Travel Itinerary HELP Request.

I haven't been to L'Viv though it has been on my list for a while. A few years ago, I did a train trip from Gdansk (day trip to Malbork from there), to Torun, Wroclaw, and Krakow, then headed west to Czech Republic. (I skipped Warsaw.)

I spent only a night in Torun, and it is really lovely (not as small as it might look though; the center is pretty small and quaint, though). And Malbork castle is great - one of the best I've seen in Europe. But I think most people would suggest Gdansk as the base not Torun, even though Torun is smaller. Gdansk is just more historically significant, even if it was leveled by bombs during the war. The rebuilt old town is really lovely, and the Cold War stuff is really interesting.

You certainly wouldn't need the car necessarily. Poland has a decent train system - in 2012, the trains were still pretty run down but cheap (even first class) and I didn't mind at all. It helps that I love train travel. You could fly from Krakow to Gdansk and work your way south by train to Warsaw, with a stop in Torun and a day trip to Makbork by train.

jan, are you getting a local guide in Lviv?

I liked the small town of Kazimerz Dolny, between Sandomierz and Warsaw. Its a very nice little village, popular with Poles. Lonely Planet has a good description of it.

we plan on getting a guide and driver for our day trip out of Lviv to see Pihirtsty, Zoochiv and maybe Olesko castles. Otherwise we are touring Lviv on our own with the help of hotel concierge service.

Has anyone been to Tarnow or Zamosc area?

Now Tarnow is historically famous in WW1. There is a direct connection from Krakpw to Tarnow.

"...not totally destroyed during WW2." I can suggest a couple of places but that would mean you have to head north, to the lower
Vistula area. There are certainly towns that the Soviet bypassed in their 1944 offensive which means they were not raked by artillery fire and tactically bombed.

In 2005 I went as a day trip to one such small town, Chelmo, by bus from Torun. It was in the former West Prussia known as Kulm in Kulmerland. See the rynek in Chelmno, ca one hour from Torun.

If you're going to be near Malbork, the town Gniew is one that survived the war intact.

If you have a car in Krakow, this diversion is also doable, even if a bit out of the way. From Krakow the next train stop is Katowice, south of Katowice ca 40 miles (maybe less) is the small historical town of Pszczyna, which has its famous chateau, refurbished, etc This town was the former Pless in Upper Silesia before 1914.

Schloß Pleß, as it called then, was the main attraction and its historic role in WW1 has been restored, etc recently...only if you are into the history. Princess Daisy of Pless wrote her memoirs of that era prior to 1914 and during the war.

Many Thanks for the suggestions. Please keep them coming. I'm really looking to avoid tourist areas and get the real Poland feel for my last week of travel. I feel drawn to Eastern Poland for some reason. Any suggestions?

"...drawn to Eastern Poland for some reason." Good! In which direction?

How about the Masurian L:akes area and those small towns in that area. That is a very interesting area geographically and historically, especially since you have the rental car. You'll certainly be the only anglophone visitor in this area totally off the North American radar.

Or, go to Lublin. A friend of mine here visited that city last October spending 4 nights

I'm looking for smaller cities like Sandomierez and Zamosc type places. Lublin is a little too industrial and its on the larger side but I understand the old town has been fixed up in recent years. We're just trying to get off the beaten path after visiting larger cities like Lviv and Krakow. I'd hate to waste my time if these smaller, eastern Poland places turn out to be a bust. We've bent trying to find people who have been to southeastern Poland but no luck. We've been saving for this trip for over 2 years so we want to make the best of it. Keep the suggestions coming please.

Towards eastern Poland....how about Przemysl ? In that area I would visit that historic place, more so than Lublin. It's all a matter of priorities. The Masurien Lakes are my top priority in the east.

I spent three summers in Lublin and loved it. It didn't feel overly large or industrial; however, I spent most of my time at the Catholic University or walking to the Old Town, so perhaps I missed something. But I think it could be a great base for you to explore the area. Zamosc is a lovely town, as is Kazimierz Dolny (get the rooster bread!). I think you would be happy in that area of Poland. However, if you want off the beaten path in eastern Poland, why not check out the Białowieża Forest?

I will reconsider Lubin. Researching it now. Thanks!