The largest SKY WALK in Świeradów-Zdrój

Have you ever wanted to walk on clouds? ☁️?‍♀️? Come to Świeradów-Zdrój and experience the largest “path in the clouds” in Poland, then it will come true. This fantastic work will be completed in the spring of next year, it’s a 70-meter-high lookout tower with a 3 km walking trail and a special slide which is about 103-meter-long!

Situated in the Sudety Mountains, Świeradów-Zdrój is a spa town in south-western Poland near the border with the Czech Republic famous for its healing mineral waters, a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery.

In the heart of Swieradow-Zdroj, there is a majestic historic Spa House where you can taste the mineral waters. It features a 46-meter-high clock tower and an elegant 80-meter-long larch walking hall that made completely out of wood, which is the superb craftsmanship that does not exist anymore. The beautiful and distinctive buildings were built in the 18th and mid-19th centuries and well preserved, it’s really worth a visit even today.

Apart from being a top health resort in Poland, Świeradów-Zdrój is a tourist and holiday center that offers beautiful natural surroundings that attract visitors who prefer to explore its natural beauty on foot or two wheels. In the winter, Swieradow-Zdroj is also known for its excellent skiing locations where there are two prepared toboggan runs, six ski-lifts as well as the year-round gondola to the top of Stog Izerski. ⛷️?

Photo:polskazachwyca.pl

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Pieniny Mountains In Poland

???If you are a nature lover and looking for a nice place with lots of nature, beautiful views, to enjoy the autumn colors, then visiting Pieniny Mountains is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in nature during the Polish autumn which is a perfect time to explore the colorful country.

Pieniny is a stunningly beautiful, 35km-long mountain range located near the border of Poland and Slovakia, and the autumn colors make it even more appealing. The Pieniny mountain is consists of three separate ranges divided by the Dunajec River, the highlight is the most famous mountain range Trzy Korony (Three Crowns), which consists of five sharp peaks and the highest one is the 982-meter-high Okrąglica. Hiking to the top of Okrąglica, there is an observation platform with an excellent view of the Dunajec river gorge and the vast area of the surrounding Mountains. In nice weather, one can see as far as Babia Góra, 63 km away. Another outstanding mountain in Pieniny is Sokolica, which is well known for the pine relics on the slope of the Sokolica summit, one of them is 500 years old and regarded as an unofficial symbol of Pienins.

Some say that the most beautiful easy hiking trails in Europe are in the Pieniny National Park where trails are well marked and short, and no trekking equipment is necessary, which is perfect for families with children. The Pieniny mountains is a favorite destination not only for hikers but for history lovers, who can admire the medieval Niedzica Castle built on a limestone cliff and the 14th century Red Monastery on the Slovakian border, and so on. With the picturesque peaks and a comfortable temperature during autumn, the Pieniny will leave all visitors with a lifetime of memories.

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The Augustów Canal

Augustów Canal is a cross-border canal built in the 19th century with a total length of 101.3 km connecting the Biebrza River and with the Neman River, is the longest technological achievement in Poland as well as one of Europe’s largest canals. There are only three such channels in the world: Caledonian in the UK, Sweden Gota Canal, and Augustów Canal, which is located on the territory of Poland and Belarus.

Described as a technological marvel at the time of its construction, the canal starts at Lake Serwy near Polish Augustów, which is one of the most precious historical sites in the Podlaskie region. The canal connects seven natural lakes and eleven rivers, crosses Augustów Primeval Forest, the so-called ‘Green Lung of Poland’, which made it possible to perfectly integrate the canal with the surrounding elements of the natural environment. While rowing and sailing in an artificial river is perhaps not the most fun thing, passing through 18 locks that raise and lower the water level by 3.5 meters can be an exciting experience. Take a boat trip, enjoy the magnificent sights along the picturesque waterway, you will be fascinated by the natural beauty of the lake district.?⛵️??

Today, the whole Polish stretch of the canal is navigable and one can even reach the border with Belarus by kayak. It’s one of the most beautiful kayak trails in Poland, while those who seek quiet relaxation can set off on a passenger boat or take a walking tour along the canal. With such beautiful natural surroundings and all kinds of water sports, Augustów Canal is well worth a visit!

Photos: Jadwiga. Koniecko

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Łódź Special Economic Zone best in Europe

?The Łódź Special Economic Zone has been ranked 3rd out of 61 entries from around the world, as the best economic zones in the world and 1st in Europe, in a ranking prepared by the Financial Times publication fDi Magazine. Congratulations! ?

Speaking of Łódź, what it has achieved today is inseparable from its history and culture. Łódź is the third-largest city in Poland and a diverse and multicultural city in which Polish, Jewish, German and Russian nations lived and worked together here. In an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance, they left their mark on the early development of Łódź and became part of this beautiful city they were building together. For years, Łódź had been a melting pot of four cultures and nationalities, where synagogues, tserkvas, as well as Catholic and Protestant shrines got along well with each other in peace.

Łódź is also famous as the former textile industrial center that grew fabulously wealthy in the 19th century. The wealth differences between rich and poor are still noticeable in the architecture of the city,  where luxurious mansions contrast with redbrick factories and old tenement houses. By combing history with modernity, Manufaktura becomes a favorite spot for both locals and visitors, which is the biggest shopping center in Central Europe and was built in an old factory that belonged to Izrael Poznanski, one of the richest businessman in Lodz. Besides, take a stroll along Piotrkowska Street, Europe’s longest pedestrian street, you will find the best cafes, bars and clubs in town.

Today, known for its Film School, Łódź is also a significant cultural center and is aptly described as the country’s top cultural hotspot in Poland, from festivals to concerts, from theatre shows to dance performances, from exhibitions to movie premiere. With the distinct characters of buildings and the abundant art activities, Łódź is well worth a visit.

? If you want to visit Łódź, check out our Lodz City Break to find more multicultural heritage and charming attractions. ?

Photo: bartels-global.com

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The Kashubian Ethnographic Park in Wdzydze Kiszewskie

Many people will visit museums when they travel, it‘s perhaps one of the best ways to learn about the history and culture of the country you are visiting. If you are passionate about traditional culture and want to see more unusual rural architecture and local handicrafts, then the Kashubian Ethnographic Park in Wdzydze Kiszewskie definitely should be added to your travel bucket list.

Located in northern Poland, Wdzydze Kiszewskie is a tiny village with a big attraction, famous for its open-air museum displaying the typical rural architecture of Kashubia. This picturesque Kashubian Ethnographic Park was founded in 1906 by Theodora und Isidor Gulgowski, is the oldest one in Poland. After more than a century, the museum stretches upon 22 ha of lush green land beautifully situated at the bank of the lake Gołuń surrounded by all kinds of local architectures including cottages, manors, a school, smithy, windmills, churches, farm buildings, craftsmen’s workshops and other traditional buildings from Kashubia and nearby Kociewia. Up to know, many of the buildings still function as they used to, such as a steam-driven sawmill and the lovely wooden church from 18th-century which is still performing Mass and the occasional wedding today.

In addition to wooden houses decorated with authentic furnishings, another highlight of the museum is the massive collections of the local handcraft presenting the beauty of Kashubian folk art. Visitors will marvel at the intricate and colorful embroidery from Wdzydze.

With lovely rural buildings and its picturesque location, the Kashubian Ethnographic Park is a really nice place to visit, indulging in local traditional culture and unwinding in nature, especially for families with children! 

? If you are interested in visiting this lovely town, please check our website to find our Bike Tour in northern Poland, there are more interesting attractions are waiting for you! ? Northern Poland By Bike ?‍♀️

Photo:muzeum-wdzydze.gda.pl

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Delicious Polish Mushroom Dishes to Enjoy during Autumn

???Autumn is not only a beautiful season packed with colorful foliage but also a harvest season that one can find all kinds of fresh and delicious fruits and seasonal foods in the market, especially mushrooms! It is well known that the Poles enjoy mushrooms, picking mushrooms in the forest is one of the Poles’ favorite pastimes. Over the centuries, because of the popularity of mushrooms, a lot of Polish mushroom dishes have been invented and they have become a very valuable part of Polish culinary culture. Today, I’d like to share with you some of the classical Polish Mushroom Dishes, and I wonder what would you like to try first If you have the opportunity to visit Poland? ?

1. Mushroom soup

When people talk about mushroom dishes, mushroom soup would be the first to come to mind. Delicate mushrooms are great for soups, and porcini mushroom soup is one of the best-known of this kind of soup, which was made with dried porcini and fresh mushrooms. Besides, there are more interesting variations, such as a traditional Christmas soup, made with dried mushrooms and fruits like prunes and pears, from the Kociewie region near Gdańsk. There is another potato soup from the central part of Poland called Zalewajka, which is a traditional rustic soup made of diced and boiled potatoes, Polish sausage, and dried mushrooms.

2. Mushroom pierogi

The Poles are proud of their pierogi (meaning ‘dumpling’). Though there are many different pierogi fillings, one of the most traditional ones is sauerkraut and mushrooms. This amazing combination is also the foundation of bigos, which is commonly known in English as hunter’s stew. Traditionally, these dumplings are served as the 12th course of a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner. 

3. Uszka with wild mushrooms

Uszka, meaning ‘little ears’, are small dumplings (a small and twisted version of pierogi) which usually filled with flavorsome wild forest mushrooms and onion or minced meat. They are mainly made for Christmas Eve dinner and served as an opening dish with a tart and rich beetroot broth. Delicate pierogi dough filled with wild mushrooms almost melts in your mouth and combined with clear beetroot soup is really worth a try.

4. Mushroom kaszotto 

Kaszotto is kind of like polish risotto, made with buckwheat, barley or millet, and whatever you have handy, like lentils, celeriac, squash, and of course seasonal mushrooms. It’s become quite a popular dish, as it’s delicious, easy to make and healthier than a traditional risotto. It can go with different veggies, but with wild mushrooms will produce an amazing umami flavour.

5. Scrambled eggs with mushrooms

Scrambled eggs with mushrooms is one of the most common breakfasts in Poland, which is traditionally made with intensely yellow chanterelles, is very tasty, healthy and easy cooking. Chanterelles is a very tasty edible wild mushroom and very popular in Poland.

Photo: culture.pl

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Sandomierz – Poland’s little Rome

Sandomierz is a lovely historical town located in eastern Poland, with a charming Old Town and a 14th-century brick and stone castle. Though there are not many tourists in the town, it used to be – with Krakow and Wroclaw – one of the main 3 towns in Poland during the Middle Ages and still retains some of its former glory. This picturesque town is a nice place to while away the day exploring its quaint historic lanes and enjoying the views of the Vistula river.

? What to see in Sandomierz?

?Sandomierz used to be called the little Rome because it located on seven hills just like the Italian capital. You may start your visit at the Opatowska Gate, which is the town’s only surviving entry gate, built over 650 years ago. Climbing the 130 steps to the heart of the Sandomierz’s Old Town is the best way to explore the city, you can find many traces from the past along the way. One of the highlights in the Old Town is an impressive Gothic town hall standing in the center of the old market and surrounded by lots of pastel-colored Baroque townhouses.

?Besides the exquisite architecture and buildings aboveground, there is another exciting option to travel underground. Over 500m beneath the Old Town, the Underground Tourist Route in Sandomierz is 470 meters long and connects to 34 gothic cellars. On the 40-minute guided tour, you will learn a lot about Sandomierz’s history and a legend of how brave Halina Krępianka rescued the city from the Tartars.

?High on a hill overlooking the Vistula river is the Sandomierz Royal Castle, it was built by Casimir III the Great on the site of a previous wooden stronghold and was gradually extended in the 16th century. It is one of the oldest buildings in the Old Town as well as a mysterious place. According to an old legend, there were three underground passages constructed for the castle crew in case of need, but no one has ever found it. Now the castle is home to the Regional Museum and is the best place to appreciate the amazing views of the Vistula river.

This beautiful town feathers enough points of interest for those looking for a perfect weekend and is only two hours away from Krakow.

Photo: sandomierz.pl

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The Royal Garden of Light at the Wilanów Palace

??? The annual light show in Wilanów Palace is already underway! located south of Warsaw, Wilanów Palace is one of the must-see attractions in Warsaw during late autumn and winter evenings. 

✨?✨ The Royal Garden of Light at the Wilanów Palace is an outdoor exhibition in which thousands of colorful diodes forming tunnels, trees, installations, and sculptures, emphasizing the history and beauty of the royal palace and gardens. After dark, you will be seduced by a 75-meter-long tunnel of light at the entrance, and there are numerous illuminated decorations, that are displayed in the courtyard as well, including a new carousel dressed with lights and the popular sparkling swans. In addition to the light show,  the exhibition is also accompanied by classical music and projection mappings on the palace.

☀️ By day, you can admire the stunning 17th-century baroque royal residence at Wilanów Palace and stroll through the surrounding park of 45 hectares containing a series of individual gardens, such as a two-level Baroque garden, a Neo-Renaissance rose garden, a classical English landscaped park, and a Roman Bridge. 

✨ By night, the wonderful exhibition of the Royal Garden of Light will bring you into a dreamlike world full of colorful lights and blow you away! Apart from fantastically illuminated gardens, you will have a chance to participate in mappings displayed on the facade of the palace.

The Royal Garden of Light at the Wilanów Palace invites everyone to the open-air exhibition from October 22 to February 28, except on November 1, December 24, and December 31.

Opening hours: 

? October 10, 2020: 5 pm – 10 pm (last entry 9 pm)

? October 11-31, 2020: 5 pm – 9 pm (last entry 8 pm)

? November 2, 2020 – February 28, 2021: 4 pm – 9 pm (last entry 8 pm)

Photo: Go2Warsaw

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Haunted Places in Poland

???Halloween is coming up soon, It’s this time of year where people get to dress up in spooky costumes, eat a bunch of candy, and share some chilling stories with friends. Sometimes, the most terrifying Halloween stories are the true ones, just like some of Poland’s spooky spots that I want to share with you, they all still exist in real life and retain an eerie atmosphere.?

Ogrodzieniec Castle

Ogrodzieniec Castle is one of the biggest fortresses in Europe, was originally built in the 14th–15th century, and is home to an atypical ghost: a big, black dog, which is said to be the disembodied spirit of Stanisław Warszycki, the early 17th-century owner and administrator of the castle, who did not want to share his wealth with anyone even after his death. Besides the legend, the castle is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved ruins, located on the peak of the Upland – the Castle Hill, rising at 515,5 m above sea level. One can see climbing the “Eagle Nest Path”  that runs through the dramatic landscape and will marvel at its wonders. 

Niedzica Castle

It is a medieval castle that was originally built in 1325 by the Brezevichy family. It’s said that one of the first owners of the castle,  Sebastian Brezevichy, whose wife was an Inca royal and they brought the Inca treasure of the family to the castle. The legend says that the ghost of Umina, called “white lady”, appears every night to scare away the people who want to steal their treasure that were hidden on the castle grounds. You can even find a sign along the road leading up to the castle, it’s said “Haunted Attention”. Thanks to its picturesque location and the legend behind it, Niedzica Castle is one of the most popular attractions in Poland and appears on many national publications and books, including one of Netflix TV shows The Witcher that was shot here.

Chęciny Castle

The castle was built around the 13th century and has had several different owners, such as the Casimir III the Great’s second wife Adelaide of Hesse, Elisabeth of Poland, and Queen of Hungary. The Queen of Poland Bona Sforza is one of the most famous occupants, it’s said that after she died, her ghost often wanders in the Chęciny Castle searching for the treasures that were supposed to be taken to Italy, but it’s believed the treasures had been hidden somewhere in the castle.

photo: Marek Skorupski/Forum

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GDAŃSK and WARSAW voted as some of the Best and the Safest European Christmas Destinations 2020.

Following recommendations made by the World Health Organization, the European Best Destinations (EBD) organization has unveiled a carefully selected list of destinations located in countries less affected by the coronavirus where it will be possible to enjoy the magic of Christmas while still following strict health and sanitary rules. And we are delighted to share the good news with you that two Polish cities of GDAŃSK and WARSAW were voted onto the list of the safest Christmas markets in Europe for Covid-19. Congratulations!???

?Gdańsk Christmas market is probably the most romantic Christmas market in Europe where you can find the fairy-tale Christmas fairs situated in the historical center of Gdańsk with its unique atmosphere and beautiful scenery. The streets and squares would be illuminated by colorful Christmas lights, and visitors will find many festive displays on the streets only for this special time of year such as the two-level Gdańsk Carousel, food and drink wooden stalls offering ethnic culinary specialties, craft workshops, and street performances. Do you know that the Gdańsk Christmas market was also nominated as the only one from Poland for the “Best European Christmas Market 2020” award In 2019? The Gdańsk market is definitely worth a visit.

Date: 20 November – 27 December, 2020

?As one of the most incredible cities in Europe, the capital of Poland, Warsaw is very impressive with its historic center declared a Unesco World Heritage. Visitors can find two Christmas markets here, the main Christmas market is held in Castle Square in front of the Royal Castle where you will be captivated by the giant colorful Christmas Tree and the abundance of colors and smells coming from the wooden stalls. In addition to seeing the stunning Christmas decorations and tasting local treats, ice-skating around the mermaid statue in the Old Town Square would also be an awesome experience. Another Christmas market can be found in front of the Palace of Culture and Science packed with lovely wooden stalls filled with ceramics, jewelry, candles, amber, hand-made crafts.

Date: 25 November – 27 January (Castle Square)

Photo from bozonarodzeniowy.gda

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