| Zakopane: Poland's Hidden Gem of Europe | | | | Zakopane hosted the Nordic World Ski |
| Poland is not a destination that is high on most | | | | Championships in 1929, 1939, and 1962, the winter |
| people lists when planning a holiday abroad. This | | | | Universiade in 1956, 1993, and 2001, the biathlon |
| country is best known for its historic World War | | | | World Championship, several ski jumping world |
| Two concentration camp, Auschwitz, and millions | | | | cups, and several Nordic combined, Nordic and |
| of people all over the world visit it. Many tourists | | | | Alpine European Cups. It hosted the Alpine World |
| though are unaware of the beauty and tradition | | | | Ski Championships in 1939, the first outside the |
| that lie in this historic country. | | | | Alps and the last official world championships prior |
| Zakopane is a mountain town that has embraced | | | | to World War 2. Of course skiing here isn't just |
| recent tourism, yet has managed to keep its | | | | for the professionals, you can have a go yourself |
| traditions alive with restaurants boasting the finest | | | | during the winter months. There is a large |
| mountain food and drinks including mulled wines | | | | selection of shops where you can rent and buy all |
| and warm beers. There is also a large range of | | | | the equipment required, and when you reach the |
| museums to be explored like Tatra Museum, | | | | mountains, there are plenty of places where you |
| which Founded in 1875, is one of the oldest | | | | can learn how to ski. |
| regional museums in Poland. With some charming | | | | The prices at tourist destinations can cripple most |
| folk interiors, and a large range of local clothing | | | | holiday makers just days after arriving in most |
| and art, it has plenty to inspire fans of mountain | | | | countries. But this is not the case in Zakopane, I |
| style. You can visit many art galleries, The Old | | | | personally went to a restaurant with my wife and |
| Graveyard, which contains tomb from some of | | | | six friends and for eight main meals and two |
| Poland's most famous figures of the arts. | | | | rounds of drink came to around £65! |
| If you are planning to visit Zakopane, the Tatra | | | | Amazing value, especially given the fact that all |
| Mountains are a must see! You have to ride two | | | | food is prepared cooked fresh, and in most |
| cable cars to reach the top of one of the smaller | | | | restaurants you can actually witness the cooking |
| mountain ranges. The views are spectacular and if | | | | of your food. Buying gifts here is done with ease |
| you're, lucky you can witness the helicopter | | | | with the dense market area selling multiple items |
| mountain rescue team conducting training. Of | | | | from wood crafted models to traditional goat's |
| course you don't have to take the cable car up | | | | cheese(which is delicious). |
| the mountain. You are free to hike the distance, | | | | If you wish to see awe inspiring views, taste new |
| and when you finally reach the top, there is a | | | | local cuisines and drinks and stick to a low budget |
| cafe/restaurant ready to take your order. If | | | | at the same time, Zakopane is a great destination |
| you're feeling adventurous, you can also use the | | | | to visit. You will be booking your second holiday |
| chair lifts to get up and down the mountains, so | | | | there before you even finish the first! |
| you can view all the scenery and take some | | | | For some more great information and travel |
| great pictures along the way. | | | | information there are some great websites when |
| When it comes to its most recent history, skiing | | | | you use any search engines. |
| has helped put Zakopane on the sporting map. | | | | |