Caravaning in Poland

We crossed the southern end of Poland in 2012.  From Dresden we travelled east on the A4, crossing the border near Gorlitz.  At the border we rented a Viabox ( see this website) for which we had to pay a deposit, which we got back when we gave the box up on entering Slovakia.  We could then sail through the toll booths without a problem.  In fact, with a falling pound and a strong Zloty we actually made a profit on this!.

For the first few nights we stayed at camping Sloneczna Polana near Jelenia Gora.  Trying to find a link for this site I see that the Dutch owners have moved on.  It was a nice site in 2012, but whether it still exists is another issue!  The area is very interesting.  The town is very oldy worldy and the nearby national park has some excellent walks and waterfalls.

From here we took the motorway to Krakow, one of Poland's must see cities.  We used Camping Corona, an excellent and friendly site with a bus service right outside to take you into the city.  Easy trips from here also to Auschwitz/Birkenau and to the salt mines at Wieliczka.

We then had a few days at Zakopane, a year round resort at the foor of the Tatra Mountains.  Having seen thes mountains from the Slovakia side a few years earlier this was the reason for our visit.  We chose a small site just outside the town, Camping Ustup  This is a small almost CL sized site, immaculately kept and looked after by the owner, who is very attentive.  Although it was just a bit too far from the centre to walk in we would certainly use this site again.  There are a number of wooden churches in the area and just the other side of Zakopane is a wooden village.  A very interesting place, with lovely mountainous backdrop, but very busy.  It is one of Poland's main resorts.

The main roads in Poland are very good, but minor roads are often not well maintained.  In fact we buckled a c aravan wheel in one pothole without realising it until we pitched up.  However the local Michelin dealer near Jelenia Gora checked the tyre, beat out the buckle and replaced the tyre for €5.

We had met a number of Germans while we were en route to Poland who were very wary about the country which is full of theives and cut-throats.  Well that is their opinion, probably based on years of cross border enmity.  We found the people very friendly, very helpful and we never at any stage felt remotely threatened.  Would we go again.  Damn right we would.

Read more if you wish in our blog.

You will find the Polish people extremely friendly and welcoming. On the few occasions we have been there we have had no problems whatsoever and have thorougly enjoyed it. Our most memorable site was the Centre For Dialogue and Prayer (CC Europe book), about
400 metres from the Auschwitz Visitor Centre. The site was a truly amazing experience and I look forward to visiting it again one day. We normally approach Poland from Vienna and Bruno where the roads are very good.