Excursions
For a Half Day
Kampinoski Park: There is plenty to see and do in the countryside surrounding Warsaw – a little further afield are areas of forests, lakes and mountains. The Kampinoski Park (website: http://hum.amu.edu.pl/~zbzw/ph/pnp/kamp.htm), with walking trails and abundant wildlife, lies just to the northwest of the city and is easily accessible by PKS bus from Marymont station or Dworzec PKS, Warsaw's main bus station, al Jerozolimskie 144 (tel: (022) 9433). It is the largest park adjacent to a city of more than a million inhabitants. One of its major features is its inland sand dunes that contrast with the peat bogs. The park is open from dawn to dusk and admission is free.
Zelazowa Wola: Frederic Chopin was born here, 60km (37 miles) from the capital. A museum dedicated to his life and work is located in the manor house where he spent his first months. Polish Travel Quo Vadis (tel: (022) 652 1456; website: www.polishtravel.com.pl) offers a day trip for Z140, departing 0900 Saturday from the major hotels in Warsaw. This trip includes Nepokalanov, with its Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the typical Mazovian medieval village of Brochow, where Chopin’s parents were married. Mazurkas Travel (tel: (022) 635 6633 or 5182; website: www.mazurkas.com.pl) offers an equivalent service. Zelazowa Wola is located inside Kampinoski Park and can be reached by bus Dworzec PKS, Warsaw's main bus station, al Jerozolimskie 144 (tel: (022) 9433).
For a Whole Day
Torun: |
This walled, medieval town on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites is often called the Copernician Town, because it was the birthplace of Mikolaj Kopernik (Copernicus). It’s location on the banks of the Vistula River offers a popular place for people to promenade, leading to the ruins of the 13th-century Castle of the Teutonic Knights. Regular boat tours operate on the river in summer. The city’s former wealth is expressed in the impressive Town Hall and parts of the Church of St John – where Copernicus was baptised and later taught – which date from the 13th century. The Gothic townhouse where Copernicus was born is located at ulica Kopernika 17. Torun is also famous for its gingerbread, still baked in medieval moulds according to a traditional recipe. The city is 200km (124 miles) from Warsaw and is reachable by train from Warsaw Centralna (journey time 3 hours) or by Polski Express bus, which departs every hour from the bus stop near Warsaw Centralna (journey time – 3 hours 40 minutes). Further information is provided by Torun Tourist Information Centre, ulica Piekary 37/39, 87100 Torun (tel: (056) 621 0931; fax: (056) 621 0930; website: www.man.torun.pl).
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