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Poland 
Poland is a predominantly lowland country, and its lack of natural frontiers has led to
a history of invasions and partitions that have buffeted a state precariously poised
between east and west. Three times divided between Austria, Prussia,
and Russia in the 18th century, Poland disappeared from the map in
1795. It re-emerged as an independent state only after World War I. Poland suffered
appallingly in World War II, and following the Warsaw Uprising in
1944 the capital was systematically razed by the German army. There followed more than 40
years of communist rule, during which the Poles never lost their strong sense of national
pride. The newly democratic country is now thriving, with a fast-developing free market
and a fledgling parliamentary system based on extremely complex coalition governments.
A marked contrast exists between the northern two-thirds of Poland—a vast region of
plains and low hills—and the south, which is characterised by uplands and a narrow
belt of mountains. It is this geographical diversity that makes Poland such an attractive
destination. There are opportunities to ski in the snow-capped Tatras range of mountains,
to raft down the Dunajec River, to bird-watch in the wind-swept dunes of the SÓowinski
Coast National Park, or to visit the Bison Reserve in the BiaÓowieûa Forest National
Park. Poland's architecture is also varied, and Teutonic castles and Hanseatic ports in
the north, fine renaissance architecture in Kraków, and baroque
splendour in Wilanów reflect its fascinating history.
Poland has attained its greatest cultural recognition in the field of literature. During
the great Romantic period of the 19th century, the chief figure was the poet Adam
Mickiewicz. Also noteworthy is Henryk Sienkiewicz, who won the Nobel prize in 1905 for his
historical novel Quo Vadis. Since 1945, prominent writers have included Jerzy
Andrzejewski, Stanislaw Lem, and Zbigniew Herbert. The émigré Polish poet and essayist
Czeslaw MiÓosz received the Nobel Prize in 1980 and is well known for his study of life
under Stalinism, the Captive Mind. In music, the greatest and best known Polish
composers are Frédéric Chopin and, more recently, Karol Szymanowski and Henryk Górecki.
Jazz is very popular and often innovative. Poland also has a long tradition of peasant
music, dance, and costumes, though these have inevitably been much affected by post-war
urbanisation.
Travel Preparation
Entry Requirements
All nationals require a valid passport to enter Poland. Most European citizens can
stay in Poland up to 90 days without a visa, except for United Kingdom nationals who can
stay for six months. Citizens of Bulgaria, Estonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, and Romania can stay for 30 days. Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus nationals are
required to carry a visa. Regulations can change, so travellers should consult the Polish
embassy or consulate in their country of residence for information regarding visa
requirements.
Emergency phone numbers
Ambulance: 999
Police: 997
Fire brigade: 998
Time zones
Central European Time (GMT plus one hour). Clocks are put forward one hour from
the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the end of October.
Driving
Vehicle documents
An International Driving Permit is not an official requirement, but is
recommended. To obtain one, contact the driver licensing authority, motoring organisation,
or other designated authority in your home country before departure. Ask your
motor-vehicle insurance company to confirm what documents are needed and whether
additional insurance is required. You must carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, and
spare bulbs for front and rear lights. The international registration letters of your
country of residence must be displayed at the rear of your car.
Rules of the road
Always carry your International Driving Permit or full valid driving licence,
vehicle registration documents, and insurance documents with you. Seat belts are
compulsory in front and back seats, and children under 12 are not allowed to sit in the
front. Traffic drives on the right. Trams and buses always have right of way.
Roads, tolls and speed limits
Poland has no toll roads and a few motorways, most of them in the south-west.
Speed limits are 110 kilometres (68 miles) per hour on motorways; 90 kilometres (55 miles)
per hour on main roads; and 60 kilometres (37 miles) per hour in built-up areas. Speed
limits are posted on boards at border crossings. Police impose heavy on-the-spot fines for
speeding.
Driving tips
Pedestrians and vehicles in cities do not always obey traffic lights. In rural
areas you are likely to encounter slow-moving vehicles, and also vehicles without lights
at night. It is therefore essential to drive carefully at all times and to reduce your
speed after dark. Between November and March, dipped (lower) headlights must be on when
driving during the day.
Assistance
PZM, the Polish motoring association, runs a 24-hour breakdown service. Leaflets
describing their services are available from their head office at ulica Kazimierzowska 66,
02-518 Warszawa, tel: +48 22 499 361. In the event of a breakdown, dial 981. If you belong
to a motoring organisation at home, bring evidence of membership, as that may entitle you
to free breakdown service and legal advice in Poland.
Electrical devices
The electrical current in Poland is 220 volts AC. Round, two-pin plugs are
standard. An adapter is essential for UK and Irish appliances.
Money
Notes and coins
The official monetary unit is the zÓoty (zÓ). There are 100 groszy (gr) in a
zÓoty. Notes come in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20, and 10zÓ. Coins are in
denominations of 5, 2, and 1zÓ, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1gr.
Currency exchange
Travellers cheques, which you should buy before you leave home, are the safest way
to carry money. They can be exchanged at Polish banks; you will need to produce a receipt
showing where you bought the cheques. Banks are open 08.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday.
Foreign currency can also be changed at travel offices and hotels, but the most convenient
places to change money are kantors (official exchange offices), which exist
throughout the country. These do not charge commission and give good rates of exchange.
They are normally open from 09.00 to 18.00, though some stay open 24 hours.
Tipping
It is customary to tip taxi drivers, hairdressers, and waiters by rounding up the
bill to the nearest even figure.
Public holidays
1 January: New Year's Day
Easter Monday
1 May: Labour Day
3 May: Polish National Day
9 May: Victory Day
Corpus Christi
15 August: Assumption
1 November: All Saints' Day
11 November: Independence Day
25 December: Christmas
26 December: Boxing Day
Travellers with disabilities
For information on accessible tourist sites and hotels with adapted rooms, contact
the National Council of Disabled People, ul. Konwiktorska 7, Warszawa, tel: +48 22 635 57
90.
Transport
Metro, buses and trams
Most towns in Poland have buses, trams, and trolley buses. They usually run from
05.30 to 23.00 and operate on a flat-fare system. Tickets and passes must be bought in
advance from Ruch street kiosks or news-stands; cancel your ticket once on board. There is
an additional charge for luggage. Seven-day tourist passes are available for trams.
Further information is available from PKS Warszawa Zachodnia, Al. Jerozolimskie 144,
Warsaw, tel: +48 22 23 64 94 or 23 64 95. Warsaw has a metro system which is being
extended.
Ferries
In summer boats connect GdaÕsk with the Hel Peninsula. Boats also run on the
Angustów and Elblag canals and on the Masurian lakes.
Warsaw
One of the lesser known east European capitals, Warsaw (Warszawa) has a surprising
amount to offer the visitor. The Stare Miasto (old town) was convincingly restored after
World War II. Among the sights are the monumental Royal Castle and St John's Cathedral.
Bustling Old Market Square has restaurants and pavement cafés, and there are a large
number of gift and craft shops in the neighbouring, picturesque streets. Warsaw is also
famous for its palaces. Wilanów Palace, the baroque residence of King Jan III Sobieski,
is the most elegant with its Orangery and spacious gardens, but ˜azienki Palace,
built for King Stanislaw August Poniatowski, is also very beautiful. The “palace on
water” as it's sometimes called is probably best known for its open-air theatre.
For art lovers there's the National Museum, while devotees of music make the pilgrimage to
Frédéric Chopin's birthplace at ¨elazowa Wola, about 50 kilometres (32 miles) away.
Kraków
Kraków, Poland's third city and a lively university town,
also has a wonderfully preserved old centre of cobbled streets and narrow passageways, of
Gothic spires and baroque cupolas. Rynek GÓówny, the largest medieval square in Europe,
is dominated by the magnificent renaissance Cloth Hall where you can shop for souvenirs or
stop for coffee. One of the great works of medieval art, Veit Stoss's exquisitely carved
wooden altar, can be found nearby in the Mariacki Church. Tours of the 15th-century
Collegium Maius at the heart of the university include the richly decorated reception
rooms which would have been familiar to the astronomer MikoÓaj Kopernik (Copernicus). On
the opposite bank of the River WisÓa is the Wawel or Royal Castle with its beautifully
decorated interiors containing priceless tapestries. The Cathedral, where Poland's kings
were crowned and buried, is the former seat of Archbishop Karol WojtyÓa, better known to
the world as Pope John Paul II.
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