Poland tours & travel

Poles are united by a strong sense of community with a national identity that’s conservative in its values. The earliest development of Polish culture can be traced to West Slavic origins having influenced the modern-day Polish language. Between the 14^th and 18^th centuries Poland and its neighbour Lithuania were politically tied and ruled by one monarch. However, these ties are well and truly in the past with the two nations sharing conflict during WWI and WWII. Both Polish and Lithuanians are proud of their distinctive cultural differences. Religion holds a strong presence in most family households in Poland with almost 90 per cent identifying themselves as Roman Catholic. All Saints’ Day is one of Poland’s biggest national holidays, bringing together families to pay homage to their ancestors. This is a time when many people visit cemeteries and lay down candles and flowers as a sign of respect.

Located in Central Europe, Poland takes a portion of coastline along the Baltic Sea. The rest of the country borders Germany and the Czech Republic to the west; Slovakia to the south; Belarus and Ukraine to the east; and Lithuania and Russia to the northeast. As the ninth largest country in Europe, the landscape varies from dunes and lakes to lowlands and plains, dotted with rivers and valleys. The Carpathian Mountains mark the south-east part of the country, with the Tatra Mountains acting as a natural border between Poland and Slovakia. The Masurian Lake District, covering parts of the north-east, consists of more than 2,000 lakes.

Poland might not be the first European country that comes to mind as a place to shop but Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk hold markets and boutiques that will satisfy most travellers shopping needs. The most sought-after items are amber and silver, mainly classic styles of necklaces and handmade pieces by local artists. One of Poland’s biggest exports is the herbal infused Goldawsser vodka and a range of sweet liquors you can indulge on. Poland also holds a reputation as having the best quality hand-painted Christmas tree baubles in the world, which you can find atspecialty stores in Krakow or at the Christmas markets held across the cities from the end of November.
 

International Street Art Festival

Head to the Bielany district of Warsaw in July to take part in one of Poland’s largest cultural events. Celebrations cover traditional artistic works in the fields of theatre, dance, music, circus and film.​

Crossroads Festival

An open-air concert in Krakow’s Main Market Square. This is a massive festival bringing together Central and Eastern Europe’s best sounds – covering jazz, folk, rock, and classical – all rooted in each region’s traditional style.   

Wianki

Wianki translates to ‘wreaths’ and this is exactly what this festival is centred around. Starting as a pagan tradition where young women make head wreaths using flowers and ivy. These would be cast into the river in the hope of bringing luck to find a partner. The tradition continues and is now coupled with a three-day event held in Krakow.​​

Warsaw International Film Festival

A major film festival held every October in Warsaw since 1985 that caters for both Polish and English speaking international audiences.

Polish cuisine has developed from a hearty staple of the nation’s palette to a few distinguishable flavours centred around the region’s specialties. The most notable being dill, marjoram, caraway seeds, wild mushrooms and sour cream. You’ll find flavoursome soups, tasty dumplings and heavenly pastries as the traditional signatures on the menus throughout Poland.

Must try foods in Poland

Pierogi ruskie

Made of thinly rolled dough and traditional fillings of meat, sauerkraut or mushrooms. This is a scrumptious go-to Polish morsel you’ll be happy you’ve added to your plate.

Zapiekanka

This type of open-faced sandwich is covered with grilled cheese, mushroom and ketchup (with many other toppings) and is a popular street food in Warsaw and Krakow.

Bigos

The national dish of Poland is filled with finely chopped pork, sauerkraut and shredded cabbage. Also known as Hunter’s Stew, the dish is a specialty that changes from household to household.

Paczki

These tasty treats are donuts with the added filling of custard or sweet jam. Paczki are particularly popular on ‘Fat Thursday’, the last Thursday prior to Ash Wednesday at the beginning of lent where approximately 100 million of them are consumed across the country.
 

• Push Not the River by James Conroyd Martin
• The Pianist by Wladyslaw Szpilman
• The Beautiful Mrs Seidenman by Andrzej Szczypiorski
• No Greater Ally    by Kenneth K. Koskodan
• The Diary of Mary Berg: Growing up in a Warsaw Ghetto by Mary Berg 
• ‘Poland’ – by James A. Michener