Portrait of Poland

Sobre la destinació: The image of Warsaw as a grey concrete jungle, a wasteland of homes in the Soviet era, does not correspond with the reality of the last 15 years of this vibrant city. This metropolis has much more to offer, many things to visit, an impressive cultural scene and a lively nightlife. Warsaw is looking ahead leaving its Soviet past in the past where it belongs. At the end of World War II, 85% of the city was in ruins and the city had to undergo a major reconstruction. The successful reconstruction received recognition in 1980 when UNESCO declared the Old Town of Warsaw World Heritage Site. Located in the Mazowieckie province, in central-eastern Poland, the city is unevenly divided by the Vistula River. Most tourist attractions are on the left bank of the river, while on the right bank we have the up and coming elegant district of Prague. The epicentre of Warsaw for visitors is the so-called Royal Route (Trakt Królewski), which runs north-south from the New and Old Towns, past the elegant Nowy Swiat shops, palaces that survived the war and the royal gardens Lazienki Park, before arriving at the Wilanów Palace, to the south of the city centre. The city also has many green spaces with lush lakeside parks where rowing boats sail during the sunny summer days and where visitors can find plenty of al-fresco cafes. In the parks, free classical music concerts are also held, with big audiences, a scene that is far from the somber images of communist-era Warsaw. Today the city offers an amazing nightlife, young locals dress elegantly to head to the cool bars and groovy clubs in the city. It is definitely a city that vibrates as soon as the sun goes down. Although some people claim that Krakow has the beauty, Warsaw has the culture, the energy and the action.

Sobre la destinació: Lying on the Bay of Gdansk and the southern cost of the Baltic Sea, Gdansk is a beautiful port city with a long history. It is a large centre of economic life, science, culture, and a popular tourist destination. As a port city and a major partner in the Hanseatic League, Gdansk has always been in contact with foreign countries. Today, Gdansk is the capital of the Pomeranian province and an important administration centre. After WWII Gdansk was largely in ruins, but the buildings underwent an extraordinary restorations, it seems impossible to tell which facades are original and which have been restored. Gdansk’s market square, Dlugi Targ, is the centre of town. The Dwor Artusa, just opposite the Neptune Fountain, served as headquarters of the Hanseatic League; its original 16th century facade looms over the square and it is today a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Gdansk. Gdansk is home to the largest Gothic church in Poland: St Mary's Basilica. Dominant over Gdansk’s skyline since its completion in 1502, St. Mary's has since become one of the iconic landmarks for the city. Climb the steeple for a panorama of the city. A trip up the tower of the Town Hall includes a series of photographs of Gdansk after the war. Ul Mariacka, behind Mariacki Cathedral, is perhaps Gdansk most beautiful street, with exquisite Hanseatic architecture. If you want to take a break from the big city, and relax a little bit, head to the Brzezno Park. This small city park is located on the coast, near Nowy Port. And if it’s sunny head down Stogi Beach, the city’s best. Stogi beach is large, has quite clean and fine sand, lifeguards, and several food stands and bars. Charming historic old town streets, many museums, and its excellent access to the popular coastline of the Baltic make Gdansk an energetic destination crammed with many ways to have fun.

Sobre la destinació: Poznań is a large city in the region called Wielkopolska, in the Greater Poland, in the west of Poland, on the Warta River. Poznań is among the oldest cities in Poland and was one of the most important centers in the early Polish state in the tenth and eleventh centuries. It is best known for its renaissance old town, destroyed during the World War II and then rebuilt. The Renaissance town hall, old houses, charming side streets, numerous museums, monuments, cafes and people walking about - all of them create the unique atmosphere of the place. Stary Rynek, the old town square, is one of the finest in Europe. This is the center of old, medieval Poznań, and has been superbly rebuilt after severe destruction in Second World War. Cafés and bars line the square and it is a superb spot for ordering a drink and watching the world go by. Town Hall is the centerpiece of the Rynek. St. Peter's and Paul's Cathedral - the first polish cathedral and the only one between years 968 and 1000, and the Środka district is located just few minutes from the Cathedral Island.

Sobre la destinació: Krakow is beautiful, a jewel among European cities. People have been living and building here since the 9th century. The Old Town historical district in Krakow’s heart is actually the medieval city established in 1257. Krakow remains the undisputed architectural capital of Poland and home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. The many parks and the Planty, the green city belt surrounding the city centre, make Krakow, a wonderful city to visit. Krakow’s entire stare miasto, old town, is lovely, every street worth a slow stroll. At its centre is the Rynek Glowny, one of the most beautiful market squares in Europe. The Kosciol Mariacki in its northeast corner, is a richly decorated cathedral, with a 500-year-old carved altarpiece. Diagonally across the square stands the lonely town hall tower spared when the rest of the building was demolished in 1820. Sitting on the Wista River, is the Wawel Castle, the finest surviving piece of Renaissance architecture in Poland. The castle was the royal seat of Poland, and is the city's main tourist attraction. The grounds consist of the palace, a huge Cathedral and a large garden. The Royal Cathedral dominates the complex of Wawel. It was the coronation site and burial place of almost all of monarchs of Poland. Built in the early 11th century in Romanesque style its tower offers a splendid view of Krakow. The beauty of its old architecture, the ambience of great culture, art and literature, the charm of its numerous cafes, bars and pubs, always full of locals and tourists, makes this city one of world's best tourist destinations.

Sobre la destinació: The image of Warsaw as a grey concrete jungle, a wasteland of homes in the Soviet era, does not correspond with the reality of the last 15 years of this vibrant city. This metropolis has much more to offer, many things to visit, an impressive cultural scene and a lively nightlife. Warsaw is looking ahead leaving its Soviet past in the past where it belongs. At the end of World War II, 85% of the city was in ruins and the city had to undergo a major reconstruction. The successful reconstruction received recognition in 1980 when UNESCO declared the Old Town of Warsaw World Heritage Site. Located in the Mazowieckie province, in central-eastern Poland, the city is unevenly divided by the Vistula River. Most tourist attractions are on the left bank of the river, while on the right bank we have the up and coming elegant district of Prague. The epicentre of Warsaw for visitors is the so-called Royal Route (Trakt Królewski), which runs north-south from the New and Old Towns, past the elegant Nowy Swiat shops, palaces that survived the war and the royal gardens Lazienki Park, before arriving at the Wilanów Palace, to the south of the city centre. The city also has many green spaces with lush lakeside parks where rowing boats sail during the sunny summer days and where visitors can find plenty of al-fresco cafes. In the parks, free classical music concerts are also held, with big audiences, a scene that is far from the somber images of communist-era Warsaw. Today the city offers an amazing nightlife, young locals dress elegantly to head to the cool bars and groovy clubs in the city. It is definitely a city that vibrates as soon as the sun goes down. Although some people claim that Krakow has the beauty, Warsaw has the culture, the energy and the action.