55 33, 621 47 47 w ww.ttricardo.com.plSINDBAD, Prywatne Biuro Podry, ul. Rynek 8, 45-015 Opole tel. (48 77) 402 13 13, 402 13 14 www.sindbad.pl , www.sindbad.euSKORPION Biuro Obsugi Turystycznej , Alicja Wrona, ul. Zagrzebska 3, 51-206 Wrocaw tel. (48 71) 345 44 45 skorpion@skorpi on.wroc.pl

SPORTS-TOURIST Sp. z o.o., ul. Marszakowska 84/92, 00-514 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 621 11 62, 870 09 33 www.sports-tour ist.com.plSTAYPOLAND Sp. z o.o., ul. Mia 2, 00-180 Warszawa , ul. Plac na Stawach 1, 30-107 Krakw tel. (48 22) 351 22 22, 351 22 01 www.staypoland. comBankowe Biuro Podry, TRAVELBANK Sp. z o.o. , ul. Walicw 11, 00-851 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 654 35 25 www.travelbank .com.plTRAVEL DESIGNERS Sp. z o.o., ul. K. Wycickiego 7 B lok. 3, 01-938 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 889 55 40, 744 52 85 www.traveldesign ers.plTRAVEL PLUS Sp. z o.o., ul. Szeroka 50-51, 80-835 Gdask tel. (48 58) 346 31 18, 301 96 02 ww w.travelplus.com.p lTRAVEL-PROJEKT Sp. z o.o., ul. Grochowska 278, 03-841 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 870 76 00 www.travel-projek t.com.plST TURYSTA, ul. Solskiego 2, 32-600 Owicim tel. (48 33) 84 243 76, 84 227 19 www.turysta.oswiecim.plVARSOVIA-TOURS Sp. z o.o., ul. Waowa 4, 00-211 Warszawa tel. (48 22) 536 75 70, 536 75 60 www.varsovia-tours .plWEISS TRAVEL, Agencja Turystyczna Karoliny Gusowskiej-Weiss, ul. Mcibora 62/9, 61-062 Pozna tel. (48 61) 65 33 650 www.weiss-tra vel.com

tel. +(43-1) 524 71 91 12, ax 524 71 91 20www.polen.travel; [email protected]

tel. +(32-2) 740 06 20, ax 742 37 35www.polen.travel; [email protected]; [email protected]

tel. +(33-1) 42 44 29 92, ax 42 97 52 25www.pologne.travel; [email protected]

tel. +(49-30) 21 00 920, ax 21 00 92 14www.polen.travel; [email protected]

tel. +(44-0) 300 303 1812, ax 300 303 1814www.poland.travel; [email protected]

tel. +(31-20) 625 35 70, ax 623 09 29www.polen.travel; [email protected]

tel. +(36-1) 269 78 09, ax 269 78 10

www.lengyelorszag.travel; [email protected]

AUSTRIA Vienna

BELGIUM Brussels

FRANCE Paris

GERMANY Berlin

GREAT BRITAIN London

HOLLAND Amsterdam

HUNGARY Budapest

ITALY Rome

tel. +(39-06) 482 70 60, ax 481 75 69www.polonia.travel; [email protected]

tel. +(81) 3-5908-3808, ax 3-5908-3809www.poland.travel; [email protected]

tel. +(34-91) 541 48 08, ax 541 34 23www.polonia.travel; [email protected]


tel. +(46-8) 21 60 75, ax 21-04-65www.polen.travel; [email protected]


tel. +(38-044) 278 67 28, ax 278 66 70www.polscha.travel; [email protected]

JAPAN Tokyo

SPAIN Madrid

RUSSIA Moscow

SWEDEN Stockholm

USA New York

UKRAINE Kiev

poland highlights of active tourism

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