Would you really like to see Poland? Well forget about close-to-airport attractions, hire a car and get somewhere off the beaten track. If you can’t find yourself a Lonely Planet Guide, here’s some ideas to get you started.
The primeval forest in Bialowieza and Masurian Lake District are among 77 others in the semi-final stage of The New Seven Wonders of Nature. Some 28 official finalists will be announced on 21 July. But regardless of the experts’ opinions, those two places have already established a place in world tourism.
Those two sites are like Poland in miniature. Visitors will find everything that is so characteristic of the country, from small, hidden villages and abodes, to crowded resorts and lovely lakes, wild backwoods and modern infrastructure.
If you love untouched nature, go to Bialowieza Forest, on the Polish-Belarus border. Here, in a reserve, lives one of the oldest animals on the continent, the zubr – a massive mammal from the bison family. Later you can enjoy Zubr in a beer garden in Hajnówka, after visiting some of the local heritage parks.
Or, if you wish to stay overnight on the other side of the forest, go to Bialowieza, where you can indulge in countless activities, including visiting nature observations and making canoeing trips.
Above all, Masurian Lake District offers water activities, but of course, it is a nature preserve and historical region as well.
One of its deepest secrets is Hitler’s former quarters near Ketrzyn, where unsuccessful attempts were made to assassinate him. For militaria enthusiasts there is also the 19th century Boyen Fortress.
The region once was a part of Prussia and traces of it are still visible in unique architecture, including palaces and manor-houses in Sztynort, Brzeznica, Kalki and Sorkwity and local village houses.
To grasp unforgettable aromas of the place, it is enough to walk down countryside roads. Flanked with trees and surrounded by fields, as willows stretch upon the horizon.
During the summer Wegorzewo, Ilawa, Gizycko, Olecko, Szczytno and above all Mragowo, turn into the most attractive recreation sites with various music events, including Festival Kultury Kresowej (Boundary Culture Festival) which takes place at the beginning of August in Mragowo.
But this town is famous above all for its US-styled Piknik Country, which this year will guest Gail Davies (24-26 July) and a number of Polish stage stars. The popularity of this event encouraged local authorities to build the ‘Western’ city Mrongoville – complete with saloon, rancho and Indian village. The project is co-funded by the EU.
However, Mazury is primarily a mixture of local cultures, Polish, Prussian and Jewish, as well as Catholic and evangelical. Like Bialowieza forest, the region is situated at the eastern borderland of Poland, but you would find as many differences as similarities between the areas, especially in terms of mentality and temperament.
From Mazury, the way’s open to Warmia, and from there to the coastline – wild and entirely different from the Irish one, although also dominated by the countryside. For many tourists, going there can be just the beginning of their travels.
Recommended websites:
www.bialowieza.net.pl/eng/
www.gizycko.pl/en/
www.mazury.com.pl (Polish only)
