10-Nights Discovering Poland

Krakow

Top attraction and the premier tourist destination in Poland, Krakow (dated English spelling ‘Cracow’) is a vibrant city, proud of its long and glorious history, rich heritage, and architectural beauties. For centuries Krakow was the capital of the Polish kingdom. Today it remains the southern Poland’s metropolis and the seat of the Malopolska provincial government. Important as a crucial center of business, culture, and education, Krakow is also famous for its restaurants and clubs. Krakow is Poland’s capital of culture and was named a European City of Culture in 2000. The city boasts the best museums in the country and some best theaters. It counts two Nobel Prize winners in literature among its residents. It is also home to one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished universities.

Wroclaw

After capital Warsaw - Wroclaw is the second largest financial center of Poland.

The city is traditionally believed to be named after a person called Wrocis?aw/Vratislaw, often believed to be Duke Vratislav I of Bohemia. It is also possible that the city was named after the tribal duke of the Silesians, or after an early owner of the city called Vratislav. There is also another story which holds that the city was named after a Polish duke named Wrócis?aw, whose name means "he will return famous" in the old Polish language.

The name of the city today may be an issue among German and Polish nationalists, although the city's municipal website uses Breslau for the German-language version of the site.

Gdansk (Gdynia)

Historic Gdansk represents one of the richest, most lavish complexes of architectonic relics in Poland. The entrances to historic quarters are huge stone gateways guarding the main thoroughfare; the well-proportioned tower of town hall makes a powerful impact. The main square is filled with fine mansions. St. Mary’s Church is the world's largest brick church, with a capacity of 25,000. Dominating the waterside is seven-story Great Mill. Gdynia is the modern port for Gdansk. Near Gdansk is Sopot, one of the most fashionable seaside resorts in northern Europe during the 19th century and the country’s most popular health spa with its beach and flair for entertainment. Sopot is known as an important music center, featuring an annual Opera and International Song Festival. Gdansk Historical Museum has lavish decorations and fascinating exhibits. Maritime Museum features a model of every ship produced in local shipyards since 1945 and is housed in the massive 15th-century Gdansk Crane. National Art Museum, one of Gdansk’s highlights, boasts a collection of Gothic art and sculpture.

Warsaw

Warsaw is not the cold and dead city it used to be under communism rule. Today with bustling Polish economy and freedom from communist rule - the city has undergone a huge transformation process. Many old communist buildings gave way to modern sky scrapers, dilapidating old town was restored, entertainment and services transformed to match that of other western capitals. Crime rate is lower than that of big cities in the United States. Today Warsaw boasts GDP per capita more than 75% of European Union average.