Poland is to be found at the center of the European continent, with an area of 312,683 sq/km. It has a frontier of 3,582 km, including 528 km of coastline. To the west, the Polish/German border runs along the Oder and Neisse rivers. To the north, Poland is bordered by the Baltic Sea and by Russia. Poland is separated from the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south by the Sudeten and Carpathian Mountains, whilst its eastern neighbors are Lithuania, Belarus and the Ukraine.

Situated in the south of Poland, the Tatra Mountains are "minature of Alps". These mountains possess an unforgettable charm, and are regarded by many as the most beautiful mountains in the world. Mt. Rysy is the highest peak in the Polish side of the mountains - 2499 m. The highest point on the Slovakian side is the well know Gerlachovsky stit 2655m. The Tatras offer not only unforgettable year round views, but also beautiful nature, almost untouched by civilization, protected by the National Parks and acknowledged as a world cultural heritage site. It also a tourist paradise. Many ski lifts and slopes operate during the winter months, and in the summer, hundreds of kilometres worth of hiking, biking, and walking trails. There are a wide variety of flora in the park which include dwarf mountain pine, spurce, conifers and oak. The fauna in the park include Eagles, Hawks, Bears, around 100 wolves, approx.50 lynx and well over a thousand fish.

 

 

 

 

You can reach Kasprowy Wierch (1987 m.) by cable car. The ride is 4291 m, long, and the difference in height between is 936 m. you will see a magnificent view of the Western Tatras with Red Peaks, Mt. Giewont as well as the High Tatras. The pearl of the Tatras is the picturesquely located Lake Morskie Oko (1395 m). Its reflection shows the most beautiful peaks of the Polish Tatras. Czarny Staw (Black Lake) is the second largest lake 1583 m. The Tatras are also a land of caves and valleys. Two of the most beautiful valleys are Dolina Koscieliska and Dolina Chocholowska

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zakopane, the winter capital of Poland, is a city located in the south of Poland, around a 2-hour drive from Krakow. This lovely city, immersed in the natural surroundings, is at the foot of the Tatra Mountains - the miniature Alps. Zakopane has an unforgettable atmosphere and beautiful views all year round. People come to Zakopane to experience the highlander folklore, their dialect, art, traditions, traditional costumes and music as well as the picturesque wooden architecture, which beautifully presents itself in the foreground of the towering Mount Giewont. KRUPOWKI is one of the five most famous streets in Poland. This vibrant promenade is filled with shops, pubs, restaurants, and other institutions. Mount Gubalowka is not a very high peak and can be reached either by funicular or on foot. Your prize for getting to the top is a breathtaking view of the Tatra Mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Krakow is the ancient seat of kings and, unlike war-razed Warsaw, remains chock-full of history and Old Town charm. Keeping the city young since 1364 are the students of Jagiellonian University, more than 100,000 strong, largely English-proficient, and always a good lead for finding city’s underground parties. The Old Town’s pedestrian streets are easy to meander but it takes a sense of adventure to steal back into the courtyards and down cellar steps to discover the hidden bars, restaurants and clubs. The main square - Rynek Glowny is centred on the Sukiennice, a former cloth hall now lined with worthwhile souvenir stands, and surrounded by historic buildings that house restaurants with pavement tables. Rynek Glowny, remained the rallying point for Polish independence. All streets seem to lead to this focal square, where, on the north-east corner, huge flocks of pigeons peck past the fluttering frocks of nuns and priests on their way to St Mary’s Church, famous for its 15th-century altar by Wit Stwosz.

A walk along busy, store-lined Florianska brings you to the Florianska Gate, a remnant of the 14th-century fortifications and the entrance to the Old Town from the city’s busy bus and train stations.At the southern part of Old Town, the castle and cathedral dominate Wawel Hill. Both the castle and Gothic cathedral hold fabulous works of art, tapestries and historical treasures. A 10 minute walk south from Wawel brings you to Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, where the rich culture of generations was wiped out in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. The area’s resurgence is manifested in Klezmer music venues, hip bars and caffee, especially along Szeroka and Estery streets. Kazimierz has a distinctly alternative feel, a world away from Old Town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wieliczka- this small town, in the south of Poland, just 6 miles away from Krakow, is most famous for its Kopalnia Soli (Salt Mine) - the only construction of its kind which still functions to the present day. In 1978, it was entered into the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The over 700-year-old mine is an underground world of salt halls, chambers and chapels, some even 327m below the ground. The magnificent kaplica bl. Kingi (Chapel of the Blessed Kinga) - made entirely of salt, should be visited. It is 10 m tall, 54 long and 15 m wide. It is beautifully decorated, with unique chandeliers made from salt crystals and other salt sculptures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Baltic Seais creates Poland's northern border. The coastline is 492 miles long and is the most visited region by Polish tourists in Poland. The Baltic coast is not only the roar of the sea, sandy beaches where you can often find amber pieces, picturesque cliffs, but also its many historical towns and fishing villages.

You should also make a stop in Leba and its surroundings - the Slowinski National Park, which was entered as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The park is famous for its unique moving sand dunes, which, because of the wind, can move between 2 - 9.5 metres yearly.

The following holiday sea resorts attract an abundance of tourists: Swinoujscie, Miedzyzdroje, Rewal, Dzwirzyno, Kolobrzeg, Mielno, Dabki, Darlowo, Ustka, Kuznica, Jutata and Hel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The locomotive depot at Chabowka is located between Krakow and Zakopane in the south of Poland, is the home to a museum of historic locomotives and cars. The workers at the depot have collected a wide range of cars and locomotives, and are restoring them at a rapid rate, doing a first-class job in the process. A number of the Chabowka pieces of equipment are operable! The equipment from the Chabowka museum can often be found at work on excursions and has also been used in the filming of several movies. The most well know occurrence of this was when several Chabowka engines were used in the filming of "Schindler's List".