Blogs from Zakopane, Lesser Poland, Poland, Europe
Chill-out Time in the Mountains
Published: September 29th 2011Europe » Poland » Lesser Poland » Zakopane
August 30th 2011
Sorry, there still seems to be a problem with the photos but if you are seeing only empty boxes- click on the box and the photos will appear. It seems some people can and some can't see them. ---------------------------------- After a few hectic days in Lodz most of the wedding guests had returned home. Stan and I had 5 days left before our flight so caught the night train south to Zakapane. In the winter it's a ski resort but in the summer months the town is a lively touristy spot and the surrounding mountains are beautiful, covered in pine forests with the odd Swiss style chalet dotted around on their flanks. A maze of paths lead up to the summits or for the less energetic there's no shortage of cable cars and ski lifts to ... read more
July 12th 2011
It rained in Zakopane two out of the three days I was there. This is a mountain resort town in the High Tatras near the Slovakian border. I hiked to the top of Sarnia Skala to see the "spectacular views" of Giewont and the other mountains and due to the fog from the morning rain there was zero visibility. As a consolation prize I hiked back down to the town and saw a waterfall on the way. Zakopane is extremely touristy with literally wall-to-wall tourists. It seemed like half the people in Poland were on vacation there in July. The town was also very tourist-oriented with two small carnivals (with many of the same rides I remember from my childhood) and some cheesy Las Vegas Circus-Circus style games. It was a very beautiful area and a ... read more
Days 39 & 40 28th & 29th June Slovakia-Poland A Brush with the Law & the High Tatras
Published: June 29th 2011Europe » Poland » Lesser Poland » Zakopane
June 29th 2011
Days 39 & 40 28th & 29th June Slovakia-Poland A Brush with the Law Day 39 28th June “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it." -- John Steinbeck ….and we thought we had our 48 hours in Slovakia under control. We were going to travel up through the little country to the High Tatras mountains which border with Poland. We were going to spend the night in a nice campsite and the next day (today) we were going to take a hike up into the mountains. Well, at least we thought we were….. The short journey from Western Riding Ranch to the border gave us a glimpse of how poor and run down rural Hungary can be. The roads were diabolical and the site of large ... read more
January 3rd 2011
Our trip 28.12.2010-2.01.2011 Dolina Koscieliska (Przelecz Tomanowa, Przelecz Iwanicka,Kiry-schronisko "Ornak", "Smreczynski" staw)... read more
25 AUG 2010 - Trip to Zakopane, Poland
Published: August 28th 2010Europe » Poland » Lesser Poland » ZakopaneAugust 25th 2010
Day trip to Zakopane, Poland & the Tatra Mountains Mom and I both slept great last night and in fact Mom slept so good she didn't wake up on her own like she normally does. I had my alarm set for 7am since we needed to board the bus by 8am. Mom jumped up when my alarm went off and asked what time it was. She normally woke up by 6am on her own...got ready and went down to breakfast and ate leisurely and I would be awake by the time she got done with breakfast...but not today. She was rushing around and had to eat her breakfast quickly in order for us to make it to the bus on time. We made it thankfully and shortly after began our journey to Zakopane. An expected trip ... read more
Day 2: Zebronie Rodzinne: The Real Thing
Published: August 1st 2010Europe » Poland » Lesser Poland » Zakopane
August 1st 2010
As time is of the essence on this trip, we wasted no time in returning to my grandfather's home town and meeting the whole family. After a great breakfast in Krakow, we left for Targanice, a small village nestled in the Tatra Mountains. Traffic was rough, but it was wonderful when we arrived at Aunt Janina's. Several family members, including my grandfather's little brother, Bronik, met us at the car and helped us in. When my grandfather got to the top of the steps of the house and saw everyone standing there, the tears finally began and he could barely make it the rest of the way up the stairs. His little sister Mary, who he has not seen in 65 years, stood in the middle of the room with the traditional bread and salt and ... read more
A 'run' for your money on the Polish pistes
Published: March 11th 2011Europe » Poland » Lesser Poland » Zakopane
January 23rd 2010
For the first time ever, I had broken away from the idea of booking a ski trip as one complete package, and descended into 'ad hoc' ski trip territory where I had booked all the elements of the ski trip to Zakopane separately, and was looking forward to seeing how it would all come together. A swift flight into Krakow airport, followed by two relatively simple bus transfers, and I soon found myself approaching the Polish resort town of Zakopane, famous, perhaps for being Poland's biggest fire hazard, many of the town's buildings being made of wood. This factor though, amongst others besides, contributed to the whole area's charm, and the town itself is a real gem, a well-equipped place replete with a huge aqua park (ideal for bathing after a ski session!), various restaurants of ... read more
January 22nd 2010
Z Warszawy wyruszylismy pociagiem TLK do Zakopanego.Z dworca autobusowego busem do Siwej Polany i pieszo do schroniska ponad 2,5 h. Zaliczony szczyt: Grzes (slowacka Lucna) .Pamiatka-znajda-owczarek srodkowowitowianski-Lesio.... read more
September 15th 2009
From Prague I got an overnight bus to Warsaw, which took an hour and a half longer than expected, due to a large number of stops and some mysterious bus problems which required us to change buses at 3 o'clock in the morning. I'm pretty sure the second bus had bigger problems that the first. All very interesting when you can't speak a word of Polish! I have since picked up a few words, but it hasn't helped it much. Polish people seem very unhelpful, to the point of being quite rude if you don't speak any Polish. Except for people my age-ish, who mostly all speak English and are more than happy to practice it on you. Anyway, had a nice time in Warsaw wandering around the Old Town, particularly the Old Square, which was ... read more
July 12th 2009
Zakopane, Poland - July 7th - 10th, 2009 After an uneventful 2.5 hour bus ride from Krakow, we arrived in Zakopane. We easily found our hostel and for the first time since Iceland had a private room with our very own shower and toilet! Fancy! Things you take for granted in normal life quickly become luxuries while traveling. The day we arrived we set out to see the town. Zakopane is a nice tourist town with one main street filled with bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, street entertainers and even working ponies that you can pet for a small price. The following day we woke up earlier then we had in a long time (9am!) and set our for a day of hiking. Little did we know the day would be filled with unexpected adventures. The first ... read more
