|
Krakow
Often touted as one of Europe's most beautiful cities, Krakow
dates back from the 7th century and continues to display its
deep and varied roots. The city escaped significant damage
during WWII, so the architecture is not only beautiful, but
historic. Krakow's old town has the largest medieval town
square in Europe. Ryneck Glowny, which will draw you
in with its beauty, Gothic church spirals, and cultural ethos.
There is also an impressive castle and cathedral on a hill,
a vast collection of artwork and the quiet and historic Jewish
quarter of Kamimierz. The city has a buzzing café
culture and over 300 bars, called pods, tucked in and around
the Main Square. There is often live jazz or piano music at
these smoky medieval cellars which are often unmarked but
are worth uncovering if you want to hang with the locals.
Warsaw
Warsaw is a cosmopolitan city with an interesting history.
After suffering the most damage and loss of life in Eastern
Europe during WWII, the city has managed to revive itself
through the persistence of its people. With over 85% of the
buildings destroyed during the war, the city had to be literally
rebuilt piece by piece. The Old Town was carefully
recreated according to city plans and paintings and was included
on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1980. The city also offers
three Royal Palaces, museums, beautiful churches, and the
most diverse array of restaurants and entertainment in the
country.
Pomerania
People may not think of Poland as a resort destination, but
the region of Pomerania has an expansive coastline on the
Baltic Sea dotted with holiday villages and historic landmarks
that the Poles have been enjoying in the summers for years.
The most popular spots are in the Hell Peninsula where
water lovers can choose between the open water of the Baltic
and the sheltered Gulf of Gdansk. The region, formed
by glaciers, has hills and small, clear lakes as you head
away from the coast.
There is also the important historic port city of Gdansk
where the first shots of WWII were fired. The city was a part
of Poland from 1466 until 1793, and then became part of Prussia
from until the 20th century when it was declared the free
city of Danzig after WWI. Unfortunately, its prime
location on the sea made it a target of the Nazis and it was
almost completely destroyed during the war. Since then, many
of the historic buildings have been rebuilt and it is a lovely
place to stroll through and learn about a past that is both
rich and tragic. The past has not held its people back though,
and the city is also known as the birthplace of the solidarity
trade union in 1980 that was a catalyst for the ultimate
fall of Communism in Poland, Soviet Union, and all of the
Soviet controlled Eastern Bloc.
|
