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If you come to Sandomierz, you shall also consider to visit Momoty Górne, a small village near Janów Podlaski. If the churches and cathedrals of Sandomierz impressed you, become ready for an absolute miracle! The Church of St. Adalbert (Kościół Św. Wojciecha) was constructed entirely in wood. The parish priest Kazimierz Pińciurek constructed it with the help of the local community in the most difficult circumstances of communist regime unfavourable to the construction of any sacral buildings. I can guarantee to you that after seeing this it will take a long time until you will find another such an equally awesome work of human hands.
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SANDOMIERZ - 5 REASONS WHY YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE ROYAL CITY 1. THE OLD TOWN Panorama of the Sandomierz Old Town from the top of the Opatowska Gate. On the horizon, Vistula River As opposed to the old towns in other cities, the Sandomierz Old Town is a much more cozy place. Sandomierz called by some people "small Rome" also lies on seven hills. The Old Town is situated on one of them. Though it is a major tourist attraction in the region and in Poland, even such a "wild" nature lover as I does feel well here. The Old Town does not only impress you with many great monuments, churches, tenement houses, cafeterias, but also with such extraordinary sights as a vineyard next to one of the historic churches on the bank of the picturesquely winding Vistula River right in the middle of the Old Town. The charming streets encourage to take a walk downtown not only during the day, but also by night when the streets go romantically peaceful and the facades become colorfully illuminated. It is therefore no surprise that so many renown people, artists and filmmakers fall in love with this city. Sandomierz became, for example, the main filming location of one of the most popular Polish TV series. 2. THE PEPPER MOUNTAINS NATURE RESERVE Panorama of Sandomierz from the Pepper Mountains Although this wild, and I do not exaggerate here, Natura 2000 site poses quite a challenge for an average hiker, the Pepper Mountains are one of mandatory places to visit without which your experience of Sandomierz will just not be complete. Paradoxically, the Pepper Mountains are poorly advertised. However, if you think that the local guide exaggerates by calling Sandomierz "Polish Tuscany", a trip to the Pepper Mountains will surely make you take your hat off. These seemingly low and difficult to locate, even from the highest viewpoint in the city, green mountains offer an unforgettable panorama of the city in a very picturesque surrounding of one of the wildest rosaries in Poland. From here Sandomierz could as well compete with Disneyland. Just like in a fairy tale! 3. VINEYARDS St. Jacob’s vineyard next to St. Jacob's Church. In the background the Sandomierz Royal Castle To my own surprise, I discovered that Zielona Góra (a city located in Western Poland close to the German border) is not the only place in Poland famous for its winemaking. Sandomierz also has many vineyards, which produce wines appreciated not only in the country, but first and foremost abroad. Winnica Płochockich, Winnica "Pod Jarem", Winnica Sandomierska are the names of the most renown regional producers whose wines you can spot on the shopping shelves. Surely there is no better way to start your adventure with Polish wines than just by buying a glass of wine in one of the restaurants on the Sandomierski marketplace. 4. LOESS GORGES Queen Jadwiga's Gorge As opposed to Pepper Mountains, loess gorges are almost part of the Old Town. They play the role of natural corridors in between different parts of the Old Town. The loess formations make a lasting impression with the unique sculpture of the slopes and the roots of the trees clinging to the sides. The gorges are, therefore, a perfect alternative for those who look for a moment of piece from the noisy marketplace. Usually these green avenues also lead to equally charming parks. 5. REGIONAL DELICACIES A befriended seller of obwarzanki next to the Opatowska Gate. The ones on the left are the best! Before you leave Sandomierz, apart from the previously mentioned wines, you also have to try one of the most refined local meads, so called półtorak [pouwtorac]. Sandomierz is also famous for its fruit orchards and one of the best fruit juices in Poland. Personally I do recommend you the apple juice produced by "Owoc Sanodmierski". One of the best apple juices I have ever tried. Sandomierski marketplace could not do without the cult obwarzanki (small ring-shaped buns) - if you want to get the best ones, go to the stand closest to Brama Opatowska (The Opatowska Gate). If you feel like enriching the taste of these classical rusks, you have to try one of the sandomierski lards. As for the dessert, there is no better idea than to buy a box of sandomierski fudges. The choice is staggering - do not hesitate to ask the local sellers for advice, they will for sure suggest the best product to you, just tell them you want the best one - najlepsze [nigh-lep-sha]. A bench with a view on the illuminated city hall If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/ July is a very special time of the year in Poland. The fields bloom with all colors of the rainbow. During my Sunday bicycle excursion to the countryside I myself was astonished by the colors of some plants. For example, seaholly Eryngium planum Blue Cap on the photo below. It immediately attracted my attention, and not only mine, but also of bees and bumblebees, with its blue stems. It grew almost everywhere in the fields.
Apart from storks you can meet behind every corner, Suwalszczyzna is also home to cows. You shall not be surprised to pass one on your way walking downtown freely. Of course, I am talking about unsealed roads. But do not worry, they are rather shy and will not look for your company. Such views as the one below are predominant in Suwalski Landscape Park. Do not let yourself be suggested by the tight framing of the photo - in reality these cows have an endless wild meadow to graze on. This small scrub was, however, a relief on this hot and sunny day not only for them, but also for me. I guess it was, indeed, not the best idea to make a cycling expedition that day. It was the hottest day of the whole trip with temperatures rising up to 30 degrees and over. I came back beautifully tanned, but soaking wet. Yes, I had the perfect timing to meet with the storm. This is the result of persuading oneself: "They travel across the whole Australia by bike, so why shall I not make it in Suwalski Park Krajobrazowy." As opposed to cows, my Sunday was not lazy at all. If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/
THREE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD GIVE A DIVE A TRY If you think just now "No, I never gonna do it", I can tell you it comes as no surprise to me. It is exactly what I have been thinking before I finally made the first dive in my life. MY FIRST INTRO It was a totally spontaneous idea which came up my mind during my second stay by Lake Hańcza, Poland. I have not even considered it prior to my departure there and I was lucky, because if I did, I would probably find 100 and one reasons not to do it. A day was enough for numerous people to stir up my doubts to the maximum. Fortunately, it was nothing new to my instructor, Jarek Bekier from C.N. Banana Divers, who immediately put me to the ground. A good instructor (dive partner) is a treasure. DIVING IS SAFE Diving is absolutely safe if only you keep calm and be reasonable. Besides it is never so that you go underwater alone. First, you have to perform an introductory dive, so called Intro, which is always done with an instructor - you hold his arm during the whole dive which is no deeper than 6 meters or less depending on your comfort. The same thing concerns the diving course and further dives. It is always up to you how deep you dive. There are numerous reasons you should give it a try at least once in a lifetime. And do it here by Lake Hańcza in Poland. Let me give you 3 reasons: 1.GAIN A NEW EXPERIENCE Trust me diving is a great experience! It is almost as if you were flying. I guess it must be exactly how cosmonauts feel in the space. Weightlessness. Indeed, on the surface divers look clumsy and I must admit they also feel clumsy. Like ducks. But as soon as you immerse in water this whole burden you carry on your back disappears as if a magic wand has touched you. C.N. Banana Divers is not only the best equipped and open all year diving base in the region, but it also has a very experienced crew who will do its best to make the first dive a fantastic and unforgettable eperience to you. If you do it once, you will for sure want more. It was my case - I came back to make an Open Water Diver course here because of the people and good memories from the Intro, though in the meantime I had a chance to make it in more spectacular circumstances - the Australian Great Barieer Reef. What makes diving a great experience to me are first and foremost the people and the people who make C.N. Banana Divers are just great! 2. DISCOVER THE UNDERWATER WORLD I know what you're thinking: "If I want to see the underwater world, I will go to the zoo and watch the fish in the aquarium or watch a film on Youtube. It wil be the same." Well, not quite. When you dive, you also interact with fish and vice versa. You can almost touch them. It often happens that you can also be object of interest for the fish. Predatory perch, for example, loves bubbles so he will always accompany you on the shallower waters. Besides, fish look totally different in natural environment than in capture, especially if you can watch them from the same underwater perspective and not through the glass or lense of the camera. They are almost transparent and glittering with all the colors of the rainbow. 3. ENJOY THE EXCEPTIONAL NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Lake Hańcza is famous for its first-class water. The water is really crystal clear here. You can admire fauna and flora even from the platform on the public beach. There are places where transparency of water reaches up to 6 meters. There are also many rare species of fish which can be seen only in Lake Hańcza. The lake is situated in Suwalski Landscape Park on the side of the main routes. Therefore nature remains rather intact here. Besides, it is the deepest lake in Poland and also in the middle of the European Plain. In its deepest point it is over 108 meters deep. Another good reason to perform a dive here! Just imagine your friends' faces when you tell them that you have dived in the deepest lake in Central Europe! Well, I hope I have convinced you! If you have any questions, you're welcome! HAVE A NICE DIVE! If you liked this post, let me invite you to my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/
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POLAND FOR BEGINNERS
Hi! My name is Victoria. Welcome to my personal travel photoblog about Poland created especially for you, my foreign friends, who are curious about Poland!
ABOUT MEEnglish philologist and film editor by education. Translator by occupation. A lover of my motherland Poland and globetrotter with journalist ambitions. Passionate about photography. I love traveling, active way of spending time and contact with nature. Experience and explore - that is what drives me! I am on the look for happy islands. Archives
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