Photo: Mariusz Cieszewski, www.poland.gov.pl
Warmia, Mazury, Suwalszczyzna-This is the least populated part of Poland, with only one large city, the regional capital Olsztyn. Otherwise, driving down route 16 that spans the whole region, you will mostly see forests and lakes, including the biggest lake – Śniardwy, and the deepest – the cobalt blue Hańcza. There are at least a three thousand of them. The lakes are a refuge for wild birds, such as cormorants or black storks, and the forests are home to bison, foxes, martens and muskrats. No wonder Mazury (Masurian Lake District) made it to the final of the internet poll New7Wonders. Yachting aficionados flock to the Mazury Lakeland (Pojezierze Mazurskie).
Photo: Mariusz Cieszewski, www.poland.gov.pl
Slow life enthusiasts should go for a 11-hour cruise down the ancient Elbląg – Ostroda canal. For history and architecture lovers there is lots to discover: from medieval Teutonic knights’ castles to the Wolf’s Lair Nazi bunker that saw Hitler’s unsuccessful assassination plot, from magnificent Prussian mansions to the baroque sanctuary in Święta Lipka.
Photo: Mariusz Cieszewski, www.poland.gov.pl
