Zakopane Resort Townin Poland's High Tatra Mountains
We were with our Slovak friends .............. our daughter’s host family from her year long student exchange. Along with their close knit extended family and some friends we had all arrived in the Pieniny National Park in Slovakia, to raft the Dunajec River. Unfortunately there had been a lot of rain and the river was running too high. Rafting was off for the day. We enjoyed a drink while we pondered what to do now. Elenka suggested we “ Go to Poland for the day!” WOW.......... I couldn’t believe it! Off to Poland for the DayThe famous tourist and ski Zakopane Resort Town is near the Slovak /Polish border and they visit regularly to go to the big outdoor market.Our daughter required an expensive visa so had always stayed home. But as Slovakia is now part of the European Union we, as New Zealander’s, no longer required a visa! Funnily we waited rather nervously in the back of the car while our passports were processed. But no worries.......... they were stamped and returned, and away we went ...............crossing from Slovakia to Poland in the High Tatra mountains. Picturesque Zakopane
Zakopane resort town, situated in the southern part of the Podhale region at the foot of the Tatra Mountains is Poland’s most popular ski resort, and attracts large numbers of visitors year round. With the picturesque wooden architecture of the churches ........ and houses highlighted against the back drop of the stunningly beautiful High Tatra mountains......this is not surprising. The feeling of being in another country was almost immediate, as the first of these typical Polish wooden houses special to this area and Jaszczurowka Chapel like a fairy tale image .....................loomed in the forest. 
Skiing in winter and mineral spas and Alpine hiking in summer, draw many out door adventurers.The most popular hiking destinations are the 1985-meter-high Kasprowy Wierch, the famous Morskie Oko Lake and the Gubałówka Mountain. There is a cable car running from Zakopane to Kasprowy Wierch. While a funicular takes you to the top of Gubałówka Mountain where you will get wonderful views over the granite and limestone peaks of the Tatra Mountains. Beside the mountains, Zakopane has many monuments. The folk culture of the “Goral” .....the mountain people who live in this High Tatra region has been preserved in their music , songs and local costume. If you are there at the right time you will be able to participate in traditional folk festivals. An evening meal in some of the restaurants may also be accompanied by traditional folk music.
Zakopane Local ToursA local tour company arranges fun activities for groups such as
Zakopane Town Centre and Shopping
Just a wander down the cobblestone Krupowki Street – the oldest street in Zakopane – gives you an interesting view of this delightful town. Shops filled with crafts and amber jewellery special to this area are tempting. Horse and carts stand ready to take any tourists wanting a tour around the town. An old man entertains the crowds on his violin, while larger than life blow up characters waddle down the street invoking a fun atmosphere.The huge outdoor market with countless ethnic stalls has everything from leather coats, running shoes and ethnic crafts all at very good prices. 
If you have pictures and stories of lovely places to visit, and activities and festivals of interest in Poland........ please SHARE THEM BELOW. It would be great for my readers to hear about Warsaw, Krakow and the many small villages and towns worth visiting. Thank You! Have A Great Story About
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