Usually, the times when during high school and university years we want to go on vacation to loud, party resorts in Poland or abroad come to an end. Then, with each passing year after starting work or starting a family, our energy quickly dissipates in the daily hustle. For this reason, we look for quiet and tranquil places to slow down and recharge our batteries. Such places can easily be found in every voivodeship. Where to relax in Poland away from crowds?
Research on the mental condition of Poles shows that already over 60% of people experience stress at least once a week. This quiet killer has infiltrated every area of our lives. That's why we instinctively seek contact with nature, escaping the constant urban race. Such a literal detachment, even for a while, from our everyday life allows for true rest. Agritourism with its own vegetable garden, from which meals are prepared, or a mountain cabin without internet access are places where we find tranquility. There are places in Poland that attract tourists seeking peace. Where to go for a peaceful holiday in Poland?
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Did you know that in the mesoregion called the Land of the Great Masurian Lakes there are over 2600 lakes covering an area of 486 km²? If you add forests and the richness of unique fauna, it forms a natural haven for nature lovers. However, the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship does not end with this land. What can we expect when coming for a vacation to this area?
Although Olsztyn is a sizable city with nearly 173,000 inhabitants, to its southern part lies a complex of pine forests forming the Napiwodzko-Ramucka Forest. The clean and clear waters of Lake Trzciano encourage many tourists to rent local holiday cottages.
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The Mrągowo Lake District is the very center of the Masurian Lake District bordering the Sępopol Lowland, Olsztyn Lake District, and the Masurian Plain. Although the lakes here are not very large, there are quite a few of them. It is a good place to relax in cottages or agritourism farms surrounded by nature. For example, this will be the Secluded Homestead in the village of Zyndaki with ecological regional cuisine and fishing opportunities.
The Masurian Plain is most popular because of the magnificent, picturesque Lake Nidzkie located among beautiful, lush forests. It measures 19 km and borders the Piska Forest dominated by pines and spruces to the northeast. On its edge is the Zacisze Agritourism Farm. Mushroom picking, bicycle trips, or bonfires are favorite attractions of the guests here. It's worth getting to know this region, which tourists appreciate for its natural values.
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Numerous stork nests have attracted tourists here for years, especially those passionate about ornithology. However, that is not all the natural attractions of this place. There are several reserves here, such as "Boski," "Lipowy Jar," and the "Bartosze Beaver Refuge" Reserve protecting this animal species. The most valuable area of the Ełk Lake District is the Borecka Forest known for wild animals and rare plant specimens. On the forest's edge lies the Borecka Homestead characterized by clean lake waters full of fish. This fact attracts fishing enthusiasts.
This is another quiet place in Poland for holidays, although it might seem that the presence of Giżycko, as the capital of Masuria, makes it impossible to find a peaceful spot here. Not far from Giżycko, in the village of Wilkasy, we may be surprised how empty the beaches on the famous Lake Niegocin can be. This small village offers tourists access not only to one lake but is also surrounded by Tajty, Wilkasy Małe, and Wilkasy Duże lakes. Although the village is small, we can find here both guesthouses and cottages located right by the lake, providing beautiful views.
The Land of Węgorapa lies partly in Poland and partly in Russia. The Węgorapa River flows into Lake Mamry. This region is located far from all tourist centers and consequently is not visited by many travelers. In this basin-shaped region, the population density is low, so silence and peace during a holiday are guaranteed. For tourists arriving in Masuria, access to lakes is very important, which is limited in the Land of Węgorapa. Holiday cottages in the villages of Barcie or Gołdap, however, allow detachment from cities, crowds, and noise.
It turns out that not only lakes characterize the Masurian area. The Szeskie Hills are a landscape hump reaching 100 m in height from the north and 309 m at the highest point, as high as Mount Szeska. The name comes from the village of Szeszki, where the climate is cooler compared to the rest of the region, which can attract people seeking lower temperatures in summer. Around the village, there are many small towns with secluded cottages and guesthouses. It is also worth visiting here in early spring because the long-lasting snow cover on the hills allows for sports such as alpine skiing or cross-country skiing.
Castle Mountain is the most important point of the northwestern end of the Masurian Lake District. It measures 216 m in height. The area is not known for lakes, but the Wałsza River flows through here, a tributary of the Pasłęka River. There is the Wałsza River Valley nature reserve. Dense forests are dominated by beech and subboreal spruce. Near the town of Pieniężno, an interesting accommodation base is available in the form of intimate cottages, farms, or agritourism.
The more virgin the places, the fewer people. If that is what we want during the holiday, the extensive forests of the Romincka Forest located on the Polish-Russian border will also be a good place. It is an excellent option for those who prefer a cooler climate. The forest, located far from tourist trails, covers as much as 3550 ha of land on the Polish side, dominated by pines and spruces. Wild boars, roe deer, moose, badgers, and foxes most willingly inhabit this region. The "Romincka Forest" Agritourism Farm or popular here tents and campers are the best accommodation options allowing contact with nature, listening to the sounds of birds inhabiting these areas, and mushroom picking.
Although Masuria has always been and will be associated with lakes, it turns out they also have other places worth discovering. Hills, plains, basins, rivers can diversify one's stay while still guaranteeing contact with the still wild nature. Of course, other regions of the country have their advantages, and coastal towns, for instance, can also provide holidays full of rest. However, to get to know Masuria, one must be here more than once, and it is clear that with each visit, they will continue to surprise.
