 Poland is a mix of old and new. You can visit ancient cities or those meticulously rebuilt from the rubble of World War II. Evidence of Poland's past abounds, from beautiful medieval castles to Chopin shrines to the stark structures of the former Nazi occupation. You might see farmers who still use horse-drawn ploughs and other traditional farming methods. The country boasts 11 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, with a wealth of churches, museums, castle ruins, and more.
 The countryside is lovely. Its beauty can be admired in its old cities and in the wild scenery of 22 national parks, 1200 nature reserves, more than 100 landscape parks and 400 protected areas. The country’s regions are divided into varied landscapes – the Baltic Coast, Carpathian Mountains, lakes, lowlands, limestone caves and medieval castles.
 Poland is also a country that has Internet access, cell phones and fast cars. It has modern hotels and apartment buildings, shopping malls, ethnic restaurants, world-class concert halls and varied nightlife.
Shimmering skyscrapers rise above the capital of Warsaw, which also boasts 20 museums; and private shops and cafés have established themselves in even the most rural towns. The country has a radically different look about it, having exchanged the greyish tinge of a state-regulated society for the anything-goes attitude of private enterprise - and all the billboards and window displays that go with it.
Tourism is on a rise as it is now considerably easier to explore the country than it was only a few years ago. Poland is also among the most unified of eastern European countries - bound by language, devout Catholicism and common history.
 Encounters with the people are at the core of any experience. On trains, streets or in the village bar, opportunities for contact always present themselves. Polish hospitality is legendary, and there's a natural progression from a chance meeting to an introduction to the extended family. Even the most casual visitor might be served a meal at any hour of the day, usually with a bottle or two of local vodka.
It's no wonder why Poland attracts so many travellers.
Weather
Poland has a temperate climate with warm summers, crisp, sunny autumns and cold winters. Snow covers the mountainous area in the south from mid-December to April and rain falls throughout the year.
 Autumn is the best time to come if you're planning to sample the whole spread of the country's attractions. Accommodation is easier to find than in the summer, and the vibrant colours of the countryside are especially memorable, complimented by crisp sunshine that's often warm enough for T-shirts.
Spring is the ideal season for hiking, as the days tend to be bright and sunny, with some rain showers, and wild flowers are in abundance.
 Summer is the tourist high season, with plenty of sun, particularly on the Baltic coast, where the resorts are crowded from June to August and temperatures are consistently around 24°C. The major cities can get quite hot in the summer and accommodation can often be fully booked in the busy areas.
In winter the temperatures drop rapidly, icy Siberian winds cover many parts of the country with snow for one to three months. Skiing and winter sports are enjoyed in the southern mountains. By mid-December the slopes of the Tatras and other ranges are packed with visitors.
History
 Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived around the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation, until an agreement in 1772 between Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland. Poland regained its independence in 1918 and defended it in the war of 1920-1922 against Soviet attempt to overrun Poland and invade Europe.
 Just as it was recovering from the great economic crisis of the 1920's, Poland was overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in what became World War II. After the war it became a Soviet satellite country following the Yalta and Potsdam agreements between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union which to this day are viewed by Poles as a betrayal. After the brief but sometimes bloody Stalinist era of 1945-1956 Poland was comparatively tolerant and progressive as compared to other Eastern Block countries.
Labour turmoil in 1970 and then 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, boosting hopes for acceptance to the EU. Poland joined the NATO alliance in 1999 and it joined European Union in 2004.
 Today Poland is a democratic republic. Its current constitution dates from 1997. The government structure centres on the Council of Ministers, led by a prime minister. The president appoints the cabinet according to the proposals of the prime minister, typically from the majority coalition in the bicameral legislature's lower house (the Sejm). The president, elected by popular vote every five years, serves as the head of state.
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