Poland is a Central European country that has common borders with Germany to the west; with the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; with Ukraine and Belarus to the east; with the Baltic Sea, Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian enclave) and Lithuania to the north. The total area of ​​the nation is 312,679 square kilometers, which makes it the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe. Poland is the 34th most populous country in the world, the sixth most populous member of the European Union (EU) and the most populous post-communist state in the EU. Poland is a unitary state divided into 16 administrative subdivisions.

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Polish

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Złoty

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Citizens of the European Union are exempt from visas, and a valid identity card, citizen's card or passport is required at border crossings.
 
Customs / Sanitary restrictions on the import of products
 
There are regulations regarding the import and export of artistic goods, especially those created before 1945 and considered of cultural value.
 
Upon arrival in Poland, visitors may have money, travel checks or other financial means with a value of more than EUR 5,000, they must apply for a declaration form, which must be stamped by the customs services and kept by the traveler until leaving the country.

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Poland welcomes foreigners and is committed to growing. Especially from the tourist point of view.
In Chopin's Land he will witness the story in the Old Town of Warsaw, totally destroyed by Hitler - with Stalin's complete connivance, a dramatic end to the Levant, portrayed in Roman Polanski's award-winning film The Pianist. Reconstructed in the smallest details, today the center of the capital is mankind's heritage together with the romantic Krakow, with its large square, numerous churches and the mighty Wawel castle. Not far from there a mandatory stop at Auschwitz makes us reflect a bit on the horrors of war. A little further south, along the border with Slovakia, stand the Tatras Mountains and their spectacular natural landscapes, easy to explore from the bustling Zakopane.

On the caloric table polish are stupendous dishes such as pork neck, thin sausages, the ubiquitous pierogi and beet soup and the honey wine miód. Not to mention surprising beers and dozens of varieties of vodka, such as zubrowka, made of rye and flavored with an herb.

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The Polish gastronomy is based on dishes of simple preparation but of very pleasant flavors. The cold climate of the country favors strong cuisine in which meat and potatoes are essential ingredients. The meals are enjoyed as social or family events, are abundant, more than three dishes and take the opportunity to talk so that the dessert with the coffees and liqueurs usually widen, especially on holidays and great celebrations.

In the restaurants, cafes and bars (abundant throughout the country), you can taste the typical gastronomy of Poland, as well as international, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, etc. and like the popular burgers, pizzas, fried chicken, salads, sandwiches, etc.

To choose a quality restaurant with an impeccable service nothing better than looking at the doors of the "Silver Frying Pan" that only boast the best establishments. Although the prices are higher the cuisine is excellent. You can also grab a snack in the streets and in the bars where besides enjoying with a good beer you can find in occasions some simple dish.

At the first meal of the day the Poles usually eat hard-boiled eggs, ham, cheese, orange juice, lemon or grapefruit, accompanied by coffee or tea.

Both at lunch and dinner are tasted as the first dish, cold dishes in chili can be found, ham, cheese and even caviar. It is usually served a soup, the most popular are barszcz, beet broth, choldnik, cold beet which is served mostly in summer (both can be accompanied with meatballs or sour cream), the cold soup can take pieces of fennel and cucumber, zurek, flour soup with pieces of sausage, grzybowa, the base of champinhon, krupnik, of vegetables with cereal or flak semolina, pork gut and veal with vegetables. One of the most typical dishes is the bigos, cabbage sewn and chopped choucrut with different types of meat that in its modality of soup carries onions, white cauliflower, pieces of pork, bacon and fresh cream. Simply delicious.

As a second dish the meat is an essential element, especially the pork and the cow.
The most popular fish is carp (karp) from Polish, prepared with raisins, honey, chestnuts and a sauce with spice bread. In the Baltic area the most popular fish is herring, prepared in different ways, well roasted, salted or with sour cream sauce.

Poles are cheese lovers. They eat as an aperitif, dessert, for breakfast or in the preparation of dishes. To finish the abundant foods, you can taste fruits of the time, ice cream, pies and cakes prepared with fruit, cream or poppy seeds. The most appreciated is the malakow pie which have as ingredients the butter, sugar, eggs, nuts and fresh cream.

To drink during meals, drink water and, above all, national beer like Zywiec, of good quality.

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The climate in Poland is not very extreme. There are 4 well defined seasons that have helped us to know the weather in Poland.

Summer

Normally summer is modestly hot with some rain. Temperatures range between 21 and 32 degrees Celsius. Contrary to the usual for many countries in Europe, in Poland the hottest month is July and August. However, it is certain that during August is when the sea reaches the highest temperature of the year. Summer evenings in Poland are very enjoyable even at the end of August.
Autumn

September opens the autumnal season, which is impressive in Poland, as the landscape is spectacularly colorful. The leaves of the trees transform their coloring to delight all those who can travel to Poland during this months of the year.

Winter

From December begins the cold for this country, with temperatures between +3 degrees and -5. It is a dry cold, which in addition to dye the landscape white, we have snow from this month until March with total safety or sometimes until May at the highest peaks.

Spring

Turning the colors, Poland starts from March to shine again. Something that is reflected in its people. Temperatures here again begin to be very comfortable, between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius.

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Poland is considered a safe country.
 
However, there are frequent robberies at major train stations and associated services, including within the train itself during travel. Burglaries, sometimes involving "small flocks," essentially target luggage, documents and money, so travelers are advised to keep an eye on their goods (never leaving them alone or out of visual range) and keeping them, in a discreet place, goods of greater value. Particular attention should also be paid to - particularly everywhere - particularly busy places with large clusters, especially with major hotels and cash machines.
 
In case of emergency, it is advisable to make a free telephone call to Emergency Number 112, in two languages, Polish and English.

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The Polish health network is satisfactory and there are good health professionals.
 
Before traveling to Poland, check that you have a valid Health Insurance in Poland, otherwise you will have to pay the full amount of medical expenses.
 
Public water is not potable.

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Mobile Phones
The use of mobile devices can be used if roaming is enabled, however, paying attention to very high roaming charges. Check with your service provider.

Internet
The country is well served by internet services in the main cities, there are several cybers-cafes with high-speed connections.
In case you have a laptop or notebook, there are some cafes that offer the free wi-fi connection.

Electricity
The electricity is 230 Volts 50 Hz.
It is advisable to have an adapter kit for the sockets.

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