Poland has been the external border of the European Union since joining in May 2004 and is nestled next to four other members Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania to the west and Ukraine, Belarus and Russia to the east.  Its population of just under 40 million people take great pride in being the first former Soviet Bloc member to have embarked on the road to freedom and democracy in 1989 with its non-communist government establish in August 1989 - almost two months before the Berlin Wall fell.
Despite enduring major destruction during the war, Poland has managed to emerge as a thriving country where old and new have been perfectly blended together. Its beauty can be admired in both its vibrant metropolises and quaint rustic villages to pristine wilderness and unspoiled beaches.
Insight Vacations offer a number of itineraries which visit Poland including; the 14-day Highlights of Eastern Europe the 16-day European Rhapsody including Danube Cruise and the 18-day Northern Capitals and Russia. 

>>click here to see our collection of tours featuring Poland

CAPITAL:            Warsaw

POPULATION:     39 Million

AREA:    312,700 sq km (117,554 sq miles)

BANKING
Banks are open 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday, 8am - 2pm Saturday. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change, hotels and all border crossings. Cash can also be obtained from Visa Cards at banks. Travellers cheques and most major credit cards are widely accepted.

CLIMATE AND CLOTHING
Poland enjoys a temperate climate with cold winters and warm summers. Rain falls throughout the year and snow will fall in the mountains from December to April.

CURRENCY
The Polish unit of currency is the Zloty (Zl) which is divided into
100 groszy. Notes: (Zl) 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10
Coins: (Zl) 5, 2 and 1 groszy 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. The import and export of local currency by non-residents is forbidden.

ELECTRICITY  220 volts.

EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES
Australia: ul.Novgorodska 11, Warsaw 00-53 Tel: 5213 444
Britain: Aleje Roz No 1, 00-556 Warszawa  Tel: 628 1001
Canada: 443 Daly Ave, Ottawa 2, Ontario K1N 643 Tel: 584 3100
New Zealand: 02-760 Warszawa, 4 Migdalowa St Tel: 645 1407
South Africa: 00-675 Warszawa, 54 Koszykowa St Tel: 652 6228
USA: 00-540 Warszawa, 29/31 Ujazdowski Av Tel: 628 3041

FOOD AND DRINK
Polish food is hearty food made up of meat, vegetables and grains. The most popular dishes are: Hunter's stew (Bigos) made of sauerkraut, cabbage, mushrooms (harvested form local forests) which contains 5 different kinds of meat, Herring in sour cream with potato slices; Chlodnik (chilled cucumber beet soup that will cool you in the summer) and Duck with apples. Perhaps the most famous Polish meat known is Kielbasa, the Polish sausage. The local vodka is the national drink and a good selection of flavoured and unflavoured Polish Vodkas are widely available.

GEOGRAPHY
Although Poland’s topography is characterised mainly by lowland plains, its variable landscape includes important mountain chains, such as the Sudety and Tatra Mountains. Hundreds of freshwater lakes are hidden away in the northern part of the country. Lake districts are set amidst picturesque hills and primeval forests. Touching the Baltic Sea in the north, Poland offers 528km of coastline with sandy beaches.

LANGUAGE
While Polish is the official language, there is a small German speaking minority. Many other foreign languages are also spoken.

LOCAL TRANSPORT
Warsaw has good bus, rail and tram services, which charge a flat rate. Tickets for these services need to be pre-purchased. Public transport operates from 5.30am until 11pm. Taxi's are available in all main towns, however they will charge a surcharge from 11pm - 5am.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS
Normal courtesies should be observed and handshaking is the common form of greeting. The church plays a major role in daily Polish life, and as such, Polish people can seem to be quite conservative. Smoking is restricted in some public buildings.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographs should not be taken of military installations.

POSTAL SERVICES
Post Offices are open 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday. Postage stamps may be purchased from post offices, newsagents and from hotels.

RELIGION
While there are small minorities of Polish Autocephalous Orthodox, Russian and Greek Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim, 95% of the Polish population is Roman Catholic.

SHOPPING
Stores are open 10am - 7pm Monday to Friday. Grocery stores are open 7/8am - 6/7pm Monday to Friday and close at 2pm on Saturday. Special buys to look out for include silverware, handmade jewellery with amber and silver, glass and enamelware, dolls in regional costume, woodcarvings and hand woven rugs.

TELEPHONE
The outgoing international code is 00 and full IDD services are available. Telephone rates are cheaper from 4pm - 6am.

EKIT
The access number for Poland is: 00800-111-3535

TIME DIFFERENCE
NEW YORK      6am
LONDON         11am
WARSAW        NOON
JO'BURG          Noon
SYDNEY          7pm
AUCKLAND    9pm

WATER
Tap water is safe to drink as it is normally chlorinated, however bottled water is recommended.