Poland

Poland is pretty much a perfect destination. Lovers of history and architecture will be in heaven wandering the cobblestone streets of the old towns of Kraków (famed for its castle and churches), Gdansk (rebuilt entirely post-WWII), Wrocław (for its Gothic and baroque architecture and pretty bridges), and Warsaw (with one of Europe's most picturesque old squares). Music, art and culture buffs will enjoy the myriad opportunities for visiting superb museums and galleries and seeing orchestras, operas and choirs in centuries-old churches and grand concert halls. For the active traveler, there is excellent hiking and adventure sports ...

Poland is pretty much a perfect destination. Lovers of history and architecture will be in heaven wandering the cobblestone streets of the old towns of Kraków (famed for its castle and churches), Gdansk (rebuilt entirely post-WWII), Wrocław (for its Gothic and baroque architecture and pretty bridges), and Warsaw (with one of Europe's most picturesque old squares). Music, art and culture buffs will enjoy the myriad opportunities for visiting superb museums and galleries and seeing orchestras, operas and choirs in centuries-old churches and grand concert halls. For the active traveler, there is excellent hiking and adventure sports in the Tatra, Pieniny, Carpathian and Karkanosze Mountains, while skiers and snowboarders will enjoy the slopes at Szczyrk, Krynica and Zakopane, the latter an especially charming town that's beloved by Poles for its smoked cheese, wooden architecture and horsedrawn carriages. If you're content to explore the countryside by bus, train or car, you'll love the profusion of landscapes, from the impressive forests, lakes and rivers of western and southern Poland, to the picturesque seaside and windswept coast of the Baltic sea with its enormous sand dunes and pristine beaches.

About the Expert

Lara Dunston and Terry Carter have traveled to over 60 countries and written more than 40 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, DK, Rough Guides, Footprint, and others on destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and South America.