The cutest guidance on social distancing measures for the EU states

How to get to know the EU social distancing measures quickly??‍♂️??‍♀️
At least distance yourself from others:
one bison in Poland?
two wolves in Estonia??
three pulis in Hungary???
? Take a look at the photo above, short and sweet!
? Well, if you haven’t met Bison in the wild, I strongly recommend you to visit Białowieża Forest in Poland to see the king of the forest – the bison!?
? Click on the link Europe’s last well-preserved primeval forest to find more information about the amazing forest and legendary creatures.

Photo from europapont.blog.hu

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The Corpus Christi Basilica in Kraków brought back to former glory

After four years of renovation work, the Corpus Christi Basilica in Kraków has been restored to its former glory. You should definitely visit it if you have the chance.

This historic massive church was commissioned by King Casimir III the Great in 1335, located in the Kazimierz district of Kraków, is one of the city’s largest, and defiantly most beautiful Gothic churches. The exterior of the Basilica remained mostly Gothic, with a free-standing bell tower, while its Baroque interior is a feast of brick, marble, gold, as well as a myriad of oil paintings. The Gothic walls are a sharp contrast to gilded Baroque altars adorning each pillar. Visitors will marvel at the fantastic interiors inside, which feature a boat-shaped pulpit held aloft by two mermaids, the largest organ in the city containing a total of eighty-three pipes, the Renaissance-style mausoleum with a painted door as well as the iconic paintings of Christ the Savior and Mother Mary in the nave, which was the masterpiece of the Polish artist Luke Porębski at the beginning of the 17th century. Another feature of the Basilica is the special opening placed near the apex of the vaulted ceiling, which is called ‘a rift in the skies’. 

The Corpus Christi Basilica is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque-style temples in Central Europe and is well worth seeing while you visit the Old Jewish Quarter of Kraków.

Photo from krakow.wiki

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The first capital of Poland – Gniezno

You might hear of the fairy tale city of Krakow, the former capital of Poland, and its famous dragon legend.?

Do you know that the establishment of the first capital of Poland also came with its own legend❓

Gniezno is only 50 km from Poznań, beautifully located on five hills among lakes. Considered as the cradle of the Polish state, Gniezno was the birthplace of its Royalty and Christianity and served as the capital of Piast Poland. It was here that Bolesław the Brave was crowned as the first Polish king in the year of 1025.

It is said that the name ‘Gniezno’ relates back to a legend. Once up a time, there were three brothers who went hunting together but each of them followed a different prey and eventually they all traveled in different directions. Among the three brothers, Lech decided to travel northward and he eventually stopped in a large valley where he noticed that there was a nest of a white eagle on the highest hill. Taking this as an omen, he chose to settle in this area and named his settlement Gniezno, meaning ‘nest’, and adopted the White Eagle as his coat-of-arms.

Known as one of the oldest towns in Poland, Ginezno is packed with historic buildings that most of them can stem from the 10th century and early 11th century. Its Old Town is a charming collection of winding streets and colorful, slope-roofed buildings centred on a pleasant cobblestone square and the city’s famous cathedral. The highlight of the town’s attraction is the 14th-century Gothic Cathedral, which dates back to the end of the ninth century, served as the coronation place for several Polish monarchs and the seat of Polish church officials continuously for nearly 1000 years. The Gniezno Cathedral is famous for the Gniezno Doors and the coffin containing the relics of St Adalbert. The Gniezno Doors fitted in the Gothic portal of the south entrance representing one of the outstanding examples of Romanesque metalwork in Europe. It contains two massive winged bronze doors decorated with 18 bronze panels, and each of them was engraved with scenes from the life of St. Adalbert of Prague. There are also several Gothic churches, the Archdiocesan Museum and the Museum of the Origins of the Polish State that are well worth a visit.

If you are tire of visiting museums and churches, wandering along the tranquil Jelonek Lake is another fun way to enjoy the splendor view of the old town of Gniezno.?

Photo by Getty Images

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MUSKAUER PARK

Did you know that there is a cross-border park located on the Polish and German border? Known for the largest and one of the most famous English gardens in Central Europe, MUSKAUER PARK is a landscape park that covers 3.5 km² of land in Poland and 2.1km² in Germany, extending along both sides of the border river Lusatian Neisse. This grand park was created by Prince Hermann von Puckler-Muskau from 1815 to 1844, an accomplished artist in landscape gardening who pioneered new approaches to landscape design and influenced the development of landscape architecture in Europe and America. 

The park blends in so well with the local town and surrounding agricultural landscapes. Natural ponds, ravines, streams, glades, the various parts of the park are connected with sweeping vista and paths that wind through the landscaping. On the Polish side of the park, visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of the heart of the park called the Park on Terraces, as well as Petzold’s Arboretum and beautiful wooden bridges that connected both parts of the park. Muskauer Park was considered one of the most remarkable examples of garden art of the 19th century in Europe and has added to World Heritage List in 2014, as an exemplary example of cross-border cultural collaboration between Poland and Germany.

This landscaped park is too large to be fully explored on foot in one day, taking a bicycle would be an excellent way to explore the park.?

Photo from pinterest

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Autumn in Poland

Autumn has officially arrived in every corner of Poland. If you want to visit Poland to explore wonderful landscapes and romantic historic towns, the best time of the year is about now!

??? Early autumn in Poland is mostly warm and sunny, visitors can enjoy themselves thoroughly in peaceful and pleasant places surrounded by natural beauty and without worrying about the rain and big crowds.

Though all of the regions in Poland are beautiful and worth visiting, we’d like to share three special places where boast extremely beautiful views in autumn.

?Bieszczady mountains
One of the best regions to see during autumn in Poland is the Bieszczady mountains, located in the most south-eastern part of Poland on the border with Slovakia and Ukraine. The most beautiful part of the mountain range is protected by the Bieszczady National Park, which is the third-largest national park in Poland. By day, you can take a hike to the highest peak of Bieszczady Poland, or walk along the wooden architecture trail filled with historical attractions and beautiful wooden churches. By night, you can also find the darkest place in Europe here, up to 7,000 stars may be seen by the naked eye at Starry Sky Park.

?Białowieża Forest
One of the most famous Forest in Poland, Białowieża Forest is the last remaining fragments of Europe’s primeval forest that once stretched across the European Plain. Known for its beauty and natural values, this ancient forest is hardly untouched by humans. There are many trails for pedestrians and cyclists in the forest. The must-see attraction is the European bison Show Reserve, where visitors can see the king of the forest – the bison! In addition, there are a unique museum, church, numerous hotels and restaurants, making it the perfect place to visit in autumn.

?Polish Baltic Coast
Though autumn may not be the perfect time to go swimming in the Baltic Sea, it is an ideal time to explore the Tri-City area (Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot). Wandering the beach, admire the spectacular views along the Baltic Coast, It is exceptionally beautiful at this time of year. With fewer tourists, it is the perfect time to visit some of the museums, castles, and other historical sites around the cities as well. Don’t forget to visit the incredible new Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk, you will be blown away by the experience!

Polish autumn is truly beautiful, if you have any chance to visit Poland during autumn, do not miss it!?

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Poland to reinstate flights to the Schengen zone on Sept 30

??✈️?? Poland to reinstate flights to the Schengen zone on Sept 30! But the air travel ban will apply to 29 other countries where a 14-day cumulative Covid-19 infection rate exceeds 90 per 100,000 inhabitants, and soon the ban will come into force from September 30 and last for two weeks, the Infrastructure Ministry announced on Friday.

“Additionally, we are maintaining a very strict epidemic security regime at all Polish airports. Therefore, we can safely continue to gradually lift the flight bans,” Deputy Infrastructure Minister Marcin Horała was quoted as saying.

Have you got any travel plans for the holiday? There are many appealing attractions and stunning views of nature in Poland, and we are here for you.?

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Visit The Eagles Nests Of Poland ? ?

If you are passionate about history and want to experience the atmosphere of Poland’s medieval history, then the Eagles’ Nests Landscape Park would be your best choice. Situated on the beautiful, undulating Kraków-Czestochowa Upland, it is a 597 km2 protected area established in 1980 and covers much of the area of the Trail of the Eagles’ Nests, which is a marked trail along a chain of 25 medieval castles. This special name of the Park stems from numerous medieval castles built in the area, which are mostly located on tall rocks and cliffs in the Polish Jura and are compared to eagles’ nests.

Hiking with fun ⛰?‍♀️?‍♂️

For those who enjoy the outdoors, there are many hiking trails and limestone rocks perfect for climbing. One of the best ways to visit the Eagles’ Nests is to hike along the 164 km the Trail of the Eagle’s Nests, which is a marked trail along a chain of 25 medieval castles that starts in Kraków and ends in Czestochowa and is considered as one of the best tourist trails in Poland. Along the way, people can admire many historic castles and a location for the Netflix series The Witcher. For families with children, they will love the fresh air and easy trails here. 

Visit the extraordinary castles ? ?? ?

The castles date mostly to the 14th century, they were constructed probably by the order of King of Poland Casimir the Great and were built to protect Krakow as well as important trading routes against the foreign invaders. Later on, some of the castles passed on into the hands of various aristocratic families. New owners usually refurbished and renovated their medieval fortresses as stately manor-houses and family nests but eventually, the proud Eagle-nest castles largely turned into picturesque ruins. Nonetheless, they remain spectacular landmarks and well worth a visit.

? Among all the castles, the most particular one is Pieskowa Skala Castle, which is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in Poland that once serviced as a seat of several noble families, located just 40 km from Krakow Old Town and surrounded by the picturesque Polish Jurassic Highland. Today, the castle is known as one of the pearls of the Polish Renaissance featuring the 16th-century arcaded courtyard and observation loggia. It looks fabulous, especially in autumn when surrounded by colorful leaves.

? Ogrodzieniec Castle is another highlight in the trail, which is one of the biggest fortresses in Europe. Located on the peak of the Upland – the Castle Hill, rising at 515,5 m above sea level, the castle is a ruined medieval castle that was originally built in the 14th–15th century. It is perfectly integrated with the area. Three sides of the castle were covered by high rocks, and the circuit was closed by a stone wall, leading through a narrow slot between the rocks. People who visit here will marvel at its wonders. 

Photo by krakow.wiki

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The third-largest castle in Poland, Książ Castle

Known as the third-largest castle in Poland, as well as the largest castle in Lower Silesia, Książ Castle was built at the end of the 13th century by the Silesian Duke Bolko I. It located in northern Wałbrzych, perched on a tall hill, surrounded by a deep valley covered with lush forest. It’s aptly described as ‘Pearl of Silesia’.

Over the centuries, Książ Castle changed hands often and belonged to various states. It was destroyed during the numerous wars, and then was repeatedly remodeled until well into the 20th century, which shape the castle form into what it is today – a colorful castle full of different styles including Romanesque, Baroque, and Renaissance style. This fairy-tale castle we see today took shape during the 16th century. Thanks to the lord of the castle at that time, the affluent Hochberg family, who expanded the castle and significantly contributed to its splendor. After many transformations, Książ Castle finally became more of a stately home than a fortress by taking down the dikes, ditches, moats, part of the defensive walls, and creating a French-style garden.

During World War II, the castle was seized by the Nazis, and they created a system of tunnels underneath the castle, in which the function still remains a mystery. After the war, the castle was started falling into ruin. But luckily, restoration work began soon and the castle has been elaborately restored to its previous grandeur. 

Today, much of the castle is open to visitors, including the elegantly decorated Maximilian’s Hall, which is the best-preserved Baroque banquet room in Silesia, the Princess Daisy apartments in baroque-style, the Games Salon, the Oriental Room. Climbing up the castle tower to admire a delightful view of the surroundings is also a highlight of the castle. Apart from impressive attractions, Książ Castle houses luxury hotel accommodations and fine restaurants. It is also a venue for exhibitions and festivals even weddings.

? Take a virtual tour from the air: www.ksiaz.walbrzych.pl/virtual_tour/en/

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The highest mountain of the Karkonosze Mountains, Śnieżka

Over 1,600 meters above sea level, Mount Śnieżka is situated on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland, the highest mountain in the Karkonosze Mountains and the Sudetes, Stretching along the Polish-Czech border, as well as the tallest peak in the Czech Republic on the border with Poland.

Towering over the Karkonosze Mountains, Śnieżka captures the attention of interesting hikers from all over the world. There are many marked hiking trails of varying difficulty from the Polish side to the top, each of them providing unforgettable views. You can set off from a Polish town, Karpacz, which is a spa town and ski resort, where you can enjoy the picturesque view over the Karkonosze Mountains and the town. There’s also an option to take a chairlift from Karpacz to Mount Kopa (1,377 m), and then to hike up to the peak of Śnieżka, which significantly shortens the way to the summit. Apart from the baroque Chapel of St. Lawrence that has over 350 years of history and interesting mountain huts along the way, there are a number of attractions on the way from Karpacz to Mount Śnieżka that worth a visit.

Once you arrive at the peak, make sure to visit the famous UFO-like meteorological observatory on Śnieżka, which is consists of three joined discs, each with a different function. The highest disk is home to the meteorological observatory. The middle disk is a technical facility and observatory employee’s rooms. The lowest disk is used as a public service area including a restaurant, restrooms and tourist chill room. In nice weather, It would be a good experience for visitors to climb up to the observation deck near the meteorological observatory to admire the panoramic view of the Karkonosze Mountains.

Photo: www.karpacz.pl

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The most authentic aristocratic residence in Poland, Zamoyski Palace

Poland boasts over 500 castles and 2,5 thousand of palaces around the country, but If you want to visit the most authentic Polish aristocratic residences, make sure to have a look at Zamoyski Palace in Kozłówka. 

Situated about 35 km north of Lublin, this large rococo and neoclassical palace complex were owned by Zamojski’s family, famous Polish magnates. The original palace was founded in 1735-1742 for the Bieliński family, built in late Baroque style with some elements of rococo presenting a merger of European art with old Polish building traditions. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the palace was acquired by the aristocratic Zamoyski Family and rebuilt in Neo-Baroque style. The remodeled apartments are furnished with magnificent ceramic stoves, marble fireplaces, huge chandeliers, an oak parquet floor, a rich collection of paintings, furniture, original porcelain, and countless works of art. Instead of being destroyed by World War 2, all of these fancy furniture and refined interiors are perfectly preserved miraculously. 

Featuring fantastic original interiors and lots of art collections, It is no surprise that Zamoyski Palace is considered as the most monumental and representative magnate residences in Poland. Nowadays the palace houses a museum of Poland’s finest collection of the well-preserved 19th-century everyday objects and around 1000 paintings which almost completely cover the walls. 

Recognized as the best surviving example of an aristocratic residence in Poland, Zamoyski Palace retains the authenticity and fidelity both of its historic interiors and its surroundings, which were honoured with many awards and distinctions.

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