Travel in Focus Editorial
With the dawn of budget airlines, travelers who want adventure - but not at an exorbitant cost - have reason to rejoice. And it gets better, as major airlines are offering more and more seat sales in an effort to remain competitive, which means that we, the traveler, get options and choices. As a determined globetrotter, I think I speak for many people when I say, "It's about time!"
So, where to go? And what to do when you get there? Well, with Europe laid at our feet, it's hard to pick and choose locations, but I have settled on Germany, France and Northern Europe. Between them, they offer everything, from the rustic to the exotic; from a long weekend to a month-long break; from beaches to mountains. I have ideas to accommodate any budget and any length of time - so let's begin our journey.
Germany
Getting there is easy, and once you arrive, getting around is even easier - the German train network is extraordinary, especially since the eastern and western train systems have now been fully merged. Further, German roads are excellent, although the autobahnen is both wonderful and nightmarish, with high performance sports cars whipping past you at more than 250 km/h. If you can handle this, bless you. If not, enjoy the view from the train window.
For lovers of art, architecture and artefacts, Berlin offers a staggering number of museums and galleries, which will boggle the mind (and the eyes) of even the most dedicated culture addict. Lübeck is also wonderful for those of more refined tastes: this romantic town is on UNESCO's World Heritage list, and although it's easily accessible from Hamburg, it's off the main tourist trails, making it an appealing alternative to the more noisy and crowded attractions further south.
Continuing off the tourist circuit, I heartily recommend Leipzig, mostly because it's the only place that I've ever found to rival Paris in the sheer number of street cafés. As a music lover, I also got to enjoy some of the finest classical music and opera in the country - not surprising, when you take into account that Leipzig was once home to Bach, Wagner and Mendelssohn.
France
Air France, France's national carrier - and innumerable other airlines - link Paris with literally every part of the globe. And since Paris is also France's main rail hub, with services to and from every part of Europe, it's a good place to start.
Paris is one of those cities that truly live up to their reputations: it is romantic, it is beautiful and it is worth a visit. From la Seine to la tour Eiffel, Paris invites you to experience as much as you possibly can. I was astounded at the amount of original art that the city has: with galleries around every corner, there is something for everyone, and even people not especially devoted to looking at paintings on walls will be left breathless. If you're ever there in February, check out the primping and preening at the pr×t a` porter fashion show.
Personally speaking, I found Grasse charming, without being cute, and educational, without being stuffy. Grasse is the perfume center of France, and master perfumers - called nez (noses) - train their students for seven years to recognize around 6000 scents. Some of France's most highly prized flowers, including lavender, jasmine, centifolia roses, mimosa, orange blossom and violets, are all found here.
The French are a very festive bunch, with many cities hosting music, dance, theatre, cinema or art events all year around, and so chances are that whenever and wherever you go, you'll find something going on to interest you. When in Provence in May, I had the delight of stumbling upon an annual - and very colorful - gypsy festival honoring Sarah, the patron saint of gypsies.
Scandinavia and Finland
It's always dangerous to lump countries together, but it's true that Poland's northern neighbors do share many things: English-speaking people, fresh air, vibrant cities, spectacular swimming and some great festivals. They are all easily accessible by air, as SAS is well connected and has frequent flights. Once you reach one country, moving between it and the others is literally effortless.
Sweden's capital Stockholm is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful national capitals in the world; the Old Town in summer is particularly spectacular. The summer solstice is the time of the country's greatest festival, called Midsummer, which has pagan roots and involves dancing around a maypole and a great deal of schnapps. If you're brave enough to go in the winter, do not miss the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). I can tell you that the sight is worth any amount of shivering.
Norway is a more rugged country, consisting of mountains, fjords and glaciers. The 'Land of the Midnight Sun' has long summer days, unspoiled fishing villages and rich historic sites that include Viking ships and medieval stave churches. Its capital, Oslo, is what I think of as 'an outdoors city', with incredibly clean air and water that puts many smaller cities and towns to shame.
The smallest and most southern of the Scandinavian countries, Denmark offers ancient castles - including Hamlet's abode - and, by contrast, the sleekest modern design you'll ever see anywhere. Copenhagen is the largest city in Scandinavia, but is still a 'low-rise city' with only a couple of modern hotels rudely in the way of the view.
Finland consists of vast forests and lakes - and then more forests and lakes. For this reason, the country attracts thousands of trekkers and campers every year, me included. In the south, Helsinki is a paradise for lovers of art and architecture, and has a truly relaxed atmosphere.
So, with so many options open to us, getting out of Poland and into one of the above mentioned countries is very much possible. Let me say, though, that I am very well aware that Poland itself has lots to offer travelers. But this is a huge topic, worthy of its own supplement...so keep on eye out for that, which will be ready in time to help you plan your summer holidays.
So, where to go? And what to do when you get there? Well, with Europe laid at our feet, it's hard to pick and choose locations, but I have settled on Germany, France and Northern Europe. Between them, they offer everything, from the rustic to the exotic; from a long weekend to a month-long break; from beaches to mountains. I have ideas to accommodate any budget and any length of time - so let's begin our journey.
Germany
Getting there is easy, and once you arrive, getting around is even easier - the German train network is extraordinary, especially since the eastern and western train systems have now been fully merged. Further, German roads are excellent, although the autobahnen is both wonderful and nightmarish, with high performance sports cars whipping past you at more than 250 km/h. If you can handle this, bless you. If not, enjoy the view from the train window.
For lovers of art, architecture and artefacts, Berlin offers a staggering number of museums and galleries, which will boggle the mind (and the eyes) of even the most dedicated culture addict. Lübeck is also wonderful for those of more refined tastes: this romantic town is on UNESCO's World Heritage list, and although it's easily accessible from Hamburg, it's off the main tourist trails, making it an appealing alternative to the more noisy and crowded attractions further south.
Continuing off the tourist circuit, I heartily recommend Leipzig, mostly because it's the only place that I've ever found to rival Paris in the sheer number of street cafés. As a music lover, I also got to enjoy some of the finest classical music and opera in the country - not surprising, when you take into account that Leipzig was once home to Bach, Wagner and Mendelssohn.
France
Air France, France's national carrier - and innumerable other airlines - link Paris with literally every part of the globe. And since Paris is also France's main rail hub, with services to and from every part of Europe, it's a good place to start.
Paris is one of those cities that truly live up to their reputations: it is romantic, it is beautiful and it is worth a visit. From la Seine to la tour Eiffel, Paris invites you to experience as much as you possibly can. I was astounded at the amount of original art that the city has: with galleries around every corner, there is something for everyone, and even people not especially devoted to looking at paintings on walls will be left breathless. If you're ever there in February, check out the primping and preening at the pr×t a` porter fashion show.
Personally speaking, I found Grasse charming, without being cute, and educational, without being stuffy. Grasse is the perfume center of France, and master perfumers - called nez (noses) - train their students for seven years to recognize around 6000 scents. Some of France's most highly prized flowers, including lavender, jasmine, centifolia roses, mimosa, orange blossom and violets, are all found here.
The French are a very festive bunch, with many cities hosting music, dance, theatre, cinema or art events all year around, and so chances are that whenever and wherever you go, you'll find something going on to interest you. When in Provence in May, I had the delight of stumbling upon an annual - and very colorful - gypsy festival honoring Sarah, the patron saint of gypsies.
Scandinavia and Finland
It's always dangerous to lump countries together, but it's true that Poland's northern neighbors do share many things: English-speaking people, fresh air, vibrant cities, spectacular swimming and some great festivals. They are all easily accessible by air, as SAS is well connected and has frequent flights. Once you reach one country, moving between it and the others is literally effortless.
Sweden's capital Stockholm is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful national capitals in the world; the Old Town in summer is particularly spectacular. The summer solstice is the time of the country's greatest festival, called Midsummer, which has pagan roots and involves dancing around a maypole and a great deal of schnapps. If you're brave enough to go in the winter, do not miss the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). I can tell you that the sight is worth any amount of shivering.
Norway is a more rugged country, consisting of mountains, fjords and glaciers. The 'Land of the Midnight Sun' has long summer days, unspoiled fishing villages and rich historic sites that include Viking ships and medieval stave churches. Its capital, Oslo, is what I think of as 'an outdoors city', with incredibly clean air and water that puts many smaller cities and towns to shame.
The smallest and most southern of the Scandinavian countries, Denmark offers ancient castles - including Hamlet's abode - and, by contrast, the sleekest modern design you'll ever see anywhere. Copenhagen is the largest city in Scandinavia, but is still a 'low-rise city' with only a couple of modern hotels rudely in the way of the view.
Finland consists of vast forests and lakes - and then more forests and lakes. For this reason, the country attracts thousands of trekkers and campers every year, me included. In the south, Helsinki is a paradise for lovers of art and architecture, and has a truly relaxed atmosphere.
So, with so many options open to us, getting out of Poland and into one of the above mentioned countries is very much possible. Let me say, though, that I am very well aware that Poland itself has lots to offer travelers. But this is a huge topic, worthy of its own supplement...so keep on eye out for that, which will be ready in time to help you plan your summer holidays.
