Set the controls for the heart of Europe
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Search for the term “geographical centre of Europe” and you will find many different candidates. It all depends on how you define the extreme points of Continent. Claims are made for the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania. But first to grab the title was the Polish astronomer royal in 1775, who calculated the heart of Europe to be in the town of Suchowola – in the far east of Poland according to today’s borders, and close to the Suwalki Gap described below by Annabel Grossman. It is on the agenda for my next trip.
Poland’s beaches are the best on the Baltic, with Sopot (near Gdansk) and Międzyzdroje (close to Szczecin) particular favourites. Inland, I have become particularly fond of the less-celebrated cities. West and south west of the capital, Warsaw, you can learn much about European tragedies and triumphs in Katowice, Wroclaw and Szczecin. These cities have long offered a rich array of architecture; today, they present increasingly many intriguing places to eat and stay, all at prices way below those further west. While geographers argue, Poland feels to me like Europe’s heartland.
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The central Polish city of Lodz has an implausibly long main street, flanked with impressive buildings. Among them, the superbly refurbished Grand Hotel, which has been welcoming guests since 1888. In this land of luxury for less, you can book a chic double for just £110 tonight, including a sumptuous buffet breakfast in the former ballroom.
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Fresh seascapes and landscapes
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When it comes to Poland holidays, the likes of Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk tend to take the limelight – and it’s not hard to see why. All offer an attractive blend of the history, culture and enticingly low prices that make this nation such a wonderful destination. But on a recent road trip crossing the north east of the country, I very quickly learned that Poland is about so much more than city breaks. In fact, I was struck by the beauty of the powdery-soft golden sands of the beaches on the Baltic Coast, which includes around 200 miles of Polish shoreline.
Driving out of the port city of Gdansk, I arrived in the seaside town of Krynica Morska and the much smaller village of Piaski to the east – the very east in fact, as if you go any further you would find yourself in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, which shares a border with Poland.
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Just 20 minutes from Gdansk is a vast swathe of white sand (Getty/iStock)
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Away from the coast, Poland continued to surprise me with its outdoors offerings. In the Suwalki Gap, the sparsely populated corridor of land between Kaliningrad and Belarus (with Lithuania to the east), the Wigry National Park boasts woodland cycle trails and lakeside cabins, while tourists might spot elk, or even wolves, among the wetlands and forests in Biebrzański.
Come summer, Poles will flock to the Masuria region – Poland’s Lake District – to sail, swim, kayak and picnic on the shores. Laidback little towns like Gizycko, Mikolajki and Elk offer affordable accommodation, while the city of Olsztyn with its cobblestone centre and Gothic Castle is ideal for a day trip. Prices are low, locals are friendly, and the sun – very often – shines. It could well be enough to tempt UK travellers away from their week in the Med.
My trip through Poland's pretty seaside towns neslted against Russia's 'dagger'
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Soak up the beauty of North Wales for less with a scenic stay at the highly-rated RWST Holiday Lodges.
Nestled beside stunning river and mountain scenery, these elegantly designed lodges are spacious and packed with modern comforts. Learn more.
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Plan ahead and save big with buy, one get one half price on cruise fares at Ambassador Cruise Line. Available on new 28/29 bookings until 30 June.
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Whether you’re longing for coastal walks, a rural escape or city adventures, these great-value room deals leave plenty of extra spending money.
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STAY CONNECTED ABROAD WITH AIRALO
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Avoid expensive roaming fees with an eSIM from Airalo and get instant data abroad from just £3.50, plus get an extra 10% off sitewide with code ‘THEINDEPENDENT’.
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Swap Berlin for Hamburg and discover a lively city, perfect for a solo weekend away.
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Now that the UK has been enjoying some sunnier weather (long may it continue), I’ve reviewed 16 face moisturisers with SPF that make daily sun protection simple – whether you’re at home or abroad. And if you’re looking to stock up on sun care for your next trip, Lookfantastic currently has at least 20% off a wide range of SPFs.
Meanwhile, if you’re on the hunt for holiday-ready outfits, M&S’s new spring collection is well worth a look – we’ve rounded up what to shop and what to skip. Sanvt also offers a great selection of ethically sourced T-shirts, perfect for packing in your suitcase. And if you’ve got a beach or pool trip coming up, John Lewis’s swimwear sale is definitely worth browsing.
Finally, if you’re planning a weekend break, a good bag is a must-have. If you’re after a carry-on, our favourite high-end suitcase is lightweight, spacious and ticks all the boxes. For a premium bag, the Floyd weekender comes in a range of colours and is ideal for short trips. Or, if you’re after a budget-friendly option, this weekend bag at Amazon comes in at under £25.
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