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Extraordinary hotels in Poland

Most hotels are very similar and if you are traveling often it’s just getting bored. You start to know exactly how your next room will look like. But what if I would suggest you something you have never seen before?

Places which never stop to amaze and surprise, where everything looks mysterious and memorable. Take a look at polish most bizarre hotels.

  1. Author’s Room in Warsaw is a paradise for design lovers. It is unusual for many reasons. It is placed in a historic tenement house in the city center and consists of only 4 rooms each designed in a unique style. Everything here is thought through, there is no place for accidental objects – not only furniture or fittings, but even bathrobes, cosmetics and cutlery have been specially selected and created by Polish artists.
  2. Salt Mines in Wieliczka and Bochnia– yes, I know you have heard of sightseeing tour in these places, but they offer rooms as well! In Wieliczka you can spend the night at a depth of 150 meters in the Słowacki Chamber. In Bochnia, there are chambers available, located even 250 meters underground. It is pretty cold down there (16 degrees Celsius) but think of it as a good SPA and wellness area – the unique micro climate has a very positive effect on the respiratory system and strengthens immunity.
  3. Wool Factory (Fabryka Wełny), Pabianice– This place has a fascinating history, it has been built by German industrialists in the 19th. The Pabianice factory was also one of the locations in the film “Promised Land” by Andrzej Wajda. After 1989 – like many industrial facilities in the Lodz region it has been closed. And years later a hotel opened here. Wool Factory hotel has a standard of four stars and apart from accommodation in the post-industrial atmospheric spaces, it also offers the possibility of using the conference and entertainment center.
  4. In the trees (W drzewach) in Nałęczów is a real-life dream of every child. Who didn’t want to live in a tree house as a kid?! This place is also perfect for people who can only truly relax surrounded by nature. In a quiet, wooden house among trees you can really escape from your everyday life.
  5. HT Houseboats, Mielno – you can decide whether to choose a hotel or a boat? Well we found an option tailored to your needs. A hotel was created at Lake Jamno in Mielno, allowing guests to constantly contact the water. The object consists of wooden houses, placed on water. Each of the houses has a panoramic window with a view of the lake and its own terrace. Some cottages have a fireplace and a sauna, could you imagine something better?

Maybe while choosing your next hotel think about something extraordinary? There is so much more on the market than just huge hotel chains, which look just the same no matter in which country you’re staying.

Picture source: www.fabrykawelny.pl

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Most Popular Museums in Poland

In the whole world there are plenty of fascinating and interesting museums. Everybody knows Luvr in Paris, MoMa in New York or National Gallery in London. But did you know that Poland has also some amazing ones? Thanks to the difficult history, talented artists and powerful kings, after many decades and centuries, you can now admire their work and legacy.

  1. The Museum of the Palace of King Jan III in Wilanów – if you are visiting Warsaw it is a great opportunity to visit this museum. It is not only a magnificent building with lots of sculptures and painting. It has a wonderful and big garden, which is an ideal spot for a long walk during the summer season. Every year almost 3 million people visit this museum!
  2. The Royal Łazienki Museum – its mesmerizing gardens have appeared in many books and novels. Thanks to its location in the Warsaw city center, locals come here often to relax after a long day in work. Museum is combined here with a lot of attractions, there are organized many concerts, exhibitions and meeting. You can also sail a real gondola on the pond in front of the Palace on the Island. For sport amateurs there is a stable where you can have a horse ride. Definitely a magical place!
  3. Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum in Oświęcim. This museum is well-known also abroad. It is a reminder of the horrible war experiences. To visit this museum you have to prepare yourself.It is not easy to be here but is worth it. It is a place which warns you, that people are capable of the worst in the name of an ideology.
  4. Wawel Royal Castle in Cracow – while visiting Cracow, this is ‘a must”. You won’t find here giant gardens (like in Wilanów), but a chapel, courtyard and a cathedral which will take your breath away. The Cathedral is a very important place, because it is filled with priceless works of art, including tombstones of kings. An absolute masterpiece of Renaissance art is also the Sigismund Chapel. Entering the walled castle complex is a journey in time – you can feel the spirit of a really ancient age.
  5. The Cracow Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka is something you have probably never experienced. The Wieliczka Salt Mine was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978 as one of the first 12 objects in the world. The deepest corridor of the Wieliczka mine is located 327 meters underground, and the total length of all underground pavements reaches 300 kilometers. Visiting the Wieliczka mine, you can see not only pits but also real works of art, like salt sculptures or chapels. Fun fact – in the Chapel of Saint Kinga you can even get married.

As you can see, museum don’t have to be boring and visited only in rainy days. They are fun, beautiful and perfect for families. You can enjoy yourself in their gardens or just stop by to slow down a bit and focus on the moment.

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Street art taking over Polish walls

Street art in Poland is growing rapidly and the design and concept is definitely world-class. It is not only a way of expressing yourself, but also a form of freedom, tribute and message, which can be seen and understood by everyone. It has become one of the most popular trends in contemporary art.

In Poland there are being festivals organized in every major city, galleries and auction houses exhibit works of street artists, dozens of murals are created, publications are published, debates, workshops and lectures are held. It is a trendy issue already for several years. We have selected just a few of them, there are many more!

  1. Etam Cru – Mateusz Gapski and Przemek Blejzyk, both are graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts in the department of Graphics and Painting in Łódź, so as you can see they are highly educated in the area that they create. They are the most known duo in polish street art, thanks to years of work and studies together, they created a unique and recognizable style. They started in Bydgoszcz, now you can admire their paintings in Olsztyn, Łódź and Warsaw. Over time, they began to spread their talent abroad – Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, Portugal and the USA.
  1. M-city– his real name is Mariusz Waras, and he is also very close to the university life. He graduated from the Graphic Department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk an currently he works as the assistant to one of the professors at the faculty of painting. His style is based on working with templates. M-city works are very well-known world-wide and his work was featured at the opening of Urban Nation Museum in 2017.
  1. Sepe – Michał Wręga. Since 1996, he has been associated with graffiti art and the Polish street art scene. He currently lives and works in Warsaw as a graphic artist, painter and illustrator. His works can be seen on walls in such cities as: Munich, Oslo, Prague, Berlin, Lille, Lucerne, Warsaw, Gdańsk, Łódź, Wrocław, Bydgoszcz, Szczecin, Katowice.
  1. Natalia Rak – finally a girl in the business. She has started her adventure with art long before she graduated from Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź. She grew up in a small village and out of boredom started to create. Now she is one of the most known street artist in Poland, her hallmark are very bright colors.
  1. Chazme – Daniel Kaliński currently living and working in Warsaw was born in Switzerland. He is a graduate of Faculty of Architecture on the University of Warsaw. His art is very architectonic and full of straight shapes. He sometimes cooperates with Sepe. Their styles are really opposite, but that is just what makes it unique and breathtaking.
  1. Pener started working in the street art surrounding already in the middle of the 90s. He focuses on the shape, frame and mixing various materials. His artistic achievements contain paintings, walls and animations. His style can be defined as large format abstractionism.

While talking about polish street art, we have to let you know about the new amazing works than we can now admire in the streets of polish cities. First of all the giant mural that has been created this September in Częstochowa. It is a marvelous outcome from a very fascinating duo cooperation – Stefan Rybicki is a local watchmaker and originator of the whole idea and Tomasz Sętowski is an artist known not only in his city. The unveiling ceremony of the mural, which is called “Guardian of Time”, was at the same time the opening of the 15th Cultural Night in Częstochowa. Another amazing, artistic initiative have been created in Warsaw as a tribute to Kora – a great singer who died of cancer last year. What is so unique? It changes every season. The “hair” of the singer makes it special, the author of the mural presented it as a crown made of branches. The rest of her hair consists of the branches of a real tree growing next to it – now, during spring, she has a beautiful green “haircut”.

 

Picture source: https://www.etamcru.com/etam/madamme-chicken

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Spa and wellness in Poland

We all need a bit luxury and relaxation in our lives.

Poland is not only all about farms and agritourism. There are elegant and exclusive hotels, where the SPA areas are pretty outstanding. Even big hotels can have an “one of a kind” atmosphere.

They are a great possibility to relax, without organizing long holidays abroad. You don’t have to travel far, because a lot of SPA centers are located near cities, or even sometimes in city centers offering you a wonderful day time treatments. Of course if you are looking for a little escape out of the city, there are cozy and hidden hotels as well. We are presenting few high luxury accommodation, where you can forget about all your worries and have some time only for yourself.

            Masuria Arte is a luxury, boutique establishment in the Land of Great Masurian Lakes. It is located close to Ełk and Augustów in nature park and five lakes with exclusive access to a private lake. The property includes a typical Masurian settlement. It is a perfect combination of luxury and home warmth. A great, holistic SPA, is amazing not only thanks to very qualified stuff, but also because of the stunning views.

            Heron Live Hotel Marina & SPA is situated in Lesser District, about 50km from a charming touristic village – Krynica Zdrój. The hotel has a stunning (!) outdoor pool and you can use all the water sports facilities. Despite the very luxurious character of the place, there is a babysitting service, so you can enjoy your treatments, while your kids are taken care of. If you like outdoor activities, there are bikes and canoe available.

            NoName Luxury Hotel & SPA is an oasis of total peace. Is a place where you automatically switch into good mood, a place very intimate and providing a complete relaxation. It is a heaven to which you want to escape, to be alone in a beautiful environment. The biggest advantage of the hotel is its intimacy – even if there are other guests, you can barely notice them.

            In Poland the SPA market is evolving really quick. The offers are getting really wide and now you can not only get a classical massage, but in some of the resorts, a real plastic chirurgical operation. Some centers focus on natural products, while other go for new cosmetic discoveries. People visit SPA not only for relaxation, but also for health reasons. There is no better place to clear your mind and focus on your mental health as in a beautiful, cozy and nice wellness area.

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Welcoming Spring

How do we welcome Spring in Poland?

First day of Spring is dated on 21stof March, but the astronomical one is the day before, when we experience equinox. As we look through the window, we can already feel the sun warming up the leaves on the trees. But regardless of the weather conditions, Poles have a lot of fun customs to celebrate the beginning of the season.

Drawning of Marzanna is a tradition which refers to a Slavic goddess who identified winter and death. According to the legend, killing her, would lead to a fast approach of Spring. People are creating such puppets by themselves, in schools or with friends, and then drown them in a nearest river.

Spring Cleaning is hated by many, but it’s and activity than comes every year around the first day of Spring. It doesn’t sound like it, but it comes from ancient beliefs – it is not only about a shining apartment, but it has a deeper meaning – with the removal of the whole mess, we can get rid of everything that remained after winter, so together with all the garbage we throw away the evil.

With no doubt, Truant Day, is the favorite custom of all the pupils. Schools celebrate this day by organizing school trips, movies or other activities instead of regular classes. Of course there are students which will choose another way to celebrate this day – away from school, but it’s all in the tradition.

As you can see, we celebrate in Poland almost EVERY occasion that there is, thanks to a lot of fun Slavic customs and legends. We recommend to Visit Poland and experience it yourself!

 

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