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Recommendations for Zakopane

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Edited by: SeanBM Dec 14, 08, 08:14 / #

If Krakow is the sophisticated intellectual city with all it's grandeur then
Zakopane is the town which is larger than life, from the people to the architecture to the mountains surrounding it.

100 Km south of Krakow on the dual carriage up in the forest and mountains is the town of Zakopane (Wiki).
(Myslenice is on the way)
Zakopane is not just a town,
it is a style of Architecture, Music, a place steeped in history and is almost like another country in Poland.
It is also a year round hot spot for Polish tourists because of it's beautiful heritage and the wonderful nature surrounding it.

<hr />

Zakopane is on the Tatra mountain range and neighbours Slovakia.
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There are many fine walks in this mountain range and ski slopes in winter.
Rysy is the highest mountain in the Polish Tatras (2499 m ).

<hr />

Back to the town of Zakopane.

Here is a Map of Zakopane. Krupówki is the main shopping street in the town.
Packed with shops, bars and restaurants, Zakopane has a very unique traditional Polish atmosphere.

"the sleeping knight" (Giewont) is the main peak over looking Zakopane.

Legend has it that this "sleeping knight" will rise up and free Poland from her suppressors.

<hr />

Traditional costume

Every area in Poland has it's own traditional costume and Zakopane is no exception.
Zakopane has a proud history and likes to show it off in a very natural way.

watra.pl/rozne/zakopane/uwnuka/DSC_0492.JPG

Note the shells in the gentleman's hat.
The sea is far away and shells were sought after and incorporated into the costume.

<hr />

The Architecture.

I have never seen architecture like this anywhere else in the world.
The steep angle of the roof, the beautiful intricate carvings in the wood, the style is very unique.

IronsE11Threads: 2 Posts: 799 Joined: Mar 3, 08	Dec 14, 08, 08:27 / #
Very nice. I am off to Poland tomorrow morning and shall be spending five days in Zakopane. More aesthetically pleasing than spending Christmas in East London.

McCoyThreads: 46 Posts: 1,756 Joined: Jul 3, 08	Edited by: McCoy Dec 14, 08, 08:36 / #
sean youre doing a great job. SeanBM: Rysy is the highest mountain in the Polish Tatras (2,503 m). rysy has three peaks. the highest polish peak is 2499 m ^ these are krakows traditional costumes. here are from podhale area: thread about zakopane on the skycrapercity: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=496078

Edited by: SeanBM Dec 14, 08, 08:41 / #

Thanks McCoy,

I wasn't sure if anyone reads these threads:)

I will be going to Zakopane and I will try to get more photos of the architecture on here.
It is really amazing as I am sure you will all agree.

I will try to include as many of my own photos as I can.
Here are interiors of some restaurants in Zakopane.
Note that the table and chairs can be half a trunk of a mighty tree.
There is often live music in these establishments at night.
Like Ireland except the music is completely different (great after a few beers).
The Kiosk is selling, smoked cheeses, wild mushrooms, pickled gherkins, honey, horse radish etc... all completely natural and tasty.
I will do more on the food later.

McCoyThreads: 46 Posts: 1,756 Joined: Jul 3, 08	Dec 14, 08, 08:45 / #
SeanBM: It is really amazing as I am sure you will all agree. cant disagree :)

Edited by: SeanBM Dec 14, 08, 09:00 / #

The first two photos are of the mountain peaks collectivley known as "the Sleeping Knight", overlooking Zakopane.
The photo that looks like bread is actually different types of cow, goat, sheep sometimes smoked cheeses, very tasty treat.
The jars are packed with preserved wild mushrooms, pickles, mustards, horse radish, jam, honey etc.
I took these photos a few days ago.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Dec 14, 08, 09:05 / #
Thanks for the photos, Sean. A trip down memory lane.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Dec 14, 08, 09:09 / #
Seanus: Thanks for the photos, Sean. A trip down memory lane. Zakopane has changed quite a bit, upgraded I would say. I have to say that the people in Zakopane are the best business minds I have come across in Poland. They have invested a lot of money and time to get "The right look" the Zakopane look. And it looks wonderful. And if anyone has anything to contribute to this thread, please do so.

Dec 14, 08, 09:10 / #

Czarny Staw i Morskie Oko

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Edited by: SeanBM Dec 14, 08, 09:50 / #
Some music from Zakopane. Siklawa - Ciupazecko moja I will try to get more music later. Tatry - Landscapes of the Beauty Zakopane is great for mountain treks I have been several time to the two lakes Czarny Staw i Morskie Oko, that puercoespin has kindly showed a photo of. There are bears, bores and an abundance of wildlife. There are qualified trekkers who will take you almost every where you want to go, individually or in groups. But there are also plenty of walks that you can do by yourself. During the winter Zakopane becomes a skier's paradise. One of the most romantic things I have ever done was to get a horse and slay with lite fire tourches in each corner with a lady to the ski jumping tournament. Adam Małysz, is one of the greatest ski jumpers in the world and it was really something else to see him fly through the air. But it is not all about the out doors there are plenty of bars and restaurants to delight.

puercoespinThreads: 1 Posts: 155 Joined: Jun 8, 08	Dec 14, 08, 15:02 / #
SeanBM: Zakopane is great for mountain treks I have been several time to the two lakes Czarny Staw i Morskie Oko, that puercoespin has kindly showed a photo of. no problem man..i see you are great ambassador of Poland and polish culture dancing (taniec) góralski

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Edited by: SeanBM Dec 14, 08, 15:13 / #
I am just showing what I see. Zakopane is very interesting and i think not enough non-Polish people know about it. Krakow is full of tourists (because it is so beautiful) Zakopane is different and equally beautiful but there are 99.999% Polish tourists there. To be honest I like being the only foreigner there because then i feel like I am really travelling, seeing Poland and being part of something new. This is kind of similar to Irish traditional dance. Again thank you for contributing, please feel free to add as much as you wish.

LoriThreads: 5 Posts: 122 Joined: Mar 17, 08	Edited by: Lori Dec 14, 08, 22:46 / #
Here are some photos from my 2008 summer stay in Zakopane. Follow-up: Sorry the photos would not attach.

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07	Dec 15, 08, 00:14 / #
SeanBM: Zakopane is very interesting and i think not enough non-Polish people know about it. Krakow is full of tourists (because it is so beautiful) Zakopane is different and equally beautiful but there are 99.999% Polish tourists there. To be honest I like being the only foreigner there because then i feel like I am really travelling, seeing Poland and being part of something new. keep it that way, no? ;)

ukpolskaThreads: 51 Posts: 2,238 Joined: Oct 23, 06 MEMBER	Dec 15, 08, 00:34 / #
Well we are going for a nice 12 day break in Koscielisko starting on the 19th Dec, which is a beautiful village just outside of Zakopane. Koscielisko is far better than Zakopane I find, as it gets you away from the madness of Zakopane and you can take sleigh rides up into the forest and be totally relaxed...can't wait!!! This is a webcam from their hotel and no snow yet Grrrrr, just praying for snow as we wish to go skiing but if there is none then we will have to change our plans and go to Strbske Pleso in Slovakia, which is the other side of the Tatras. Anyone else going down there for Christmas?

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Dec 15, 08, 05:52 / #
Many people from Chicago send money back home for developments in Zakopane, or so the rumour goes.

andy bThreads: 7 Posts: 195 Joined: Nov 26, 07	Dec 15, 08, 08:24 / #
Nice topic. Last night I went to a concert by Zakopane's finest group, "Zakopower". They played a concert for charity at the Philharmonia in Krakow. Great show too! I must admit I was there more for my girlfriend (a big fan of the singer Sebastian) but they won me over. Very talented group, Sebastian is a great showman, and the songs were great, as was the participation from the audience. By the end everyone was up out of their seats. I am taking some friends from Australia to Zakopane just after NY, always look forward to spending a few days there.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Dec 15, 08, 09:50 / #
ukpolska: the madness of Zakopane This is an important point. In peak season in summer and winter Zakopane is choka block with millions of (mainly Polish) tourists. andy b: Last night I went to a concert by Zakopane's finest group, "Zakopower". zakopower They have a good sound. I have never heard them before, good stuff, thanks.

MatyjaszThreads: 2 Posts: 1,786 Joined: Jul 20, 06	Dec 15, 08, 17:04 / #
Zakopower doesn't really cut it for moi. I prefer Psio Crew! Bielsko-Biała baby! Szumi Jawor soundsystem. The video clip is kitschy but I love the music. Highlanders on amphetamine. ;)

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Dec 15, 08, 17:09 / #
Matyjasz: Bielsko-Biała baby! Tell us more. I know this thread says Zakopane but I see no reason for it to be limited to that town. Plus i would like to know about more places around here.

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07	Dec 15, 08, 18:55 / #
Seanus: Thanks for the photos, Sean. A trip down memory lane. same here. :) Matyjasz: Highlanders on amphetamine. ;) tatra-ra :D

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Dec 16, 08, 03:57 / #
I've only been there once but was really taken in by its subtle charms. The warming foods and the wooden decor are quite sth. I remember thanking my friend for bringing a flashlight/torch with him. He did some forward planning. We were in a forest there and would've been right, royally screwed without it.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Edited by: SeanBM Dec 16, 08, 04:19 / #
Also there are many "Noc leg" or "Pokój" signs, these are rooms available. Usually in a part of someone's house and usually quite affordable (Although it has been years since I have used them). But if it is luxury you want I recommend stamary.pl/en# - Hotel Grand Stamary. It is located in the centre but is still quiet. I have never stayed there but I have arranged some clients to stay there and I have had good reviews about it. <hr /> There is a cable cart at the south end of the main street in Zakopane. Getting around Zakopane (Zakopane-Life) <hr /> Ski lifts in Zakopane.

aye	Feb 27, 09, 18:22 / #
this is a nice thread, i remembered last september when we went to krakow and we include a tour in zakopane and tatra mountains. we are really amazed how beautiful the architectures are. and the atmosphere is really relaxing. i tasted the cheeses too.. :) now i want to see it in winter and try to ski.. thanks for the photos too.....

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Feb 27, 09, 18:32 / #
aye, Thank you for your kind words. Please, feel free to contribute to this thread. And let us know how you got on.

Wroclaw Boy	Edited by: Wroclaw Boy Feb 27, 09, 18:38 / #
Whats the best ski area of Zakopane? I heard the lifts there get really busy. Ive only boarded Gubałowka

ukpolskaThreads: 51 Posts: 2,238 Joined: Oct 23, 06 MEMBER	Feb 27, 09, 19:06 / #
You are better off going round the corner to Štrbské Pleso it's only another 2 hours on your journey and it's worth it.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Edited by: SeanBM Mar 8, 09, 13:13 / #
Here is a skiing video I made. Skiing, Carpathians, Tatra, Białka Tatrzańska, near Zakopane, This is the second video I have ever edited. I would like very much to know your opinions and hear constructive criticism. The major problem is the camera shake. Białka Tatrzańska is near Zakopane.

ukpolskaThreads: 51 Posts: 2,238 Joined: Oct 23, 06 MEMBER	Mar 8, 09, 14:21 / #
Good video SeanBM and what is the song I have heard it so many times but never sought out the singer. Although I would admit that Białka Tatrzańska has okay skiing, there are a few things that really spoil it... If you go in the school holidays it is crazy having to wait for 35 mins sometimes to get on the lift; therefore, the best time that I found to go was after 4pm in the afternoon until 10pm when the slopes are emptying of people and then the times are drastically cut. Another thing is the town of Białka Tatrzańska, this town had a huge opportunity to develop it's self into a culture centre with amazing architecture; however, it has ended up with a mad rush to build as quickly as possible any square structure with a bed in. This put me off so much when I went there for the first time, that I carried on driving and went to Slovakia where there are better slopes. I know you don't go there to look at the houses I will hear people say, but the architecture creates a special mountainous atmosphere that sadly Białka Tatrzańska doesn't have. Such a shame really as this place could have been wonderful, but it's the same with many things in Poland that there is not much forethought put into planning... :{

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Mar 8, 09, 14:31 / #
Thanks, it is Edith Piaf - Je Ne Veux Pas Travailler. ukpolska: I found to go was after 4pm in the afternoon until 10pm when the slopes are emptying of people and then the times are drastically cut. I have noticed this too, all the buses leave at then. I have never actually looked at the town. I live not far from there and I just go for the skiing. It has developed a lot in the past six years and it is a shame if it has not maintained it's beautiful architecture as you say. Where abouts in Slovakia do you go ukpolska?.