Winter attractions in Poland by Bookletia

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Polish Tourist Organisation

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www.poland-tourism.pl

The winter rest and recreation season in Poland is longer than in western or southern Europe. This especially refers to our northeastern regions and the mountain areas in the south of the country. The snow cover stays there from November till March, creating excellent conditions for enthusiasts of winter rest and recreation, skiers and other fans of winter sports. The amateurs of winter rest and recreation can choose from the ample offer that includes renown winter resorts as well as quieter and enchanting little spots, better suited for family holidays. Very attractive are also the spas located in the mountains, full of tourist attractions and organising many sports and cultural events in order to make the stays of their clients more interesting. All visitors to Poland can find accommodation in comfortable hotels and pensions that offer delicious cuisine and high quality of services, always accompanied by traditional Polish hospitality. Welcome to Poland. Polish Tourist Organisation

Polish Internet System of Tourist Information

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snow gam es Szklarska Poręba Karpacz Wisła Szczyrk Krynica Zakopane

The Polish mountains are smaller and not so high as the Alpine massifs. However, they boast equally scenic landscapes and the wintertime in the Polish mountains is as much captivating as in the Alps. They may even be considered friendlier, especially for those tourists who treat the winter holidays as a wonderful recreational adventure rather than as a sporty challenge. For such visitors, the Polish mountains are the best choice: they offer them many various attractions plus numberless possibilities of practicing different winter sports. Alpine skiing and snowboard are the most popular of them all. Now, we invite you to the most popular winter sports centres in Poland. The unquestioned leader among them is Zakopane, which is believed to be the winter capital of Poland. It is nicely located in the mountain valley, with a beautiful view over the nearby peaks of the Tatras. The highest of them reach the altitude of 2500 metres above sea level. With its multiple slopes of different difficulty, Zakopane attracts both beginners and experienced skiers. Its unique ambience

p r a c t i c a l • Zakopane

Tourist Information Centre ul. Kościuszki 17, 34-500 Zakopane tel. +48 -18 201 22 11, fax 206 60 51 www.zakopane.pl, info@um.zakopane.pl

• Szczyrk

is due to the authentic highlanders’ folklore, original houses, colourful crowds of tourists on ul Krupówki, the Zakopane’s pedestrian mall, stylish and atmospheric cafés and restaurants, and jazz and rock clubs. Winter sports enthusiasts flocked to Zakopane already one hundred years ago. The present slopes of various difficulties are well prepared and can satisfy requirements of every skier. Several dozen ski-lifts help the skiers get up the slopes. The best skiing grounds are found around the region of Mt Kasprowy Wierch. Its summit can be reached by the cable car. The route is nearly 4300 metres long and during the 20-minute journey you climb nearly 1000 metres. The slopes of Mt Kasprowy Wierch are equipped with chairlifts. There are many skiing trails to choose from and the season lasts till May. Other attractive skiing grounds with many ski lifts and artificial snowmakers are located on the slopes of Mt Gubałówka range, Mt Nosal and on the Polana Szymoszkowa. Skiing gear for hire is available and the professional ski instructors offer their services on nearly every slope. Bukowina Tatrzańska,

i n f o r m a t i o n

Tourist Information ul. Beskidzka 41, 43-370 Szczyrk tel./fax +48-33 815 83 88 www.szczyrk.pl, it@szczyrk.pl

• Wisła

Vistula Culture and Information Centre pl. B. Hoffa 3, 43-460 Wisła tel. +48-33 855 34 56 www.wisla.pl, wck@wisla.pl

Białka Tatrzańska and Poronin are popular holiday spots close to Zakopane. Their gentle slopes are equipped with many ski lifts and picturesque, well-prepared skiing trails. There are many other attractions to make your winter holiday in Zakopane a fascinating adventure. Very captivating are the hiking paths running along the valleys of the Tatra National Park, located in the close neighbourhood of the city. A bit further is the Chochołowska valley with its magnificent views over the snow-covered mountaintops. Situated in the Silesian Beskid, Szczyrk is a real paradise for skiers. Thanks to the number of its skiing trails and their attractiveness, it is considered to be the most important winter sports centre in Poland. The skiing grounds are very diversified. They include the FIS route for expert skiers, the famous Bieńkula and Golgota trails that are always well maintained and provided with sufficient amount of artificial snow if necessary, and many smaller skiing grounds designated for beginners. The nearby Salmopol Pass and Biła also have much to of-

p r a c t i c a l • Szklarska Poręba

Tourist Information ul. Jedności Narodowej 3, 58-580 Szklarska Poręba tel.+48-75 717 24 49, fax 717 24 94 www.szklarskaporeba.pl, it@szklarskaporeba.pl

• Karpacz

fer to skiers of different skills. The slopes of the mountains in the neighbourhood of Szczyrk are covered with snow from December to April. The highest peaks reach the altitude of 1100-1200 metres above sea level. The alpine skiers can use the network of 30 ski lifts and enjoy the chairlift to the top of Mt Skrzyczne. In the Silesian Beskid, there are many smaller winter sports centres worth recommendation. One of them is Wisła with its well-prepared ski runs on Mts Stożek, Malinka and Soszowa. Other centres are located near Bielsko-Biała, in the region of Mts Szyndzielnia and Klimczok. Here the skiers can enjoy many pistes that vary in character, and use a modern funicular. Ustroń has a cable car on Mt Czantoria and a ski lift in the nearby Jaszowiec. Korbielów is a very popular winter sports centre in the Żywiec Beskid. There are many ski lifts on the slopes of Mt Pilsko, and the snow holds on them till the end of May. Szczawnica is an important spa in the Pieniny Mountains. It has recently become a popular destination for skiers. They are lift-

i n f o r m a t i o n

Tourist Information ul. Konstytucji 3 Maja 25, 58-540 Karpacz tel./fax +48-75 761 97 16 www.karpacz.pl, it@www.karpacz.pl

• Krynica

Tourist Information Centre ul. Piłsudzckiego 8, 33-380 Krynica tel. +48-18 471 56 54, fax 471 55 13 www.krynica.pl, it@krynica.pl

snowboard

Zieleniec Ustroń Brenna Zawoja Zwardoń Korbielów

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ed to the top of Mt Palenica with a cable car. Besides, there are two ski lifts and the slopes are artificially lit and snowed. The area offers excellent conditions for snowboarders for whom a special half pipe was constructed. Szklarska Poręba still remains the major centre of winter sports in the Sudeten Mountains. The skiers and boarders can enjoy the local slopes from December till midApril. The most attractive is the area of Mt Szrenica with its Ski Arena, cable car and diversified ski trails. The latter include the FIS downhill run, a very long Lolobrigida trail (4444 metres) and the lit at night Puchatek. Various championships in alpine skiing and snowboarding are organized in the area. Equally attractive in summer and in wintertime, Karpacz has recently improved its offer for skiers and boarders. Besides the old chairlift on Mt Kopa, they can now enjoy two new ski lifts that can transfer them to Hala Złotówka. In the very centre of Kar-

p r a c t i c a l • Zieleniec

Tourist Information and City Promotion Bureau Rynek 9, 57-340 Duszniki Zdrój tel./fax +48-74 866 94 13 www.zieleniec.pl, informacja@duszniki.pl

• Ustroń

Municipal Tourist Information Rynek 2, 43-450 Ustroń tel./fax +48-33 854 26 53 www.ustron.pl, haro@bb.onet.pl

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pacz, there are two mini-centres with artificially snowed and lit pistes, where skiers and boarders can enjoy their hobby also at nighttime. The annual snowboarding championship for the National Cup is held at Karpacz in January. Extremely popular family skiing centre in the Sudeten Mountains is Zieleniec, where the snow holds for a very long time and skiers can use more than twenty ski lifts. Zieleniec feels the competition of a newly developed skiing centre of Czarna Góra, nestling at the foot of Mt Śnieżnik. Czarna Góra has a cable car and six ski lifts. The Polish mountains and our numerous winter sports centres are quite well prepared and sufficiently equipped to receive fans of traditional skiing as well as enthusiasts of snowboarding and other free skiing games on snow. They are ready to welcome those who seek fun and relaxation. Welcome to the winter sports centres in the Polish mountains!

i n f o r m a t i o n

• Brenna

Communal Office ul. Wyzwolenia 77, 43-438 Brenna tel. +48-33 853 62 22, fax 853 63 70 www.brenna.pl, poczta@brenna.org.pl

• Zwardoń

Rajcza Communal Office ul. Górska 1, 34-370 Rajcza tel. +48-33 864 31 55, fax 864 38 87 www.rajcza.com.pl, ugrajcza@rajcza.com.pl

• Korbielów

„Pilsko” Ski Centre ul. J. Sitki 8, 34-335 Krzyżowa tel./fax +48-33 863 40 68 www.pilsko.gat.pl, pilsko@gat.pl

• Zawoja

Communal Centre of Culture, Promotion and Tourism ul. Wyzwolenia 77, 34-222 Zawoja tel./fax +48-33 877 55 33 www.zawoja.pl, it@zawoja.pl

Szczyrk Recommended hotels **** www.klimczok.pl www.skalny.szczyrk.com.pl www.orle-gniazdo.pl

Karpacz Recommended hotels *** www.hotel-karkonosze.pl *** www.hotelrezydencja.pl *** www.orbis.pl/index.php4?h=4 *** www.vivaldi.pl/karpacz Recommended pensions ** www.paradise.karkonosz.pl ** www.skalen.com.pl/ Krynica Recommended hotels *** www.pegaz.krynica.com.pl *** www.hotel.saol.com.pl *** www.hotel-motyl.pl Szklarska Poręba Recommended hotels *** www.hotel-krysztal.com.pl *** www.hotel-las.pl *** www.hotel-sasanka.pl *** www.hotelbosman.ta.pl Recommended pensions *** www.villa.romantica.ta.pl www.magdalena.karkonosz.pl www.fantazja.com.pl www.reszyniec.dt.pl

Ustroń Recommended hotels ***** www.hotelbelweder.pl *** www.jaskolka.com.pl ** www.hotel-magnolia.pl Zawoja Recommended hotels *** www.lajkonik.zawoja.pl Zakopane Recommended hotels **** www.belvederehotel.pl **** www.litwor.pl **** www.hotele-marilor.com.pl *** www.kasprowy.pl *** www.giewont.net.pl *** www.sabala.zakopane.pl ** www.hotel-helios.pl Recommended pensions *** www.polskie.tatry.pl *** www.czarnypotok.pl ** www.nosal.pl/pensjonat Wisła Recommended hotels *** www.hotelgawra.pl www.golebiewski.pl www.krokus.pl Recommended pensions www.yooz.com.pl/wisla/arka www.usmiech.com.pl

Szklarska Poręba Karpacz

Ustroń Zawoja Wisła Krynica Zakopane

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skiing

More and more people seek recreation during their winter holidays. They are not looking forward so much to the downhill runs on steep slopes as to the improvement of their health and general physical condition. The best way to achieve such an objective is to put on the cross-country skis. Poland never lacks snow, and the sports adventures are easy to find on the picturesque crosscounty tracks. The most renowned alpine skiing centres in Poland, such as Zakopane, Szczyrk, Wisła, Szklarska Poręba, Karpacz and Zieleniec have not only steep pistes to offer to downhill skiers, but also flat plateaus and scenic valleys. These are often very beautiful trails with splendid, panoramic view over the mountain peaks.

p rac t i c a l • Jakuszyce

Tourist Information ul. Pstrowskiego 1, 58-580 Szklarska Poręba tel.+48-75 717 24 49, fax 717 24 94 www.szklarskaporeba.pl, it@szklarskaporeba.pl

• Sokołowsko

Union of the Książ Cities and Communes ul. Mickiewicza 7, 58-300 Wałbrzych tel./fax +48-74 843 94 91 www.zmigk.org.pl, zwiazek@zmigk.org.pl

Cross-country skiing provides numberless opportunities for closer contact with nature. The areas located at the foot of the Tatras are perfectly suited for cross-country skiers. They can also enjoy runs along the marked hiking trails and flat ridges of the hills. Such terrains can be easily found in the vicinity of Zakopane at Bukowina Tatrzańska and Białka, or a bit further north in the Gorce range, near the Zakopane – Cracow road. Also the Beskid Mountains offer a number of opportunities to the enthusiasts of cross-country skiing. The areas near Szczyrk, Bielsko-Biała, Wisła, Ustroń and Korbielów can be recommended, and further east – the environs of Nowy Sącz, Krynica and Szczawnica. Gathering participants of all ages, the annual Jaworze Cross-Country Skiing

i n fo r m at i o n

• Szczawnica

City Promotion Office ul. Szalaya 103, 34-460 Szczawnica tel. +48-18 262 22 03, fax 262 25 30 www.szczawnica.pl, promocja@szczawnica.pl

• Rajcza

Rajcza Communal Office ul. Górska 1, 34-370 Rajcza tel. +48-33 864 31 55, fax 864 38 87 www.rajcza.com.pl, ugrajcza@rajcza.com.pl

• Nowy Sącz

Tourist Information Centre ul. Piotra Skargi 2, 33-300 Nowy Sącz tel./fax +48-18 443 55 97 www.sarr.com.pl

• Bielsko-Biała

Municipal Tourist Information Centre pl. Ratuszowy 4, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała tel. +48-33 819 00 50, fax 819 00 61 www.it.bielsko.pl, it.bielsko@skg.pl

w a n d e r i n g on Contest is organized at Jaworze near BielskoBiała in February. Part of it is the “romantic” run for couples along the track lit with torches. Very popular is the Ski Run for Peasants held at Rajcza and Zwardoń. It has become an international event of repeated character, including a contest entitled “The Beskids without Frontiers” organized partly on the Slovakian side. Jakuszyce near Szklarska Poręba is a real paradise for cross-country skiers. The area is crisscrossed by trails of the total length of 50 kilometres, representing different levels of difficulty. The long distance, annual Piast Race is held in March. It is the most important event of national character. The Gwarków Race ranks second in Poland and is organized at Sokołowsko near Wałbrzych in the Sowie Mountains in January.

p r a c t i c a l

skis

The Bieszczady Mountains with their snowy and beautiful winters could receive many more cross-country skiers. Relatively low ranges and hills with gentle, often treeless slopes dominate the area. Ustrzyki Dolne, Ustrzyki Górne, Wetlina, Solina and Polańczyk are comfortable starting points for fans of this type of recreation. The Suwałki region in northeastern Poland offers similar winter conditions to cross-country skiers, but the landscape is quite different thanks to the great number of lakes and dense forests. However, the season is equally long and the snow lays thick on the ground for a long time. There are many very scenic trails north of Suwałki. The annual “Wandering in the North” event is organized in February.

i n f o r m a t i o n

• Bukowina Tatrzańska

Communal Office, ul. Długa 144, 34-530 Bukowina Tatrzańska tel. +48-18 207 72 02, fax 207 08 79, www.gmina.bukowinatatrzanska.pl, gmina@bukowinatatrzanska.pl

• Ustrzyki Dolne

The Bieszczady Information and Promotion Centre, ul. Rynek 16, 38-700 Ustrzyki Dolne tel./fax +48-13 471 11 30, www.ustrzyki-dolne.pl, cit@ustrzyki-dolne.pl

• Białka Tatrzańska

Bania Sports and Holiday Centre, ul. Środkowa 181, 34-405 Białka Tatrzańska tel. +48-18 265 41 33, fax 265 47 06, www.bialkatatrzanska.pl, www.bania.pl, bania@bania.com.pl

• Suwałki

Polish Tourist and Country Lovers’ Society, ul. Kościuszki 37, 16-400 Suwałki tel./fax +48-87 566 79 47, http://suwalki.pttk.pl

Suwałki

Jakuszyce Bielsko Sokołowsko -Biała Nowy Ustrzyki Sącz Dolne Rajcza Szczawnica Bukowina Białka Tatrzańska Tatrzańska

gliding on In wintertime the lakes and canals of northeastern Poland turn into huge, flat and snow-covered ice fields. Over two thousand lakes of different acreage plus hundreds of rivers and canals are situated in that region. The Śniardwy, Mamry, Niegocin, Bełdany and Nidzkie are the largest lakes. In the northwestern part of the country there are also many lakes that freeze over in wintertime, however, they are not so large as those in northeastern Poland. The artificial water bodies by the dams in southern Poland freeze as well. Very popular with sailors in summertime, all these natural and artificial lakes offer excellent conditions for ice-boating in winter. Fans of ice-boating can find in

p r a c t i c a l • Olsztyn Olsztyn Warsaw

Krynica

DN Polish Fleet Association ul. Kołobrzeska 2/1, 10-442 Olsztyn tel./fax +48-89 527 46 01 www.bojery.pl, sfpdn@onet.pl

• Warsaw

phenomenal Adam M ałysz

ice Poland all they need: huge ice-covered areas and strong winds that allow them to reach great acceleration. Warmia, Masuria and Pomerania as well as southern Poland can cater to the needs of ice boaters as they have necessary facilities and comfortable hotels and pensions. These natural ice fields are also very attractive for skaters. There, besides skating, they can also find lots of opportunities to spend time in an interesting way. Fans of skating do not have to leave cities to enjoy their hobby. Outdoor and indoor skating-rinks are available in all bigger cities. Warsaw, for example, has an icetrack and an all-year skating-rink.

i n f o r m a t i o n

Torwar II ul. Łazienkowska 2a, 00-449 Warszawa tel. +48-22 625 53 06 www.torwar.pl

• Krynica

With the appearance of the phenomenal Adam Małysz a few years ago, ski jumping gained in popularity in Poland and abroad. The best national teams participate in numerous contests in the atmosphere of fierce rivalry. More and more young and talented sportsmen join the small group of old champions. Therefore, the level of competitions seems to be growing from year to year. This belief was confirmed during the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, during the annual Four Ski-Jumps Tournament and in the course of many other World Cup contests. Ski jumping contests attract thousands of spectators. The fans often follow their favourite competitors and show up during subsequent competitions of the World Cup. Adam Małysz, three-time winner of the main trophy, also has a great number of fans. Crowds of them appear when the contests are held in Zakopane.

It is a worldwide known centre of winter sports. The first skiing competition was organized in Zakopane in 1910. The programme also included a ski jumping contest. Ever since the Nordic skiing has become one of the Zakopane’s favourite sports. Zakopane hosted the FIS world championship (3 times) and the academic world championship (3 times). A few contests for the World Cup in ski jumping were organized on the modernized Wielka Krokiew ski jump. Many sports events of different standing are organized in Zakopane every year. Szczyrk also has a ski jump that can host international events (International Memorial of Olympic Games Participants). Our champion Adam Małysz lives in Wisła, also a centre of winter sports, where he started his career. With ski jumping becoming more and more popular, Wisła will soon have a modern ski jumping facility to host high ranking sports events.

• Zakopane

Tatra Ski Union ul. B. Czecha 1b, 34-500 Zakopane tel. +48-18 201 53 08, fax 201 25 88 www.zakopane.pl, tzn@tatrynet.pl

• Karpacz

Tourist Information ul. Konstytucji 3 Maja 25, 58-540 Karpacz tel./fax +48-75 761 97 16 www.karpacz.pl, it@www.karpacz.pl

• Szczyrk

Main Sports Centre ul. Plażowa 8, 43-370 Szczyrk tel. +48-33 817 84 41, fax 817 97 93 www.cos.pl, cos@szczyrk.com.pl

Municipal Centre of Sports and Recreation ul. Park Sportowy 5, 33-380 Krynica tel. +48-18 472 38 24, fax 471 65 04 www.mosir.krynica.com.pl mosir_krynica@pro.onet.pl

Karpacz Szczyrk

Zakopane

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the kumot erki races The sleighing cavalcades or kuligi were always a part of old Polish winter tradition, especially during the carnival period. The races combine fun and entertainment with rivalry. The latter one does not play any important role any more, but… At the beginning of February the annual Highlanders’ Parade is held in Zakopane and in Biały Dunajec. It’s a big feast for the local highlanders who can present their nicely embellished sleighs and colourful costumes. One of the top attractions of the parade is the kumoterki race of small sleighs drawn by one horse or the skijoring contest. This parade reminds the people of the old winter cavalcading tradition. Nowadays such events are quite frequently organized for tourists by the stud farms. A sleighing cavalcade with torches is not only a vivacious show but also an exciting adventure. The programme often includes an outdoor barbecue in the company of a folk band and dancers. The kuligi organized in the Beskids are an attractive conclusion of a day spent on ski-

p r a c t i c a l • Bukowina Tatrzańska

Promotion Bureau of the Communal Office ul. Długa 144, 34-530 Bukowina Tatrzańska tel. +48-18 207 72 02, fax 200 08 79 www.bukowinatatrzanska.pl,gmina@bukowinatatrzanska.pl

ing trails. Very famous are the cavalcades held in the winter scenery of the Bieszczady Mountains. Equally attractive are the kuligi on the lowlands of the Warmia, Masuria and the Podlasie region, especially in the picturesque Suwałki Lakeland and the Białowieża Forest. The ski touring has recently become very fashionable and can be practiced on the trails of the Tatras, the Beskids and the Sudeten Mountains. Polish stud farms organize winter rides, very popular with amateurs of that kind of rest and recreation. The Gładyszów stud farm in the Beskid Niski, with its Poland’s largest herd of the hucuły, is worth recommendation. Our stud farms near the Baltic Sea coast and those located in Pomerania offer equestrian experience also in the wintertime, arranging rides on horseback as well as in sleighs or buggies. Rides on snow-scooters is a modern version of the old horseback adventure. They are very exciting and certainly much easier, but the atmosphere is not the same. Some winter sports centres have snow-scooters on hire (Krynica, Piwniczna, Szczyrk, Szklarska Poręba).

i n f o r m a t i o n • Zakopane

Kumoterki Races Podhalanie Union, Zakopane Branch tel./fax +48-18 201 33 30 www.zakopane.pl

All-year artificially iced chute was constructed on the Kolorowa slope in Karpacz. Poland’s longest metal pipe meanders on the distance of 1060 metres. It has fourteen bends, two tunnels and the world’s only spiral turn. With the possibility of running at the speed of 35 kilometres per hour, this chute provides lots of excitement. Any little elevation covered with snow is enough for children to come out and play with sledges. All Polish winter sports centres host kids, although not all of them have so attractive sledge runs as Karpacz, Bielsko-Biała

p rac t i c a l •Karpacz

„Kolorowa” Sports and Recreation Centre ul. Parkowa 10, 58-540 Karpacz tel./fax +48-75 761 90 24 www.kolorowa.pl, biuro@kolorowa.pl

Bukowina Tatrzańska Zakopane

• Krynica

or Szczyrk. Szczyrk boasts a natural 1000 metre-long chute leading from the Karkoszczonka Pass to Szczyrk Biła. Sledge riding for recreational purposes can be enjoyed in many places. Winter sports organizers prepare slopes for both skiers and sledge riders. Sledge riding can be enjoyed in Zakopane as well as in the nearby Bukowina Tatrzańska. Slopes for sledge riders in the Bieszczady and the Beskids can also be recommended, especially in Krynica, Żegiestów, Rajcza, Zwardoń, Wisła, Ustroń, Rabka, and in dozens of smaller winter sports centres.

i n fo r m at i o n

Tourist Information Centre ul. Pułaskiego 4, 33-380 Krynica tel. +48-18 471 56 54, fax 471 55 13 www.krynica.pl, it@krynica.pl

• Zakopane

Tourist Information Centre ul. Kościuszki 17, 34-500 Zakopane tel. +48 -18 201 22 11, fax 206 60 51 www.zakopane.pl, info@um.zakopane.pl

Karpacz Zakopane Krynica

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fishing under ice Winter is a difficult period for the enthusiasts of angling because they have to give up their hobby for a long while. However, the winter holiday in Poland can be combined with fishing in air holes. The best areas are located in northern Poland, especially in the Pomeranian and Kashubian Lakelands as well as in the region of the Great Masurian Lakes with its major lakes of Śniardwy, Mamry, Niegocin, Roś and Bełdany. There are thousands of such natural fishing grounds in Poland, all teeming with various fish species. So finding excitement and big catch is not such a serious problem. Excellent opportunities are available on artificial lakes and rivers in southern Poland as well as on fish nurseries, for example, on the Milicz Ponds located several dozen kilometres north of Wrocław.

mation practical infor • Giżycko

Tourist Information and Promotion Centre ul. Warszawska 7, 11-500 Giżycko tel. +48-87 428 52 65, fax 428 57 60 www.gizycko.turystyka.pl, infogizycko@post.pl

Sledging is no the only mode of riding downhill. The National Downhill Riding on Anything Contest is held in Karpacz in February. The participants try their chance on all sorts of unusual vehicles. Organizing many such events, the hosts of the winter sports centres try to entertain their guests and make their stay as attractive as possible. Thus, there are contests for the biggest snowman, for the champion of carving in snow as well as snowball wars, and many similar events.

k a y a k i n g t ri ps The fans of water sports are very fond of watching the world from their kayaks; the kayaking is not only an adventure or a sports experience for them. In winter, even a relatively wide river course turns into a narrow pipe with a very rapid current. The heaps of snow on the riverbank have fantastic shapes and the trees and tussocks of grass are covered with hoarfrost. The beauty of nature is at your arm’s length. Winter kayaking is very exciting. Sometimes the river that is quite safe in summer may become a threat in wintertime. Dangerous are encounters with the floating ice-cakes, and the ice-covered riverbank makes getting into the kayaks hazardous. Difficulties of winter kayaking do not bother those who enthusiastically gather for years to welcome the New Year on the watercourse of the Czarna Woda (northern Poland) and raise a toast sitting in their kayaks. Here at the beginning of February, the National Winter Kayaking Trip is organized on the distance of twenty-eight kilometres.

ation practical inform • Bydgoszcz

• Augustów

Winter Kayaking Trip on the Brda River PTTK Oddział Miejski ul. Słowiańska 7, 85-950 Bydgoszcz http://ombydgoszcz.pttk.pl

Szot Tourist Company ul. Konwaliowa 2, 16-300 Augustów tel./fax +48-87 643 43 99 www.szot.pl, szot@pro.onet.pl

• Warsaw

• Olsztyn

Polish Kayaking Union ul. Ciołka 17, 01-445 Warszawa tel. +48-22 837 14 70, fax 877 24 60 www.pzkaj.pl, office@pzkaj.pl

Olsztyn PTTK Branch ul. Staromiejska 1, 10-950 Olsztyn tel. +48-89 523 53 20, fax 527 34 42 www.pttk.olsztyn.pl

• Milicz

Tourist Information Rynek 20, 56-300 Milicz tel./fax +48-71 383 11 11 www.milicz.pl, it@milicz.pl

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Siberian Husky Club Extreme Dziewicza Góra tel. +48 601 511 077 www.husky.com.pl, klub@husky.com.pl

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Polish Sports Federation of Teams with Sled Dogs of Northern Breeds ul. Rolnicza 242 D, 05-098 Łomianki tel. +48-22 751 43 37, fax 751 43 38 www.psyzaprzegowe.pl, zarzad@psyzaprzegowe.pl

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The ideal conditions for travelling with teams can be found in northeastern Poland, amidst forests and lakes, and also in the Bieszczady, where one can still encounter free-roaming wolves in the wilderness of the mountains. There are few similar regions in Europe, where one can hike in snowshoes for hours on end, covering snow-blanketed, endless distances. In the neighbourhood of some winter sports centres in the Beskids or the Sudeten Mountains, trackers with teams or snowshoers can also be encountered. In Jaworze near Bielsko-Biała, the International Contest of Dog Teams is organized in December. The shows of teams that are often arranged on the occasion of other winter sports events always attract crowds of tourists.

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The readers of Jack London’s novels know well the taste of adventures that his literary heroes experienced moving through the endless, snow-covered areas of the far north. Dogsleds were the only mode of travelling there and men had to wear snowshoes in order to be able to move through the snow. Sometimes it is good to abandon the commotion of modern civilization and find oneself in the scenery resembling that of the far north, feel the rhythm of nature and experience at least a substitute of real adventure. In Poland as well as in some other European countries there are people who rear sled dogs of northern breeds. There are clubs and organizations that associate those lovers of adventure. They will certainly appreciate Polish winter, especially in those regions of the country that are sparsely populated.

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Practical information Republic of Poland

Area: 312,000 sq km. Location: Central Europe. Poland borders on Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia. Its northern border – 500 km long – runs along the Baltic Sea coast. Population: 38,000,000. Flag: White and red. Official language: Polish. Capital city: Warsaw. Other major cities: Łódź, Cracow, Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk, Szczecin, Katowice, Lublin. Climate: Temperate, the average temperature in July is 19°C (67°F), but there are many summer days when temperatures rise to 30°C (86°F). The best time of the year for practising winter sports is between January and March.

Public holidays and work-free days

The free days are Sundays, Saturdays, and the following holidays: New Year’s Day (Jan. 1st), the Easter (Easter Sunday and Monday are moveable holidays), Labour Day (May 1st), the anniversary of the Constitution of May Third (May 3rd), Corpus Christi (Thursday, movable feast), Feast of the Assumption (Aug. 15th), All Saint’s Day (Nov. 1st), National Independence Day (Nov. 11th), Christmas Holidays (Dec. 25th and 26th).

Where to stay?

All hotels are classified and their categories range from inexpensive to luxurious. • Rooms c an be booked by telephone or Internet: www.discover-poland.pl www.hotelsinpoland.com www.polhotels.com www.hotelspoland.com www.polhotel.pl www.warsawshotel.com www.visit.pl www.orbisonline.pl www.pph.com.pl • Many historic and old buildings (palaces, castles, manors, mills) were adapted for tourist purposes – tel. +(48-22) 826 92 32, fax 826 92 33, www.wwz. pl, www.leisure-heritage.com. • Booking of rural B&B accommodations: tel. +(48-52) 398 14 34, mobile +(48-602) 459 137, www.agritourism.pl, federgg@wp.pl. • Youth hostels: tel. +(48-22) 849 81 28, fax 849 83 54, www.ptsm.pl. • Camping: tel./fax +(48-22) 810 60 50, www.pfcc. info. • Polish Tourist Country Lovers’ Association: www.pttk.pl.

Payment

Money can best be changed at banks or exchange counters. Credit cards are accepted in shops, travel offices, airlines agencies, fuel stations, etc. There is no time limit on the use of credit cards – they can be used round the clock. Loss of a credit card should be reported: tel. +(48-22) 515 31 50 or 515 30 00 (open 24 hrs). The Polish currency is the zloty (PLN) divided into 100 groszy. Coins in circulation: 1, 2, 5 zlotys and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 groszy. Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 zlotys.

Air

Several airports operate in Poland in the following cities: Warsaw, Cracow, Gdańsk, Katowice, Łodź, Poznań, Rzeszów, Szczecin, Wrocław and Bydgoszcz. LOT Polish Airlines is Poland’s national carrier. In order to find necessary information, all travellers planning to come to Poland and move around the country by air should visit the LOT website: www.lot.com. In addtition, several other carriers, including budget airlines such as Centralwings – www.centralwings.com, Easy Jet – www.easyjet.com, Germanwings – www.germanwings.com, Sky Europe – www.skyeurope.com, WizzAir – www.wizzair.com, Ryanair – www.ryanair.com, Norwegian – www.norwegian.no.

Train

Poland has a well-developed rail network. Major Polish cities are interconnected by Intercity express trains running between European cities. The national railway network is administered and serviced by the Polish State Railways (PKP). All necessary information can be found on the PKP website: www.pkp.pl.

Branches of the Polish Tourist Organisation Abroad

Stockholm

Moscow

Amsterdam London Berlin Warsaw Paris BrusselsVienna Budapest New York

Madrid

Rome Tokyo

Bus

Any place in Poland can be easily reached by an extensive network of national and local roads. Coach services are operated by the state and private bus companies throughout the country.

Taxi

Taxi stands are marked with the TAXI sign. Taxis can best be booked by phone. Higher rates are charged for travel out of city limits, on Sundays and holidays; a special night fare is applied between 10 pm and 6 am.

Traffic regulations

They are compatible with the rules in the EU countries. The relevant speed limits on Polish roads are: 50 km/h during daytime and 60 km/h from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all vehicles in built-up areas; 90 km/h on lane roads; 110 km/h on expressways; 130 km/h on motorways; Between October and February headlights must be switched on at all times while driving.

Useful telephone numbers

The nationwide toll-free 24 hour emergency phone numbers include: • Ambulance 999 • Fire Brigade 998 • Police 997 • Mobile Phone Holders Assistance 112 • Tourists can use the following emergency number in operation during the whole summer season: 0-800 200 300, +(48-608) 599 999.

Customs regulations

Customs rules and procedures are similar to those prevailing in the majority of EU countries. Detailed information is available from the Ministry of Finance, tel. +(48-22) 694 31 94, www.mf.gov.pl/sluzba_celna.

www.poland-tourism.pl

• AUSTRIA • Vienna tel. +(43-1) 524 71 91 12, fax 524 71 91 20 www.poleninfo.at, info@poleninfo.at • BELGIUM • Brussels tel. +(32-2) 740 06 20, fax 742 37 35 www.polska-be.com, info@polska-be.com • FRANCE • Paris tel. +(33-1) 42 44 19 00, fax 42 97 52 25 www.tourisme.pologne.net info@tourisme.pologne-org.net • GERMANY • Berlin tel. +(49-30) 21 00 920, fax 21 00 92 14 www.polen-info.de, info@polen-info.de • GREAT BRITAIN • London tel. +(44-0) 8700 67 50 12 fax 8700 67 50 11 www.visitpoland.org, info@visitpoland.org • HOLLAND • Amsterdam tel. +(31-20) 625 35 70, fax 623 09 29 www.poleninfo.info, poleninfo@planet.nl

• HUNGARY • Budapest tel. +(36-1) 269 78 09, fax 269 78 10 www.polska-tourist.info.hu, bakonyi@polska.datanet.hu • ITALY • Rome tel. +(39-06) 482 70 60, fax 481 75 69 www.polonia.it, turismo@polonia.it • JAPAN • Tokyo tel. +(81) 3-5908-3808, fax 3-5908-3809 www.poland-tourism.jp, info@poland-tourism.jp • SPAIN • Madrid tel. +(34-91) 541 48 08, fax 541 34 23 www.visitapolonia.org, agata@visitapolonia.org • RUSSIA • Moscow tel. +(7-495) 510 62 10, fax 510 62 11 www.visitpoland.ru, info@visitpoland.ru • S WEDEN • Stockholm tel. +(46-8) 21-60-75, fax 21-04-65 www.tourpol.com, info@tourpol.com • USA • New York tel. +(1-201) 420 99 10, fax 584 91 53 www.polandtour.org, pntonyc@polandtour.org

GB 2006 Publisher: Polska Organizacja Turystyczna / Polish Tourist Organisation ul. Chałubińskiego 8, 00-613 Warszawa, tel. +(48) 22 536 70 70, fax +(48) 22 536 70 04, e-mail: pot@pot.gov.pl, www.pot.gov.pl Editor: Wydawnictwo SOWA, www.sowa.pl; Text: J. Wysokiński; Translation: J. K. Milencki; Photographs: Ł. Biederman, J. Ciszak, A. Klimkowski, M. Kolasa, M. Kołosiński, Z. Kulik, G. Momot, M. Odziemczyk, D. Rafalski, Z. Rylański, M. Stasiński, Z. Żyburtowicz, “East News” and the POT archives.

www.poland-tourism.pl

Poland closer than you think

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