I lived and taught English for 3 years in Poland, in the southern city of Katowice. While I would not really reccomend you visit Katowice…the people are nice but the city itself is a bit dirty but if you love coal mines, then you`d have a great time:), there are many wonderful towns and cities nearby in the Silesia region of Poland including of course Krakow and Oswiecim, now more famous as being the town where Auschwitz is located. It is a pretty harrowing journey to take around the camp but worth doing to remember what happened there.Also if you have time try to take a train down to a small town called Wisla, in the mountains…the mountains of southern Poland are great for walking with well pathed routes…I spent many weekends walking around down there:) Also I think that most Polish towns are beautiful with the colourful market places and squares, but Wroclaw is very nice. And if you wanna go to The Czech Rep then go to the border town of Cieszyn in Poland…you can wlak over the bridge into the Czech part of the same town:) Have fun…hope i have helped a little:)

Also, near Krakow is a slat mine called Wieliczka, which has an underground sanatorium. You can stay there for the night. It also has a lot of history and an underground chapel.

When it comes to the rest of the country, if your into castles and stuff, you definitely need to visit Malbork, in the north-west part of the country which is the biggest intact of castles in the country. Though double check if you CAN visit it, cause from what I recall, there was a flood or something last year…

If your going in the summer, go to Gdansk and Trojmiasto – a combo of 3 cities which are very lively, pretty and by the sea :)

Dont!! forget to visit Zakopane – a destination of many pilgrimages and a city very close to the countries highest mountain peek. As willow mentioned, the mountains are VERY picturesque and definitely worth while…

So Ive said a lot, but haven’t answered your question :P

If I were you, I would start from Wroclaw – the student meka of PL :D and work my way east to Krakow, visiting all the mentioned stuff in the region. Then, go north to Malbork, again work my way east to Warsaw, visiting all the fun places, like Gdansk (there’s also a desert somewhere there) and then from Warsaw…well…do whatever ^_ – I hope I helped

Auschwitz, the salt mine, and Krakow were the highlights of our trip to that region of Poland. Pizza was the only disappointment — don’t try it unless you’re a big fan of ketchsup.

Well, I went to Warsaw and Krakow and liked it a lot.

Also, the salt mine is great.

I agree that Auschwitz is a tough journey but well worth the effort.

Poland is fabulous! I’ve been back twice and loved it. Would agree on the suggestions already given — Gdansk was one of my favourite places to go. I’d add to your potential list, especially if you go north to Gdansk, to then hop on the train there and go to Sopot (it’s considered the Polish Riviera) and it’s right on the Baltic Sea. Gorgeous! And in the summer, it’s filled with festivals and artisans. Same with Gdansk… very small but so charming and beautiful.

On my way south, I hit this lovely renaissance town called Zamosc, which is (as all things in Poland) steeped in history. It’s ‘old town’ (town square) is completely in tact with all these baroque doors! And the town wasn’t destroyed in the war b/c it was home to the Nazi officers.

And for big cities, Krakow, is too cool for school. So many great districts to explore, the one I fell in love with is Kazimierz, it’s the old Jewish quarter. There are tons of cool cafes and bars, book stores. Fabulous!

Enjoy your trip!!

hello

if you are looking for comprehensive information about Poland you can visit www.poland.pl. and to add something from me, if you are going to come during the summer, I recommend Mazury (lake area) if You like nature and soothing feeling of solitude. Must-goes: Krakow, Malbork, Gdansk and Trojmiasto, Zakopane, and perhaps Warsaw, the capitol, but not necessarily (it was totally destroyed during the second war, so all you gonna see is from epoque of socialism – grey and dull) If You wonder how western europe looked like 100 years ago, you can visit eastern poland… ;)

Anyway, you’re welcomed and enjoy :)

I would definitely recommend starting your trip in Krakow. The city is beautiful and filled with so much history and the bars are awesome. Other places to hit in the southern area are Zakopane, Wielizcka Salt Mines(amazing) and Wroclaw. Auschwitz is such a sad place but something that everyone needs to see once in their lifetime. I would also recommend taking a train from Krakow to Prague or Lviv, Ukranie. Both cities are awesome well worth the train ride. Let me know more info. I can give some awesome bars and sites to visit.

I would also recommend Krakow and that area but noone seems to have mentioned Zakopane which I fell in love with for its character and countryside (Tatry mountains) . It may have changed – even a while ago it was quite touristy, – but I’m sure it must be still charismatic and beautiful. I used to love the youth hostel type places stuck in the mountains. Undoubtedly they have moved away from their very innocent unpretentios boyscoutish character.. but still, the locations are all stunning..

I also would highly recommend (for scenery and peace) the Mazurian lakes. One of the best holidays I ever had was to take a kayak trip in the region. (Splyw Kayakowy) They generally start in about mid June. Bits of the coast are great too: go to Hel (a popular joke!!) near Gdansk, well that whole area is a holiday region and very pleasant. Don’t miss out on Sopot or Gdansk itself.

I’m a great beleiver in timing too: take advantage of the events that can make a trip utterly unforgettable. One of my best was the folk festival in Zakopane – September I believe. Then I when I lived in Warsaw, I would always attend the Jazz festival in October – it just had an amazing atmosphere, unlike anything over here.

Have a good trip.