Cities of art and picturesque villages, untouched nature parks and sand dunes, ancient wooden churches and fascinating routes into the bowels of the earth. There Poland has dozens of unusual destinations, far from the traditional tourist circuits, perfect for enjoying a richer vacation, capable of nourishing the body and mind thanks to multisensory experiences.
Moving from one region to another, to discover little by little the characteristics of each one, the eye is amazed by observing the green shades of the parks, the blue of the lakes, the bright colors of the mosques and the Orthodox churches. As a soundtrack, the relaxing sounds of the forests remain imprinted in the auditory memory as much as the philharmonic music of the concert halls and the traditional songs, while the smell of salt or burnt amber conquers the sense of smell as one approaches the sea.
And then there are the flavors authentic of each territory, with the many DOP and IGP products to discover by taking a culinary break in the restaurants but also in the markets, or perhaps by trying your hand at preparing local specialties, which often have centuries-old stories to tell.
The wonders of nature in the wildest Poland
For a complete immersion in the colors, sounds and scents of the wilderness, the ideal starting point is Podlaskie region (Podlaskie), located in the north-eastern part of Poland, which has four national parks and three landscape parks that protect primary forests, valleys, rivers, lakes and many rare species of plants and animals.
Among these, the Bialowieza National Park It is the undisputed kingdom of the European bison, as well as one of the oldest nature reserves in Europe, included in the World Heritage List and the UNESCO List of Biosphere Reserves.
The second most important national park in the region is Biebrza Riverwhich can be explored on foot, by bike, by canoe or by raft, but the Narew River National Park, thePolish Amazonand the National Park of Lake Wigrythe largest lake in Podlachia.
The charm and power of untouched nature can be felt deeply even moving further north, until reaching the Pomeraniana region overlooking the Baltic Sea that is very popular with lovers of nautical sports such as surfing and kitesurfing, sailing and diving.
This is where the surprising thing lies. Slowinski National Parkwith its incredible moving dunes shaped by the wind: every year they manage to move up to 10 meters, burying everything they find in their path and making the landscape a constant change of shapes.
History and culture: between castles, cities of art and ancient mines
The whole of Poland is a land rich in history, art and culturebut in some areas it is possible to literally go back in time. In Small Silesiaamong the peaks of Sudetes Mountains In the southwest of the country, the panorama is dominated by the imposing fortresses and splendid castles that dominate the valleys, such as the Ksiaz Castle and the Czocha Castle.
Echoes of distant times resonate here: walking among the ancient walls one has the impression of still hearing the clamor of battles, or the refined and cultivated melodies of the noble era. Silence rather envelops the path along the many underground geotourism routes in the old salt mines, which tell the story of the Polish past as well as the stories of the miners of that time. And the thrill of hearing in the distance the roar of the only underground waterfall in the country, while walking through the tunnels and corridors of the gold mines of Zloty stock.
Of course, history and culture also meet in the beautiful Polish art cities. Like, how Wrocławone of the oldest and most fascinating, suspended on 12 islands between the tributaries and canals of the Oder. Crossing its more than 100 bridges, it is very easy to come across one of the 300 small bronze gnomes scattered around the streets, true symbols of the city, and to have the feeling of being in a little fairytale Venice. The notes of the famous girl often resonate in the air Philharmonic Orchestra, who performs at the National Music Forum, one of the largest concert halls in Europe.
Symphonic music is also an unforgettable background Warsawhomeland of Chopinwhich houses the opera, the operetta, the chamber opera, the philharmonic, as well as 28 theatres, 35 museums and 60 art galleries. The young and cosmopolitan Polish capital, which rose from the ashes like the Phoenix after the Second World War, has chosen to pay tribute to the great composer with a dedicated itinerary, an interactive museum and numerous concerts, some of them free, every Sunday from May to September, twice a day (at 12pm and 4pm) in Royal Lazienki Park.
The park is also the arrival point of the Royal Route, a route to discover the Old Cityrebuilt thanks to the paintings of Canaletto and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From royal castleThe route passes many historic buildings, including the famous Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta), a symbolic place in Warsaw.
On foot, by boat or by canoe: thematic trails and routes
To awaken the senses and immerse yourself in the most intimate atmosphere of a place, you have to know how to slow down: walk in silence one step at a time, or glide over the surface of the water, observing the landscape from a different point of view. Among the thematic itineraries that allow travelers to discover Poland in this way, there is the Gothic Castles Trailin Pomerania, where you can admire the Malbork Castlethe most impressive fortress in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Or, on the sea, the Lighthouse Trail and the old one Amber Streetwho left Aquileia to trade in the famous “Baltic gold”, was told today at the Amber Museum in Gdansk. An ideal opportunity to let yourself be enveloped by the warm and intense aroma of burnt amber during its transformation, before immersing yourself in the magical atmosphere of the old town with its colorful houses and suggestive cobbled streets.
If you prefer oars on your feet, the region to discover on the water is Wielkopolska, in the west of Poland: between boat cruises and canoe excursions, you can follow the Wielkopolska Great Ring, the longest reported water tourist route in Poland, with 688 km of extension between rivers and bodies of water.
Flavors of Poland. A journey through the country's gastronomic excellences
There Greater Polandrich in waterways, is also the land of windmills, where you can stop to discover the secrets of wheat grinding and dip your hands in the soft, impalpable flour, then visit the Cornetto Living Museum from Saint-Martin in Poznan, the regional capital, where you can try your hand at processing this PGI-protected gastronomic product.
This is just the first of many gastronomic experiences to be had during a trip to Poland. There Malopolskawith its capital Krakowis certainly one of the most appreciated regions by gourmets, thanks to the incredible variety of traditional and regional products protected by the DOP, IGP and SGT (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) brands. It is impossible not to be tempted byoscypek AOPthe king of Polish cheeses, with a strong taste, slightly salty and smoked with Scots pine or spruce wood, and do not try the carp “Zatorska” PDO, traditionally used in Polish cuisine and raised in this region since the Middle Ages.
Among the IGP products, we find: Suska Secloska (dried plum variety) and theobwarzanek (a doughnut made from bread sprinkled with salt, sesame or poppy seeds), while under the SGT brand we find sausages and cold cuts (such as those from Podstolice or Piaski Wielkie), fresh and mature cheeses (such as twarogfresh cheese) and different types of bread.
These are the flavors that accompany travelers as they discover the historic center of Krakowrecognized by UNESCO among the 12 most valuable architectural complexes in the world, walking through the ancient streets and visiting the Wawel Royal CastleSt. Mary's Basilica, the Sukiennice Cloth Market and the Jagiellonian University, the oldest university in Poland.
If you visit Warsaw, to immerse yourself in the flavors and folklore of the city, you can stop atHala Koszyki (in Via Koszykowa 63) a historic pavilion entirely dedicated to gastronomy and wine, which combines the peculiarities of the market with the high-level gastronomic offer of the various restaurants inside. Or join the local ritual of “breakfast markets“, which take place in different neighborhoods of the center, with fresh zero kilometer products purchased directly from local suppliers and consumed outdoors in the company of locals. In an atmosphere of total relaxation that satisfies, once again, all the senses.
However, for a gastronomic experience of the highest level, you can count on 77 restaurants reported by Michelin Guide 2024among which 3 new realities in Pomerania, with the cities of Gdansk, Gdynia And Sopot which has been awarded a star, which are added to those already present and reconfirmed Warsaw, Krakow And Poznan. It should be noted in particular Bow by Paco Perez, the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Gdansk, run by Italian chef Antonio Arcieri. And still in Gdansk there is also theElixirthe first restaurant in Poland to be awarded the Michelin Green Star for its sustainable practices, where even citrus peels are transformed into liqueurs and syrups.
Want to stay up to date on the world of travel?
Finally, a merit grade must be given to Bottle Shop 1881 in Krakow, the first restaurant in Poland to receive two Michelin stars last year, reconfirmed again this year to confirm the prestige of the best restaurant in the country. A unique and exclusive taste experience, to try at least once in your life.
Info: Poland.Travel
