The Tri City: I can see why you live here

gruniad:

Britain's loss is Poland's gain - as scores of Poles begin to return to their homeland, now is the best time to follow them, before Poland takes the euro leap that its 2003 accession to the EU obliges. Paying in zloty means that hotels on Poland's Baltic coast can still be half the price of those across the border in Germany.

Where to go: Those in the know will often cite Tarifa in Spain - blasted by the Levante wind funnelled through the straights of Gibraltar - as the best windsurfing spot in Europe. Similarly-minded residents of northern Poland may disagree. The conditions created around the 35km long sandy peninsula at Hel are perfect for wind-borne speedsters, and for the price of a solitary tapas dish on the Spanish coast you can bag a healthy serving of freshly-caught cod served in a variety of eateries in Wladyslawowo, the tiny village at the peninsula's tip. For those looking for nocturnal distraction, Hel is an hour and a half from Gdansk, Gdynia and summertime party city Sopot

BubbaWooThreads: 46 Posts: 4,438 Joined: Sep 26, 06	May 3, 08, 02:00 / #
over the past couple of weeks as the summer season kicks off i have been organising bespoke tours of the tri city and surrounds for british visitors. with the convenience of a car, and somebody who knows the area, they get to visit places that may otherwise not be seen - the tri city i know and not the one limited by guide book entries. the weather has been seasonably warm the past couple of weeks. the odd grey clouds, a bit of rain but nothing to really put a dampener on things. tourists are following their guides round gdansk, groups in their yellow baseball caps are out and about, chairs and tables are appearing on monte cassino, the stages are set up for the summer concerts and the performing artists are standing still on their boxes. the summer is starting and the tri city is coming alive after the winter's dormination. the magic of this place is a choice of three cities, connected and blending in to one. the historic splendor of gdansk old town, the bohemic vibe of sopot and the modern creativiy of gdynia, all seperate cities, all mixed in to one. but what really makes this corner of poland special is the beach. the miles of clean white sand, bike paths running through cool forests bordering the beach, clean clear water of the baltic bay, bars that suddenly appear and stretch beach life late in to the night, little fish bars, freshly painted and wafting their delicious smells, groups of locals relaxing on the sand enjoying a quieter pace of life, swans that gather round the peir in sopot, lights around the bay that shine up as dusk falls, welcoming in the evening's fun visitors are surprised by just how much the tri city has to offer - poland is still an unusual tourist destination for many in england. the thought of walking barefooted along the sands of the baltic bay, as the sun sets and the music from sopot fills the night air is not what they expected from a friday night in poland. thats when they turn to me and say "i can see why you live here, its nice" those of you traveling with wizz over the summer can read about our road trip to hel, and back, in the inflight magazine.

hullo	May 3, 08, 02:13 / #
how much please cost this trip and how long

telefonitika	May 3, 08, 07:37 / #
hullo: how much please cost this trip and how long you look on the net and what budget you have to work out costings ... :)

scottie1113Threads: 11 Posts: 873 Joined: Mar 13, 07	May 3, 08, 08:39 / #
yep bubba, that's why I live here. But beyond the beauty it's the people that make this place special to me. I'm going to a BBQ tomorrow afternoon with some American (1) and Polish friends (3). Who cares if it rains or shines? We'll have a good time anyway. It's nice to be here.

JovaThreads: - Posts: 197 Joined: Mar 15, 08	May 3, 08, 11:58 / #
BubbaWoo: BubbaWoo I really enjoyed reading your description of the Tricity! I think it's the best place to live for someone who appreciates both the city life and closeness to nature. It's a perfect holiday destination in the summer. I haven't lived here since I was born, I chose the place when I had to decide where to study and I'm absolutely satisfied with my decision.

Wroclaw Boy	May 3, 08, 12:03 / #
Theres something about the Baltic which just doesnt quite do it for me

BubbaWooThreads: 46 Posts: 4,438 Joined: Sep 26, 06	May 3, 08, 12:04 / #
Jova: I really enjoyed reading your description of the Tricity! thank you Jova, glad you recognised it :-) Jova: I think it's the best place to live for someone who appreciates both the city life and closeness to nature. its a wonderful place to spend time as you say, especially during the summer. im a water-babe so having a choice of 2 coastlines plus endless lakes is bliss for me

gloiosThreads: 15 Posts: 88 Joined: Jun 12, 07	May 5, 08, 08:55 / #
Going there for the first time in June/July and looking forward to it! Wheres the best beaches and how is aquapark?

NO 14Threads: 8 Posts: 54 Joined: Dec 15, 07	May 5, 08, 10:28 / #
This summer will be about my 40th time to Trój Miasto, Aqua Park is brilliant, the wild river is cool, you turn into a big kid again!!! The best beaches are probablly Zaspa & Sopot.

RocjoviThreads: 2 Posts: 10 Joined: Apr 30, 08	May 7, 08, 08:23 / #
I am living in Tricity, and I'm soooo looking forward to the coming summer, oh my beaches, lol.

BubbaWooThreads: 46 Posts: 4,438 Joined: Sep 26, 06	Edited by: BubbaWoo May 10, 08, 07:19 / #
Another recent article about gdansk - the jewel in the crown of Poland's Baltic coast Scotland on Sunday: THE jewel in the crown of Poland's Baltic coast, Gdansk is establishing itself as a top tourist destination. Its violent history is there to be seen but is balanced by a vibrant cultural life. Lose yourself in colourful medieval streets, dine in esoteric Polish taverns or relax on the sandy beaches of Sopot. Gdansk is set to become even more popular when it hosts some of the Euro 2012 football matches. Get there ahead of the crowds. weather reports suggest that may and june are going to be sweltering... head to the beach!

scottie1113Threads: 11 Posts: 873 Joined: Mar 13, 07	May 10, 08, 10:49 / #
Sweltering? What means this word? Can you even use it pertaining to Poland? Before my first visit to Poland in the summer of 2006 I baked in 40+ C temperatures in Northern California for about 10 days. When I stepped off the plane in Warsaw to a balmy 30 C day I felt like I was in heaven, but my friend Chris said all his Polish friends had told him that they thought they were going to die because of the heat. It's all relative. How hot is it supposed to get here?

gloiosThreads: 15 Posts: 88 Joined: Jun 12, 07	May 7, 08, 09:19 / #
Anyone been to the spa at Aquapark? if so any idea of the prices for massage etc?

BubbaWooThreads: 46 Posts: 4,438 Joined: Sep 26, 06	May 7, 08, 09:27 / #
if i remember correctly the spa section cost about 50zls last summer

BubbaWooThreads: 46 Posts: 4,438 Joined: Sep 26, 06	Edited by: BubbaWoo May 8, 08, 02:15 / #
an article in yesterday's guardian gruniad: Britain's loss is Poland's gain - as scores of Poles begin to return to their homeland, now is the best time to follow them, before Poland takes the euro leap that its 2003 accession to the EU obliges. Paying in zloty means that hotels on Poland's Baltic coast can still be half the price of those across the border in Germany. Where to go: Those in the know will often cite Tarifa in Spain - blasted by the Levante wind funnelled through the straights of Gibraltar - as the best windsurfing spot in Europe. Similarly-minded residents of northern Poland may disagree. The conditions created around the 35km long sandy peninsula at Hel are perfect for wind-borne speedsters, and for the price of a solitary tapas dish on the Spanish coast you can bag a healthy serving of freshly-caught cod served in a variety of eateries in Wladyslawowo, the tiny village at the peninsula's tip. For those looking for nocturnal distraction, Hel is an hour and a half from Gdansk, Gdynia and summertime party city Sopot

angelThreads: 17 Posts: 88 Joined: Jan 8, 08	May 9, 08, 18:56 / #
hi i need a guide for this area-have just pm you

wildroverThreads: 180 Posts: 8,188 Joined: Jun 7, 07	May 10, 08, 02:48 / #
A guide is definatly a good idea.....someone who knows the area can help you find the good bits , and avoid the not so good bits.....

BubbaWooThreads: 46 Posts: 4,438 Joined: Sep 26, 06	May 10, 08, 18:42 / #
who knows what will happen but it would be nice to think you might be in heaven. us european types may well have to head to the beach to cool off. a good centreal european summer with a bit of luck :-)