Białystok

Podlachia (Podlasie) is located in the far north-east of Poland, bordering Belarus. The regional capital is Białystok. For centuries, the region has been shaped by multiple cultures: Alongside the Polish majority, the Belarusian minority lives here, Orthodox churches stand beside Catholic ones, and until World War II, Jews constituted a large part of the population in many towns. For travellers, Podlachia is primarily a destination for nature experiences. In the south-east lies the Białowieża Forest with its European bison, north-west of Białystok is the vast marsh and river valley of the Biebrza, home to Poland's largest national park. In between are small towns like Tykocin on the Narew, whose history is closely tied to the region's Jewish heritage.

Białowieża National Park (Białowieski Park Narodowy) protects the Polish core of the Białowieża Forest on the border with Belarus. Established in 1932, it is Poland's second-oldest national park after Pieniny National Park, and today covers approximately 105 square kilometers. The forest is considered Europe's last primeval lowland forest, dominated by pedunculate oak, small-leaved lime, and hornbeam. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979, with the Belarusian part added in 1992. The symbol of the park is the European bison (Wisent). The species was extinct in the wild, but in 1952, the first animals bred in captivity were reintroduced here. The village of Białowieża serves as a starting point for visits, featuring the Palace Park, the Museum of Natural History and Forestry, and the park administration. The most valuable part, the former strict protection zone, may only be entered with a licensed guide; other sections are accessible via marked hiking and cycling trails. According to the National Park administration, all hiking trails in the park are open (as of October 2026). Along the border with Belarus, a ban on staying in a border strip has been in effect since June 2024, extended by the Ministry of Interior every 90 days. According to reports on the Polish Ministry of Interior's regulation, this strip generally exempts villages and hiking trails and is approximately two kilometers wide in protected areas. For current travel and security information, including regarding the border area, see the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Nikolaiken (Mikołajki) is a small town with over 3,300 inhabitants in the heart of the Masurian Lake District. The town lies at the narrow passage between Lake Tałty and Lake Mikołajki, which merge here, and only a few kilometres from Lake Śniardwy, Poland's largest lake. Nikolaiken was first mentioned in 1444; it received town privileges in 1726. Today, Mikołajki is one of Masuria's most important sailing centres. Along the shore are a marina, excursion boat piers, and houseboat rentals. The centre is small: restaurants and guesthouses line the market square and church square, and a pedestrian bridge, completed in 2016, connects the waterfront promenades across the narrow lake passage. About five kilometres to the east lies Lake Łuknajno, a nature reserve and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with one of Europe's largest mute swan colonies. In the vicinity is also the Krutynia, a popular river for canoe trips.

Lötzen (Giżycko), with roughly 27,000 residents, is one of the larger towns in the Masurian Lake District. It's situated on an isthmus between Lake Löwentin (Niegocin) and the Lake Mamry system, including Lake Kisajno. First mentioned in 1340, Lötzen gained town rights in 1612 and has been connected to the rail network since 1868. On Lake Löwentin's shore are harbours, including the municipal Ekomarina, plus the town beach and adjacent park. The Lötzener Canal (Kanał Łuczański) is spanned by an 1898 swing bridge, still hand-operated today. West of town lies the extensive Boyen Fortress grounds, plus a water tower with a viewing café and Bruno's Hill with the 1909 Bruno Cross. Lötzen thrives primarily on water sports. From here, sailing trips and excursion boats depart across the large Masurian lakes, and in summer, the town hosts events like the Sea Shanty Festival.

Masovia (Mazowsze), with approximately 35,600 km², is Poland's largest voivodeship by area and home to about 5.5 million inhabitants. Located in the Central Polish Lowlands, the region spans both sides of the middle Vistula, also crossed by the Bug, Narew, Bzura, and Pilica. At its heart is the capital, Warsaw, surrounded by lowlands, forests, and river valleys. On the city's outskirts begins the Kampinos National Park with dunes and swamps, and to its west, in Żelazowa Wola, lies Fryderyk Chopin's birthplace.