POLANDTravel Geography and Research

Country name:

Conventional long form: Republic of Poland

Conventional short form: Poland Local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska Local short form: Polska

Government type: Republic

Capital: Warsaw

Independence: 11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)

National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)

Poland (Polish, Polska), officially the Republic of Poland is a country in Central Europe. Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation. In a

series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency.

A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland still faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment, underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor rural underclass. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations.

Geographic location :

The latitude and longitude of Poland is 52º 00' N and 20º 00' E respectively. It is located in central Europe and lies on the eastern part of Germany. The total area is slightly smaller than that of New Mexico. Warsaw, the capital is located on 52º 15' N and 21º 00' E latitude and longitude respectively. There are 16 provinces in Poland and it is six hours ahead of Washington DC during Standard Time.Boundaries :

Poland is bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north.

NorthBaltic Sea and

Kaliningrad Oblast,A Russian exclave

SouthThe Czech Republic

and Slovakia

WestGermany

EastBelarus and Lithuania

Area :

The total area of Poland is 312,679 km² (120,728 sq mi),[1] within 3.07% water making it the 69th largest country in the world and 9th in Europe.Total: 312,685 sq km Land: 304,465 sq km Water: 8,220 sq km

Land boundaries: Total: 3,056 km. Border countries: Belarus 416 km, Czech Republic 790 km, Germany 467 km, Lithuania 103 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 210 km, Slovakia 541 km, Ukraine 529 km.Coastline: 491 kmMaritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm

Weather & Climate :

The climate is mostly temperate throughout the country. The climate is oceanic in the north and west and becomes gradually warmer and continental as one moves south and east. Summers are generally warm, with average temperatures between 20 °C (68 °F) and 27 °C (80,6 °F). Winters are cold, with average temperatures around 3 °C (37,4 °F) in the northwest and –8 °C (17,6 °F) in the northeast. Precipitation falls throughout the year, although, especially in the east; winter is drier than summer. The warmest region in Poland is Lesser Poland located in Southern Poland where temperatures in the summer average between 23 °C (73,4 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F) but can go as high as 32 °C (89,6 °F) to 38 °C (100,4 °F) on some days in the warmest month of the year July. The warmest city in Poland is Tarnów. The city is located in Lesser Poland; it is the hottest place in Poland all year round. The average temperatures being 30 °C (86 °F) in the summer and 4 °C (39,2 °F) in the winter. Tarnów also has the longest summer in Poland spreading from mid May to mid September. Also it has the shortest winter in Poland which often lasts from January to March, less than the regular three-month winter. The coldest region of Poland is in the Northeast in the Podlachian Voivodeship near the border of Belarus. The climate is efficient due to cold fronts which come from Scandinavia and Siberia. The average temperature in the winter in Podlachian ranges from -15 °C (5 °F) to -4 °C ( 24,8 °F).

Seasons :

Generally, the Polish seasons are clearly differentiated. Spring begins in March and, although initially it is rather cold, as the days progress it gets warmer. It is an ideal season for those who prefer pleasant warmth instead of unbearable heat in the summer. This season is perfect if you plan on taking in the sights of Poland, walking and even hiking in the Polish mountains due to low temperatures and humidity.

Summer in Poland starts in June and is typically the warmest and brightest season of the year. June is supposedly the hottest month of the year, but only in theory. In reality, you cannot count on that unless you enjoy being disappointed. The weather varies greatly from year to year as I mentioned above. There is plenty of sun, though, in summer and this is the season when all the resorts on the Baltic coast are filled to capacity with tourists and locals alike. The resorts are most crowded during the months of June, July and August.

Autumn begins in September and since it is preceded by summer, it is usually still a little bit warm and sunny at the beginning. But this is short lived as it gradually turns colder and foggy by November. There is something about autumn in Poland with landscapes beautifully adorned with falling, colorful leaves that it gained its reputation as the famous "Polish golden autumn." They say that there is no better season than this to come to see Polish mountains. The views are stunningly beautiful during autumn here.

And then there comes the Polish Winter which is usually grey and wet. Temperatures drop rapidly, the days become shorter and there are frequent intervals of snow. Although Polish winters last from December to March, high up in the mountains snow stays well into May. It is not a problem for winter sports enthusiasts and holiday-makers. Winter, after summer, is the second most popular season appealing to tourists visiting the mountainous regions of Poland . The coldest months of the season are January and February where temperatures often drop to -20 C degrees.

History : Prehistory : Main article: Prehistory of Poland (until 966)Historians have postulated that throughout Late Antiquity, many distinct ethnic groups populated the regions of what is now known as Poland. The exact ethnicity and linguistic affiliation of these groups has been hotly debated; in particular the time and route of the original settlement of Slavic peoples in these regions has been the subject of much controversy.

The most famous archeological find from Poland's prehistory is the Biskupin fortified settlement (now reconstructed as a museum), dating from the Lusatian culture of the early Iron Age, around 700 BC.

Piast dynasty : Main article: History of Poland (966-1385)Poland around 1020Poland began to form into a recognizable unitary and territorial entity around the middle of the tenth century under the Piast dynasty. Poland's first historically documented ruler, Mieszko I, was baptized in 966, adopting Catholic Christianity as the nation's new official religion, to which the bulk of the population converted in the course of the next centuries. In the twelfth century, Poland fragmented into several smaller states. In 1320, Władysław I became the King of a reunified Poland. His son, Kazimierz III, is remembered as one of the greatest Polish kings.Poland was also a centre of migration of peoples and the Jewish

community began to settle and flourish in Poland during this era (see History of the Jews in Poland). The Black Death which affected most parts of Europe from 1347 to 1351 did not reach Poland.

Jagiellon dynasty : Main article: History of Poland (1385-1569)

Under the Jagiellon dynasty Poland forged an alliance with its neighbour, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1410, a Polish-Lithuanian army inflicted a decisive defeat on the Teutonic Knights, both countries' main adversary, in the battle of Grunwald. After the Thirteen Years War, the Knight's state became a Polish vassal. Polish culture and economy flourished under the Jagiellons, and the country produced such figures as astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and poet Jan Kochanowski. Compared to other European nations, Poland was exceptional in its tolerance of religious dissent, allowing the country to avoid the religious turmoil that spread over Western Europe in that time.

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth : Main article: History of Poland (1569-1795)

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth at its greatest extent

A golden age ensued during the sixteenth century after the Union of Lublin which gave birth to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The szlachta (nobility) of Poland, far more numerous than in Western European countries, took pride in their freedoms and parliamentary system. During the Golden Age period, Poland expanded its borders to become the largest country in Europe.The reforms, particularly those of the Great Sejm, which passed the Constitution of May 3, 1791, the world's second modern constitution, were thwarted with the three partitions of Poland (1772, 1793, and 1795) which ended with Poland's being erased from the map and its territories being divided between Russia, Prussia, and Austria.

Partitions of Poland : Main article: History of Poland (1795-1918)

Poles would resent their fate and would several times rebel against the partitioners, particularly in the nineteenth century. In 1807 Napoleon recreated a Polish state, the Duchy of Warsaw, but after the Napoleonic wars, Poland was again divided in 1815 by the victorious Allies at the Congress of Vienna. The eastern portion was ruled by the Russian Czar as a Congress Kingdom, and possessed a liberal constitution. However, the Czars soon reduced Polish freedoms and Russia eventually de facto annexed the country. Later in the nineteenth century, Austrian-ruled Galicia, particularly the Free City of Kraków, became a centre of Polish cultural life.

Reconstitution of Poland : Main article: History of Poland (1918-1939)

Poland between 1922 and 1938

During World War I, all the Allies agreed on the reconstitution of Poland that United States President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed in Point 13 of his Fourteen Points. Shortly after the surrender of Germany in November 1918, Poland regained its independence as the Second Polish Republic (II Rzeczpospolita Polska). It reaffirmed its independence after a series of military conflicts, the most notable being the Polish-Soviet War (1919–1921) when Poland inflicted a crushing defeat on the Red Army.The 1926 May Coup of Józef Piłsudski turned the reins of the Second Polish Republic over to the Sanacja movement.

World War II : Main article: History of Poland (1939-1945)

The Sanacja movement controlled Poland until the start of World War II in 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded on September 1 and the Soviet Union followed on September 17. Warsaw capitulated on September 28, 1939. As agreed in the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, Poland was split into two zones, one occupied by Germany while the eastern provinces fell under the control of the Soviet Union.

Postwar Communist Poland : Main article: History of Poland (1945-1989)

At the end of World War II, the gray territories were transferred from Poland to the Soviet Union, and the pink territories from Germany to Poland

The Soviet Union instituted a new Communist government in Poland, analogous to much of the rest of the Eastern Bloc. Military alignment within the Warsaw Pact throughout the Cold War was also part of this change. The People's Republic of Poland (Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa) was officially proclaimed in 1952. In 1956, the régime of Władysław Gomułka became temporarily more liberal, freeing many people from prison and expanding some personal freedoms. Similar situation repeated itself in the 1970s under Edward Gierek, but most of the time persecution of communist opposition persisted.

Democratic Poland : Main article: History of Poland (1989-present)

A shock therapy programme of Leszek Balcerowicz during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into a market economy. As with all other post-communist countries, Poland suffered temporary slumps in social and economic standards, but became the first post-communist country to reach its pre-1989 GDP levels.[citation needed] Most visibly, there were numerous improvements in other human rights, such as free speech. In 1991, Poland became a member of the Visegrad Group and joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance in 1999 along with the Czech Republic and Hungary. Poles then voted to join the European Union in a referendum in June 2003, with Poland becoming a full member on May 1, 2004.

Natural History :

Poland’s topography

Poland’s territory extends across several geographical regions. In the northwest is the Baltic seacoast, which extends from the Bay of Pomerania to the Gulf of Gdansk. This coast is marked by several spits, coastal lakes (former bays that have been cut off from the sea), and dunes. The largely straight coastline is indented by the Szczecin Lagoon, the Bay of Puck, and the Vistula Lagoon. The center and parts of the north lie within the Northern European Lowlands. Rising gently above these lowlands is a geographical region comprising the four hilly districts of moraines and moraine-dammed lakes formed during and after the Pleistocene ice age. These lake districts are the Pomeranian Lake District, the Greater Polish Lake District, the Kashubian Lake District, and the Masurian Lake District. The Masurian Lake District is the largest of the four and covers much of northeastern Poland. The lake districts form part of the Baltic Ridge, a series of moraine belts along the southern shore of the Baltic Sea. South of the Northern European Lowlands lie the regions of Silesia and Masovia, which are marked by broad ice-age river valleys. Farther south lies the Polish mountain region, including the Sudetes, the Cracow-Częstochowa Upland, the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, and the

Carpathian Mountains, including the Beskids. The highest part of the Carpathians is the Tatra Mountains, along Poland’s southern border.

Cities of Poland :

This page contains a list of cities and towns in Poland, preceded by a table of major Polish cities.

Basic name Administrative Division Latitude LongitudeWarszawa Mazowieckie 52.26°N 21.02°EŁódź Lódz Lódzkie 51.77°N 19.46°EKraków Malopolskie 50.06°N 19.96°EWrocław Wroclaw Dolnoslaskie 51.11°N 17.03°EPoznań Poznan Wielkopolskie 52.40°N 16.90°EGdańsk Gdansk Pomorskie 54.36°N 18.64°ESzczecin Zachodnio-Pomorskie 53.43°N 14.53°EBydgoszcz Kujawsko-Pomorskie 53.12°N 18.01°ELublin Lubelskie 51.24°N 22.57°EKatowice Slaskie 50.26°N 19.02°EBiałystok Bialystok Podlaskie 53.14°N 23.16°EGdynia Pomorskie 54.52°N 18.53°ECzęstochowa Czestochowa Slaskie 50.81°N 19.13°ESosnowiec Slaskie 50.28°N 19.12°ERadom Mazowieckie 51.40°N 21.16°EKielce Swietokrzyskie 50.89°N 20.65°EGliwice Slaskie 50.31°N 18.67°EToruń Torun Kujawsko-Pomorskie 53.02°N 18.61°EBytom Slaskie 50.35°N 18.91°E

Zabrze Slaskie 50.30°N 18.78°EDemography :

Population: 38,500,696 (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.2% (male 3,013,109/female 2,849,977) 15-64 years: 71.4% (male 13,681,481/female 13,808,412) 65 years and over: 13.4% (male 1,964,477/female 3,183,240) (2008 est.)

Median age: Total: 37.6 years Male: 35.8 years Female: 39.5 years (2008 est.)

Population growth rate: -0.045% (2008 est.)Birth rate: 10.01 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)Death rate: 9.99 deaths/1,000 population (2008)Net migration rate: -0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Sex ratio: At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female Under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female Total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: Total: 6.93 deaths/1,000 live births Male: 7.66 deaths/1,000 live births Female: 6.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: Total population: 75.41 years Male: 71.42 years Female: 79.65 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups: Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census)

Religions: Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)

Languages: Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)

Literacy: Definition: age 15 and over can read and write Total population: 99.8% Male: 99.8% Female: 99.7% (2003 est.)

Economics :

Agriculture is mostly privately run and was so even during the Communist years. It accounts for 15% of the gross national product and occupies more than 25% of the workforce. Poland is generally self-sufficient in food; the main crops are rye, potatoes, beets, wheat, and dairy products. Pigs and sheep are the main livestock. Poland is relatively rich in natural resources; the chief minerals produced are coal, sulfur, copper, lead, and zinc. The country's leading manufactures include machinery, iron and steel products, chemicals, ships, food processing, and textiles.

Industry, which had been state controlled, began to be privatized in the early 1990s, although restructuring and privatization of the country's large coal, steel, and chemical industries has moved forward slowly, when it has progressed at all. Prices were freed, subsidies were reduced, and Poland's currency (the zloty) was made convertible as the country began the difficult transition to a free-market economy. Reforms initially resulted in high unemployment, hyperinflation, shortages of consumer goods, a large external debt, and a general drop in the standard of living. The situation later stabilized, however, and during the 1990s Poland's economy was the fastest growing in E Europe. Growth slowed significantly in 2001. Germany, Russia, Italy, France, and the Netherlands are important trading partners.

Currency

1 zloty (PLN) = 100 groszy

Coins : 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 gr, 1, 2, 5 złBanknotes : 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 złCentral bank : National Bank of PolandTrade organizations : EU, WTO and OECDStatistics : GDP (PPP) $632 billion (2007) (21st)GDP growth : 7% (2007)GDP per capita : $16,600 (2007)GDP by sector : agriculture (3%), industry (32%), services (66%) (2007)Recent GDP growth (comparing to the same quarter of previous year):Total 2003 3.7% Total 2004 5.4% Total 2005 3.3% Total 2006 6.1% Total 2007 6.5% In January 2007, industrial output was up 15.6% annually.Poland entered the European Union on 1 May 2004.Inflation (CPI) : 3% (Oct 2007)Population below poverty line :18% (2005)Labour force : 20 million (2005)

Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

2007 7.4% 6.7% 6.4% 6.1%

2006 5.5% 5.8% 6.3% 6.7%

2005 2.1% 2.8% 3.7% 4.3%

200 złotych

5 złotych

Labour force by occupation : agriculture (16%), industry (29%), services (55%) (2007)Unemployment : 7.7%[1]Main industries : machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textilesExternal :Exports : $110bn (2006)Main export partners : Germany 27%, Italy 7%, France 6%, UK 6%, Czech Republic 6% (2006)Imports : $126bn (2006)Main import partners : Germany 24%, Russian Federation 10%, Italy 7%, the People's Republic of China 6%, France 6% (2006)

Public finances :Public debt : 47% of GDP (2005)Revenues : $68bn (2006)Expenses : $77bn (2006)Economic aid : $68 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2007-13)

All values, unless otherwise stated, are in US dollarsFiscal year : Calendar year

Cost of living :

Costs of living vary, depending on location. The average cost of living in a large city (except in Warsaw) is about EUR 200 per month (including nutrition, rent for a room and bus tickets), in small cities and at the countryside it is considerably lower.Politics :

The politics of Poland take place in the framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Sejm and the Senate. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Executive power is exercised by the government, which consists of a council of ministers led by the Prime Minister. Its members are typically chosen from a majority coalition in the lower house of parliament (the Sejm), although exceptions to this rule are not uncommon. The government is formally announced by the president, and must pass a motion of confidence in the Sejm within two weeks.

Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, Sejm and Senate. Members of parliament are elected by proportional representation, with the proviso that non-ethnic-minority parties must gain at least 5% of the national vote to enter the lower house. Currently four parties are represented. Parliamentary elections occur at least every four years.

The president, as the head of state, has the power to veto legislation passed by parliament, but otherwise has a mostly representative role. Presidential elections occur every 5 years.The political system is defined in the Polish Constitution, which also guarantees a wide range of individual freedoms.

The judicial branch plays a minor role in politics, apart from the Constitutional Tribunal, which can annul laws that violate the freedoms guaranteed in the constitution.

Attractions :

Historical Museum of Warsaw

History buffs will appreciate this fascinating museum dedicated to Warsaw, a city that was nearly wiped out during World War II when 85 percent of its buildings were reduced to rubble and the Nazis massacred two-thirds of its people. Warsaw's past glory, its troubles, and its recent destruction and reconstruction are related through both exhibits and film.

Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, Oswiecim

Four million people are said to have perished in this German concentration camp. Located in upper Silesia, south of Krakow, the Auschwitz-Birkenau facility was built to fulfill three functions: labor, internment, and extermination. Originally, the camp was intended to serve as a prison for Polish political prisoners, but gradually the place became a death camp for all people persecuted by the Nazis, including Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Poles. The infamous Auschwitz death camp has been converted into a museum, and its crematoria have been faithfully restored. The Birkenau buildings nearby, which have been left untouched since 1945, provide a harrowing portrait of human cruelty.

Bialowieza National Park

In northeastern Poland, not far from the border with Belarus, lies one of Europe's last primeval woodlands. The Bialowieza Forest, with its wide variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds, is a nature lover's dream. The world's only remaining European bisons roam here, along with the nearly extinct tarpans (wild horses). In addition to its natural treasures, this national park also has significant archaeological sights, including hundreds of early Slavic burial mounds. Although many sections of the park are strictly protected, there is a large network of campsites and trails designed for the numerous visitors wishing to explore this scenic nature preserve.

Gdansk

This ancient Polish city celebrated its 1,000th anniversary in 1997. Lying on Poland's northern coast, not far from Russia's Baltic enclave, Gdansk has traditionally been at the forefront of all major developments in Poland's turbulent history. On September 1, 1939, the first shots of World War II were fried in Westerplatte, a Polish garrison right outside the city. Like Warsaw, Gdansk was nearly wiped out during World War II, but carefully reconstructed at the end of the bloody six-year conflict. For visitors, Gdansk holds numerous treasures, including the faithfully restored old town with its impressive city hall, the Neptune Fountain, Arthur's Court, and the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary. The scenic waterfront, with its interesting maritime museum, is ideal for a cultural stroll.

Krakow

Author and critic Wilhelm Feldman once mused that the soul of Poland lay in Krakow. The third largest city in Poland, Krakow sits atop a rocky hill that overlooks the Vistula Riverin southern Poland, north of the Slovakian border. Named one of the great historic cities of the world by UNESCO, Krakow is a glorious visual feast of castles, churches, elaborate facades, and proud towers that chronicle seven centuries of Polish architecture. Krakow sights include medieval Wawel Castle; Rynek Glowny, the town's lively central square; St. Adalbert's Church, which dates back to the 10th century; and Czartoryski Museum with its excellent collection of European Art.

Malbork Castle

This impressive fortress was built during the 14th century by the Teutonic Knights, who came to Poland at the bequest of the Polish Monarchs, in order to convert the heathen Prussians to Christianity. Over the next few centuries, the castle continuously changed hands between the Poles and their expansionist neighbors, most notably the Prussians. At the end of World War II, the castle lay in shambles, but Poland devoted money and time to the reconstruction and restoration of this ancient fortress. The historic halls, chapels, and courtyards have all been restored to their 14th-century splendor. Today the castle houses several permanent displays, including medieval sculptures, coins and medals, weaponry, pottery, tapestries, and amber art, in addition to a historical exhibit detailing the castle's turbulent history.

Royal Castle, Warsaw

This stunning renaissance palace, originally built by King Sigismund III, was completely obliterated during World War II. One of Warsaw's most beautiful structures, the palace was carefully reconstructed in the 1970s thanks to donations from powerful locals and wealthy expatriates. Glimmering under an intricate gold veneer and showcasing darkly evocative wall paintings, the palace is now a museum housing an impressive collection of Polish art.

Royal Lazienki Palace and Gardens, Warsaw

The residence of Poland's last monarch, King Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowski, Lazienki Palace was built in the Polish neoclassical style and later converted into a summer residence by the king. Over the years, the palace and its sweeping gardens have become a favorite destination for Warsaw residents. The palace has been converted into a museum and is now open to the public. During the summer, Lazienki Palace provides an elegant background for the annual plays staged right in the gardens. Musical concerts are performed every Sunday at the foot of an impressionistic monument to Polish composer Frederic Chopin.

Slowinski National Park

Located in northwestern Poland, the Slowinski National Park is a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves site. The park stretches from the Baltic coast in the north and encompasses Lebsko, Dolgie Wielkie, and Dolgie Male lakes further south. A fourth lake, Lake Gardno, is ideal for sailing and even has its own yacht club. The most intriguing feature of this park is the shifting sand dunes that move 30 feet each year and often reach heights of 90 feet. The park contains well-marked hiking trails, camping facilities, an observation tower atop Rowokol Hill, and a Forest and Natural History Museum. It is open from May through September.

Torun

This most appealing of Polish cities, Torun is located roughly half-way between Gdasnk and Warsaw. Founded in 1233 by the Teutonic Order, Torum experienced two

important growth periods. In the 14th century, the town became a major trading post along the Vistula River. During the 16th century, Torun became one of Poland's major learning centers; it is the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Torun showcases a unique Gothic architectural heritage--including the Town Hall, the Church of the Sacred Virgin Mary, and the parish church of St. John's--alongside its renaissance and baroque houses.

Warsaw's Old Town

The historic center of Warsaw was completely obliterated during World War II, but it was so carefully reconstructed thereafter that most visitors find it hard to question its authenticity. Narrow streets, shady alleyways, and intricate cobblestones provide the setting for lively squares, stately castles, richly decorated chapels, and soaring cathedrals. Three-story buildings with colorful facades house cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques always teaming with life and spirit. Numerous museums, some visible to the naked eye and others slightly hidden, offer both cultural and artistic exhibitions year-round.

Wieliczka Salt Mines

Located five miles southeast of Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mines have operated continuously since they were first built during the Middle Ages. Visitors to this unusual sight can tour the mine along a winding underground path replete with artistic salt carvings and even a 17th-century solid salt chapel. There are two additional underground chapels, including the Chapel of the Blessed Kinga, the largest and most ornate of the bunch. The Wieliczka Salt Mines--Poland's most visited tourist attraction--are still operational.

Wilanow Palace, Warsaw

On the outskirts of Warsaw, about six miles from the city center, stands one of the city's grandest architectural achievements. The former residence of King John III Sobieski, this grandiose baroque palace was pillaged by the Nazis during World War II. The Polish government successfully campaigned to reclaim the old art works and furnishings, and today Wilanow Palace looks exactly as it did some 400 years ago, both on the inside and out. The stately park, with its summer houses and tranquil lake, transports visitors back to an era when languid afternoon walks were the order of the day.Package & Tours :

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Entertainment :

You won't get bored in Poland's cities. Social, cultural, and, above, all, night life is thriving, particularly in the big commercial, scientific and cultural centres - the coastal Triple City (Gdansk, Gdynia, Sopot), Warsaw, Lódz, Poznan, Torun, Wroclaw and Cracow. Tourists also have the opportunity to take part in events of European repute.Museums and concert halls

For connoisseurs of art, apart from the monuments, churches and castles, there are the museums. Cracow is top of the national table for museum resources. In 2000 Cracow was one of the European Cities of Culture. The most interesting exhibitions are the historical,

archaeological, ethnographical and natural history displays, which enable visitors to learn more about the culture and natural resources of the various regions.

Art lovers won't be disappointed, since they'll be able to see works by painters already appreciated at the beginning of the 20th century, Jan Matejko, Stanislaw Wyspianski, Józef Mehoffer, and Jacek Malczewski. Within the network of National Museums, there are fascinating temporary exhibitions as well, with works by the world's masters - Chagall, for example, or Salvador Dali, Picasso, or Andy Warhol. There's no lack of original sites worth visiting either: the great oceanarium and floating museum ships in Gdynia, the Museum of Musical Instruments in Poznań's beautiful market-place, or the splendid collection in the Geological and Mineralogical Museum in Wroclaw. For classical music fans, there are concert halls, opera and ballet houses, all of which possess rich traditions and are working with some of the world's best conductors and musicians.

Some museums you must seeThe Czartoryski Museum, Cracow - ancient art, unusual gold ornaments, 13th -18th c. European painting, incl. 2 masterpieces: Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine and Rembrandt's Landscape with the Good Samaritan.

The Treasury and Arsenal of the Jasna Góra Monastery, Czestochowa- a huge collection of jewels and spoils of war offered by Polish kings and potentates as a votives. The jewel of the collection is the golden Baroque monstrance, inlaid with 2366 diamonds and 2200 rubies .

Lódz Art Museum   - The richest and most representative collection of Polish contemporary art: including works by S.I. Witkiewicz, Katarzyna Kobro, Wladyslaw Strzemiński, Zdzislaw Beksiński, Jan Cybis, Józef Pankiewicz, Tadeusz Kantor, Jerzy Nowosielski, and Roman Opalka, and also sculptures by Alina Szapocznikow and Magdalena Abakanowicz's famous tapestries.

Chopin's House, Zelazowa Wola - the great composer's birth place. The picturesque vine-covered house where he was born, and in a reconstructed interior, Chopin's belongings and the piano on which, in summer, his music is played.

The National Museum, Gdansk - Gdańsk art (incl. famous furniture), Polish, Flemish, and Dutch art, as well as a world-class masterpiece- Hans Memling's Last Judgement.

The cinema

After an excitement-filled day, you could go to the cinema. Here's a piece of good news - films are usually subtitled, not dubbed. There are any number of cinemas: from small, cosy buildings, often set up in historic townhouses, to huge cinecentres with over ten halls. In the small cinemas, there are stylish caf 鼯 span>s, and old masterpieces of the film-maker's art are often screened. In the vast cinecentres, besides the current box office hits, you can also watch three-dimensional films. The large cinemas are next to or part of big entertainment centres.

Nightlife Polish cities offer enthusiasts of nightlife a number of attractions. There are lots of pubs and clubs, where the fun goes on all week from dusk till dawn. Polish bars are generally called "pubs", but they have little in common with the traditional English pub. They are often styled

on Irish or Scottish taverns and they serve the best brands of beer, including British and Irish, but every one of them has its own particular d 鼯 span>cor and atmosphere. They close only when the last customer has left, and sometimes that means morning. The discos are diverse - above all, people come here to dance to disco, hip-hop and techno music, but you can also find hard rock and even jazz "discos".

Sports Activities

Football

The Poland national football team (Polish: Reprezentacja Polski w piłce nożnej) is the national football team of Poland, under the auspices of the Polish Football Association (PZPN).

Horses, horsemanship

HORSES, RIDING - we invite the horse riding lovers to the wonderful studs, where kept by experienced instructors will be able to improve their riding abilities. For the persistent riders are waiting however the wonderful experiences while the joyrides among the forests, meadows, streams and lakes. We also have something for horse lovers, for which we propose the exhibitions and auctions of the most beautiful Arabic Horses, which the polish studs are proud of.

Water sports Poland has a wonderful coast with beautiful sandy beaches, encouraging also for doing the water sports. In the vicinity of the Hel Spit there are wonderful conditions for doing the windsurfing. The wide lakes on Lakelands: Mazurskie, Lubuskie, Drawsko-Pomorskie provide sailing on yachts, water bicycles, kayaks. In the time of beautiful, summer weather the fans of water sports aren't bored. Even divers will find something for themselves.

Extreme sports

EXTREME SPORTS - adrenaline, fear and the feeling of deep satisfaction and also that "thing" that makes you feel invincible and full of energy - this give you the sports on the edge of risk, of which the great number you will find by us. In the wild forests, blue skies, azure and clean waters of reservoirs you will check out what you can afford. Try and you won't regret it, maybe you'll get little dirty and tired.

Bicycle tourism BICYCLES - Bicycle is a perfect way opening to the tourist great possibilities of introducing the beaty of Poland, which has ideal circumstances for doing this sport. Thanks to variety of landscapes occurring in our country every bike riding fan will find something for him, from beautifully localized walk tracks, to professional tracks with high scale of difficulty. Welcome, our bicycle tracks are waiting for you.

Golf in Poland

GOLF - although we're not associated with this sport discipline, we have currently 18 golf fields, whereof 8 masterly, and next 11 are in under construction, which will satisfy the lovers of this sport, at least the beginners. We invite you to try our abilities.

Fishing

FISHING - we invite you to the land where the lakes are still clean, rivers are full of fishes, where every fisherman will find his own oasis of peace and silence. We invite you to the paradise for fishermen. Everyone, who likes silence, peace and emotions bound with "suuuuch big fish" will find here a place for himself.

Hunting HUNTING - Poland form the earliest times was bound with hunting. Perfect grounds, the expert hunters, which cultivate the trusted hunting tradition through generations as well as they tace care of hunting culture and ethics, they cause, that Poland from long time ago was and is attractive for great of this world. For hunting, to Poland come kings, aristocrats, celebrities. With Old Polish hunters' greeting "Darz Bór!", we invite every fervent hunters to Poland.

Ski, snowboard

Polish mountains have the wonderful conditions for not only for hikes, but also for winter sports lovers. The Tatra mountains and the Karkonosze mountains encourage us with much better tracks and the possibility of spending the time after "the craziness" on the snow.

Shopping :

Street Vendor

You can often find street vendors in Warsaw. Many of them sell crap: huge Russian bras, plastic radios, chinese lamps and other things you won't buy.Sometimes however you can meet a person who sells good products at fair price. I personally think that those vendors are at least worth a little attention. In Zakopane and Tatra mountains - oscypek, local cheese. It won't be original but it's worth trying anyway.In other places - local crafts, fruit, vegetables, sunglasses, sun hats, umbrellas. When buying from street vendors don't expect high prices. And don't expect high quality of what you buy (with some exceptions).

Pic taken fromShops with regional souvenirs, local handicrafts, contemporary and antique art can be found all over the Poland.The most popular souvenirs from Poland are: amber and silver jevellery, paintings on glass by folk artists, laces and tablecloths from Koniakow and Bobowa, articles made of natural colour lather, Polish contemporary paintings and graphic art, artistic furniture and pottery.

Try the little roadside shops

This little market was along the road to Pajezsno. Not every shopping experience needs to be glamorous or pricey to be satisfying. My daughter takes a lesson from our wonderful guide, Gosia here. An attempt at the language and the money exchange can be a challenge...but fun.

All over Poland: HONEY

One of the greatest natural health products - honey. Poland's flora is a perfect environment for bees, and many Poles keep bees and sell their honey in the local markets.Mass production is also common with a wide variety of honey available in all stores and healthfood shops. It's very cheap.

Krupówki Market in Zakopane: Sheepskin Products

In Zakopane, the mountain village high in the Tatra mountains in the south of Poland, the street market on Krupówki has a wealth of local products.This is sheep farming country, so sheepskin products abound. Rugs, slippers, coats, hats and gloves. Particularly beautiful (and expensive) are the sheepskin jackets worn by the Highlanders, which are hand-embroidered with colourful leather inserts. In general, sheepskin products are cheap, but

the regional jackets are VERY expensive.

The Cloth Halls in the Market Square in Krakow: AMBER JEWELLERY

The arcaded interior of the Renaissance Cloth Halls in the centre of the Market Square in Krakow is a treasure trove of Polish crafts at their best. Here you will find a superb display ofPolish Amber and Silver jewellery on sale. From ancient Celtic designs, to Art Nouveau, to ultra modern, all at prices far less than you'd expect to pay for such beautiful objects. The amber (petrified resin 4 million years old and renowned for its mystic healing properties) is gathered on Poland's Baltic Coast and crafted by silver and goldsmiths into rings, earrings,

pendants, cufflinks, tie-pins, etc., etc.You'll find it hard to make up your mind which one to choose.

Wooden Sculpture

In regional fairs and gift shops all over the country, you'll find wonderfully carved wooden figures.I have a collection of colourful birds of all sizes, and wherever I go, I look for another to add to the collection.Very popular now are figures of Jewish musicians, though the tradition of carving these figures goes back at least 100 years. The niave art figures are especially attractive and the religious ones depicting Christ are uniquely Polish. Most are cheap, but figures by prominent sculptors can fetch high prices.

Local Craftsmanship Abounds

You'll find shops in every major town throughout Poland selling high quality local crafts. Cepelia is a particularly good shop, providing a wide regional selection of handicrafts. Poland is reknowned for its Amber, Silver Crystal/Glasswear and Leather products. Also Boleslawiec Pottery (shown here) is exported throughout the world. Wooden carvings, papercuts, chess and backgammon sets are also very popular purchases. You'll find many Polish products in your own city, but the prices in Poland are far less.

Food :

Polish traditional food, a cuisine that was suppressed during Communist times, is now making a comeback. Polish traditional foods consists of traditional Slavic fare, but also has influences from Italy and France that date back to the medieval Polish court. The Polish traditional foods you willencounter today are flavorful, hearty, and complex, but they have a lighter side, too.

Polish traditional food features many soups, made with mushrooms, broth, and beets. But imagine, if you will, a hearty hunter’s stew that is a meal in itself. This stew, called bigos is a combination of cabbage, mushrooms, and various meats—traditionally pork, bacon, and delicious Polish sausage, but today bigos may also contain venison or duck. Pierogi have long been a traditional Polish food staple.

They may have come from Russia in the Middle Ages, but they are as Polish as Polish food gets. Dough filled with cheese, potatoes, onions, cabbage, mushrooms,

meat (or almost any other ingredient, savory or sweet, that you can think of), pierogi are served steaming hot boiled or fried and are accompanied by sour cream. Homemade pierogi are a special treat that even the pickiest eater will beg for more. Zrazy is Polish traditional food that will stick to your ribs. A filling of bacon, breadcrumbs, mushrooms, and cucumber is rolled inside a seasoned slice of sirloin beef then fried or grilled to allow the flavors to mingle. With a side of mizeria, or cucumber salad, you’ll have a meal bursting with all the flavors of the best Polish traditional food. This chilled salad is composed of thinly-sliced cucumbers, sprigs of dill, and chopped onion in a sour cream and lemon juice dressing.

Fish dishes are also popular, especially in regional Polish traditional food. Carp, pike, perch, eel, and sturgeon are all popular and served in various ways. Pork is the most common meat in traditional Polish cuisine, but chicken, beef, venison, duck, and other meats are seen on restaurant menus today.

For desert, Polish meals will include Polish cheesecake, or sernik, apple tarts (szarlotka), makowiec (a sponge cake with a poppyseed filling), or eklerka (éclairs). Bakeries in Poland will have many of these sweet pastries and deserts to choose from, so be sure to try them all!Restaurants :

99al. Jana Pawla II 23 , Warsaw, Poland Phone - +48 22 620 199999 is Warsaw's most modern restaurant. The interior has been described as "California modern." The large, well-stocked Restaurant Type: Eating placesUser Rating: 7.5 Food:[10.0] • Service:[10.0] • AdlerUlica Mokotowska, 69 , Warsaw, Poland Phone - +48 22 628 7384Once upon a time this was a cheap beer bar. Now, it's a stylish venue with pleasant decor serving hearty food. Restaurant Type: Eating placesUser Rating: 5.5  AkropolisUlica Grodzka, 9 , Old Town , Krakow, Poland Phone - +48 12 421 7725This place has been around long enough now to be a Krakow institution. Restaurant Type: Eating placesUser Rating: 9.5  Arka NoegoUlica Szeroka, 2 , Kazimierz , Krakow, Poland The name means Noah's Ark and the cafe is often as full as that great ship must have been! Its location near the cornerRestaurant Type: Eating placesUser Rating: 8.0 Food:[10.0] • Service:[10.0] • Atmosphere:[10.0]

BagatelaUlica Bagatela 12 , in the basement of Polish Information Agency building , Warsaw, Poland Phone - + 48 22 625 2245A chic basement restaurant club that serves Meditteranean /Polish food. Restaurant Type: Eating placesUser Rating: 5.5  Barock CafeUlica Armi Ludowej, 17 , Warsaw, Poland Phone - +48 22 825 5187This relaxed restaurant is located beside a huge student dormitory. On Saturday nights, a disco is held here. Restaurant Type: Eating placesUser Rating: 10.0 Food:[5.5] • Service:[5.5] • Atmosphere:[5.5]

BatidaUlica Nowogrodzka, 1/3 , Warsaw, Poland Restaurant Type: Eating places

BazyliszekRynek Starego Miasta 1/3 , Warsaw, Poland Phone - +48 22 831 1841The entrance to this traditional, historical restaurant is under a wrought-iron dragon in Warsaw's famous Old Town Restaurant Type: Eating placesUser Rating: 9.5 Food:[9.0] • Service:[7.0] • Atmosphere:[9.0]

Belvedereul. Agrykola 1 , Lazienki Park , Warsaw, Poland Phone - +48 22 841 4806If you were to visit only one restaurant in Warsaw, this one would be an excellent choice. Tropical plants, flowers in Restaurant Type: Eating placesUser Rating: 9.0 Food:[8.5] • Service:[9.5] • Atmosphere:[10.0]

Blikle Cafeul. Nowy Swiat 33 , Warsaw, Poland Restaurant Type: Eating places

Blue Cactusul. Zajaczkowska, 11 , Warsaw, Poland Phone - +48 22 851 2323Blue Cactus has the same owners as the Italian place across the river, Boathouse. Original and often interesting Restaurant Type: Eating placesUser Rating: 9.0 Food:[9.0] • Service:[9.0] • Atmosphere:[10.0]

Hotel in Poland :

Gromada Warszawa Warsaw 2.15% from 61 €

Radisson SAS Warsaw Warsaw1.93%from 83€

Best Western Hotel Ożarów Maz.k.Warszawy1.55%from 83€

Campanile Warsaw Warsaw1.49%from 53€

Czarny Kot Warsaw1.48%from 44€

Premiere Classe Warsaw1.47%from 40€

Campanile Lodz Łódź1.24%from 47€

Polonia Wrocław1.21%from 40€

Kyriad Prestige Warsaw1.18%from 65€

Marriott Warsaw1.14%from 83€

Communications :

Telephones - main lines in use:11.475 million (2006) Telephones - mobile cellular:36.746 million (2006) Telephone system:general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications network has accelerated with market based competition finalized in 2003; fixed-line service, dominated by the former state-owned company, is dwarfed by the growth in wireless telephony domestic: mobile-cellular service available since 1993 and provided by three nation-wide networks with a fourth provider beginning operations in late 2006; cellular coverage is generally good with some gaps in the east; fixed-line service is growing slowly and still lags

in rural areas international: country code - 48; international direct dialing with automated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 with access to Intelsat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik

Radio broadcast stations:AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998)Radios:20.2 million (1997) Television broadcast stations:40 (2006) Televisions:13.05 million (1997) Internet country code:.pl Internet hosts:5.681 million (2007) Internet Service Providers (ISPs):19 (2000) Internet users:11 million (2006)

Transportation :

Airports : 123 (2007)

Main airportsWarsaw International Airport, handles 9 million passengers and 48,535 tonnes of cargo per year. Kraków International Airport, handles 3,068,199 passengers and 3,255 tonnes of cargo. Katowice International Airport, handles 1,5 million passengers and 5,618 tonnes of cargo. Gdańsk International Airport, handles 677,946 passengers and 3,433 tonnes of cargo. Wrocław International Airport, handles 454,047 passengers and 1,378 tonnes of cargo. Poznań International Airport, handles 399,255 passengers and 2,166 tonnes of cargo. Szczecin-Goleniów "Solidarność" Airport Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport

Łódź Władysław Reymont AirportAirports - with paved runways: Total: 83 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 3 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways: Total: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 22 (2007)

Heliports: 7 (2007) Railways : Total: 23,420 kmstandard gauge (1.435 m) : 21,639 km (11,626 km electrified; 8,978 km double track) broad gauge (1.524 m) : 646 km narrow gauge (various) : 1,135 km various gauges including 1.000 m, 0.785 m, 0.750 m, and 0.600 m (1998) As of December 2002 narrow gauge railways were no longer owned or operated by PKP. They were transferred to regional authorities or became independent companies.

Poland is served by an extensive network of railways. In most cities the main railway station is located near a city centre and is well connected to the local transportation system. The infrastructure is operated by PKP PLK ( PKP-Polskie Linie Kolejowe : PKP-Polish Rail Lines), part of state-run PKP Group.The only high speed rail line in central-eastern Europe, Centralna Magistrala Kolejowa (CMK) (Central Railway Route, length 221km), links Warsaw with Kraków and Katowice. Trains on the CMK achieve speed up to 160km/h (some sections allow up to 200km/h, but the rolling stock has not yet been adapted to handle higher speed).

Other high speed lines:Warsaw - Kutno - Poznań - (Berlin) (140, 160 km/h) Warsaw - Siedlce - Terespol - (Minsk) (160, 120 km/h) - being upgraded to 160km/h Warsaw - Puławy - Lublin (120, 140 km/h) Opole - Wrocław (160km/h) and further upgraded via Legnica to Hamburg The Warsaw - Gdańsk - Gdynia line is being upgraded to allow speed up to 200km/h, and the Warsaw-Łódź line is being upgraded to allow speed up to 160km/h (in order to bind together the Warsaw - Łódź agglomeration). There are long term plans to construct a new high speed line (300 km/h) from Warsaw to Poznań and Wrocław with forks in Łódź and Kalisz.The PKP Group is the fourth largest railway throughout Europe. Trains are run by:Rail links with adjacent countries:Same gauge: Czech Republic Germany Slovakia Break-of-gauge - 1435mm/1524mm Lithuania Belarus

Gdańsk International Airport

Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) Ukraine

Roadways :

Total: 423,997 km paved: 295,356 km (includes 484 km of expressways) unpaved: 128,641 km (2004)

Municipal transportTramOver 30 cities with tramway systems including Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków, Łódź, Poznań, Szczecin, Warszawa and Wrocław. See the list: List of town tramway systems in Europe#PolandULF tramSee also: Poznań Fast TramWaterways:3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2006) Ports and harborsPort of Gdańsk Port of Gdynia Port of Szczecin-Świnoujście Port of Ustka Port of KołobrzegMerchant marine:total: 11 ships (1000 GRT or over) 55,701 GRT/45,082 DWT by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Nigeria 1) registered in other countries: 102 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Bahamas 15, Cyprus 18, Liberia 14, Malta 25, Norway 3, Panama 15, Slovakia 2, St Vincent and The Grenadines 1, Vanuatu 7) (2007)

Pipelines:Gas 13,552 km; oil 1,384 km; refined products 777 km (2007)Holidays in Poland :National Holidays:1 May - National Holiday3 May - National Holiday of 3rd May - the anniversary of the proclamation of Constitution of 3rd May11 November - National Holiday of Independence - The anniversary of regaining independance by PolandBank Holidays:1 January - New Year's DayFirst Day of EasterSecond Day of Easter1 May - National Holiday3 May - National Holiday of 3rd May Corpus Christi15 August - The Virgin Mary Assumption1 November - All Saints' Day11 November - National Holiday of Independence 

25 December - Christmas Day 26 December - Boxing DayFestival in Poland :Festival Name Festival MonthBielska Zadymka Jazzowa Jazz Festival JanuaryInternational Students' Festival of Folklore AugustKrakow Film Festival MayLodz International Festival of Photography MayInternational Young Audience Film Festival JuneSummer Jazz Festival JulyPrzystanek Woodstock AugustWarsaw International Film Festival OctoberPlus Camerimage International Film Festival NovemberWarsaw Jazz Jamboree NovemberWords of Advice in Poland :

Do try to experience Polish folk music and dance—it’s among the most distinctive in Europe. The mazurka and polonaise of central Poland were popularized by Chopin—the polonaise more stately and ceremonial than the lively mazurka. (The polka is claimed by both Poland and the Czech Republic). Don’t expect your credit card to be accepted in most places. Do not be tempted by public pools, even on a hot day. Sanitation standards in Poland are not what they are at home. Don’t walk around parks at night. Try to only drink bottled water. Do take some cash with you.

Banks close relatively early in the afternoon, and private exchange offices (kantors) don’t accept traveler’s checks. Also, you may have difficulty changing traveler’s checks if you arrive in the country in mid-afternoon and if you go beyond the bigger cities. Don’t change money on the street—you’ll only be ripped off. Don’t expect to see a Western-style economic system in action throughout Poland, even though the Communists have been out of power for years. Much of the old system remains, and you will still encounter bureaucratic hassles and unmotivated service workers. Do look for the Warsaw Voice and the Gazeta International. Published weekly in English, they offer a local slant on politics. Do carry your passport with you at all times.

It’s also essential to have it if you’re taking a domestic flight. Don’t expect all hotel desk services to be available from noon to 1:30 pm (in some hotels), as there’s a long lunch hour. Do expect to pay a premium if you get into a taxi with an Orbis sticker on the windshield (or a sticker with your hotel’s name on it). The fare will be at least twice that of normal taxis (you’re paying for its return to your hotel). Even worse, you may have to pay the amount on a preprinted form, an amount that may come to as much as four times the normal fare. Do wrap packages in strong paper and string if you’re shipping them home from Poland. 

Tipping: Tip taxi drivers 10%, but do not tip in restaurants—a 10% service charge is normally included in the bill.