MAŁOPOLSKA the Joy of Water
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MAŁOPOLSKA The Joy of Water Małopolska 8 UNESCO sites 250 attractions on the Wooden Architecture Route Wadowice – town of birth of Pope John Paul II Salt mines in Wieliczka and Bochnia 9 spa resorts 6 national parks 4 geothermal pools Rafting down the Dunajec gorge 2600 km of bicycle trails 3360 km of mountain trails 250 ski runs www.visitmalopolska.pl EUROPEAN UNION EUROPEANUNIA EUROPE REGIONALJSKA EUROPEDEVELOPJSKIMENT FUNDUS FUNDZ ROZWOJU REGIONALNEGO Projekt Projectwspółfinansowany co-financed przez by the Unię European Europejską Union w ramach Małopolskiegowithin the Malopolska Regionalnego Regional Programu Operational Operacyjnego Programme na lata 2007–2013 2007–2013 Rejkiawik IS Wysowa-Zdrój FIN Helsinki N Oslo S Sztokholm Tallin EST RUS Ryga LV Dublin DK IRL Kopenhaga LT Wilno GB RUS Mińsk NL Londyn BY Amsterdam Berlin Bruksela Warszawa D PL B Kijów L Praga KRAKÓW Paryż Luksemburg UA CZ SK F FL Wiedeń Bratysława Berno MD Vaduz Budapeszt CH A H Kiszyniów Lublana SLO RO Zagrzeb San Bukareszt Marino HR AND Monako BIH Belgrad P E MC RSM Andora Sarajewo SRB Lizbona I Madryt MNE Sofia Priština BG Rzym Podgorica RKS Skopje V Tirana MK AL GR TR Ateny M Publisher Department of Tourism, Sport and Promotion at The Office of the Marshal of the Małopolska Province Regional Tourism Information System Team ul. Basztowa 22, 31-156 Kraków [email protected] www.visitmalopolska.pl Text Iwona Baturo, Krzysztof Bzowski Photos T. Gębuś, J. Gorlach, M. Zaręba, D. Zaród, iStockphoto.com photo archive, Kraków Water Park photo archive Publishing Amistad Sp. z o.o. – Program ul. Stolarska 13/7, 31-043 Kraków tel./faks: + 48 12 4229922 Małopolska [email protected], www.polskaturystyczna.pl Production management: Agnieszka Błaszczak, Małgorzata Czopik Capital of the region: Kraków Project coordination: Katarzyna Thor Major cities: Tarnów, Nowy Sącz, Oświęcim Publishing concept: Anna Niedźwieńska Surface area: 15,190 km2 (about 5% of the surface area of Poland) Editor: Aurelia Hołubowska Population: 3.28 mil. (about 8% of the population of Poland) Proofreading: Agnieszka Szmuc Landscape: Cover design, graphic design: PART SA the tallest peak – Rysy: 2499 m asl mountains – Tatras, Beskids, Pieniny, Maps: Wydawnictwo Kartograficzne Daunpol sp. z o.o. Typesetting, preparation for print: Michał Tincel Gorce foothills – Carpathian Foothills uplands – Kraków-Częstochowa Translation and proofreading: EuroInterpret Dominik Moser Upland lowlands – Vistula valley main rivers – Vistula, Dunajec, Poprad, Raba, Skawa, Biała water reservoirs – Czorsztyński, Rożnowski, Czchowski, Kraków 2010, ISBN 978-83-63091-00-2 Dobczycki, Klimkówka the highest located, cleanest lakes – Morskie Oko, The authors and publishers have made every effort to ensure the text is accurate, however, they cannot be responsible for any changes that took place after the materials have been prepared for publishing. Czarny Staw, the lakes of the Valley of Five Polish Lakes the largest and Materials prepared as of 29 October 2010. deepest cave – Wielka Śnieżna Cave: over 22 km of corridors, 824 m deep MAŁOPOLSKA The Joy of Water A waterfall in the Magurski National Park, photo by D. Zaród Spis treści Chapter I. Thermal pools . 2 Chapter II. Water parks . 8 Chapter III. By the water . 14 hermal baths and water parks have recently become extremely popular. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as the healthful qualities Tof water have been known since antiquity, while it is just the extent of practical application of that knowledge that has been expanding since the 19th century. Not many people know that the fashionable term spa is an acronym of the Latin expression sanus per aquam – healthy through water. This is why new health clinics and hotels, where water is used for health purposes, are called spa centres. For health and beauty, one can also opt for wellness treatments, which improve the mental state, as well as relax and unwind. They usually include a session in a sauna or a bath, which lets you feel extremely fresh and invigorated. In Małopolska, where hydrotherapy has been present for a long time, a number of towns are renowned health resorts, e.g. Krynica-Zdrój, Szcza- wnica, Piwniczna-Zdrój, Muszyna, Rabka-Zdrój. Today, next to the old san- atoria, new luxurious spa hotels are constructed, where European stand- ards go hand in hand with exquisite offers. This is confirmed by certificates and awards, as well as customers appreciating the atmosphere and pro- fessionalism in these facilities. Health through water means not just spa & wellness centres, but also swimming pools and bathing resorts. Most thermal waters have therapeutic properties. Poland can boast a wealth of thermal springs, with a larger number of them only in Słovakia and Hungary. During the colder months of the year, bathing in warm water becomes a mag- ical experience, and lets you get close to the so sought-after state of wellness (harmony of body and mind). Water parks constitute anoth- er pro-health element of the mosaic. Extremely popular, they combine relaxation with excellent fun. 1 Podhale Thermal Springs, photo by J. Gorlach Podhale Thermal Springs, photo by J. Gorlach Thermal pools The outdoor pool, photo by J. Gorlach Bańska Niżna, Podhale Thermal Springs AccommodAtion And food. The bathing resort offers accom- modation in suites for 1–4 guests (150–480 PLN per night, This cosy thermal bath complex situated 700 m asl is open all- free for children under 3). The price includes buffet break- year-round. The pools are fed with geothermal water coming fast and access to the swimming pools including all the at- from a 3000 m deep well. The water makes its way to the baths tractions. The complex has two restaurants, one of which through the well, and is cooled down to a temperature of 30– is situated within the pool area. Payment in this restau- –38°C. Mineralised water (containing, among other things, calci- rant is not made by cash. The transaction is registered on um, iron, magnesium, sulphur, chromium, manganese, chlorine) an electronic chip and settled upon leaving. has a beneficial effect on the muscular and articular system, oPening hours And Prices. The facility is open: daily 8am– eases the symptoms of skin diseases and soothes the nerves. –10pm, last admission at 8:50pm. Tickets: 16–45 PLN, day Pools. The facility comprises 4 pools (depth not greater pass 50 PLN. Passes: 120–360 PLN. than 1.2 m) and a paddling pool for children. The indoor pools are quite small: the first, with a 3-track water slide, is Podhale Thermal Springs (Termy Podhalańskie), ul. Osie- mainly for children, while the second one, with bubbles, i.e. dle Nowe 20, Bańska Niżna, \ +48 18 2001500, / www.ter- hydro massage, is ideal for relaxation. Nearby you will also mypodhalanskie.pl. The complex is situated 300 m from the find a jacuzzi and a steam bath. The third swimming pool is popular Zakopianka (road no. 47), 11 km from Zakopane, and much larger and has both a roofed and 8 km from Nowy Targ. an unroofed part, while the fourth pool is entirely outdoors. Both pools feature a variety of devices for hydro massage: LOCAL ATTRACTIONS power showers, benches and couches Zakopane, which needs no recommendation. Nowy Targ with its wooden with bubbles, geysers etc. The outdoor church od St. Anne (Niwa district). There is a number of wooden temples in the pool also features a separate part with area, i.e. in Harklowa, Łopuszna and Dębno – inscribed on the UNESCO list. the so-called rapid river. In Ludźmierz you will find the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Podhale. 2 3 Thermal Springs in Bukowina Tatrzańska, photo by J. Gorlach Thermal Springs in Bukowina Tatrzańska, photo by J. Gorlach Bukowina Tatrzańska, photo by J. Gorlach On the trail, iStockphoto.com Bukowina Tatrzańska, Thermal Springs pool), the small Zostawnica and a paddling pool. Attractions also include three water slides with a combined length of over 100 m. Bukowina thermal springs is a huge entertainment centre, and AccommodAtion And food. Guests can take advantage of two res- at the same time a recuperation and regeneration centre. On the taurants, an outdoor summer bar and a newly opened hotel. vast premises (4 ha), in a sheltered area, with stunning views of oPening hours And Prices. The facility is open: daily 8am–10pm. Tick- the mountains, you can enjoy several swimming pools with wa- ets: low season (Apr–Jun, Sep–Dec apart from Sat and Sun and long ter temperature of 28–36°C. Warm water is sourced from a well weekends) 20–35 PLN, day pass 40–70 PLN; high season (Jul–Aug, that goes 2500 m underground. Trace elements and other ele- Jan–Mar, all Saturdays, Sundays and long weekends) 25–45 PLN, ments contained in the water (sodium, calcium, chlorine, potas- day pass 53–85 PLN. Free for children under 90 cm. Admission to sium, sulphur, magnesium, chromium) help lose extra pounds, the sauna complex paid separately. have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and speed up recovery. Guests of the facility can also take advantage of the Bukowina Thermal Springs (Terma Bukowina), ul. Sporto- modern “Góralskie Łospary” sauna complex, which includes the wa 22, Bukowina Tatrzańska, \ +48 18 2020070, / www.ter- benefits of steam baths, as well as aroma- and chromotherapy mabukowina.pl. Marked route from the centre of the town; (treatment with the use of colours). The centre also offers mas- 15 km to Zakopane, 20 km to Nowy Targ. sages and treatments conducive to faster burning of fatty tissue. Pools. The thermal springs comprise 12 pools, 4 of which are paddling pools. LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Apart from a dedicated zone for children and There is a beautiful church in Bukowina young people, the building also houses the Tatrzańska that draws on the tradition of wooden Bulgotnik (hydro massage pool), Bonior ba- sacred architecture.