Maybe not necessarily today, nor tomorrow, but you have to go to the Masurian Lakes for vacation. Especially if you are fans of varied attractions and can't sit still for long.
And if in addition we have a passion for nature and fish is our second nature, because the aquatic environment holds no secrets for us, then it's time to take out the notebook and start planning. A good plan is a must so that nothing escapes us, and since there are many attractions, there is a lot to discover.
Once we have warmed up by making a plan, it's time to start with accommodation. It should be a good base location. At the same time, it's good if it provides hearty, healthy meals and cares for our body, which is exposed daily to wind, sun, and physical effort. Hotel St. Bruno is located in Giżycko, right in the heart of the Masurian Lakes. From here, lakes, monuments, and cycling routes are all nearby. The hotel also offers very good cuisine, but above all, it is an opportunity for evening relaxation and unwinding in the pool, sauna, or jacuzzi. In the Spa & Wellness zone, there is a wide range of treatments available to help regain vitality. Balance is important in activity, allowing avoidance of overexertion. So, what next after the start?
Also read: Skiing in the Masurian Lakes – where to go skiing around Giżycko?
The trails around Giżycko await and call all those eager for trekking or cycling adventures. There are quite a few, and everyone will find something for themselves, as the trail lengths range between 3 and 140 km. If you don't plan to rush immediately, this will be a good start to the vacation. Along the Niegocin, Boczne, and Jagodne lakes, you can reach Mikołajki. On this trail, you'll pass through a bird reserve and a viewpoint in the form of a bridge in the village of Rydzewo. This route is roughly 30 km. For the more active, a 70-kilometer route is recommended, leading through Świdry, Pieczarki, Pozezdrze to Sztynort, where a 17th-century palace can be visited. Continuing towards Gierłoż, you can stop by the Wolf's Lair, Adolf Hitler's headquarters, and return from there through the Piękna Góra settlement back to Giżycko.
For bird lovers, there is also a route passing through the ornithological reserve in Kożuchy and an ostrich farm in Sucholaski. This 70-kilometer trail runs from Giżycko through Upałty, Wydminy, and Rydzewo. Such trips are always an opportunity to admire picturesque landscapes, but also a preview of contact with water, which today we only admire, but tomorrow we will be in it.
Also read: What to bring to the Masurian Lakes – check how to pack for a holiday in Masuria
The Masurian Lakes have water within arm's reach, and Giżycko itself has the largest number of lakes nearby, which makes staying in this city all the more attractive. Early in the morning, we set off for a kayaking trip. We have a choice of equipment – from single kayaks to three-person ones, as well as routes and trip duration. Maybe, if traveling with a child, a 2-3 hour trip will be sufficient, but for those craving more excitement, there are multi-decade-kilometer routes. Many trips start from the towns of Krutyń or Ukta. It's impossible to describe the sights and sounds of nature that our senses will experience during such a day. Kayaking on the Sapina River, between Giżycko and Węgorzewo, is highly recommended by tourists for these reasons. But that's not the end of the waters.
Also read: Which regional dishes should you try in Masuria?
As befits the Land of Great Lakes, Masuria caters to sailing enthusiasts. Therefore, many yachts and sailboats can be found on the lakes' routes, especially in summer. On the route from Giżycko to Mikołajki, we will see Niegocin Lake, Kotek Wielki Lake, Szymon Lake, Tałty Lake, Kula Canal, Mioduński, Lelecki, and Tałteński. The trail is almost 40 km long and impresses with its views. From Giżycko, we can also sail the 25-kilometer route to Węgorzewo, where besides Niegocin Lake, we will see Kisajno, Dargin, and Mamry lakes, but not only water points await us here; there are also islands and nature reserves: Duży Ostrów, Sosnowy Ostrów, Kiermuza, and Dębowa Górka. You can sail endlessly as long as you have the means and company, and equipment in Masuria is abundant, as are licensed guides. And what at the finish?
The finish will be our start: relaxing in the pool or jacuzzi with a glass of wine and memories captured in hundreds of photos. And in our minds, new plans are already forming because we know we will return here. Maybe not today, not tomorrow, but surely we will return.
