Categories
- TRIP (3)
- Uncategorized (5)
- Zakopane Noclegi (1)
Latest Postings
Our Trip to Poland At the end of May, 2009, we took the night Lufthansa flight to Krakow, Poland with a 5 hour layover in Frankfurt, Germany, then a 90 minute flight to Krakow- an exhausting 16 hour journey. The Boeing 747 was completely filled. The economy class seats were cramped, narrow and hard. Meals were mediocre even for airline food. Frankfurt is an enormous, modern, confusing airport with 4 or 5 different terminals. Fortunately, our bags were checked thru to Krakow so we did not have to drag them several miles to the connecting flight terminal. There were a few lounge areas containing some reclining seats, but most were occupied by sleeping travelers. Upon arrival in Krakow we were met by a friend who drove us the 87 kilometers (54 miles) to Zakopane at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. The highway has been under construction for over 10 years and is about 50% completed so the drive is almost 2 hours. About the same by comfortable busses which leave every 20 minutes. We stayed at St. Stanislaus, a small pension, recently renovated from an old, historic nun’s residence visited by Pope John. It is typical mountain style with steeply pitched roofs, stone and heavy wood exterior. Furnishings are simple, attractive, locally made beds, chairs and tables. There are about 15 rooms with bath and shower accommodating singles, double and families, an adequately stocked kitchen, game room with stone fireplace. The rooms are kept very neat and clean. The view from most rooms is lovely- acres and acres of grass leading to the forest. In the summer, sheep herded by very clever sheep dogs and guided by their shepherd, graze slowly from one end to the other. In winter, deer come down from the mountains, thru the snow-covered spruce forest down to the water across the road. Zakopane is the Aspen of Eastern Europe with a newly rebuilt ski lift raising skiers by large gondolas some 6000 vertical feet to the lodge atop Mt. Kasprowy. Runs are intermediate to expert. Beginner slopes are at nearby Nosal which also has a high, very steep professional run. Other smaller and lower lifts are within a few miles. The small picture town of Zakopane is basically a single main walking street filled with shops of all kinds, numerous excellent restaurants serving grilled and other Polish foods. There are several large hotels, unlimited pensions and B&Bs. Within 20 minutes drive is a new, modern hot springs spa with 3 different large pools (1 outdoors). It includes showers, private lockers, hot tubs, slides, several kinds of jets, a very nice bar and restaurant. There are a couple of nice golf courses- one near Krakow and one in Slovakia on the southern side of the Tatras (about a 1 hour drive). This was our 4th or 5th visit and everything seems to be improving each time- better roads, new building construction and remodeling, more restaurants and accommodations. We thoroughly enjoy this completely different experience from US vacation resorts. - Richard Weghorn
