Tyniec Abbey

The Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec is picturesquely situated on a limestone hill on the bank of the Vistula River.

The origins of Tyniec go back to the time of the very first Piasts. And scholars still argue about who the founder was. The monastery, founded by King Boleslav the Brave, was built in the second half of the 11th century. Very fast it became a centre of spirituality and cultural life. In the 15th and 17th century the church was completely rebuilt. The abbey was badly damaged by Russian soldiers during the Confederation of Bar, and deteriorated further during the 19th century. Construction works did not begun until after World War II. The Church of St Peter and Paul was rebuilt in Baroque style in early 17th century. On the church courtyard, there is a wooden well-house now a rare cultural monument from the Baroque epoch.

From the square in front of the Benedictine Monastery, there is a lovely view onto Wolski Forest. On the horizon, the outline of the Camaldolese Church in Bielany built in the 17th century can be seen.

Warsaw

From the airport

Bus: on weekdays the bus 175 runs from 4.58am-10.40pm and on weekends from 5.01am-10.35pm. 

Shop

If you are travelling with young ones, they will soon become delighted at the sight of SMYK stores, throughout the city. The largest, at 50 Ulica Krucza, features several levels of toys, games and clothing just for kids.
Cepelia is the oldest and most famous chain promoting Polish Folk Art and handcrafts. A great range of traditional items, including jewellery, tapestry, ceramics, woodcarvings, dolls and funky repki, Polish Highlanders' footwear.

Tired of Warsaw's hustle and bustle? Hop on a southbound metro train to Kataby and you will be just a few minutes walk from the Kabaty Forest. Well signed footpaths make it a great place for long walks.

Though the hulking great Palace of Culture and Science does not have the best reputation with Varsovians, not to mention it being somewhat of an eyesore, its 30th-floor scenic terrace offers an amazing view of Warsaw.

August is the anniversary of the Warsaw uprising of 1944, and every year several commemorative events take place. If you need to brush up on your Polish history, the excellent Warsaw Rising Museum explains the whole tragic tale.

Day tripping

Plock. A former Polish capital, today Plock is a small city of about 130 000 and home to the Cathedral Basilica, dating back to the 12th century and in which lie two Polish kings. For nature lovers, the beautiful Plock Zoological Garden features an assortment of wildlife and exotic plants, right on the bank of the Vistula.
Kazimierz Dolny. About two hours' drive from Warsaw lies the ancient town of Kazimierz Dolny. Famous for its beautiful old architecture and areas of natural beauty, including the creepy Tim Burton-esque "Root Gorge".A popular tourist town that also attracts large numbers of artists.

general information

Republic

Capitale: Warsaw

Surface area: 313 00 km2

Population: 38,5 millions

Population density/km: 123

Member of the EU since 2004

National day: 3 May

• 97% of the Polish territory rises no higher than 500 metres above the sea level.

• The Polish history is marked with invasions by the neighbouring states: Austria, Germany and Russia.

• The proverb "A guest at home is a blessed home" captures the quintessence of the Polish hospitality.

• Poland has 9300 lakes over 1 ha area. Together, they occupy 1% of the territory.

• Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus discovered that Earth resolves around the Sun.

• Poland is one of the countries that has undergone the greatest number of changes in its borders and even disappeared entirely in 1795.

This is where western lifestyle and eastern history meet, a good place to enjoy a bottle of vodka and a traditional stew. The Poles are known for their generosity, and the cities of Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan and Czestochowa are known for their ancient beauty, as are the lake, forest and wild bison, filled national parks of Bialowieza and Slowinski.

Gdansk

To see:

The Gdansk shipyards. The insect-like cranes that rise up on the city's northern skyline have a special place in every Pole's heart. It was here that Lech Walesa and the Solidarity Trade Union rose up against Communism signalling the end of one of history's most hated regimes. The Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers known as the Three Crosses was erected in 1980, in honour to the Gdansk shipyard workers. The Solidarity movement of 1980 shook Poland leading the way to independence. Lech Walesa, the Solidarity Leader and the Polish President of 1990-1995, was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1983.

Artus Court (15th century) was the seat of merchant brotherhood and guilds. Its facade features statues of kings and mythical figures. The Neptune Fountain (17th century), symbolic of the city, stands in front of the building. 

Krakow

A former capital of Poland, medieval centre of merchandising, the city where all the legends wee once true. Undamaged by the Second World War, Krakow has been listed by UNESCO as one of the most significant historic sites in the world. 


From the airport
Bus: The 192 drops you off behind the main train station. 
Train: trains leave every 30 minutes for Krakow's main station from 4.24am-00.15am.

See
Old Town
Royal Route
Slowacki Theatre
the Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest in Europe
the Main Market Square
St Mary's Basilica
Royal Castle on Wawel Hill
the Jewish quarter. It is one of the best preserved Jewish district in Europe. Named Kazimierz after King Casimir the Great who founded it for his beloved Esther. It used to be a separate town. Now it is a hip, artistic neighbourhood of Krakow with lots of bars and cafes but also a district of an impressive historical value: the synagogues, the unique 16th century cemetery and the sites from Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List". 
Krakus Mound. Kopiec Krakusa is the alleged burial place of legendary city founder and dragon-slayer Prince Krak. Erected in the seventh century BC, this mound is one of several such landmarks offering superb panoramic views of Krakow.
The second and the most famous mound is the Kosciuszki Mound. Its height is 34 metres and it contains ground that comes from the battlefields of Raclawice, Maciejowice, Dubienki and a few American shambles.
The youngest mound's name is the Pilsudskiego Mound build in 1936. It is the symbol of the polish independence.

Do
If you thought history was boring at school, it was probably because your teacher never stuffed you into the back of an East German Tarbant and too you on tour of a Communist-built city. Expect vodka, gherkins and vehicle breakdowns.

Shop
Round off a tour of the Old Jewish District with a tour of Galeria Kazimierz, a modern and pleasant shrine to commerce in the same area.
Travelling fashionistas should check out Maruna for a one-of-a-kind souvenir. On offer is a variety of recycled and handmade clothing and accessories.

Instead of warming up with the usual hot beer or wine, why not try a uniquely Polish drink: Krupnik na cieplo? Krupnik is a honey vodka and in winter it is served topped up with hot water and a clove-studded slice of lemon.

An inquisitive nose in less an asset and more a prerequisite of a successful investigation of Krakow. Never be scared to poke your nose down an alley, that is how you will find some of the best restaurants, cafes and bars in town.

Wawel Hill is not only the spiritual heart of Krakow but of the entire nation. Prior to the transfer of royal powder to Warsaw, Polish kings ruled the land from Wawel Castle, and in the holy sanctuary of Wawel Cathedral they were later laid to rest.

Day trip
Tyniec. Slip into some Lycra pants and peddle your way to Tyniec, the scenic monastery, 12 kilometres west of Krakow. If you want to hear some stories while you are on your bike ride, hire a guide from www.cruisingkrakow.com
Wadowice. Just 50 kilometres from Krakow is Wadowice, the birthplace of Jean Paul II whose home has been converted into a fascinating museum. While you are here, try the city's cream cakes, widely known as the man's favourite dessert.

Wroclaw

Visit: Telecommunications Museum. A highly entertaining way to while away an hour or so. An exhibition on the Polish postal service in various sticky situations serves as a precursor to a hge stash of yesterday's high-tech gadgetry.

See: Park Szczytnicki and Japanese garden. Park Szczytnicki offers 100 hectares of green space close to the old town, the highlight of which is the Japanese Garden. Created for the 1913 World Expo, it was restored with the cooperation of Japanese landscapes artists in 1996-98.