Christmas in Poland?
 

I know there is at least one Poland expert on here......

This year for Christmas and New Year's my husband and I are considering visiting somewhere quaint and snowy. The last 2 years we have done Paris, Rome, Naples, etc for these holidays and this year I think I want to go for more of a wintry cozy holiday. I'm envisioning bundling up in winter coats, taking horse drawn carriage rides through the forest, curling up in front of a fire, visiting an outdoor market....

But we would also like for there to be things to do in the vicinity; 7-10 days sitting in front of the fire may make us stir crazy. We are not really that into skiing; it would make a fun activity for one day, maybe 2 but not multiple days in a row.

I've been looking into Poland because it's a country we've never been to before, my husband would really like to see some of central Europe, and it seems fairly affordable. I have been doing some web surfing and it sounds like the Zakopane area fits a lot of our requirements, but I am curious as to how easy it is to get the quiet, quaint feeling we are looking for in such a busy ski resort area, having never really been to one.

Would it be feasible to make this area a base and fill a week or so including day trips to the salt mines and Krakow and anything else interesting? Will there be any easy hikes in the area accessible in the winter? And would there be any way for a foreign tourist to partake in any festivities for Christmas and New Years (christmas dinner, choral concerts, New Years balls....)?

The main other place I would be considering instead would be somewhere in southern Germany or in Austria near Innsbruck.

Happy to receive any guidance on resources for accommodation, transportation advice, etc. We live in Belgium and it would be possible for us to drive and have our own car if that would make things easier but would be interested in finding out whether that would be necessary.

Also if this area will totally not give me what I want, alternative suggestions are welcome :)

Thanks in advance
Carrie

I can't help with Zakopane but we did spend a few days in Krakow between Christmas and New Year in 2005. We certainly got the snow - over a foot of snow fell while we were there, though I'm not sure I'd like to drive in it. The snow built up quickly on the roads, though the locals seem to take it in their stride - we only saw one crash! I'd definately recommend a few days in Krakow - it was lovely and Christmassy with the snow and the markets and the trip to the salt mine was fascinating. My snowy picures are below:

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/263514/index.html

Hey, come ona my house! Zakopane is a good choice. Quaint is not the word to describe it. Zakopane is an area of expensive second homes and a well developed sport tourist business. Nearby are the ski areas of Slovakia. You can fly into Kraków. Try the Europski for a night or two and then bus or train to Zakopane. Search, Zakopane and Tatras.

Hey G :) Zakopane sounds like a good choice because it would be easy to get there. But expensive houses and sport tourism makes me a little nervous.

Is there a mountain town that you "would" use the word "quaint" to describe? We're not really the jet-set type, more flannel shirts and jeans and snowball fights....

What do you know about New Years festivities?

You servin' Christmas dinner? :)

Maria, just got a chance to look at your pictures, and they are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them!

My husband and I spent a Christmas at the Landhaus zu Appesbach on the Wolfgangsee in Austria, based on a Fodor's recommendation. We loved it, even tho that year there was not much snow. It is an excellent combination of quaint/cozy and activity.

The hotel had a Christmas package that included room, breakfast and dinner, plus holiday activities. There are numerous hikes of varying difficulty nearby. The hosts are wonderful and will assist you with everything you need.

See http://www.tiscover.at/appesbach

I strongly reccommend Zakopane in winter. There're plenty of things to do, easy hikes in the area and accommodation doesn't have to be expensive if you stay in a pension. Would yo be interested in staying in a private house (a room with a bathroom and access to the kitchen)for about 35 -40 zloty per night? How much can you afford to pay per night? Are you going to fly to Poland?
You can go on a day trip to Krakow or Slovaka (if there's not too much snow).
If you're still interested in coming to Poland, please let me know and I'll write more. I've been to Zakopane many times - it's a great town!

I can't offer any help with Poland, as I am going to be visiting for my first time next month, but Maria H's pictures are great! 2005 was a particularly snowy year in Central Europe.

We've spent the Christmas/New Year's holidays twice in Germany and Central Europe, 2002 and 2005. Both times we visited Regensburg, Prague, Vienna. In 2002 we also saw Salzburg and in 2005 it was Munich.

Both times we were in Regensburg for Christmas Eve. The first year our hotel had special activities and meals for Christmas which were wonderful. The second time it did not; in fact the restaurant was totally closed for Christmas Eve (the big day of celebration in Germany) and Christmas Day. Most everything else in the town was closed up on Christmas Eve, so we had a wonderful picnic in our room with a tiny Christmas tree I'd bought earlier in the day at the market. The singing of the boy/men's choir at the Regensburg Cathedral was the most perfect sound I've ever heard and the services the most magical of my life. That being said, I might suggest a bigger town (or a resort) for Christmas Eve so you can be sure to have a meal!

Salzburg would be a perfect choice: small enough to be cozy but large enough for restaurants to be open. There are shaggy horses and country sleighs lined up in the main square to give rides. There's also a skating rink set up in the square (also one in Munich). The castle at the top of town is spectacular and I believe it's open on Christmas Day. We were there on New Year's Eve and at 4:00pm guns and explosions went off all over the city, "shooting out the old year." We viewed this from the fortress walls. There were fireworks above the castle at midnight as well.

Prague, Munich, and Vienna were also beautiful in the snow. I wish I had my photos organized to post a link, but that just hasn't happened yet. I loved our wintry visits to this region, but I will say that my husband requested that we not travel anywhere so cold over Christmas again!

We spent several nights in Zakopane a couple of months ago and, at the time, I thought this might be a place to come back to for a white Christmas.

We seem to be like you in that we want more of a small village atmosphere rather than a city. Two years ago we had Christmas at Oberammergau (Bavaria) and it was everything we hoped for. Lots of white pristine snow, sleigh rides without seeing another person during the ride and within easy driving distance of several other places to visit.

Zakopane had lots of walking tracks which we really enjoyed, but how accessible they are during winter I don't know and, of course, how packed it would be with skiers I can't say either. Even in spring there were a lot of people there. There is no doubt it is more commercialized than a place like Oberammergau but, as I said, we would consider it. It would certainly afford a lot more opportunities to wander up and down the main street trying out various coffee shops etc. and you only had to walk a few hundred metres away from the main pedestrian mall to be in a very quiet side street.

True, Zakopane is very nice for a SHORT period of time.
Its not easy to get in and out .
You are pretty much stuck in a small turisty village.
Krakow ,Torun or even Sopot are a good option.

Kraków and Toruń and Sopot are 'looker' venues. Zakopane is 'doers' place.

Hmmmmmm
Read the post again GSteed.

Sorry..I inferred that Zakopane visitors in the summer spend their days hiking the Tatras and in the winter skiing and such. At last report there are many trains and busses to and from Zakopane. I agree that there is more to see in other places.

Thank you all SO much for your excellent advice. I think I am leaning towards focusing more on southern Germany and Austria for this trip; even though I think Poland sounds much more exotic and exciting, the logistics of winter traveling and the isolation of Zakopane make trip planning a bit more intimidating; also I think it sounds a bit more "glitzy ski resort"y than we had in mind. Perhaps we will revisit the idea in the spring or summer for more of a hiking holiday?

Oberammergau and Salzburg I think are the way we will head this Christmas. Look forward to researching our options

Again thank you all so much for your ideas and input!

Carrie