Hi all, ran across this interesting article from The Guardian published a few days back. They solicited the travel tips from their UK readers about the best destinations to visit in Poland in 2023. Perhaps will give you some inspiration on a future trip to Poland. Here is the link - https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/may/12/readers-highlights-of-poland
Here are the top picks:
Renaissance beauty, Zamość
The relative remoteness of Zamość, a south-eastern town (only a few buses and trains each day from Lublin), makes the surprise of emerging onto its extraordinary Rynek square even more delightful. Set on an important trading route, with ornate Armenian merchant houses painted yellow, red and blue, the square and surrounding streets were designed by Venetian Renaissance architect Bernardo Morando.
A walk in Karkonosze national park
Head to the south-western corner of Poland and hike Karkonosze national park, a glacially moulded ridge that straddles the border between Poland and the Czech Republic. Weave among glacial lakes and strange rock formations and take in the view looking onto Poland’s verdant plains.
Beautiful Tatra peaks and lakes
From the ski and hiking resort town of Zakopane in the Tatra mountains, follow the roads to the Slovakian border, from where a track leads you – by foot or horse and cart – several kilometres up through the forests to the glacial lake of Morskie Oko (or Eye of the Sea). Surrounded by high peaks, it’s a beautiful spot.
Lynx and bison, Białowieża national park
Poland still has plenty of accessible wilderness and a diverse selection of wildlife, with European bison, elk, wolves, bear, beaver and lynx roaming freely. It is possible to see many of these animals in one of several national parks, including Unesco world heritage site Białowieża national park.
Solidarity Museum, Katowice
Śląskie Centrum Wolności i Solidarności, in a suburb of Katowice, is an excellent modern museum that charts the progress of Solidarity and of Poland as it evolved to become a free country, independent from the shackles of Russian communism. I found it fascinating, informative, historical and moving in equal measures, and was really impressed by the level of interactivity.
Silesian specialities, Katowice
Restaurant Śląska Prohibicja in Katowice is a must for anyone keen on trying Silesian food. Set in an old red-brick building in the former coal mining community of Nikiszowiec, the restaurant’s high ceilings and tasteful decor give it an airy, casual feel. Must-trys are the żur (a traditional, slightly sour yet incredibly delicious soup) and śląski klasyk (beef roulade, with Silesian sausage and dumplings).
Spinning and weaving, Łódź
The Central Museum of Textiles is really worth a visit. The everyday lives of textile workers who were employed at the nearby cotton mills of 19th-century businessman and philanthropist Israel Poznański are frozen in time, accessed by entering one of several cottages. The museum has an impressive selection of preserved spinning and weaving machines, put into operation every 30 minutes by a knowledgable guide who transmits fascinating information over the deafening whirring historically endured by textile workers.
Stained-glass glory, Kraków
When visiting Kraków take time to view the beautiful stained glass of multidisciplinary artists Stanisław Wyspiański and Józef Mehoffer along with other masters. The city is dotted with some of the finest examples of their craft. The National Museum Kraków has a section devoted to Wyspiański’s work; there are also many places around the city where his spectacular stained glass designs can be seen, principally St Francis Basilica, Wyspiański Pavilion, and the Stained Glass Museum, which is an active workshop.
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