I'm sketching out a four week trip to Poland for late May/early June 2009 and would appreciate suggestions on 'must see' places to visit. I had a look at the Michelin maps (set of four) for Poland and was disappointed to find they don't have the green edges for scenic routes. Normally I would try to incorporate many of these, so I'm running blind.

My interests are general history, WWII history and natural beauty but I guess I should take in some towns as well. I'm planning to take a tent for fair weather camping so campsite recommendations plus details of cheapish accommodation are also welcome.

At the moment I'm thinking of visiting the 21-24 May German HU meeting near Worms, then travelling via the Harz Mountains, Colditz, Dresden, Prague and Auschwitz/Birkenau to Krakow.

From there north via Kazimierz Dolny towards Warsaw. Is Warsaw worth visiting? Then maybe visit Hitler's Wolf's Lair at Rastenburg. Then heading west towards Gdansk.

My wife's father was in the Gordon Highlanders and was a POW from 1940-1945 in Stalag XXA in Thorn (modern day Torun), so obviously I will spend some time in the area. You can find a reference to my father-in-law on this page by searching for 'philips'. He's recorded as Hurbert, though his name is actually Hubert.

As the Russians approached in Jan 1945 he was marched along with many other POWs through blizzards 450 miles to Fallingbostel on the Lunenberg Heath, so this will determine my return route. Ideally I would like to cross the Polish/German border at Swinoujscie/Korswandt which was the route Hubert took. Officially this is a foot-only crossing. Could I wheel the bike over? I've tried looking for a contact address for the Korswandt Rathaus to ask or advice, but no joy.

Another place to visit, maybe on the outward journey is the Hackenburg Fortress in the Maginot Line which the 51st Highland were defending when the Germans kicked off the May 1940 offensive. Some years ago we took Hubert to St Valéry en Caux and found the actual orchard where he was captured by Rommel's troops a couple of weeks after Dunkirk.

So... suggestions welcome.

Tim

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

hi Tim
beginning of June its nice time, not so many tourist, even not many Germans
Krakow = yes
Oswiecim (Auschwitz) = yes
Kazimierz Dolny = OK cause its on your way
Warszawa = only because you can stay at my home with free cup of coffee
Ketrzyn (Rastenburg) = yes
Torun = yes
Gdansk = yes

depends what you like. Citys, small roads between villages, or just riding in nice area.

two border crossing in Swinoujscie:
Swinoujscie / Ahlbeck
Swinoujscie / Garz
both up to 3,5t including motorcycles

any question are welcome: sq5rk@o2.pl Romek - Warszawa

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Romek'65 @ r1150gs adv'03; k1200lt'06; v65c'84

Sounds like a great holiday ahead, Tim, and more power to you for keeping your father-in-law's memories alive.

I haven't been there but Stalag Luft III and the memorial to 'The Fifty' should be somewhere around:
N51 36.291 E15 18.284



I put it on my list of places to visit when passing after rewatching 'The Great Escape'.

Here are a couple of camp site locations:
Wroclaw: Olympic Stadium camp site (a bit shabby but OK)
N51 06.972 E17 05.466

Krakow: Clepardia Camp Site (very nice, might be crowded)
N50 05.702 E19 56.534

I understand there's a bike museum at Augustusburg (N50 48.603 E13 06.036) in Germany but I haven't been there. It might fit in if you're coming across from the HU meeting.

Stephan

as Stephano wrote there is a monument. Bit south: N51 36.005 E15 18.479 there are remainings of Stalag Luft III:
Panoramio - Photo of Stalag Luft III - tunnel 'Harry' exit
And bit west there is Stalag Luft VIIIc
check in google earth.
Romek

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Romek'65 @ r1150gs adv'03; k1200lt'06; v65c'84

Why not drop into the MZ museum in Zschopau just south of Chemnitz (near Dresden) sadly the MZ factory closed last year. Once the largest motorcycle factory in the world but the museum is still open.

MZ Motorrad- und Motorenbau in Zschopau - MZ Museum

You've probably seen enough desert in Morocco, Tim, but the Bledow desert north-east of Krakow's worth a look. Where the Afrika Korps used to train.

Or head south from here to Zakopane in the heart of the Tatra mountains.

From Dresden it's not far to the Bastei outcrops overlooking the Elbe.

Camping Smok, Krakow
Camping Pod Krokwig, Zakopane
Camping Oaza, Beskid Niski
Camping Polana, Niedzica
are all very good.

Happy trails,

Jojo

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Atlas Overland - Specialist adventure tour company providing off-road holidays for 4x4 enthusiasts in Europe and North Africa.
Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.

Some great suggestions, thank you

Tim

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Hi Tim

I did the Colditz tour last year and it was brilliant ! Guided tour in English for about 5 or 6 Euros (well worth it). Theres also a lovely little campsite just outside of the village of Colditz.

I wanted to do Auschwitz but didnt realise the Polish roads were so bad (I was on a big old cruiser at the time)

Have a look at my website Ive just created

Welcome to VSOC Centre 4

Its for my cruiser club but if you look under Event reports you will see a trip to Finland, that shows the Colditz parts.

Sounds like you have a great trip planned

Cheers
Geordie