Visiting - Mazury? what else besides the obvious?

Two of the people I know would like to go and visit Poland. They'll be going separately but I was the person both of them asked about Poland and recommendation.

And the question was - where would you recommend to go?

One of them heard of Krakow, the other one - been there; both were in Warsaw.
It wouldn't be such a huge problem if I was to go and take them places but it's not an option. ALso, they would like to see something different they've already seen. One of them was on a student exchange in Gdansk (before '89)

Now, I personally have been always fond of our lake district and took another friend there last year. So we went to Gizycko, of course we saw the Hitler's bunker (Wilczy Szaniec), we went to Sw.Lipka church, we stayed for a night in a hotel by the Nida or some other lake (we drove there from Sopot so we went to Olsztyn and Malbork castles and whatever was on our way). Staff there was speaking English and German, menus where in both languages - great.

But have any of you happened to visit this region and have some other places to recommend? Any experience would be good.

Since both of my friends asked for 'not the obvious ones' (places), I've had an idea to recommend the Polish coast. I know there's one of the national parks with quicksand, the coast itself is beautiful but not sure what else is there besides the lighthouses and great coast!

I was thinking Szczecin/ Swinoujscie but I've been there as a child and don't remember much except ferry, for example, and catamaran ride from point A to B and being sick.

Both of them have visited Krakow but none of them saw the national park, our own Jurassic one :). Again, that's easy for me to point out and there's plenty on the net. As well as Wieliczka and Zakopane.

I can't remember how long the trip suppose to last, but max 2 weeks I think, and I would welcome any suggestions!

Also, a place where Brits and other people tend to hang out would be great. In case they'll find themselves in Wroclaw, Krakow or other Poznan or Warsaw.

None of them speak a word in Polish and they both are 40+.

Thanks!

Take a quick trip over to the Poland's Bialowieza Forest... see real Żubr...

oh yes - I thought about that one as well! :) thx

no problem!

If in Warsaw, you may also want to check out the Warsaw Rising Museum (if they are into that kind of thing....)
1944.pl/en

If you like camping, fishing, nature, etc. visit Elk. I was born in Elk; the city will be always close to my heart. :)

mapofpoland.net/Elk,photos.html

My family is from Elk. Beautiful city worth stopping by

I really, REAlly, forgot all about it. NE Poland and small voivoidship, yes?
Shame on me

If you're around mazury, and feel a little adventurous, try the area around Goldap. There are some quaint little curiosities, like the Mazurian pyramid at Rapa, as well as the hunting stones in the forests where the kaiser shot game. There's also the old viaduct up by the Russian border.

In themselves, perhaps not the most spectacular things, but certainly intriguing.

ognistyptak.pl/en/ogonki-i-okolice

I forgot - there is a place called Galindia (Mazurski Eden! I think....) South of Mikolajki. Lots of neat wood carvings, upside down trees, a nice little diversion for a few hours...

It is just west of Jezioro Beldany, south of Iznota. My kids liked it there.

thanks,
Will compile a list for them:)

They used to do themed evenings etc with tribesmen and viking boats. Might be a bit pricey, tho'.

found the website; didn't know about them.
well, I always recommend Mazury to anyone going to Poland. It's well visited by Germans obviously, but doesn't seem as popular or appealing to others.

Krakow, Gdansk and Warsaw are the main destinations for tourist and I know Poland has got so much more to offer so I'm happy to 'promote' other regions.

I remember something else - old railway bridges in Stanczyki: zabytki.ocalicodzapomnienia.eu/zabytek-2-7-1-202.html
In case any of you

You are correct about the Germans. The last time I visited Elk, Poland, in 2008, I stayed in a hostel/B&B where Germans were also staying. The owner of the hostel remarked to me and to one of the Germans that we both were born in Elk and we are citizens of different counties.

What hostal was this? im also from elk and am going there for easter to visit family, but im bringing some friends along. unfortunately, the small apartments will not accommodate all of us, and i need to find cheap lodging for them, preferably for around 50 PLN per night. there are not many hostels listed online, only hotels, and theyre all quite expensive. any suggestions?

Zaborek is a nice place to go and it is off the beaten track, you will also find an English section to the website.

zaborek.com/szkolenia1.php

If they are going to be on the Baltic coast, a must see place is Jurata( The Polish Riviera), they have the most beautiful white sand beaches in PL. Also foreigners enjoy going to a place named Hel for some uncanny reason. Below is a link for a place to stay in Jurata, it is not 5*, but is comfortable, well placed for everything and reasonably priced. The best way to travel to Hel peninsula is by train as the traffic jams can be a nightmare in the summer.

helunia.tp1.pl