Poles outline their country's attractions as "the mountains, the sea and the lakes". To make the most out of your time, it's perhaps best to follow their preferences. Yet you will not want to miss the best of the cities – Warsaw, Kraków and Gdansk - nor a ramble down the rivers where ancient castles, towns, and grand country mansions beckon to be discovered.

Bialoweiza National Park & Forest
This is probably the only intact primeval forest in Europe. Vast, deep and highly protected, the forest shares the border with Byelorussia, and is home to hoards of wildlife, Orthodox churches, Tartar mosques and the reserve of the world’s largest population of rare European bison. The Bialoweiza Forest is a protected site on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Located in Podlaski province.

Bieszczady National Park
Countless people are drawn here in search of silence, clean air and crystal clear water. The largest mountain national park in Poland is the only park which protects all of Poland's large mammals, including the Brown Bear, Wolf, Lynx, European Bison, Red Deer, Wildcat, Golden Eagle and Eagle Owl, among numerous birds of prey. Enjoyable in all seasons, visitors can explore the serene nature on horse back, bicycle, cross-country skis, or foot. This laid-back area is dotted with wooden churches, wild horses, and the unusual feel of a space and serenity.

Black Madonna of Czestochowa
The world-famous Black Madonna should not be missed. This miraculous painting in the Jasna Góra Monastery was crowned as Queen of Poland, playing a vital role in Polish history and ranks among the most important shrines of Christianity. Also impressive, is the sense of wonder, excitement and devotion the icon inspires in the pilgrims who come here. Located in Czestochowa Slaskie province.

Elbag-Ostroda Canal (Der Oberländische Kanal)
This 81-kilometre network of canals is a masterpiece of 19th century Prussian engineering. Take a fascinating voyage through a sophisticated system of choke-points, locks and slip-ways. Located in Warminsko-Mazurskie province.

Gdansk (Danzig)
Formerly known as Danzig, this picturesque and cheerful maritime town is an ideal place for gentle strolls and shopping around for amber jewellery. Feast your eyes on its remarkably restored architecture, fabulous fountains, and the largest brick Gothic church in the world. The famous seaside resort of Sopot is nearby. Located in Pomorskie province.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska
This is a beautiful pilgrimage site dear to Pope John Paul II and listed on UNESCO World Heritage. It features a Baroque Bernardine monastery with a Via Dolorosa (the Stations of the Cross) - a long sequence of chapels and Marian stations. Located in Malopolskie province.

Kazimierz Donly
This charming town is the best known of the many small Polish towns with charismatic Renaissance cores. A romantic castle ruin, Baroque churches, Three Cross's Hill, winding streets and a ferry across the Vistula River are some of the artistic attractions. Located in Lubelskie province.

Kraków
The ancient royal capital is the most legendary and beloved of Poland's cities. It is a real crowd pleaser for both Poles and foreign visitors, rivalling the elegance of Prague and Vienna. This is the city where history hits you most powerfully. It is hospitable and fascinating. Along with its Renaissance charm, it is a place of national and spiritual charm. The old King’s castle of Wawel is to Poles what Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Canterbury Cathedral are to the British - only all rolled into one. The city boasts the largest old town square in Europe along with Gothic art masterpieces. A visit to Eastern Europe is not complete without checking out Krakow. The small suburb town of Wieliczka is often described as a fairy tale kingdom made of salt. The town features a mysterious labyrinth of 300 kilometres of halls, caves and statues carved in pure salt!

Malbork (Marienburg)
This 13th century town was built under the Order of Teutonic Knights and evolved into the largest mediaeval castle in Europe. Though Malbork suffered damage in the World War II, it is a prime attraction for lovers of chivalry. Located in Pomorskie province.

Mazury Lakes
This picturesque land of more than a thousand lakes is sought by sailors, cowboys, fishermen, and migratory birds. Try sailing the lakes or canals, enjoy the bucolic countryside, and discover forgotten mansions and pilgrimage churches. The deep forest at Ketrzyn hides the Wolf's Lair - the fortress from where Hitler oversaw the attack on the Soviet Union. Located in Warminsko-Mazurskie province.

Oswiecim: Auschwitz-Birkenau
Poland was once home to one of the most vibrant Jewish communities in Europe, a presence that was all but snuffed out by the Nazis during World War II. The most notorious concentration camp of them all, Auschwitz-Birkenau, offers the most profound of insights into the nature of human evil, and demands to be visited. It displays an awesome museum and the extreme, numb space of Birkenau. Those who come here will be changed by the experience. Located in Malopolskie province.

Slowinski National Park
This park features an exotic natural attraction – shifting sand dunes of 44 metres tall at the banks of Lake Lebsko. The desert-like landscape used to be a training ground for Rommel's Afrika Korps. Today it is an important biosphere reserve and haven for rare bird species and nature lovers. Swim in the lake or sunbathe on the soft sand. An open-air folk museum is another nearby attraction. Located in Pomorskie province.

Tatras Mountains
Spectacular, rocky and steep, Poland's prime highland playground is a paradise for hikers and skiers of all abilities. Enjoy relaxing rambles in sub-Alpine meadows, or hair-raising mountain ridge walks for the more avid hikers. Visit the traditional town of Zakopane and tantalize your taste buds with delicious highlander cuisine. The Tatras is the highest mountain range between the Alps and the Caucasus.

Torun
UNESCO listed the mediaeval town of Torun as a World Heritage site. Visit the Teutonic castle and the leaning tower (like the one in Pisa, Italy). Torun is a well-known university town and boasts numerous cellar pubs and delicious gingerbread. There is also an interesting museum inspired by Nicolas Copernicus - the founder of the heliocentric theory (the Earth rotates around the Sun), who was born here. Located in Kujawsko-Pomorskie province.

Warsaw
The capital city had to be rebuilt from scratch after World War II. Although much of the city conforms to the stereotype of Eastern European greyness, the reconstructed Baroque palaces, churches and buildings of the historic centre, the lively street markets, sidewalk cafes, fine restaurants and the bright shop fronts of new Poland are entertaining. Warsaw is a strong a symbol of Poland's determination to rebuild in the aftermath of World War II.

Wroclaw (Breslau)
The capital of Silesia (Slask) has a very large Old Town, built on seven islands with an impressive array of Gothic cathedrals and many more sights. Wroclaw has a complex history: as a genuinely German town it surrendered to the Soviets later than Berlin. After the war the German population was replaced by Poles from Lwów city, which became in turn a territory of the Soviet Union. Located in Dolnoslaskie province.

Zamosc
This remote 16th century town is another UNESCO Heritage Site, unscathed by wars and very much preserved. See Zamoyski Palace, Zamoyski Academy, and beautiful tenement houses. Located in Lubelskie province.

Cruise the Canals of Elbag-Ostroda
Elbag-Ostroda Canal (Der Oberländische Kanal) is an 81-kilometre network of canals presenting a masterpiece of 19th century Prussian engineering. Take a fascinating voyage through a sophisticated system of choke-points, locks and slip-ways. Located in Warminsko-Mazurskie province.

Discover Bieszczady National Park
Countless people are drawn here in search of silence, clean air and crystal clear water. The largest mountain national park in Poland is the only park which protects all of Poland's large mammals, including the Brown Bear, Wolf, Lynx, European Bison, Red Deer, Wildcat, Golden Eagle and Eagle Owl, among numerous birds of prey. Enjoyable in all seasons, visitors can explore the serene nature on horse back, bicycle, cross-country skis, or foot. This laid-back area is dotted with wooden churches, wild horses, and the unusual feel of a space and serenity.

Explore Kraków
The ancient royal capital is the most legendary and beloved of Poland's cities. It is a real crowd pleaser for both Poles and foreign visitors, rivalling the elegance of Prague and Vienna. This is the city where history hits you most powerfully. It is hospitable and fascinating. Along with its Renaissance charm, it is a place of national and spiritual charm. The city boasts the largest old town square in Europe along with Gothic art masterpieces. A visit to Eastern Europe is not complete without exploring Krakow.

Hike the Tatras Mountains
Spectacular, rocky and steep, Poland's prime highland playground is a paradise for hikers of all abilities. Enjoy relaxing rambles in sub-Alpine meadows, or hair-raising mountain ridge walks for the more avid hikers. The Tatras is the highest mountain range between the Alps and the Caucasus. A visit to the traditional town of Zakopane will tantalize your taste buds with delicious highlander cuisine.

Look for Bison at Bialowieza National Park & Forest
This is probably the only intact primeval forest in Europe. Vast, deep and highly protected, the forest shares the border with Byelorussia, and is home to hoards of wildlife, Orthodox churches, Tartar mosques and the world’s largest population of rare European bison. The Bialoweiza Forest is protected on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Located in Podlaski province.

Scale the Dunes at Slowinski National Park
This park features an exotic natural attraction – shifting sand dunes of 44 metres high at the banks of Lake Lebsko. The desert-like landscape used to be a training ground for Rommel's Afrika Korps. Today it is an important biosphere reserve and haven for rare bird species and nature lovers. Swim in the lake or sunbathe on the soft sand. An open-air folk museum is another nearby attraction. Located in Pomorskie province

Tour Torun
UNESCO listed the mediaeval town of Torun as a World Heritage site. Similarly to Krakow it was not destroyed during World War II. Visit the Teutonic castle and the leaning tower (like the one in Pisa, Italy). Torun is a well-known university town and boasts numerous cellar pubs and delicious gingerbread. There is also an interesting museum inspired by Nicolas Copernicus - the founder of the heliocentric theory (the Earth rotates around the Sun), who was born here. Located in Kujawsko-Pomorskie province.

Wander and Wonder at the Salt Maze of Wieliczka
The ancient salt mines of Wieliczka were in operation for 700 years. This small town in the suburbs of Krakow ranks among the most famous tourist destinations in Eastern Europe and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often described as a fairy tale kingdom made of salt, guided tours of a mysterious labyrinth of 300 kilometres carved in pure salt marvels visitors along with a salt lake, caves and the beautiful Queen King’s Chapel. Located in Malopolskie province.