Łeba

 

The Neptun Hotel
- a beautiful landmark on the beach
Source: private albums

I Love Łeba, and I'm not alone here.

Once you visit this charming town located on the Baltic Coast (North of Poland), you will fall in love and want to return. 

There are many reasons why I love this place. Here are a few: large and sandy beach, beautiful sunsets, tasty fried fish, lovely harbor, many, oh so many activities to do, and on top of that: my family lives there! 

Łeba is perfect for leisure and summer fun, but it's also great throughout the year and offers variety of activities for each season.

Here are only a few things to consider doing when visiting this picturesque town, besides swimming and sunbathing:

1. Słowiński Park Narodowy (Słowiński National Park) - a huge attraction! This Park belongs to the UNESCO's World Biosphere Reserves. It is famous for shifting dunes, that are unique in a world scale. Impression that you get is like being in the middle of the desert :o) Słowiński National Park is also a home for different bird species (260 types of birds). Peat bogs, meadows, woods and four lakes: Łebsko,  Gardno, Dołgie Wielkie and Dołgie Małe create the perfect environment. A must-see!
2. Windsurfing and kitesurfing. There is a school with professional instructors located near the Sarbsko Lake - 2 km outside of Łeba.
3. Kayaking on the Sarbsko Lake.
4. Horse riding. A stable is located in Nowęcin village, outside of Łeba. Horse riding on the beach and horse riding camps are available.
5. Fishing!
6. Lots of biking routes.
7. Camping sides.
8. Nordic walking (especially in spring and fall). Check out this Nordic Walking School with professional instructors located at Zdrowotel Łeba. (http://www.zdrowotel.pl)

I hope, that you are convinced to visit!

When the sun goes down ...
Source: private albums

Lifeguard standing a watch on a rainy day
Source: private albums 

Beautiful summer evening
Source: private albums

What a view on a rainy day - at the harbor
Source: family pictures

Swans don't mind rainy days
Source: family pictures

 

Łeba's beach in winter
Author: Elzbieta Pietruszewska

Krzywy Domek, Sopot

If you like modern architecture, you might find this building interesting.
Krzywy Domek (Crooked House) in Sopot, Poland can be found on a list of "11 of Europe's most bizarre buildings" by CNN.
More information about this building can be found on www.krzywydomek.info

Morskie Oko - Jewel of the Tatra Mountains

It feels like a million years ago... High school field trip

Morskie Oko is one of the most popular and charming destinations when visiting Polish mountains. A must-see place.
You can get there by foot (approximately 2 1/2 hours) or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Both are fun and you can rest assured that you will enjoy the surroundings.
The view of the lake itself is a cherry on top!

Morskie Oko is the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains (Tatry) and is located in the Tatra National Park (Tatrzanski Park Narodowy).
The name Morskie Oko can be translated as "Eye of the Sea", as one of the legends says that the lake was connected to the sea through the underground tunnel.
It used to be called "Fish Pond" (Rybi Staw) due to natural stock of fish (mainly trout), which is really rare in the Tatra lakes. However, fishing and feeding fish are not allowed.
Beautiful clear water of the lake and the view of the highest peaks of the Tatra Mountains are breathtaking.
Morskie Oko is a great starting point for those who want to reach the highest peak in the Polish Tatra Mountains - Rysy (2,499 MASL). It takes approximately 4 hours plus time for rest.
Visitors can explore different mountain trails in the area and nice walk around the lake takes less than an hour!

Łazienki Królewskie - Łazienki Park, Warsaw

Palace on the Water
Source: Family pictures
Author: Maciej P.

Łazienki Królewskie  (or Park Łazienkowski) is the largest park in Warsaw, Poland (76 hectares).

The Park is full of interesting buildings, sculptures, monuments and beautiful gardens.

It's a must-see place in Warsaw!!!

It was created in XVIII century for Polish King Stanislaw August Poniatowski.

The park-and-palace complex is located in the city center, and is considered to be the one of the most beautiful parks in Europe.

Loved by tourists and loved by locals, the Łazienki Park used to be a summer residence of the King Stanislaw August.

The name Łazienki Królewskie means literally "Royal Baths", from a bathhouse that was rebuilt and transformed into the King's Palace, known today as Palace on the Water -  Pałac na Wodzie or Palace on the Island - Pałac na Wyspie.

Closer shot
Source: Family pictures
Author: Maciej P.

Roller skating, skateboarding and biking are banned in the park.

Chasing peacocks or squirrels across beautiful green grass isn't recommended either. (I know, everyone wants a snap shot of that beautiful peacock !... :-)

Squirrels - spoiled by the visitors, come close enough to get food. They might even share a bench with you, and eat nuts from your hand! Be careful though... What if you meet some crazy squirrel (crazy enough to bite you??? ;o)

Peacock - one of many in the Łazienki Park
Source: Family pictures
Author: Maciej P.

Many cultural events take place in the Łazienki Królewskie Park and the most popular are Fryderyk Chopin's Concerts, that I mentioned before in one of the older posts.

For a full history of the park, exhibits of the Royal Collections, pictures, etc. you might want to check this website: Lazienki Krolewskie.

For more pictures click here.

Amphitheater
Source: Family pictures
Author: Maciej P.

The pictures posted here are courtesy of my cousin Maciej P. who is the author.

EURO 2012 starts!



EURO 2012 logo
Source: Google

Today, June 8, 2012

Poland will play with Greece

at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Time: 18.00.

Good Luck Bialo-Czerwoni!

POLSKA GOLA!!! 



House of Poland in San Diego, CA

If you live close to San Diego, you might want to visit House of Poland and its annual lawn program, that is going to be held tomorrow, May 6 th at 2 p.m.
The lawn program is held on the first Sunday in May and commemorates the Polish Constitution Day, which is on May 3 rd.
There will be music, regional dances and food.
House of Poland is a member of the House of Pacific Relations, and is located in Balboa Park, in San Diego.
Open every Sunday from noon until 4 p.m.

I will definitely visit Polish cottage, next time I'm there!

Fryderyk Chopin and Chopin's places in Warsaw

Sharing this music clip via YouTube.

I do not own it.

  

Beautiful, isn't it?
Fryderyk Chopin, Polish composer and pianist (1810-1849) was born in Żelazowa Wola, Poland.
His music is known all over the world and has been an inspiration to many musicians.
If you are interested, a detailed biography of Fryderyk Chopin can be found here.

Cyprian Kamil Norwid, great Polish poet said about Chopin:

"He was a Varsovian by birth, a Pole by heart and a citizen of the world by his talent..."

Chopin's places worth visiting, if you are in Warsaw:

- Żelazowa Wola

Place of birth of Fryderyk Chopin. Today, it serves as a museum devoted to Fryderyk Chopin. It's surrounded by a beautiful park with Chopin's monument. During the summer time visitors can listen to Chopin's concerts played by musicians from all over the world.
Żelazowa Wola is located 50 km from Warsaw and it takes approximately an hour to get there by car or bus.

- Fryderyk Chopin's monument at the Łazienki Park in Warsaw
(Main entrance from Ujazdowskie Avenue)

Łazienki Park - the largest park in Warsaw is an attraction itself. There are many beautiful, historic buildings located at the Łazienki Park with its biggest attraction Palace on the Water, a residence of  the Polish King Stanisław August Poniatowski.
Great architecture and nature beauty create amazing scenery of the Łazienki Park.
You will see peacocks walking around and proudly displaying their feathers, waiting to be photographed. You will see squirrels with red tails coming up close to the visitors and eating nuts straight from their hands. :)))
And there is Chopin's monument, that attracts tourists and local people...
Its beautiful design by Polish artist Wacław Szymanowski is only one of the reasons.
There are also Chopin's Concerts that take place right next to the monument every year. Famous artists play Chopin's music every Sunday afternoon (noon until 4 p.m.), from May until September.
Beautiful music, gorgeous scenery and what's best, these concerts are free to the public! A MUST-SEE!!!
A 1:1 replica of the Chopin's monument is located in Hamamatsu, Japan.

- Kościół św. Krzyża - Holy Cross Church in Warsaw
(Krakowskie Przedmieście Street)

Fryderyk Chopin died in Paris, France, where he was buried at the Père-Lachaise cemetery.
His sister Ludwika fulfilled his last will and brought his heart to Poland.
Fryderyk Chopin's heart was placed in an urn and installed in one of the pillars of the Holy Cross Church in Warsaw.

- Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Warsaw
(Ostrogski Palace, Okólnik Street)

Information about the museum and exhibitions can be found on the museum's web site here.

 

The Palace of Culture and Science - PKiN

The Palace of Culture and Science - in Polish: Pałac Kultury i Nauki, abr. PKiN is the tallest building in Poland and the most visible landmark in Warsaw. Its image is present on many greeting cards, tourist brochures and souvenirs from Warsaw. If you ever get lost in Warsaw, just look around and find this building, and it will bring you back to the city center.

The construction of the Palace of Culture and Science started in 1952 and ended in 1955. The building was a gift from the Soviet Union to the people of Poland and originally was called the Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science. Many people were against the concept of the building and its name, and considered it as a symbol of Soviet domination. Some of these negative feelings are still alive today. The name was changed after Stalin's death.

Today, the building serves as an exhibition center and office complex.
A well-known tourist attraction is the terrace located on the 30th floor of the building, offering a panoramic view of Warsaw. The building contains museums, theaters, the University Collegium Civitas, large conference space and bookshops.
Many concerts and important venues take place in the Congress Hall - Sala Kongresowa, which can accommodate 2880 people.

I can't tell exactly how many times I've been there.... Many!!! Numerous EXPO events, museums, exhibits, movie theater, terrace, even a dancing class for our wedding :). So, if you are in Warsaw, and you have seen everything that the city has to offer, then you might want to stop by and enjoy the panoramic view from the 30th floor...

Celebrities about Poland

Poland?-Yes! Polska?-Tak!
I just wanted to share this link with all of you. It is really interesting to hear what celebrities have to say about Poland. What really matters to me is how positive their experiences and opinions are. Personally, I hope that this video will help to promote Poland :)). I have to admit that some celebrities impressed me with their knowledge of the history and culture of Poland.

Talking about Polish sense of humor...
My favorite line from this video (very true and flattering) is "Can you buy it? Can you put it in a  bottle? Can you buy Polish spirit?". What do Polish people answer? They are joking already and saying: "Of course, you can buy Polish spirit!", referring to the rectified spirit  (in Polish: "spirytus") containing up to 95% *** alcohol by volume. No need to explain where the best vodka is made! ;o)

*** source: wikipedia

The National Stadium in Warsaw

The National Stadium ("Stadion Narodowy") in Warsaw is almost ready! The final maintenance will end by November, however people in Warsaw already participated in an event highlighting some of the possibilities that the stadium has to offer. Warsaw held a Big Light Show - an illumination of the stadium accompanied by a music concert and fireworks display on August 27th. See the videos from YouTube.

Poland and Ukraine will co-host UEFA EURO 2012 between June 8th and July 1st next year. Warsaw's National Stadium is one of the venues - three group meetings, an opening game with the official ceremony, one quarterfinal and one semifinal will take place in Warsaw. Other Polish cities that will host EURO 2012 are Gdańsk, Poznań and Wrocław.

The National Stadium is located in the South Praga district ("Praga Południe") in Warsaw and can accommodate 58,000 soccer fans.
For more information, photos and virtual tours visit the National Stadium's web site (in Polish and English).
Here is the link:
http://www.stadionnarodowy.org.pl/the-national-stadium/photo-gallery

Poland - basic info

Pozdrowienia z Polski - Greetings from Poland
Own source

FULL NAME:

The Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska)

LANGUAGE:

Polish (Polski)

CAPITAL:

Warsaw (Warszawa)

CURRENCY:

Polish Zloty (Polski Złoty)

CLIMATE:

continental

AREA:

312,685 square kilometers (120,728 square miles)

POPULATION:

38,2 million (statistics from 2010)

RELIGION:

Roman Catholic

NATIONAL FLAG:

Two stripes - top: white, bottom: red

NATIONAL EMBLEM:

White eagle in a crown against red background

NATIONAL BANNER:

Flag with national emblem

NATIONAL ANTHEM:

"Mazurek Dąbrowskiego"

POLITICAL SYSTEM:

Parliamentary democracy

LOCATION:

Central Europe

BORDERS AND NEIGHBORS:

• NORTH:

Morze Baltyckie (Baltic Sea),

Russia (Kaliningrad district)

• EAST:

Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine

• SOUTH:

The Czech Republic and Slovakia

• WEST:

Germany

THREE MAIN MOUNTAIN RANGES:

• Karpaty (Carpathian Mountains), including Tatry range (Tatra Mountains) with the highest peak Rysy (2499 m).
• Sudety
• Góry Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross Mountains)

MAIN RIVERS:

• Wisla (known as Vistula River)
• Odra
• Warta
• Bug

NATIONAL PARKS: 23

Multimedia Fountain Park in Warsaw

Check it out!!!

Warsaw held a Grand Opening of Europe's biggest Multimedia Fountain Park in May 2011.

Water shooting to a height of 25 meters accompanied by classical music (well, not only, there is also room for Lady Gaga ;)))) ) attracts local people and tourists. Fountains are busting with colors! :) Performances involving lights, water and sound can be seen every Saturday until September. The Fountain Park is located next to the Vistula river bank and next to the Old Town.

Here is one of many videos taken during the show and posted on YouTube.

This one features "Contradanza" by Vanessa Mae - one of my favorites.

Own source