Summer Travel in Poland

2009

Summerin Poland Travel

2009 Summer

Travel in Poland

ISSN 1643-4692

Publisher: PolandBusinessNetwork sp. z o.o. tel.: 022 651 9855; fax: 022 842 0021 ul. św. Bonifacego 92 lok. 13; 02-920 Warsaw Research:

Table of Contents

Magdalena Adamczyk (madamczyk@biznespolska.pl)

Advertising: Larysa Paprotna (lpaprotna@biznespolska.pl)

President: Thom Barnhardt (barnhardt@biznespolska.pl)

Design and layout: Sławomir Parfianowicz (sparfianowicz@wp.pl)

Print: Ragus Pictures: Courtesy of Polska Organizacja Turystyczna

PolandBusinessNetwork also publishes: internet portals:

20 Castles and Palaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 37 Spas and Resorts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Top Water Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Top 20 Beaches in Poland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 23 National Parks in Poland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 11 Mountain Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Top-Ranked Polish Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Top Golf Courses in Poland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Business Guides:

Welcome to our first edition of “Summer Travel in Poland”

ral endowments of Poland are substantial and in many cases unique to the country.

Despite the overwhelming amount of information available on the Web about summer travel options in Poland, we think it is incredibly time-consuming to find a short digest of options of where to go for holidays this summer.

So we’ve done this for you in our first annual “Summer Travel in Poland” magazine.

And human activity is rapidly increasing the summer travel and entertainment options.

The magazine is targeted at foreign tourists and foreign businesspeople, who either live in Poland already, or may be traveling here for a short stay. And all of the content is also available for free via our English website www.BizPoland.pl/Summer.

monthlies:

We’ve focused mostly on upscale tourist activities, such as Spas and golf courses. But we’ve also included lists of ideas that cost absolutely nothing - like long walks along isolated beaches, and invigorating treks in remote mountain ranges.

Poland has a wide variety of natural attractions for tourists, ranging from wide, sandy beaches on the Baltic coast to wild, rugged landscapes in the farthest reaches of the southeastern sections of the Carpathians. The natu-

Beautiful new spas have been opened recently, the number of summer festivals expands rapidly, and new golf courses, new waterparks and old castles compete for tourists’ time and attention.

We hope you’ll enjoy this first edition – and use the on-line version also. We’ll be asking for your suggestions, criticisms and comments about traveling around Poland - which you can post directly on www.BizPoland.pl/Summer.

Magdalena Adamczyk Project Coordinator

Top Castles

www.bizpoland.pl Czocha Castle_

Grodno w Zagórzu Śląskim_

Czocha Castle is situated in the southwest, about 130 km from Wroclaw, Dresden and Prague. The castle was constructed in the middle of the 13th century thanks to initiatives of Czech King Waclaw II. The Castle has characteristics of a museum, allowing full access to its interiors.

The castle is situated in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Initially, it was an all-wooden fort until the 13th century, when a powerful stone tower was added. In Europe the castle was thought to be unassailable. In 1398 the wooden fort burned to ashes and was replaced with an all-stone citadel that was tried and tested by the crusaders as early as 1402. At its peak, the castle rested on a hill surrounded by a triangular wall 3 metres thick. The citadel had 5 towers, including one with an entrance gate.

Inside the wall overlooking the city there was the two-storied palace of King Vitaut.

In the last quarter of the 16th century Grodno was Polish King Stefan Batory’s favourite residence, with its elaborate citadel, and several old towers. At the moment, the place is part of the Grodno History and Archeology Museum.

Będzin Castle_ The village of Będzin originated in the 9th century, and its local wooden fort existed as early as the 11th century. It was destroyed during the Tatar invasion in 1241, and subsequently rebuilt.

During the reign of Casimir the Great the castle received an upgrade from wooden fortress to a stone one, and was operational in 1348.

The castle was meant to be a military outpost on the southwestern border of the Kingdom of Poland. It was the most westward fortification, and was meant to hold off any invasion coming from Bohemian or Silesian lands. In 1364 the castle was visited by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor. In 1588, Maximilian III, Archduke of Austria, was held prisoner here, after his defeat in the War of the Polish Succession (1587-1588).

The castle became the site of a museum, Muzeum Zagłębia, in 1956. The museum has several collections: one of armaments from medieval to World War II times; a second dedicated to the history of the Będzin Castle; a third about the nearby castles founded by Casimir the Great; and the fourth one focused on the military history of the Będzin region.

Zamek Bolków_

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Bolków is a town in south-western Poland, lying at the Nysa Szalona River, approximately 15 kilometres southwest of Jawor, and 70 kilometres west of Wrocław. The Bolków Castle was built during the reign of Bolko I. In all historical descriptions of the castle, its military meaning is underlined. But it was a cultural centre at the same time. It attracted people connected with art: painters, sculptors and architects. It was also a place where Polish, German & Czech people mixed. Thanks to them this specific Silesian culture appeared. Above the town stand the ruins of Bolków Castle, built in the 13th century. Devastated in the Thirty Years’ War it became the property of Grüssau Abbey in 1703, though restoration efforts did not begin until 1905.

Since 1994 the ruin is the site of the annual “Castle Party” Gothic rock festival.

Janowiec Castle_

Gniew Castle_ Gniew Castle, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, has actually been reconstructed quite recently to preserve the medieval heritage in the region. Gniew Castle has become a center for events and education about the middle ages in Poland, and visitors to the castle can enjoy reenactments, exhibitions, and other recreational activities at Gniew.

Gołuchów Castle_ The history of the Gołuchów Castle on the Trzemna river dates back over 400 years. Initially it was the seat of the Leszczyński family, whose heyday as a residence of magnates came to an end at the close of the 17th century. The castle is picturesquely surrounded by a landscape park, the biggest in Wielkopolska, covering an area of circa 160 hectares, with a collection of a few hundred species of trees and shrubs.

The Janowiec Castle was built for Mikolaj Firlej in the early sixteenth century. Later that century the architect Santi Gucci turned it into a residence combining features of both a castle and a palace. Later extensions and re-designs added Baroque and Rococo traits to the building’s exterior and interiors. A few rooms have been decorated and furnished as they would have been in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and these form the Castle Interiors Museum. The reconstructed interiors of the manor house include a hall, drawing room, dining room, landlady’s and landlord’s rooms, and a library. The castle grounds include a garden, walking paths, an entrance gate with porter’s lodge, and a chapel. The granary houses an ethnographical exhibition showing household equipment, folk costumes, and crafts.

Wawel Royal Castle_ The beginnings of the residence of Polish rulers on Wawel hill go back to an early Romanesque stone building from mid-11th century, called the palladium, whose remains are located in the northern wing of the present-day Castle. In time, the prince’s residence on the hill was expanded eastwards. Along with the cathedral it was called “the Upper Castle”, while “the Lower Castle” was a settlement consisting of courtiers’ and clergy’s houses and churches other than the cathedral. The Renaissance building with its beautiful arcaded courtyard is impressive in its monumental layout, spacious, brightly lit interiors, and magnificent use of architectural forms originating from ancient art, at that time unknown in Poland. The

Summer 2009

www.bizpoland.pl

Top Castles of Bohemia obtained the castle. In 1401 Janko z Chociemic obtained the castle. The Bohemian Hussites occupied the castle between 1428-1429. In the year 1464 Birka z Nasiedla obtained the castle from the Bohemian crown. He sold it to Hans von Schellendorf. The castle was destroyed in 1482 by Georg von Stein. In the year 1509 Konrad I von Hoberg obtained the castle hill. The Hochberg family owned the castle until 1941.

The castle was occupied by the Red army in 1945. Most artifacts were lost or destroyed.

Kwidyzn Castle_ The giant red-brick structure soars majestically on the edge of the Vistula lowland dominating the city landscape. Preserved are the northern and western wings and three corner towers. The characteristic feature of the castle is two projecting cloisters each supported at the end by a huge tower: one the so-called sanitary tower and the other a waterwell tower. The courtyard features an interesting arcade cloister.

Lidzbark Warmiński Castle_ Until 1795 the castle was the residence of Warmian bishops, many of whom contributed to the history of Poland in remarkable ways.

Exhibitions are mounted in twenty-one of the castle rooms and include “The Great Residents of the Lidzbark Castle”; “The Medieval Art of Warmia and Teutonic Prussia”; “The Warmian Painting of the Sixteenth to Eighteenth Cenbuilding was a breakthrough in the develop- Książ Castle_ turies”; “The Castle’s Militaria” (including ment of architecture in Poland. In the 16th censeventeenth and eigtheenth century gun bartury the Castle was the seat of the Lower House Książ is a castle in Silesia near the town of rels); “Old Masonry” (eg. borders of seven(Seym) whose sessions were held in the En- Wałbrzych. It was built in 1288-1292 under teenth and eighteenth century fireplaces); voys’ Room. The sessions of the Senate were Bolko I the Strict. It lies within a protected “Russian Icons from the Seventeenth to Twenarea called Książ Landscape Park. The origi- tieth Century”; and “Polish Twentieth Century held in the Senatorial Chamber. nal fortification was destroyed in the year Painting”.

1263 by Ottokar II of Bohemia. Bolko I, Duke of Świdnica and Jawor built a new castle beKrasiczyn Castle_ tween 1288 and 1292. Duke Bolko II of Świd- Łańcut Castle_ Located on the Przemyśl - Sanok route, near nica died in 1368 without having children the crossing of the River San, the castle in with his wife Agnes von Habsburg. After her The history of Łańcut stretches back to the Krasiczyn is one of the most beautiful monu- death in the year 1392 King Wenceslaus IV early Middle Ages, founded as a town in 1349 under King Casmir the Great. The ments of the Polish Renaissance. Its conmajor landowning families in Łańcut were, struction was begun in 1580 by Stanisław successively, the Pilecki’s, Stadnicki’s, Krasicki, the descendant of Mazovian Lubomirki’s and the Potocki’s. Łańcut Castle yeomen, and completed by his younger son is one of the most beautiful aristocratic resiMarcin in 1633. Marcin Krasicki, considered dences in Poland, famous for its excellent inone of the greatest patrons of the arts in teriors and interesting collection of Poland at the time, transformed the heavy forhorse-drawn carriages. The palace complex tified castle built by his father into a magnifis surrounded by an old and picturesque park icent aristocratic residence. Stanisław in the English style filled with pavilions and Krasicki named the castle Krasiczyn, derived farm buildings, all part of the former daily from his name. The small town that devellife of the castle. oped next to the castle took the same name.

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Top Castles

www.bizpoland.pl

Malbork Castle_

The castle is a classic example of a medieval fortress, and is the world’s largest brick gothic castle. It was built in Prussia by the Teutonic Order, later named Marienburg, literally “Mary’s Castle”. The town which grew around it was also named Marienburg, but since 1945 it is again, after 173 years, part of Poland and known as Malbork. In 1997, the castle became a World Heritage Site. Bristling with weapons displays, the medieval historian will revel in the sheer amount of exhibits and displays.

There are also a great many amber exhibits, as well as entire rooms devoted to the Teutonic way of life. An absolute must-see in Poland.

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Nidzica Castle_ Nidzica Castle was built by the Teutonic Knights around 1370 and guarded an important road between the heart of East Prussia and Lithuania. Since the Teutonic Knights were a monastic order, the castle has features typical of a monastery, such as a large chapel in the main building and a covered walkway around the courtyard, similar to a cloister. Like most medieval buildings in the area, Nidzica Castle was bult in brick because the region doesn’t have much stone.

Moszna Castle_

Ogrodzieniec Castle_

The central part of the castle was built in the 17th century, and is an old baroque palace. Partially destroyed by fire later, it was reconstructed in its original form by Franz Hubert von TieleWinckler. The reconstruction works involved an extension of the residence. The eastern Neogothic-styled wing of the building was built by 1900, along with an adjacent orangery. In 1912-1914, the western wing was built in the Neorenaissance style. The castle contains a wide variety of styles, thus it can be generally defined as eclectic. It contains 365 rooms, and was twice visited by the German Emperor Wilhelm II. The castle in Moszna was the residence of a Prussian family Tiele-Winckler, industrial magnates, from 1866 until the spring of 1945 when they were made to move to Germany and the castle’s premises were occupied by the Red Army.

Apart from the castle itself, the entire complex includes a park, meadows and a forest.

Romantic ruins of a fairy-tale-like castle are situated on the so-called Eagles’ Nests Trail. Between Czestochowa and Krakow there are several castles and ruins, but Ogrodzieniec belongs to the most picturesque - not only on the trail, but in the whole of Poland.

doned it in the beginning of the19th century, the castle has deteriorated and become a picturesque ruin.

Opiniogóra Castle_ Opinogóra Castle is located near to the Ciechanów in Masovian Voivodeship. Palace in Opinogóra; a small, very proportionate and nicely built in the neo-gothic style palace; given as a wedding present to the poet Sigmund Krasiński by his parents in 1843. Probably designed by the French architect Eugène Emmanuel Viollet le Duc. A church with the mausoleum of the Krasiński family and the graves of Sigmund Krasiński and his mother Maria near the palace. Opinogóra Palace houses now The Museum of Romanticism.

Pieskowa Skała Castle_ Pieskowa Skala Castle, called ‘a pearl of the Polish Renaissance’, is located at the northernmost part of the Ojcow national park and set among forests on a hill overlooking the Pradnik river valley. Dating back to the mid14th century, it underwent refurbishment in the 16th century after the fashion of the north Italian Renaissance. Since 1970 it has been home to a European art museum, and a branch of Krakow’s Wawel Royal Castle.

Rogalin Residence_

It was built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 16th century. The Italian architect added to the Gothic castle several Renaissance features, and it was at the time almost as splendid as Wawel in Krakow. Since the last owners aban-

The Rogalin residence, along with its French garden, was built in the second half of the 18th century, and is located in the picturesque valley of the Warta River. Surrounded by a splendid landscape park, it contains ancient oak trees, a rare sight in Europe. The most famous of the oaks are those bearing the names of legendary Slavic brothers: Lech, Czech and Rus, which are estimated to be around 700 years old.

Summer 2009

Spas and Resorts Hotel Malinowy Zdrój**** Opened in November 2005, this is Poland’s first hotel to have been granted the German Medical Wellness certificate acknowledging its European standards of hotel, cosmetics and therapeutic services. Houses the Rehabilitation & Biological “Fitness Malinowy Zdrój SPA”.

The hotel is situated in the charming spa area of Solec-Zdrój, 90 km from Krakow. Apart from the magnificent landscape and a unique spa-resort natural environment, unaffected by industry, visitors to Solec are attracted by the venue’s specific microclimate with remarkable solar exposure and low precipitation over the year. ‘Malinowy Zdrój’ Hotel offers a total of 105 suites.

www.bizpoland.pl Hotel SPA Dr Irena Eris Krynica Zdrój**** The hotel is located in the Czarny Potok valley, at the foot of Jaworzyna Krynicka mountain. It is a place for people who want to devote their free time to biological regeneration and who value luxury and high quality services. 50 comfortable rooms and suites. Each balcony opens to a picturesque view of the Beskid Sadecki mountain range, dominated by Jaworzyna Krynicka mountain, with cable cars climbing up its slope. The hotel has sauna, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, as well as fitness cen-

Jelenia Struga****

Podgórze 55, 58-530 Kowary tel.: +48 75 752 84 00 fax: +48 75 752 84 28 www.jeleniastruga.pl e-mail: info@jeleniastruga.pl

Hotel Belvedere**** Zakopane-based Hotel Belvedere is located in a beautiful place near the city centre in the vicinity of the Tatra Mountains National Park.

The architecture and interior of the hotel go back to the climate of 1920s, which combined with regional touches give the hotel its friendly yet refined air. The hotel has 148 rooms and 27 luxury apartments, and is suitable for conferences (7 conference rooms with capacity up to 340 people). You can begin your day with a visit to the aqua and thermal centre where one can have a swim and relax in a sauna or steam bath. If you have excess energy you may try your hand at squash or go to the gym or fitness centre with its weight room.

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ul. Droga do Białego 3, 34-500 Zakopane tel.: +48 18 202 12 00 fax: +48 18 202 12 50 www.belvederehotel.pl e-mail: rezerwacja@belvederehotel.pl

Al. Ks. Bp. Bursche 3, 43-430 Wisła tel.: +48 33 855 47 00, +48 33 855 43 00 fax: +48 33 855 45 00 www.golebiewskaspa.pl, spa.wisla@golebiewski.pl

Hotel Klimczok**** This hotel in Szczyrk is beautifully situated at the foot of the mountain, from which it has taken its name. In the hotel there are 125 rooms and 8 suites. Restaurant options include Restaurant “Impresja” and Scottish Pub Highlander, and the premises of the hotel have an indoor tennis court, double- track bowling alley and pool/billiard tables, sports casino and two places for organising outdoor parties. The pride of the hotel are the beauty parlours, Spa complex with swimming pools and sauna, Jacuzzi and fitness room.

ul. Leśna 7, 28-131 Solec-Zdrój tel.: +48 41 370 40 00 fax: +48 41 370 40 02 www.malinowyzdroj.pl e-mail: rezerwacja@malinowy zdroj.pl

Situated in a mountain valley, 700 metres above sea level, and surrounded by the Karkonosze spruce forest. In addition to traditional Spa treatments, Jelenia Struga offers special treatment for pregnancy, and an Oriental Hamam.

tion in Beskidy Mountains and variety of attractions (Health Spa, Water Park Tropikana). Spa features wet and dry sauna, Jacuzzi, and great views overlooking the mountains.

tre with cardio equipment, aerobics, and aqua aerobics. ul. Czarny Potok 30, 33-380 Krynica Zdrój tel.: +48 18 472 35 00 fax: +48 18 472 35 01 www.DrIrenaErisSpa.com; e-mail: krynica@hotelspa.pl

ul. Poziomkowa 20, 43-370 Szczyrk tel.: +48 33 826 01 00 fax: +48 33 826 01 10 www.klimczok.pl e-mail: marketing@klimczok.pl

Hotel Klimek**** Hotel Farmona Just outside Krakow, the Hotel Farmona is surrounded by an old park. Excellent hotel if you looking to combine spa treatments with a citybreak. However it is a little challenging to actually book the spa treatments, so you should give plenty of notice. Interiors have an Asian design, and spa features Indonesian therapists from Bali’s best schools of massage and natural therapy; for men and women. ul. Jugowicka 10c, 30-443 Kraków tel.: +48 12 252 70 70 fax.: +48 12 252 70 71 www.farmonahotel.pl e-mail: recepcja@farmonahotel.pl

Hotel Klimek SPA is a modern, luxurious and elegant facility, situated among the beautiful mountains of Beskid Sądecki. Opened in early 2005 it has been visited by guests from all over Poland and the world. Great views from the hotel’s windows onto Jaworzyna Krynicka, Poprad Scenic Park and the valley of Szczawnik. The air in this area is exceptionally clean and pollution-free, which makes the local climate curative, and the water not only increases your appetite, but also cures diseases of digestive, respiratory and urinary tracts.

Złockie 107, 33-370 Muszyna tel.: +48 18 477 82 22 fax: +48 18 477 71 82 www.hotelklimek.pl e-mail: biuro@hotel-klimek.pl

Hotel Gołębiewski****

Hotel Verde Montana****

Gołębiewski Hotel in Wisła opened in spring of 2003. It is located on the slopes of Bukowa Mountain (713 meters above sea level) in the northern part of the town, on the right side of the river Wisła, near its springs. Unique loca-

Situated in the beautiful town of Kudowa Zdrój, in quiet spot surrounded by Table Mountains.

The main advantages of the charming town are picturesque landscapes, many mineral water springs, richness of mountains, valleys and

Summer 2009

Spas and Resorts rocks formations. This is an ideal place not only for rest, rehabilitation, business or educational purposes but also as place to visit at the weekends. The hotel offers 132 comfortably equipped rooms, 14 rooms of lower standard, suites and studio rooms. The Wellness & Spa complex cover an area of 1000m2, with 20 biological regeneration parlors that are managed by leading cosmetic companies. ul. 1 Maja 25a, 57+350 Kudowa Zdrój tel.: +48 74 869 77 60 fax: +48 74 869 77 72 www.verdemontana.pl e-mail: hotel@verdemontana.pl

Hotel Zamek na Skale**** The hotel offers comfortable accomodation for 180 people in 72 well-appointed single and double rooms and suites. Here you will also find a private Spa placed in 16th century interiors, with a swimming pool, saunas and Jacuzzi.

Trzebieszowice 151, 57-540 Lądek Zdrój Tel: +48 74 865 20 00 fax: +48 74 865 20 01 www.zameknaskale.pl e-mail: zamek@zameknaskale.pl

www.bizpoland.pl with its bowling alley, billiards, squash court and gym complements the offer. For business guests the hotel has 7 conference rooms for private meetings and big parties. ul. Spacerowa 2, 14-133 Stare Jabłonki tel: +48 89 642 70 00 fax: +48 89 642 70 13 www.hotelanders.pl e-mail: anders@hotelanders.pl

Hotel Centuria*** Located in the centre of Jurajski Landscape Park, the hotel offers swimming pool with Jacuzzi and a beautifully-designed steam bath house and a Finnish sauna. Guests can also use “sunny meadow” and “Alpha” cradle - a sensory bed, which will take you into a state of deep relaxation. The hotel has 30 rooms. In close vicinity are bicycle paths and tourist routes. ul. Centuria 1, 42-440 Ogrodzieniec Tel: +48 32 678 35 00 fax: +48 32 673 24 50 www.hotelcenturia.pl e-mail: recepcja@hotelcenturia.pl

Situated among lakes and forests in Stare Jabłonki. Comfortable rooms are located in two buildings - in the historic “palace” and in the new part of the hotel. In the hotel you can find

Hotel Magellan*** The Magellan Congress and Training Centre is located in central Poland, on the territory of the Sulejowski Landscape Park, near Sulejowski Lake (Łódź district). The centre boasts the largest conference, hotel and recreation base in the region. Its also the biggest Spa & Wellness Institute in Central Poland. Marvelous two-storeyed complex offers swimming pool, Jacuzzi with water cascade, sauna, steam sauna and 9 biological regeneration salons.

Ul. Żeglarska 35/31, Bronislawow, 97-320 Wolbórz Te: +48 44 615 43 50 fax: +48 44 615 43 52 www.hotelmagellan.pl e-mail: recepcja@hotelmagellan.pl

Stacja Nowa Gdynia Coen Wellness & SPA*** Hotel & SPA Dr Irena Eris Wzgórza Dylewskie*****

Hotel Anders***

Wielki Gleboczek 1, 87-313 Brzozie Tel: +48 56 493 51 19 fax: +48 56 493 51 19 www.gleboczek.pl e-mail:gleboczek@gleboczek.pl

Hotel SPA Dr Irena Eris Wzgórza Dylewskie is a state-of-the-art venue with Poland’s largest Skin Care Institute Dr Irena Eris. It has a wide offer of modern and innovative facial and body treatments and hairdressing. 97 luxurious rooms and suites, as well as 9 additional rooms in the comfortable wooden cottage. The hotel has several attractions such as tennis-courts, horses and bicycles. It is located 50 km from a golf course.

Wysoka Wieś 22, 14-100 Ostróda Tel: +48 89 647 11 11 fax: + 48 89 647 10 00 www.DrIrenaErisSpa.com e-mail:wzgorza@hotelspa.pl

Charming hotel with restaurants, luxurious Spa, Aquapark, sports centre consisting of 4 tennis courts, 3 squash courts, basketball, valleyball and badminton field, and very well equipped gym and fitness centre. Coen SPA & Wellness is a Thalgo and Ella Bache authorized SPA institute. Very wide range of treatments and SPA packages. Also has many different kinds of massage: california, ayurvedic, shiatsu, modeling, chocolate, sports, hot stone, four hand massage and others. ul: Sosonowa 1, 95-100 Zgierz (Łódź) SPA tel: +48 42 714 21 80 Hotel tel: +48 42 714 21 61 www.nowa-gdynia.pl e-mail: hotel@nowa-gdynia.pl, coen@coen.pl

Hotel Ossa****

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the stylish Palace Restaurant with dishes of Polish and European cuisine. Apart from standard menu, there is also a special menu with SPA dishes and a separate offer for younger guests. The choice of service includes the Health and Beauty Centre - Anders SPA with 8 parlours for massage, a modern swimming pool, the World of Masuria Saunas and bathtub with hydromassage. The Recreation Centre

Głęboczek Vine Resort & SPA**** The hotel is situated among magnificent landscapes of Brodnicki Lake district, and offers a wide choice of relaxation treatments, as well as option to spend time at their water complex.

Głęboczek Vine Resort & Spa is the only Polish resort which is completely devoted to all the delights of wine, where all the body treatments are based on wine therapy.

Ossa Hotel is situated 60 km from Warsaw and Łódź. Beautiful nature, picturesque landscapes and clean air make it a special place. The hotel has 151 rooms and 10 suites with views on nearby forests. For companies, the hotel also has spacious and functional rooms for conferences and trainings. For activitites, the hotel has a recreational pond with a sandy beach, tennis courts, sports ground, forest walking paths and bicycle paths.

Guests can also use the swimming pool with water slide, Jacuzzi and sauna, as well as Spa.

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Spas and Resorts

www.bizpoland.pl

ul. Ossa 1, 96-200 Rawa Mazowiecka tel: +48 813 26 00 fax: +48 46 813 26 01 www.hotelossa.pl e-mail: spa@hotelossa.pl

nearest vicinity of the Paprociański Lake and Pszczyński primeval forest. ul. Sikorskiego 100, 43-100 Tychy - Paprocany tel: +48 32 325 79 00 fax: +48 32 325 79 50 www.hotelpiramida.pl e-mail: grupy@hotelpiramida.pl

Hotel Piramida***** Situated on a chakra which emanates geo-energy, guests are placed under strong influence of positive pyramidal energy, according to the hotel’s literature. One of the attractions found here are the energy chambers hidden deep in the ground and in the top, glassed part of the pyramid, which is also used as recreational spot. Piramida is situated in a recreational part of Tychy, in the

Summer 2009

Hotel Sielanka nad Pilicą**** The Sielanka nad Pilicą Hotel, situated near Warka, is an oasis of peace and comfort surrounded by splendid nature. Its calm and bucolic views are due to the green wall of Stromecki Forest on the one side, and the picturesque Pilica River Valley on the other. The Hotel is located just 50 km from Warsaw,

which means that it is within an easy reach for conference groups and individual guests alike.

The Hotel is a part of a large complex called Sielanka Farm. It includes one of the best horse-riding centres in Poland and a modern equestrian sports centre playing host to prestigious domestic and international competitions. ul. Łąkowa 1, 05-660 Warka tel: +48 666 16 00 fax: +48 666 16 66 www.sielanka.pl e-mail: hotel@sielanka.pl

SPA Morena Spa Morena has 48 rooms with elegant interiors. The spa is surrounded by splendid lakes

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Spas and Resorts and local tourist attractions include the nearby Johannite Castle. ul. Chopina 2c, 66-220 Łagów Lubuski tel: +48 683 21 20 35 fax: +48 683 41 20 05 www.spamorena.pl, www.zamek-lagow.pl e-mail:recepcja@spamorena.pl, recepcja@zamek-lagow.pl

www.bizpoland.pl providing options to organize conferences up to 400 people. Local features are the Augustowskie lakes, and interconnected canals and waterways. ul. Zdrojowa 1, 16-300 Augustów tel: +48 87 643 85 00 fax: +48 87 643 85 04 www.hotelwarszawa.pl e-mail: hotel@hotelwarszawa.pl

Hotel Villa Park**** The hotel is located in one of the oldest Polish health resorts - Ciechocinek. There are luxuriously furnished rooms, as well as an elegant restaurant, bar with a fireplace with live music and air-conditioned conference rooms. The Health & Beauty Clinic Villa Park provides among other treatments an Aqua salt System indoor swimming pool with brine water and Jacuzzi. ul. Warzelniana 10, 87-720 Ciechocinek tel: +48 54 416 41 00 fax: +48 54 416 41 25 www.villapark.pl e-mail:hotel@villapark.pl

Hotel Villa Verde*** The villa is situated in the Jura KrakowkoCzęstochowska region, an enchanting part of Poland. A wide choice of beauty treatments and magnificent interiors, as well as Roman baths, Finnish sauna, baths with hydromassage, Alpha-massage capsule and many other treatments for body and face. The villa has 77 rooms, three conference rooms, restaurant, pub, café and barbecue house. For the guests who prefer more activities, the villa can arrange cycling trips, rock climbing or skiing at nearby mountain slope. ul. Mrzygłodzka 273, 42-400 Zawiercie tel: +48 32 670 38 00 fax: +48 32 670 38 01 www.villaverde.pl e-mail: recepcja@villaverde.pl

Hotel Warszawa***

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Hotel Warszawa in Augustów is situated in the pine tree forests in the Augustowska wilderness, on the Necko lakeside. Picturesque lakes, unique flora and fauna and historical architecture are features of the area. The hotel has 90 rooms, Kolumnowa restaurant, summer garden on the lakeside and a modern business centre,

Zdrojówka*** Situated at the edge of a forest and in proximity to five lakes. In addition to the restaurant and swimming pool, the hotel has a Spa. Activities such as scenic flights, parachute jumping and horse riding can be arranged. ul. Horodniany 47, 16-001 Kleonsin(Białystok) tel: +48 85 663 15 65 www.zdrojowka.pl e-mail: spa@zdrojowka.pl

Aquarius SPA**** A new hotel situated in the spa district of Kołobrzeg, 280 metres from a sandy beach and nearby park. There is a large, professional Spa & Wellness area and cosmetics institute. The 40 health and beauty parlours provide face and body treatments and wide range of massage.

There is a fitness club, billiard room, night club, barbeque in the garden, and playground for children. ul. Kasprowicza 24, 78-100 Kołobrzeg tel: +48 94 254 27 90 fax: +48 94 354 05 80 www.aquariusspa.pl e-mail: hotel@aquariusspa.pl

Arka Medical SPA Kołobrzeg**** Arka Medical Spa is located in a green landscape, 70 metres from a sandy beach. Wellequipped wellness parlours, fitness rooms, swimming pool with sea water, sauna complex, steam bath, Jacuzzi, indoor tennis court - and a sunny meadow. Arka also offers a wide range of beauty treatments in their Rehabilitation and Regeneration Centre. ul: Sułkowskiego 11, 78-100 Kołobrzeg tel: +48 94 353 21 81 fax: +48 94 353 21 80 www.arka-mega.pl e-mail: marketing@arka-mega.pl

Baltica Wellnes & SPA Located in the heart of Szczecin, in the old Pazim market centre. A three-storied complex with modern architecture and cosy interiors.

The Wellness Zone is the heart of the centre an area of 400 square metres with bathhouses, a snow cave, Jacuzzi, dry sauna, and “shower of sensations”.

Plac Rodła 70, 70-419 Szczecin (kompleks Pazim) Tel: +48 91 359 44 00 fax: +49 91 359 45 84 www.spabaltica.pl e-mail:info@spabaltica.pl

Hotel Bryza*** Ideally located on the beach in the well-known seaside resort of Jurata, on the Hel peninsula.

Comfortable suites and rooms which overlook the sea, sunsets and pine forests.

Spa & Wellness centre features biological program regeneration for face and body.

For business groups, the hotel also has professionally-equipped conference rooms. ul. Miedzymorze 2, 84-141 Jurata tel: +48 58 675 51 00 fax: +48 58 675 54 80 www.bryza.pl e-mail:recepcja@bryza.pl

Bursztynowy Pałac**** This complex is located in picturesque surroundings, with a carefully maintained landscape park. The hotel complex consists of 62 double rooms and 5 suites, and also offers 4 conference rooms. The newly created Spa and professional staff offers massage and a wide range of cosmetics procedures. A newly opened tennis court, boule court and golf range also deserve to be mentioned.

Strzękecino 1, 76-024 Świerzyno tel: +48 94 316 12 27 fax: +48 94 316 14 42 www.bursztynowypalac.pl e-mail: hotel@bursztynowypalac.pl

Hotel Lubicz**** A complex situated a few minutes from the beautiful sandy beach. Four-stars, situated in the “capital of Summer Poland”, the hotel has 55 rooms, a restaurant serving Polish cuisine, and a Whiskey Pub. Lubicz Hotel is also a modern SPA & Wellness centre, and has an in-

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Spas and Resorts

www.bizpoland.pl ul. Powstańców Warszawy 10, 81-718 Sopot tel: +48 58 767 10 00, +48 58 767 10 01 www.sheraton.com/sopot e-mail: sopot@sheraton.com

Major Water Parks_

Sand Hotel**** The interesting architecture and the elegance of its simple form make the Sand Hotel a unique place. The modern designs and number of unorthodox architectural features make this a special place. The Spa & Wellness area is the heart of the Sand Hotel. Features a wide range of massages and a unique spatial layout of the treatment rooms. Includes a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, ice well and cardio fitness centre. The hotel offers a range of cosmetics programmes, cosmetics face and body treatments. ul. Zdrojowa 3, 78-00 Kołobrzeg tel: +48 94 353 41 00 fax: +48 94 353 41 07 www.sandhotel.pl e-mail: marketing@sandhotel.pl

door swimming-pool. The Hotel provides opportunity to organize training courses, seminars, conferences, business meetings, and company and family celebrations. ul. Grunwaldzka 14, 76-270 Ustka tel: +48 59 814 31 02 fax: +48 59 814 19 53 www.hotel-lubicz.pl e-mail: reservation@hotel-lubicz.pl

Hotel Paradise***** Located on the seashore of the Baltic Sea. The modern facility has its own beach with a hotel bar exclusively for its guests and offers a wide choice of possibilities of spending your free time - personal water crafts, boats, cruises and more. The hotel has 133 suites with views over the sea and the majestic forest landscape. ul. Wyzwolenia 29, 78-131 Dzwiźyno tel: +48 12 688 93 50 www.paradise.pl e-mail: dzwirzyno@paradise.pl

Aquapark Fala Łódź www.aquapark.lodz.pl

Park Wodny Kraków www.parkwodny.pl

Aquapark Zakopane www.aquapark.zakopane.pl

Aquapark Sopot www.aquaparksopot.pl

Siedlisko Morena Wellness & Beauty Located on the banks of Lake Łasmiady in Mazury, the hotel has 36 rooms and suites with different decorative motifs. The whole is kept in the style of classical Mazurian style.

The “Wellness & Beauty” treatments offer the top-level treatments: Clarins, Valmont, Payot, Bioline and Estee Lauder. Siedlisko also has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and hair salon (René Furterer). In summers, guests may take advantage of kayaks, water bikes, two tennis courts, playground for beach balls, and bicycle trips. Beautiful scenery, and quiet and clean air.

Aquapark Wesolandia Warszawa www.wesolandia.pl

Park Wodny Tarnowskie Góry www.parkwodny.com.pl

Park Wodny Wrocław www.parkwodny.wroc.pl

Jeziorowskie 11a, 19-330 Stare Juchy tel: +48 87 619-99-99, fax: +48 87 619-99-98 www.siedliskomorena.pl e-mail: recepcja@siedliskomorena.pl

Warszawianka www.warszawianka.pl/aqua_park

Sheraton Sopot Hotel***** Newly opened in summer of 2008, the Sheraton Sopot Hotel aims to position itself as a spa and resort hotel. Located next to the Molo and sea in Sopot, it is a large health & spa tourist resort destination. 189 guest rooms, bar and restaurant, conference center and spa.

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Aquapark Polkowice www.aquapark.com.pl

Park Wodny Tropikana Białystok www.golebiewski.pl/hg_bialystok

13

Top 20 Beaches in Poland

Krynica Morska_ During the season the otherwise sleepy town of Krynica Morska comes alive. Popular with families, the beaches also have water slides, water equipment rentals, and beach-side bars. In the surroundings one finds relatively-unspoiled beaches.

Sopot_ Sopot is a major health-spa and the top tourist resort destination on Poland’s Baltic coast. It has the longest wooden pier in Europe, at 515.5 meters, stretching out into the Bay of Gdansk. The town is known for its many summer events, including the late-August Sopot International Song Festival, the largest such event in Europe after the Eurovision Song Contest. Sopot is currently undergoing a period of intense development, including the building of a number of five star hotels and spa resorts on the waterfront. The main pedestrianized street, Monte Cassino, has also been extended by diverting traffic underneath it, meaning the whole street is now pedestrianized.

Hel_

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Hel is an old fishing port at the tip of the Hel Peninsula - a narrow strip of land in northern Poland with Pucka Bay on one side and the Baltic Sea on the other - and one of the most attractive places on the Polish coast. The first written records of the place date back to 1351. The peninsula has wonderful sandy beaches all along the sea coast and the bay is a great place for windsurfers and anglers. A narrow strip of woodland, a railway line, and just one road lead from Wladyslawowo at the start of the peninsula to Hel at the end of the peninsula. As you go east along the peninsula, one passes Chalupy, Kuznica, Jastarnia and the most touristy of those, Jurata, before you get to Hel. Crowded with tourists and their cars in the summer months, the

peninsula can be a real haven in the low season - in June or September. Like all the places along the peninsula, Hel has wonderful spacious sandy beaches - one must cross the pinewoods to get to them as they are on the side opposite to the port.

On the way, visit, and perhaps climb to the top of the lighthouse to see the great view.

Pros: Spacious sandy beaches, the ports runs tourist cruises, some good restaurants, interesting shops with amber jewelry.

Cons: Very touristy in the summer, enormous traffic jams on the way there. (We suggest taking the ferry from Sopot.)

Puck_ Puck is a town 50 km north of Gdansk. Archeological excavations have shown that a port existed here as early as 550 AD. The town was founded in the 12th century as the seat of the princes of Pomerania but later conquered by the Knights of the Teutonic Order. In 1567 Puck took over from Gdansk as the port of the Royal Navy, consisting then mainly of privateers. It was there that the first shipyard was founded by Jan Wejher in the early 17th century. The town’s heyday came during the reign of King Wladyslaw IV but it did not last long. Soon the Swedish invasion (the ‘deluge’) left it in ruins and deserted. Its revival came at the time of King Jan III Sobieski. In the period between the First and Second World Wars Puck was the only Polish seaport before the port in Gdynia was developed. In the past Puck was famous for the delicious strong beer from its brewery. Nowadays it’s a lively fishing port with a fishing boat engine factory and a tourist centre with a pier, a small beach and some old architecture admire.

Jastarnia_ Jastarnia is located on the Hel Peninsula and has a wide sandy beach which is separated from the

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town by a belt of dunes with scattered pine trees.

Its small fishing port is slowly becoming gentrified, driven by the summer tourism traffic. The nearby dunes host a 13,3 metre lighthouse.

Chałupy The beach at Chalupy is a family beach that occupies an isolated stretch on the Baltic coast that is absolutely beautiful. The beaches are wide and clean. Chalupy also features a nude beach, probably the most famous in Poland because it has existed for such a long time and has been popularized by a well-known Polish song.

The beach is generally not crowded. The water is typical of the Baltic Sea: cold and clear.

The beach is located on the Hel Peninsula and is approximately 12 km west from Wladyslawowo. Many people ride bikes to the beach from the adjacent towns of Chalupy and others walk.

Władysławowo_ The Baltic town of Wladyslawowo is at the junction on the road from Gdansk to the tip of the Hel Peninsula. From Wladyslawowo, one can either go east towards the town of Hel or west and travel along the Western part of the Baltic coast.

Wladyslawowo has a large beach area, and from the beach a beautiful view of Cape Rozewie, a nearby port. Since the town is a central gathering point for tourists, students and people who live in the region year round, it can get crowded at times. But the beach itself is large enough so that one never really feels crowded.

Compared to the other towns along the Baltic coast in that region, Wladyslawowo does not have that special small town feeling that one typically gets on the Baltic. That is probably due to the number of people that pass through the town.

Wladyslawowo is generally the favorite stopping point for people who are taking a train to the Baltic coast for a vacation. The train connection from Warsaw to Gdansk and the connecting link

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Top 20 Beaches in Poland

www.bizpoland.pl to Hel is well served and it makes travel easy.

One can easily travel the 10 kilometers or so via taxi to the popular town of Jastrzebia Gora.

of pine forest and dunes. Approximately 2.5 km north east of the village is the highest forested dune White, which is named after the village.

Horse rentals make for a pleasant journey from the town to the seaside.

raw amber. Running parallel to the beach is the so-called Promenade of Friendship, which was founded at the beginning of the twentieth century in order to strengthen the coast. Tourism here is focused around sporting activities.

Jastrzebia Góra_ Jastrzębia Gora is famous for its rather high cliffs abutting the shore (heights of up to 33 metres above sea level). The width of the beach is 200 metres in some places. Large number of tourists in the summer season accommodated by the exceptionally wide beach belonging to the nearby Ostrow.

Lubiatowo_

Sarbinowo_

The village is situated 2 km from the coast and 19 km east of Łeba. Not terribly busy with tourists, this is the kind of place for those looking for a low-key vacation without distractions.

White sand and clean beaches, with many tourist attractions. Near to the beach is a promenade for walking. Recommended for family holidays.

Karwia_

Łeba_

Karwia has a wide beach that extends 3 kilometers. Coastal dunes here are richly-vegetated with evergreen pine trees, providing ample protection from the road. A coastal forest hiking trail runs here, which gives walkers the opportunity to walk among the pure, resin-rich air.

Great for tourists looking for true relaxation.

Łeba serves as the base for exploring the nearby Słowinski National Park. The park was included in UNESCO’s 1977 list of world Biosphere Reserves, and has huge shifting dunes, which are the greatest attraction of the park. Half of the park’s area is occupied by the Lakes Lebsko and Gardno.

It has fauna and flora typical for seacoast areas.

Białogóra_

Poddąbie_

The biggest attraction is the wide sandy beach separated from the village by a 800-metre belt

Poddąbie is adjacent to the Slowinski National Park, which features high sand dunes. After climbing a 35-metre sand cliff through forests of beech-pine, one comes across a beautiful, sandy beach.

Ustka_ Ustka is a small (17,500 inhabitants) town on the coast, about 150 kilometres west from Gdansk.

For many years, it has been a very-popular summer destination, and features a yachting port and two piers. In recent years, it claimed the unofficial title of the Summer Capital of Poland, and hosts numerous summer concerts. National weekly ‘Polityka’ has ranked Ustka as the best beach resort in Poland. Ustka is positioned close to a very interesting open-air ethnographic museum in Kluki and Slowinski National Park.

Darłowo_ In Darłowo one finds two beaches - “east” and “west”. For families with children the eastern beach is a favorite, with a man-made pool in the sea for children. From the nearby port, one can connect to Sweden’s Bornholm.

Mielno_ Low dunes separate the town from a wide sandy beach. In some sections of the sea, one may find

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Kołobrzeg_ Many claim that Kołobrzeska beach is their favorite in Poland. The pier is intersected by a pier, and the beaches are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and long walks along the shore. Also, glorious sunsets, wide beaches and nice, fine sand.

Niechorze_ Wide sandy beaches are the biggest attraction here. Sunbathers here may compete with working fishermen on the beach. Three concrete piers break up the beach landscape.

Pobierowo Pobierowo is one of the prettiest coastal villages in Poland. Recommended for those seeking peaceful relaxation among sandy beaches and greenery.

Międzyzdroje_ Very popular seaside resort located in the vicinity of Wolin National Park near Szczecin. Several hundred thousand tourists descend on the area during the peak summer months.

The biggest attraction may be the beach promenade that meanders next to the sandy dunes, and attracts Poland’s movie stars who leave their hand imprints on the promenade (Hollywoodstyle). From the town’s spa, one can see Kawczą Hill, White Hill and the top of Gosań, the highest point on the Polish coast at 93 metres.

Świnoujście_ The beaches in Swinoujscie draw in tourists old and young. The town is one of Poland’s most famous and popular holiday resorts with wide sandy beaches, many parks and entertainment on the promenade of Uznam, the main island.

Swinoujscie is scattered over 44 islands between the Baltic Sea and the Szczecin bay.

15

National Parks in Poland Babia Mountain National Park (Babiogórski) [1] The Babia Góra National Park was established in 1954, and is located in the southern mountains. It covers an area of 1700 hectares. The higher sections of Babia Góra mountains represent the only alpine belt to be found in the Beskids, with a number of small ponds that have been created by landslides. These were a few of the reasons that the area was established as a National Park. In 1977 Babia Góra, within the area of the National Park, acquired the status of a Biosphere Reserve and was included in UNESCO’s “Man and Biosphere” programme. In 1997, after 20 years of continuous attempts to enlarge the Park, a government order eventually increased its area to 3,392 hectares.

Białowieża National Park

[2]

The park is situated in the eastern part of Poland, close to the border with Belarus. The park covers the central part of Białowieża Forest. Its beginnings can be traced back to 1921, when the “Reserve” forestry was created at the place currently occupied by the Park. In 1932, the „Reserve” forestry was transformed into the „National Park in Białowieża”. The area of the park is interesting with a regard to historic and cultural aspects.

Park Palace, covering an area of 50 ha is one of the Park’s main structures. The Palace was founded between the 19th and 20 century in the close vicinity of the Tsar’s palace, constructed in years 1889-1894. The Park, in the English style, was designed by the famous Polish designer Walery Kronenberg.

Biebrza National Park (Biebrzański)

[3]

The Biebrza National Park is located in northeast Poland. The northeastern boundary of the park is near the Belarus border. The Narew River and its confluence with the Biebrza River form the southern boundary. With a total area of 59 233 ha, it is the largest of the Polish

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national parks. The Park includes 15 547 ha of forests, 18 182 ha of agricultural land, and 25 494 ha of wetlands - the most valuable habitats of the park - the famous Biebrza marshes.

The area of 3 936 ha is under strict protection including the Czerwone Bagno (Red Bog) in the Grzędy Forest District. Unique in Europe for its marshes and peatlands, as well as its highly diversified fauna, especially birds, the Park was designated as a wetland site of global significance and is under the protection of the RAMSAR Convention.

Bieszczady National Park

[4]

Bieszczady is the third-largest national park in the country, and located in southeast Poland. In 1992 it became part of the International Biosphere Reserve “Eastern Carpathians”.

The park is home to brown bears, wolves and lynx, as well as rare birds and owls. Excellent for trekking in a more remote part of Poland.

Bory Tucholskie National Park

[5]

National Park Bory Tucholskie is located in the Pomorskie voivodship, in the northern part of the country. Within the park are 21 lakes, of which the largest and deepest is Lake Ostrowite. Eight of the lakes are inter-connected and create a string called Struga Seven Lakes. Wildlike include roe deer, deer and wolves.

Drawa National Park

[6]

Drawa National Park lies in a plain called Równina Drawska, which is a fragment of the lake district Pojezierze Południowopomorskie, in the north-western part of Poland. It includes part of a forest complex called Drawa Wilderness (Puszcza Drawska). It lies entirely within the basin of the Drawa River. Excellent choice for people who enjoy woods and water, silence and singing birds. Also attractive for cyclists and canoers.

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4 [7]

Etablished in 1981, it covers 7,030 hectares and roughly half of this area is under a strict nature conservation regime.

This Park in the Carpathian forest includes wandering tourist trail that spans the length of the Gorce range, and provides stunning views of the Tatra Mountains.

Stolowe Mountains National Park (Gór Stołowych)

[8]

The Stolowe Mountains are a good base for hiking excursions. The park is covered with a network of trekking routes (100 km total length).

If traveling to the park by car, the southern border is connected to the international highway E-67 Prague-Warsaw. Cars can cross the Polish-Czech border in Kudowa Slone and Tlumaczow. One of the most picturesque car routes is “Szosa Stu Zakretow” (Way of a Hundred Turns). Karlow is the best jumping-off point to the most interesting parts of the Stolowe Mountains-Szczeliniec and Bledne Skaly. Biking trails link up with similar trails connecting to the Czech Republic. Resort towns close by include Kudowa Zdroj, Duszniki Zdroj and Polanica Zdroj.

Kampinos National Park

[9]

Kampinos is situated on the northwestern border of Warsaw. It is one of two national parks in the world in the immediate vicinity of a country’s capital city. Kampinos landscape is dominated by two elements: swamps and adjacent low-lying dunes. Kampinos has more than 360 km of walking trails. In winter, the trails are popular amongh cross-country skiers. Kampinos is on the UNESCO list as a biosphere reserve. Additional attractions in the vicinity of the park: Zelazowa Wola, the birthplace of Frederic Chopin; Fortress Modlin; Romanesque Monastery of Czerwińsk on the Vistula; Sochaczew with a narrow-gauge railway to Wilcze Tulowskie.

Karkonoski National Park

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[10]

Karkonoski mountains are the highest mountain range in Sudetes lying southwest of Poland, on the border of the Czech Republic. In the park are

Summer 2009

National Parks in Poland

www.bizpoland.pl more than a thousand species of plants and many species of forest animals (about 40 species of mammals, including beavers, roe deer, foxes and 16 species of bats). The park is well-suited for walking and cycling trips, with about 200 km of hiking trails, and 12 shelters with more than 500 beds.

The park contains two major ski resorts.

Pieniny National Park

[11]

Pieniny National Park lies in a beautiful section of the Pieniny mountains. Summits here are sharp and valleys low. Attractions include 35 km of hiking trails, rafting on the Dunajec river, stunning views of the “Three Crowns”, and creature comforts of the nearby castle of Czortoszyn.

Narew National Park (Narwianski)

[16]

The Narew National Park is located in northeast Poland. The park was established to protect the swampy Narew valley and its unique river system, rich in flora and fauna. This is one of the largest and best preserved areas of wetlands in Poland.

The extensive and complicated system of interconnected river channels forms a vast wetland ecosystem, which nearly covers the entire bottom-half of the valley. The park is a dream for bird watchers.

Inter-connected water routes create unique opportunities for traveling by canoe.

Ojców National Park

[17]

The park is one of two seaside parks in Poland.

It is located near the Baltic Sea village of Łeba.

It was founded to preserve the unique combination of seaside lakes, bogs, peatbogs, meadows, seaside woods and forests - and particularly to maintain the shifting dunes. It is under the protection of the World Nature Sanctuary. Visitors often stay in Łeba, and can then take a vigorous walk or bicycle ride into the park. Popular among international tourists traveling along the Baltic shore and visiting Gdansk.

Located near Kraków, the park takes its name from the village of Ojców, where it also has its headquarters. It is Poland’s smallest national park. The park contains numerous castles, including a ruined Gothic castle at Ojców and a better-preserved Renaissance castle at Pieskowa Skała, both of which were part of a late-medieval system of defenses in southwestern Poland.

There are two museums in the park, the Professor Władyslaw Szafer Museum (named for the first person to advocate the creation of a national park in the Ojcow), and a branch of the Krakówbased National Art Collection located in the Pieskowa Skała castle.

Świętokrzyski National Park

Poleski National Park

Słowinski National Park

[12]

[13]

Created in 1950, the park covers 5,908 hectares, encompassing the oldest mountains in Poland, Swietokrzyskie Mountains. In addition to the natural attractions, other attractions include the Museum of Natural Science at Holy Cross, and the Benedictine Monastery from the twelfth century.

Tatra Mountains National Park

[14]

Tatrzanski National Park is situated in the highest mountains in the country - the Tatras - and close to the popular holiday resort town of Zakopane. Extensive hiking trails criss-cross the park, and lead to the well-know destinations of Lake Morskie Eye, Valley of Five Ponds, Mount Giewont, and the highest peak, Rysy. Extremely popular and crowded during the summer months.

Magura National Park (Magurski)

[15]

From the geographic point of view the Magura National Park covers the central part of the Beskid Niski Mountains in the Polish section of the Carpathians. The Beskid Niski Mountains are a watershed, border range of mountains spreading over 100 km between the Kamienica valley and the Sadecka Basin in the west, and the Oslawa and Oslawica valleys in the east. It forms a 30-40 km wide belt on both sides of the Polish - Slovakian border.

The oldest trace of human presence in this area are the remains of a large castle in Brzezowa village. According to historians, it used to be a part of a chain of early medieval castles from the 9th and 10th centuries.

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[18]

Located 50 km northeast of Lublin, the park is a unique combination of swamps, marshes, lakes, ponds and forests. The park is good for active tourism and contains extensive trails for cyclists, including one of the longest in Poland, of 60 km.

Bogs and lakes and rare species of plants add to the attractions of the park. Tourists often use the towns of Łęczyca, Włodawa or Lublin as a base to explore the park.

Roztoczanski National Park

[19]

Located in eastern Poland, in the Lublin Voivodeship. It protects the most valuable natural areas of the middle part of the Roztocze range. There are more than 400 so-called “nature monument” trees and the Park’s firs are among the largest in Poland (up to 50 metres in height). Among mammals living in the Park are: red deer, roe deer, boar, red fox, grey wolf and eurasian badger. In 1979 European beaver was reintroduced and now colonies thrive in the Wieprz valley. In 1982 Polish ponies were brought here. Also, there have been registered around 190 species of birds, including eagles, storks and woodpeckers.

Ujście Warta National Park

[20]

Located at the intersection of the Warta and Odra rivers, near the northwest border of Germany, the park is a magnificent bird sanctuary, and covers 8,000 hectares. The park is dominated by open wet grasslands, pastures cut across by channels and an old river bed. The Warta River flows through the middle of the park. There are about

60 km of roads available for tourists in the park, but due to the character of the area - the flood plain - some of them are inaccessible during some months of the year.

Wielkopolska National Park

[21]

Located just 15 km south of Poznań, many historic monuments are found in the park, the most precious being a wooden church dating back to the 17th century. Other historic churches can be found in Puszczykowo, Stęszew and Wiry. Other interesting sites in the park include 19th century manors in Szreniawa and Trzebaw and ruins of the castle Tytus Działyński built for his sister Klaudyna Potocka on the Castle Islet on Lake Góreckie.

Wigry National Park

[22]

The park is located in the northeast of Poland, and contains numerous lakes and small water basins, remnants of the glaciers that use to cover the area.

The park contains 42 lakes, the largest being Wigry Lake. Hikers and bikers will find here about 190 km of trails. Sailors and anglers have camping sites and large lakes at their disposal.

Wolinski National Park

[23]

Wolinski National Park is located at the mouth of Oder River, in northwestern Poland (Szczecin voivodship), close to the Polish-German border. It protects the highly valuable northwestern part of Wolin Island. Originally established in 1960 with 4844 hectares, it was expanded by 6000 hectares in 1996 and is the first maritime park in Poland, including parts of the Pomeranian Bay and inner salt waters of Szczecin Bay. The turbulent history of Wolin has led to its cultural diversification. Traditional ties with the sea are extremely strong.

Within the Park and in the neighbouring areas one can find 46 km of walking trails, Turkusowe lake, and a European bison breeding centre. The port of Swinoujście is connected by rail.

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Mountain Ranges

www.bizpoland.pl Mountain range lying between Bohemia and Silesia, along the present border between the Czech Republic and Poland. It is part of the larger Sudety range. Its highest peak is Śniezka, which stands on the border between the two countries at a height of 1,602 metres above sea level, making it the highest peak in the Czech Republic and in the entire Sudety range.

The mountains are notable for their ski resorts. They also contain the source of the Elbe River. Large areas of the mountains are preserved as national parks by both countries: the Czech Krkonoše National Park, and the Polish Karkonosze National Park.

In 1992 the Czech and Polish parts of the range were jointly designated a transboundary biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s “Man and the Biosphere” program.

also the highest peak of this part of the Carpathian Mountains, at 1,725 metres above sea level. Gentle from the south, steep from the north, Babia Góra is home to bear, lynx, wolf and other species as well as to unique alpine flora. The first attempts to protect the area were made in the 1930s. In 1933 the Nature Reserve of Babia Góra was established on the Polish side.

Beskid Sądecki_ Beskid Sądecki range lies between the Dunajec river and valleys of Kamienica, Mochnaczka and Tylicka Pass. Poprad Valley is especially worth mentioning for its natural beauty. Beskid Sądecki has a quite impressive number of spas and mineral water springs, including: Krynica, Muszyna, Piwniczna, Szczawnica. The local springs are a natural resource that has become the basis of establishing several spas and health resorts.

Tatra Mountains_ This mountain range forms a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. They occupy an area of 750 km², the major part of which lies in Slovakia. The highest mountain is Gerlach at 2,655 m, located in Slovakia just north of Poprad. The north-western peak of Rysy (2,499 m) is the highest Polish mountain. The Tatra Mountains are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains. Although considerably smaller than the Alps, they are classified as having an alpine landscape. Their high mountain character, combined with great accessibility, makes them popular with tourists and scientists. The area is a well-known winter sports area, with resorts such as Zakopane, the “Winter Capital” of Poland.

Karkonosze Mountains_

Silesian Beskids_

Gorce_ The area is located within the mountain range of Gorce, which area is a part of the Western Beskidy mountains. Steep slopes cut through by river valleys create the unique and picturesque landscape of the Gorce mountains. Gorce are a valuable bird refuge where one may observe as many as 15 bird species important for the preservation of the European biodiversity. The area comprises upper parts of the drainage basin of the Kamienica river and partly also drainage basins of other rivers of Gorce. It includes peaks of the Jaworzyna (1288 m, Kudlon (1276 m) and Mostownica (1251 m) within the Gorczanski National Park.

Żywiec Beskids_

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Located in the far eastern Carpathians in southern Poland. It is the second highest range in Poland, after the Tatra Mountains.

The highest peak are Babia Góra (1,725 m) and Pilsko.

The name is also applied to the tip of the massif, Diablak (“Devil’s Peak”), which is

One of the Beskids mountain ranges in far western Carpathians in southern Silesia and the eastern Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. Most of the range lies in Poland. It is separated from the MoravianSilesian Beskids by the Jablunkov Pass. The Polish part of the range includes the protected area called Silesian Beskids Landscape Park.

Izera Mountains_ Part of the Western Sudetes on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland. The major part is formed from granite, with some areas formed from basalt. The mountains got their name from the Jizera River, which rises at the southern base of Smrk Mountain. The highest peak is Wysoka Kopa (1,127 m).

Stołowe (Table) Mountains_ *The Stołowe *or Table Mountains, named so because of their unique (in Poland) plateau structure, occupy the South Western corner of Poland and continue across the border into the Czech Republic. They are part of the Sudeten, one of the oldest mountains in Europe. They are built predominately of sandstone of varying hardness, rising in a high

Summer 2009

Mountain Ranges

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Bieszczady refers only to the Western Bieszczady or even only to the Polish part of the mountain range. The highest peak of Bieszczady is Mt. Pikuy (1405 m) in Ukraine.

The highest peak of the Polish part is Tarnica (1346 m).

Góry Świętokrzyskie_

Wysoka - reaches 1,050 meters above sea level. Pieniny National Park is one of the smallest Polish National Parks, lying in the southernmost part of the country, on the border with Slovakia. The Pieniny mountains are mainly built from limestone and they create picturesque and impressive, almost perpendicular, walls which lead down towards the Dunajec River.

Pieniny_

Bieszczady_

The Pieniny mountains consist mainly of limestone and dolomite rock strata. The most famous peak, Trzy Korony (Three Crowns), is 982 meters high. Pieniny’s highest peak -

Part of the Carpathian Mountains. The mountain range is situated between the Łupków Pass (640 m) and the Vyshkovskyi Pass (933 m). In a narrower but very frequent sense,

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plateau over the surrounding gently rolling landscape, sculptured on top into fascinating rock formations, including natural labyrinths and unusual shapes. The three impressive labyrinths are established nature reserves, and are accessible by visitors trails and engineered paths. The Polish part of the range is protected as the Table Mountains National Park.

A mountain range in central Poland in the vicinity of the city of Kielce. Mostly the chain consists of a number of separate ranges, the highest of which is Łysogóry (literally, bald mountains). The two highest peaks are Łysica at 612 meters and Łysa Góra at 593 meters.

Together with the Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska the mountains form a region called the Lesser Poland Upland. The Świętokrzyskie Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in Europe. “Bartek” is an ancient oak tree in Zagnańsk near Kielce in these Świętokrzyskie Mountains. Its age, long estimated at up to 1200 years, has recently been established at 625 years. There are three older oaks in Poland, though none so famous as Bartek.

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Summer 2009

Top Cities

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Top-Ranked Polish cities for Tourism, and major (Ranking is based on estimated number of tourists for year 2009, Instytutu Turystyki) Warszawa_

2,2 million tourists

Highlights of the city: n n n n n

Stare Miasto (Old Town) Trakt Królewski and Aleje Ujazdowskie (Royal Route) Wilanów Palace Łazienki Królewskie (Lazienki Park) Muzeum Powstania (Warsaw Uprising Museum)

Kraków_

900,000 tourists

Highlights of the city: n n n n n

Wawel Castle Zabytki Kazimierza (Old Jewish district of Kazimierz) Kościół Mariacki (Mariacki church) Rynek krakowski (Old Town Square) Kopalnia soli w Wieliczce (Salt Mines)

Poznań_

Lublin_

Gdańsk_

530,000 tourists

530,000 tourists

Highlights of the city:

Highlights of the city:

n

n

600,000 tourists

Highlights of the city: n n n n

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n

Cytadela Stary Rynek (Old Town Square) Zamek Cesarski (Emperor’s Castle) Katedra – Ostrów Tumski (Ostrow Tumski cathedral) Biblioteka Raczyńskich (Raczynski Library)

n n n n

Brama Krakowska (Krakow Gates) Zamek (castle) Stare Miast (Old Town Square) Archikatedra Kościół Dominikanów (Dominicans Church)

n n n n

Bazylika Mariacka (St. Mary’s church) Ulica Długa i Długi Targ (Old Town streets) Dwór Artursa (castle) Gdansk Shipyard Katedra Oliwska (Oliwska Cathedral)

Summer 2009

Top Cities

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local attractions Szczecin_

370,000 tourists

Highlights of the city: n n n n n

Zamek Książąt Pomorskich (Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle) Wały Chrobrego (embankment) Brama Portowa (Port Gates) Czerwony Ratusz (Red Town Hall) Brama Królewska (Royal Gates)

Łódź_

330,000 tourists

Highlights of the city: n n n n n

Klasztor Ojców Franciszkanów w Łagiewnikach (monastery) Kościół pw. św. Józefa (cathedral) Kościół Wniebowzięcia NMP (cathedral) Ulica Piotrkowska (Piotrkowska pedestrian street) Księży Młyn (Former Textile Mills)

Katowice_ Wrocław_

Białystok_

300,000 tourists 450,000 tourists

370,000 tourists

Highlights of the city:

Highlights of the city:

n

n

Highlights of the city: n

n n n n

Rynek Główny (Old Town Square) Ogród Chiński (Chinese Garden) Podwale i Promenada Katedra św. Jana Chrzciciela (cathedral) Brama Kluszczana (Kluszczana Gate)

Summer 2009

n n n n

Rynek Kościuszki (Kosciuszki market) Pałac Branickich (Branicki Palace) Kościół Farny (cathedral) Mały Kościółek (“small” cathedral) Cerkiew św. Mikołaja (orthodox cathedral)

n n n n

Kościół św. Michała Archanioła (cathedral) Panewniki (monastery complex) Dzielnica Nikiszowiec (garden city of early XXth C.) Kościół Mariacki (cathedral) Pałac Biskupi (Bishop’s Palace)

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Golf Courses

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Top Golf Courses in Poland First Warsaw Golf & Country Club 65 hectares of green ponds and old trees located 25 km from the center of Warsaw. The only golf club in central Poland, and one of the oldest. Onsite school and rental equipment.

Rajszew 70, 05-110 Jabłonna tel./fax: 022 782 45 55 www.warsawgolfclub.com

Krakow Valley Golf & Country Club The first and largest golf complex in southern Poland. The 18-hole golf course is laid out over 160 ha, and the club also has a driving range, 1200 metre putting-green, and provides lessons through its golf academy.

Paczółtowice 54, 32-063 Krzeszowice tel: 012 282 94 67 www.krakow-valley.com

Toya Golf & Country Club Wrocław 18-hole championship course lies a few kilometers to the north of the center of Wroclaw. Gentle hills and ponds dot the landscape. Guests have at their disposal an 18-hole golf course, lighted driving range, a large putting green, chipping green and practice bunkers, as well as shop and rental equipment. ul. Rakowa 5, Kryniczno, 55-114 Wisznia Mała tel.: +48 71 388 76 00 www.pole.toyagolf.pl

Binowo Park Situated in the picturesque Szczecin Landscape Park, Binowo Park is surrounded by pine and beech forests and large lakes. Inclines reach more than 40 metres. The Park also has a lighted driving range and two putting greens.

74-106 Stare Czarnowo, Binowo 62 tel: 091 404 15 33 www.binowopark.pl

Sierra Golf Club

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The natural terrain has been enhanced with hills and valleys, rivers, and expanded ponds. There is a 300-meter driving range, putting and chipping greens. Simulators also allow for games in winter.

Pętkowice, 84-200 Wejherowo tel./fax: 0 58 572 06 26; 502 459 521 www.sierragolf.pl

Golf Club Bytkowo, County Poznań

Rosa Private Golf Club

The first 18-hole golf course (master-class) in Wielkopolska is about 20 minutes drive from the center of Poznan. The full length of the course is almost 6,000 m, and novices are able to practice on a 6-hole range, or the adjacent driving range. ul. Pawłowicka 3b Bytkowo, 62-070 Rokietnica 61 66 50 656 www.polegolfowe.pl

Rosa Private Golf Club is located about 14 km from Czestochowa. The complex with interconnected cascades of water reservoirs covers an area of 14 hectares. The club has a golf academy, driving range with 80 positions, putting and chipping greens. ul. Rolnicza 1, 42-274 Konopiska (Slask) tele 034 329 93 63 www.rpgc.pl

Amber Baltic Golf Club Mazury Golf & Country Club This golf center is located in the central part of the Mazury lakes district, 15 minutes by car from Olsztyn, and uses the natural contours of the Mazury region. A characteristic feature of the course is the changing direction of winds, adding a bit of chance to your game. ul. Naterki 13 a, 11-036 Gietrzwałd tel./fax: 089 513 15 40 www.mazurygolf.pl

Postołowo Golf Club Gdansk Golf & Country Club 18-hole course covers an area of 100 hectares.

A reasonable variety of land and therefore the degree of difficulty caters to more demanding golfers. The course in Postołowie is extremely picturesque and with an interesting landscape, and demands a high level of golfing skills.

Elganowo, 83 - 042 Postołowo tel. (48) 058 683 7100 www.golf.com.pl

The club covers an area of 66 hectares located on the island of Wolin on the edge of Wolin National Park, 12 km east of Międzyzdroje. On the complex, one will find an 18-hole golf course, driving range, chipping, pitching, and putting greens. The complex is designed to accommodate the requirements of professional and amateur golf tournaments. ul. Bałtycka 13, 72-514 Kołczewo tel: 091 326 51 10, fax: 091 326 53 33 www.abgc.pl

Royal Krakow Golf & Country Club Ochmanów 124, 32-003 Podłęże Tele: 012 281 91 70 www.krakowgolf.pl

Modry Las Golf Club ul. Mickiewicza 20, 73-200 Choszczno tele: 095 768 99 06 www.modrylas.pl

Summer 2009