"The Majesty of Poland." Poland by australia2

Poland Travel Guide: 19,726 reviews and 43,494 photos

Poland's many facets.

(N.B. Major interest is contained in the Travelogues but due to historic changes cannot be listed by locality. Please visit them at the bottom of this page.)

Poland sits north of the Czech and Slovak Republics, and the Baltic sea laps her northern shores. The magnificent Tatra Mountains form a natural border here in the south. The Tatras are part of the vast Carpathian Mountain Range. The picture shows a section of Poland's border with Slovakia; it is accessed from the resort town of Zakopane which in recent years was in the running to hold the Winter Olympics. I have no doubt that the late Pope John Paul II spent time right here in his energetic youth. This photograph was taken near the end of autumn and before long the real majesty stands out as snow covers all in sight. An awe-inspiring spectacle !

The Highs and The Lows of Poland.

Windblown Yachties.

In the North East of Poland the Lakes of the Mazury district offer the yachting fraternity an inland opportunity to refine their sporting prowess. On our visit there, the necessary wind was much too abundant for us, and unfortunately we were obliged to press on, heading now South West towards the capital, Warszawa. (Warsaw, to me.) We had arrived at the lakes from a sobering visit to the site of the almost successful assassination attempt which took place on July 20th 1944 in Adolf Hitler's then East Prussian Headquarters aptly named "The Wolf's Lair". (Polish, Wilczy Szaniec. Thanks d4rth. German, Wolfsschanze. The larger area then went under the German name, Rastenberg.) %L* And for my 'Valkyrie' video clip (with apologies for very poor quality) CLICK HERE.
We had been travelling, with an overnight local stop, from a fascinating few days at the major port on the Baltic Sea, Gdansk - German, Danzig. ( A port city steeped in historic and world political importance. The first successful worker's strikes under the socialist system took place there in the late 1970's. In a way it was the beginning of the end of European socialism.)

Science and Art.

Tribute to greatness.

There is a Majesty in the scientific mind ! Poland's offspring in various callings display this . Most of the world knows of her as Madame Curie. Poland knows her as Maria Skwodovska - (in English pronunciation - Skl/odowska in Polish spelling, almost ). Near the Old Town in Warsaw is her residence as a young woman before her scientific university schooling and marriage in Paris. The building is now a museum dedicated to her magnificent achievements. Absolute application and persistance with her great mind won her world wide fame. Sadly, her work finally took her life. Of course her field was in the discovery, development, and use of Radium and Polonium. Her life story should be read by all who appreciate human endeavour.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beauty of Roman Catholic Ritual observance.
Cons:Speech palatal pronunciation - cz's and sz's !!
In a nutshell:A people made stubborn by resisting centuries of invaders.

Last visit to Poland: Sep 1994
Intro Updated Feb 29, 2012
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Reviews (4)

Walks from Palace of Culture. Things to Do (3)

At the upper levels of the Palace of Culture one can get a very good overall view of Warsaw and, across the Vistula... more travel advice

Research. Hitler's attempted... Things to Do (3)

The remnants of the fortified bunkers are a fascinating study of this tragic event. Tragic for the plotters. This is a... more travel advice

Hitler's assassination attempt and... Things to Do (3)

A walking tour of the absolutely wrecked remains of "The Wolf's Lair" is available to all interested people. Not wrecked... more travel advice

Parking security. Tourist Traps (1)

We were advised by Polish friends that you must be very vigilant when your car is parked in certain places. They had... more travel advice

Travelogues (4)

1 - 4 of 4

Comments (25)

nora_south_africa May 10, 2009 at 2:19 AM Report Abuse

thanx for your tips
angiebabe Sep 11, 2008 at 1:55 AM Report Abuse

Hi another interesting page here thanks - I still hope to have a bit of a drive around and see more of Poland. Have been up to the museum and bunkers inside the Eagles Nest mountain in Germany which was very interesting.
alancollins May 21, 2008 at 5:47 AM Report Abuse

Excellent coverage of the Wolf's Lair, an area of Poland missed by most visitors.
Tugboatguy Jan 22, 2008 at 9:58 PM Report Abuse

Superb coverage of terrible time in history & its inevitable end-death of Hitler. "History of WWII" was one of the most popular courses at U of Minnesota after 1948-taught by professor who was at Nurnberg War Trials. Full class with no empty seats!
Mikebond Dec 25, 2007 at 9:12 AM Report Abuse

Excellent introduction and good tips and travelogues about one of the European nations I most love! I have only built a page about Wroclaw so far. Merry Christmas again, Michele
domenicococozza Oct 9, 2007 at 8:46 AM Report Abuse

Interesting page and photos. Certainly makes you think. Well done
magor65 Mar 28, 2007 at 4:10 AM Report Abuse

You wouldn't spot any more Trabants on Polish roads. You've got here an interesting page.
gilabrand Feb 21, 2007 at 9:04 AM Report Abuse

I thought Rynak meant public square. Is it also the name of a specific place?
nixca316 Feb 15, 2007 at 8:11 AM Report Abuse

Hi there you two! These are great tips!
Pablo_krak Sep 9, 2006 at 1:24 PM Report Abuse

Hi Laurie! Welcome again to Poland:) great tips Pawel