Geographic Location

It is located in Central Europe, east of Germany bordering the Baltic Sea, the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.

Climate

The climate of Poland can be termed as Temperate. Winters are severe inland with average temperatures in Warsaw being 23°F (-5°C).   Summers are hot inland with average temperatures in July around 66°F (19°C). The precipitation occurs round the year.

Local Customs

Handshaking is the common custom. It is customary to bring flowers if you are going to someone’s house. Dressing is fairly conservative and casual and formal for entertainment in the evening or in a good restaurant. Smoking is prohibited in some public buildings. Tipping is 10 to 15 percent in restaurant, hotels and taxis.

Try local delicacies:

·        Popular Polish Cuisines include Zrazy Zawijane (mushroom-stuffed beefsteak rolls in sour cream) served with boiled kasza (buckwheat) and  pigs’ knuckles

·        Bigos (sauerkraut with a variety of meats) and pierogi (stuffed dumplings)

Drink wodka (vodka), the drink of choice-zubrowka(bison vodka) is flavoured with a blade of bison grass, a local herb

Attractions

·        Warsaw: The city was completely destroyed in World War II and was completely rebuilt after the war. The popular sights include Historic Museum of Warsaw, the Lazienki Palace with its open air theatre and Chopin’s monuments, and Palace of Culture and Sciences.

·        Cracow: St. Mary’s Church, Royal Castle, and Royal Cathedral on top of Wawel Hill

·        Exploring Krakow’s beautiful old town and staying up late to hit the cellar bars

·        Strolling around Gdanski’s historic streets then heading to the haunting sands of the Baltic coast

·        Hiking and climbing the Tatras, home to some of Europe’s finest mountain scenery

·        Visiting Auschwitz and praying that such tragedies never happen again

Further Pleasures:

To read: The Heart of Europe: A Short History of Poland by Norman Davies, a readable, fascinating insight into the development of the nation

To listen: Krzystof Komeda’s jazz piano compositions, icons of Polish culture

To watch: Anything by Roman Polanski, Poland’s most famous film export – try Knife in the Water, his first feature film

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Romania is LOT Polish Airlines (LO). Many popular airlines that fly to Poland include Aeroflot, Air France, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Easyjet, El Al, Lufthansa, Ryanair, SAS and Swiss Air. The biggest airport is Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport which is located like 6 miles southwest of the city.

By Sea – Pol Ferries operates connect Poland to Sweden, Denmark and Finland

By Rail – Polish State Railways (PKP) (website: www.pkp.pl) operates Eurocity trains from Poland various major European cities. But, all services from Western Europe to Poland pass through the Czech Republic, Germany or the Slovak Republic. The main routes link Warsaw with Berlin and Cologne, Budapest, Prague and Vienna. There is also a car-sleeper service from the border of Holland to Poznan/ Warsaw.

Duty Free Items

1.    Up to 250 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco or 50 cigars for Non-European union countries.

2.    800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1kg smoking tobacco for EU Countries.

3.    1 liter wine and 1 liter spirits for Non-EU Countries.

4.    10 liter spirits, 90 liter wine and 110 liter beer for EU Countries

5.    Perfumes, medicines and cosmetics for personal use

6.    Gifts up to €175

Prohibited Items

birds and poultry arriving from countries infected with Avian influenza, Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.