Zakopane - a Christmas cliche (Zakopane)

Member Name: athena2

Product:	Zakopane
Date:	06/04/01 (548 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good all-round winter and summer resort

Disadvantages: When it's cold - it;s really cold!

Imagine a place where you can walk along the streets in a couple of feet of clean, fluffy snow; where the local taxis are horse drawn sleighs (complete with bells) and the town centre is buzzing with the excitement of Christmas and you have my perspective on Zakopane in the far south of Poland.
It has been a ski resort for many years but only over the last decade or so has it been discovered by the British. I'm surprised that it hasn't become 'over-run' by British skiers as the prices for equipment hire and passes are much less than in Austria, for example.
It's not only a town for the skiers and hikers among us as it is still possible to pick up a serious bargain or two. The Ukrainian market is an Aladdin's cave of former USSR memorabilia,amber and other goodies while local handicrafts make ideal pressies to bring back. Carved wooden plates and cups, hand-knitted socks and jumpers, leather-soled slippers and the smoked cheeses are a must.
The surrounding countryside is spectacular with easy access to the Tatry Mountains on the Slovakian border and a day trip to Krakow or Auschwitz is also easy by public transport.
Stay in one of the local pensions and experience good old-fashioned Polish hospitality and the wonderful Polish food.

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