TimCullis
10 Feb 2009
Travel / In the footsteps of the 51st Highland Division (but by motorcycle) [13]
Hi guys, this is my first post here.
I'm sketching out a four week motorcycle trip to Poland for late May/early June 2009 and would appreciate suggestions on 'must see' places to visit. I had a look at the Michelin maps (set of four) for Poland and was disappointed to find they don't have the green edges for scenic routes. Normally I would try to incorporate many of these, so I'm running blind.
During WWII my wife's father was in the Gordon Highlanders and was a POW from 1940-1945 in Stalag XX-A in Thorn (modern day Torun), so obviously I will spend some time in the area.
As the Russians approached in Jan 1945 Hubert was marched along with many thousands of other POWs through blizzards 450 miles to Stalag XI-B at Fallingbostel on the Lunenberg Heath, so this will determine my return route which will be roughly Torun > Borzyslaw (Stalag Luft IV) > Swinoujscie > Hamburg.
My sketch plan for the outbound journey is
> Zagan (Stalag Luft III)
> Wroclaw
> Bledow Desert
> Auschwitz-Birkenau
> Krakow (Castle, Schindler Factory, Wieliczka salt mine)
> Kazimierz Dolny
> Canal Lift south of Elblag
> Malbork Castle and Stalag XX-B Marienberg
> Gdansk
> Torun.
As you might already deduce, my interests are general history, WWII history and natural beauty. I thought I would miss Warsaw in favour of Krakow. I'm planning to take a tent for fair weather camping so campsite recommendations plus details of cheapish accommodation are also welcome.
So... suggestions welcome.
Tim
Hi guys, this is my first post here.
I'm sketching out a four week motorcycle trip to Poland for late May/early June 2009 and would appreciate suggestions on 'must see' places to visit. I had a look at the Michelin maps (set of four) for Poland and was disappointed to find they don't have the green edges for scenic routes. Normally I would try to incorporate many of these, so I'm running blind.
During WWII my wife's father was in the Gordon Highlanders and was a POW from 1940-1945 in Stalag XX-A in Thorn (modern day Torun), so obviously I will spend some time in the area.
As the Russians approached in Jan 1945 Hubert was marched along with many thousands of other POWs through blizzards 450 miles to Stalag XI-B at Fallingbostel on the Lunenberg Heath, so this will determine my return route which will be roughly Torun > Borzyslaw (Stalag Luft IV) > Swinoujscie > Hamburg.
My sketch plan for the outbound journey is
> Zagan (Stalag Luft III)
> Wroclaw
> Bledow Desert
> Auschwitz-Birkenau
> Krakow (Castle, Schindler Factory, Wieliczka salt mine)
> Kazimierz Dolny
> Canal Lift south of Elblag
> Malbork Castle and Stalag XX-B Marienberg
> Gdansk
> Torun.
As you might already deduce, my interests are general history, WWII history and natural beauty. I thought I would miss Warsaw in favour of Krakow. I'm planning to take a tent for fair weather camping so campsite recommendations plus details of cheapish accommodation are also welcome.
So... suggestions welcome.
Tim