Find the best Poland Hotels

The Central European nation of Poland is currently enjoying one of its most stable periods in history following several centuries of occupation by neighbouring countries, destructive wars, and constantly changing borders. Today, more tourists are discovering Poland's medieval castles, Baltic Sea beaches, and towering Tatra and Carpathian mountain ranges. It takes about 13 hours to fly the 8,085 km from Bangkok to Warsaw, Poland's capital city, because non-stop flights between the two cities are rare.

Poland is not usually known for pleasant weather, but summer temperatures can soar above 32°C in the country's warmest southwest section, while average temperatures in other parts of Poland range from 21°C to 26°C. Winter is Poland's coldest season when most visitors flock to the country's southern ski resorts. Winter temperatures can plummet to -6°C in Poland's coldest northeast portion. Poland's autumn and spring seasons are both cooler and cheaper than summer.

Music plays an important part in most Polish festivals, including Krakow's July Crossroads Festival and November All Souls Jazz Festival. Jazz at the Old Town is another major Polish music festival which takes place on Saturday summer evenings in Warsaw's painstakingly rebuilt Old Town. Colourful artwork adorns Warsaw's 14th century St John's Cathedral, and many more historic buildings during the July International Street Art Festival. Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral are a couple of the many Krakow landmarks which survived WWII bombings.

Pickled vegetables, stuffed pierogi, gołąbki cabbage rolls, and borscht red beet soup are some of Poland's best known signature dishes. Toasted baguettes called zapiekanki topped with mushrooms and melted cheese are sold at Polish food stalls and bars alongside pizza and kebabs. Milk bars are some of the cheapest places to sample Polish foods. Vodka and beer are the most commonly served drinks in Poland's outdoor beer gardens and other popular nightlife spots.

Most Poles head straight for Pomerania's Baltic Sea beach resort during the country's warmest months. Zakopane is a popular winter skiing destination as well as a popular summer horseback riding spot, while Sopot is famous for its spas. The national parks of Slowinski, Bialowieza, and Karkonoski have become some of Poland's popular eco-tourism destinations.

Poland's prices are cheaper than many other European countries. Warsaw's Centrum contains most of the Polish capital's modern shopping centres. Krakow's Old Town antique shops and Rynek Glowny Market are among that city's unusual places to shop. Poznan is another Polish city famous for its lively Jezycki and Wildecki markets. Amber jewellery sold with or without insect fossils is the uncommon kind of souvenir for sale in Europe's amber capital, Gdansk.