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Central Europe's largest country and a land of extremes, Poland offers a kaleidoscope of budding beauty, from charismatic historic cities, gorgeous geography, to touching tales of its turbulent past, hospitable residents and rich range of gastronomic delights.
Nature's finest treasures are reachable within the countries borders, from the northern Baltic Sea coastline, the Great Masurian Lakes counting more than 3000 lakes, the scenic southern Tatra, Gorce, Beskidy and Sudetes Mountains, the desert of Pustynia Bledowska, in addition to an affluent array of flora and fauna in the countries two-dozen national parks.
Starting at the cosmopolitan capital of Warsaw, the phoenix city that rose from the ashes of World War II, visit the meticulously reconstructed Old Town and Royal Castle, the classic consumer street of Nowy Świat, and the much-debated Soviet gift turned city icon, the massive Palace of Culture and Science. Green spaces galore, Warsaw is home to the 17th century Royal Lazienki Park with its Palace on the Water and renowned Chopin monument, the Saxon Gardens, and the royal residence in Wilanów – a Baroque castle and park complex.
All international airplanes arrive at Warsaw’s Fryderyka Chopina International Airport (WAW), located 10 km from the city center, while low-cost European carriers land at Etiuda terminal. From the airport, bus175 goes right to the city center, but car rental companies and taxis are set to take visitors as well. The train transport is most suitable for inland traveling, with schedules at www.pkp.pl.
From Warsaw, visit Lodz – about an hour-and-a-half by train -, a postindustrial university city marked by the hip-happening Piotrkowska Street, Europe’s longest commercial street, as well as the trade-and-entertainment Manufaktura center.
The cobbled cultural city of Krakow has exploded as a tourist destination, wooing visitors to the Old Town Square's medieval "Cloth Hall" and gothic-style Church of the Virgin, the Wawel Royal Castle, and the former Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. An ideal base to explore southern Poland, day trips from Krakow include the Wieliczka Salt Mines, the winter wonderland of Zakopane and the former concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau.
Discover the bridge-filled buzzing city of Wroclaw, titled "Venice of Poland", the cultural and business center of Lower Silesia in the south-west, or the charming city center of Poznan, a thrifty industrial city situated in north-west Poland. In the north, Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot - the tri-city seaside region – provide endless summer party possibilities as well as must-see cultural and culinary check-points.
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