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1000 Miles Tour to Zakopane: A Polish Mountain Adventure
1000 Miles Tour to Zakopane: A Polish Mountain Adventure
Trip To Zakopane
So a close friend of mine, Michał, started working for 1000 Miles Tours . And one of the tours was to Zakopane and since i'd never been to Zakopane before, and was curious to see how good of a tour guide Michał would be. It seemed like a great idea all round, so I booked two tickets - one for me and one for my girlfriend. So here's a little overview of why you should give a fug about Zakopane.
Zakopane, nestled at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, is I would say after visitign that is a must. No trip to krakow is complete without seeing this stunning little town. I would compare it to stepping into a postcard, with its unique wooden architecture, rich folklore, and stunning natural beauty. Our day trip was about to pack in more culture, cuisine, and breathtaking scenery than we could have imagined. First however we were all picked up. After doing the Pub Crawl the night before I was a tiny bit hungover but lucky I packed some road/recovery beers!
Heritage Housing: A Step Back in Time
Our first stop was a visit to one of Zakopane's traditional wooden houses, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These aren't just museum pieces, folks - people actually still live in them! The craftsmanship was mind-blowing, with intricate wooden carvings and steep roofs built to handle the heavy mountain snow.
But it was Michał's actually surprisingly funny storytelling that really brought the place to life. He shared this hilarious old wives' tale. Apparently, back in the day, women in this little town (I wish I could remember the name) used to make "bimber," a homemade Polish vodka. If they were trying to attract a husband, they'd pour it on the outside of their houses to lure in potential Polish suitors. The eager bachelor would knock on the door, and boom - they'd be married just like that. Speed dating Polish mountain style.
So of course me being me I couldn't resist going around sniffing the houses after hearing this. My girlfriend didn't appreciate my joke as much as I did, but hey, when in Zakopane.
Cheese and Vodka: A Taste of the Highlands
Next up to taste the vodka and cheese. We got to sample oscypek, this traditional smoked cheese made from salted sheep milk. Wow…Let me tell you, it was something else! Absolutely delicious. We ended up buying a couple of rolls to take home, only 15 zloty each.
Now, here's where things got really interesting. Our tour group that day happened to include a stag do, a hen party, and someone celebrating their birthday. Thanks to this happy coincidence, we scored three extra bottles of vodka for our tasting. As my recovery beers were finished I was more than happy to partake. Flavors from zesty lemon to sweet pear and wild berries. Just lovely.
Gubałówka Gondola: A Bird's Eye View
With our spirits high (in more ways than one), we headed to the Gubałówka gondola. As we started ascending, let me tell you, the views were unreal! It was like something straight out of a fairy tale. Zakopane sprawled out beneath us, getting smaller and smaller, while the Tatra Mountains stretched out as far as the eye could see.
Now, pay attention because I'm about to drop some expert tips courtesy of Michał:
Tip #1: Buy your lunch at the bottom of the mountain, not at the top of the gondola. Unless you enjoy paying tourist trap prices, that is.
Tip #2: When it's time to head back down, make sure you're actually in the queue for the gondola. We had a bit of a situation with a Polish woman yelling at us for accidentally skipping the line. We didn't even realise it was a line! Thankfully, Michał stepped in with some smooth Polish words and calmed everything down.
Thermal Baths: The Perfect Finale
Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, Michał announced our final stop: the thermal baths. Exactly what we needed for sure.
These baths were huge! Michał showed us all around, and I was impressed by the variety of pools. They had different temperatures, mineral compositions - you name it. I was also impressed that he remembered so much about the pool. I guess when you go somewhere so many times you become an expert. But again I was very impressed with my friend. Some of the pools were perfect for relaxing, with warm waters that made you feel like you were melting into a happy puddle. Others were cooler and more invigorating, ideal for a refreshing dip.
One thing I loved was their wristband system. You could buy drinks and snacks without having to worry about carrying your wallet around. Was able to relax and enjoy the waters without a care in the world. Except of course when I lost my girlfriend for 20 minutes. Expert tip, stay together the place is huge!
The Journey Home
Before we knew it, it was time to head back to Krakow. The bus ride home was a blast - everyone was still buzzing from the day's adventures. We'd all become fast friends, swapping stories and laughing about our experiences. There was already talk of a pub crawl once we got back to Krakow. The party wasn't over yet!
Final Thoughts: A Tour to Remember
Looking back on our 1000 Miles Tour to Zakopane, I can honestly say it was one of the best tours I've ever been on. Michał really did a very good job as a guide. His knowledge, sense of humor, and ability to handle unexpected situations (like that gondola queue drama) made it a really great day.
From the UNESCO heritage houses and their quirky love stories to the delicious ocal cuisine, the breathtaking views from Gubałówka to the thermal baths, every part of the tour gave us a unique taste of Zakopane's beauty and culture. It was the perfect mix of exploring, learning, and just plain having fun.
If you're planning a trip to Poland, do yourself a favor and put Zakopane on your itinerary. And if you can get on Michał's tour, even better!
So to make it easy for you guys here's the link to the tour: Click me for tour! and of course here's a link to the Pub Crawl: Click me for Pub Crawl!