Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
Tatra Mountains, Slovakia/Poland
I'm considering seriously a trip to the Tatra mountains (on the border between Slovakia and Poland)...
Anyone here with experience of the area? Recommendations for camping, costs, dos and don'ts, routes, culture, people, "must see's" etc.
Anything at all would be appreciated..
It's part of a month long trip next year. I'm grey on Poland and Slovakia as not been to either country:
Provisional plan is:
Countries:
England
France
Corsica
Italy
Croatia
Hungry
Slovakia
Poland
Czech Republic
Germany
Luxembourg
Belgium
France
England
Key Places to visit:
Lac du Bourget, France
Calvi, Corsica
Porto, Corsica
Bonifacio, Corsica
Rome, Italy
Pompeii, Italy
Basilica San Nicola, Bari, Italy
Dubrovnik. Croatia
Split, Croatia
Krka Falls, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Lake Balaton, Hungry
Budapest. Hungry
Low Tatras NP, Slovakia
High Tatra NP, Slovakia
Krakow, Poland
Auschwitz Camp, Poland
Prague, Czech Republic
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Brussels, Belgium
Calais, France
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30th Aug 2017 10:34 am
jambo27
Member Since: 26 Oct 2010
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 90
The whole area is very scenic and beautiful. Krakow has always competed with Warsaw to be Poland's capital and as such has great infrastucture, high standards of living and a very cosmopolitan feel. English is spoken by many locals so language will not be a problem. Polish roads and driving styles are an eye opening experience. Due to the tourist nature of that region most main roads will be in good condition and well sign posted etc. Polish drivers have the desire to be at the front of every line of traffic, they often adopt an "overtaking" lane that straddles the white line down the middle of the road 9 times out 10 anything coming in the opposite direcrion will move iver and drive along the verge to allow the crazy overtake to pass without incident - obviously 1 time of 10 there will be an incident as this game of chicken goes wrong. Indicators also seem to be an optional extra on most Polish cars once you get over the intial shock of driving standards you can just enjoy the scenery.
Drinking is a big part of Polish culture and as such the drink driving limits are very strict - stricter than UK - just something to be aware of as a drink with a meal could pit you very close to the limit, also something to consider for the next day if you have a big drink the night before.
Poland is cheap compared to UK. Currently paying about 80p a litre for derv, packet of 20 Malboro is about £3 and a meal for two around £10 including drinks. Places to eat are plentiful and service is unbeleivable fast and food is always piping hot. Not 100% certain of food down in the mountain region because each region has its own specialities but expect to see a lot of pork dishes, smoked sheep's cheese and various soups. In Krakow you can expect to find a lot of international restaurants.
I went with Del a couple of years ago - some very nice lanes that are non damaging - including a 1km disused train tunnel.
I did book a couple of camp sites - (August) but none were busy and most pretty empty.
Lovely people and most - but not all spoke English - but on the boarders in particular, you will find many also speak German.
Auschwitz is worth a visit if you get that way - but go early - we got to the Birkenau camp just before 8am and was quiet - but after 10 the busses arrive and it looses something.
We didn't got to the museum which is 3.5km away and has to be booked most of the time.Mark.
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2nd Sep 2017 2:44 pm
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
Brilliant thanks guys!
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2nd Sep 2017 3:10 pm
TomekW
Member Since: 06 Mar 2016
Location: Czechowice
Posts: 22
Hi,
Good plan!
Definitely you should visit Poland. Beautiful country, good food, nice people; still cheap compared to UK.
English is not a problem, no worries.
Krakow is a must see in Poland.
I would recommend also to visit Wieliczka salt mine which is about 30 km away from Krakow.
Wieliczka is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Place.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine
Then not so far from Krakow there is Auschwitz/Birkenau camp. Please book in advance.
From Wroclaw you can drive to Czech Republic and visit Prague.
Roads are in good conditions, most of the motorways are newly built.
Fuel costs: less then 1GBP per litre of Pb95 and diesel
Recommended petrol stations: Orlen, Lotos, BP, Shell, Statoil, Lukoil
Food: lovely , good quality, cheap; try local food when in Tatra mountains
Restaurants and hotels - plenty around; try booking.com
Best,
Tomek1971 SIIa LWT
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Last edited by TomekW on 2nd Sep 2017 6:09 pm. Edited 1 time in total
2nd Sep 2017 4:38 pm
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
Wow that's brilliant information..
Many thanks!
D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
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2nd Sep 2017 6:00 pm
SWR
Member Since: 07 Nov 2013
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 840
Slovakian side of the Tatras is amazing as is slovakia in general.
From my experience of a trip out there 3 years ago.
Lovely friendly people. Very child friendly if you are taking a family.
Road conditions are interesting. You come across potholes and uneven main roads mix with beautiful new smooth tarmac.
A lot of money has been spent on communication. Great phone signal across the whole country and usually excellent wifi on the campsites.
The villages and towns, have amazing architecture in the centre and then surrounded by communist concrete.
Beer and food are cheap and fuel was pretty cheap.
Health and safety is minimal (which is great). Went up lomniski Stit (2634m) on crutches. Wonderful beer and wifi on top, obviously got the cable car. Guided walking is possible up there and the scenery was excellent.
Will dig out where we stopped.
Def go do it. D3 HSE TDV6 Auto. Bonatti Grey.
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2nd Sep 2017 10:09 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73132
anglefire wrote:
I went with Del a couple of years ago - some very nice lanes that are non damaging - including a 1km disused train tunnel.
Yes, most excellent trip and one that puts a smile on my chops when I think about it. It was my fault we went to the not so famous part of Auschwitz, I didn't know there was 2 places but it was truely moving at 8am in the sunshine with hardly anybody there and the odd farm dog barking in the distance.
Oh and its also worth stopping by Colditz if you go that way over - very much an understated tourist attraction - or was 2 years ago!Mark.
2006, D3 SE Auto - gone but not forgotten.
2014 BMW 530d M Sport Tourer.
1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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7th Sep 2017 6:17 am
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
Much food for thought... D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
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once you get over the intial shock of driving standards you can just enjoy the scenery.
, good quality, cheap; try local food when in Tatra mountains
