Cityscape

See two sides of Warsaw in its rebuilt Baroque Old Town (destroyed in WWII) and Stalinist Palace of Culture & Science. Travel east by train to Poland’s finest Renaissance square in Zamość, west to cultural, Gothic-style Wrocław and south to medieval Krakow. In the north, visit Gdańsk’s Old Town.

Landscape

Take the train through Poland’s countryside.Swim and windsurf along the Hel Peninsula and explore the Great Masurian Lakes by yacht. Hike through unspoilt Bieszczady National Park and ski in Zakopane in the Carpathian Mountains. See Słowiński National Park’s sand dunes and kayak around Biebrza National Park.

Take Home

Buy contemporary artworks and vintage posters in Warsaw, amber jewellery in stately Gdańsk and gingerbread in Toruń. In Krakow, pick up antques and oscypki (smoked sheep’s cheese) or stock up on Poland’s bison-grass flavoured vodka, Żubrówka, in the Podlasie region.

Eat & Drink

Try traditional Polish cuisine like bigos (meat and sauerkraut stew) and pierogi (filled dumplings) or find hearty stews and soups in canteen-style ‘milk bars’. Finish with vodkas like Żubrówka or Goldwasser, which contains flakes of gold.

New Perspective

Take the steam train through Poland’s Klodzko Valley on the scenic Walbrzych-Klodzko route, passing Poland’s highest viaduct at Ludwikowice.

• Krakow