Zakopane (Zakopane) is a small town in the south of Poland, located in the valley of the Tatrian Mountains. It takes place at all close the border with Slovakia, but there is no direct road from Zakopane to Slovakia to get there, you need to make a small "hook" through Kostelisco and Khokholow. The population of Zakopane is a little less than 30,000 inhabitants. Although during the season at the expense of coming tourists, this number increases more than 100,000.
Just 110 kilometers north of Zakopane is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe - Krakow. It is necessary to visit it.
I read in Wikipedia that the road by car from Zakopane to Krakow takes 1 hour 30 minutes. This is not entirely correct information. The fact is that the movement in Polish roads (not autobars) is very complex. There are a lot of settlements, restrictions, solid stripes, traffic lights, there is a bridge with one movement strip (the passage on it is also regulated by the traffic light). Riding in Krakow turns into a solid caattery: 70 km / h - 50 km / h - 60 km / h - and so all the way. Speed areas where you can develop a speed of up to 90 km / h, you can recalculate on the fingers of one hand. Although sometimes it seems that the rules of the movement are only one of you alone. In short, in practice, such a road takes almost 2 hours.
Zakopane is really a very beautiful resort . He began to develop from the middle of the XIX century, the local authorities have attached a lot of effort. And gradually the city became a major center of skiing. Not in vain, zakopane is called the Winter Capance of Poland. There are even many stands in the city on which it is said about this.
Many times in Zakopane were held competitions (including international) in skiing. And in February 1939, the 9th World Ski Ski Championship was successfully organized here. Most recently, Zakopane was a candidate to become the capital of the 2006 Olympic Games. But did not come around. Then the Italian Turin was chosen for the Olympics. Therefore, while the Olympic Games were not held here. However, the city seeks to this and will continue to apply for the Winter Olympics. In parallel, the tracks are upgraded with this, ski jumps are being built, the infrastructure is developing in general. By the way, it is in Zakopane that the largest skiing springboard is located in Poland, called "Welk Krok"!
Zakopane is surrounded by mountains and coniferous forests from all sides. Therefore, the air is very clean here. At the same time mountain and forest. And it is definitely useful for health. To convey words, as it is easy to breathe here, it is simply impossible.
Beautiful comfortable climatic conditions, beautiful unique nature, fresh invigorating air. It's just an ideal place for people who want to relax and remove stress. It is considered (and this is true) that the air in this area has therapeutic properties in various diseases of the respiratory tract, as well as allergies, tuberculosis and protein.
The Poles themselves love this area very much and seek to spend here not only their holidays, but just a weekend. In the hotels, Zakopane can be found by Hungarians, Slovaks, Germans. What is happening here is a very popular resort in Europe.
Zakopane is the highest of all Poland cities (still located at an altitude of 830 meters above sea level). And here is a very mild climate, practically no winds - mountains and forests make their job. Winter in Zakopane Solar and warm, almost no cloudy days, but at the same time fairly snowy. Although I heard that the slopes are very often fogs, which makes it difficult for skiing. I do not know how in winter, but the presence of the fog is almost every day in the fall (October-November) confirm.
As for the temperature regime in the winter season, then I will note the following. In December, January and February, the temperature of the air day in Zakopane ranges from -5 ° C to -10 ° C. Agree, more than comfortable for skiing. And in general, the mountain ski season begins in December and lasts in March a month. And sometimes until mid-April.
All amateur ski lovers will find themselves here to taste (in the sense, by the ability). There are simple and gerier for beginner skiers, and there are cool and quite complicated. All routes are equipped with a large number of lifts, bohels and cableways. The most popular among tourists are three ski complex. This is "Antalwucker", "Glutaluvka" and "Kozinets". All of them are in close proximity to the center of Zakopane. However, in the vicinity of the city, there are also many other ski complexes - Koszelisco, Kasprene Top, Budzovsky Top, Calatovka, BUTOR top, nasal.
So, however, list and paint all the ski complexes of Zakopane makes no sense. There are many of them and most of them are equipped at the highest level (remind you that the city was preparing to accept the Olympic Games). Just come and see yourself.
The hotel base in Zakopane is not particularly diverse. In the prevailing majority - these are small hotels for 10-20 rooms. As a rule, there are wooden logs on several floors, built in the traditional style for this region. The stylistics is not a particular diversity, but very original.
Here is a house, the private hotel! Most often, the owners of the hotel live in the same houses. It is easier for him to look after and take tourists.
I repeat that first of all Zakopane is a ski resort. However, in the summer months, this region also attracts numerous lovers of rocks. There are several very popular routes here. In particular, in the Zakopane district is located Tatra National Park Park Tatrzanski). It has both the simplest hiking routes that even children can go and quite complicated exclusively for experienced tourists.
I myself prefer to rest in Zakopane not in the winter season, but in the fall or spring. At this time, the people are a bit. Silence and complete idyll reign around. It's very nice.
And not the last plus of the resort is new aquapark Built in Zakopane in 2006. He may be not very large - large slides are only three.
But there are several pools and small slides, jacuzzi and swimming pool with a flow (like river). And most importantly, the Zakophan Waterpark works all year round and is open from 9:00 to 22:00. So, if you like this case, at any time of the year, capture with you everybody bathing suits.
My personal advice is: In Zakopane, you must definitely visit at least once . Just relax from the working days and enjoy silence and tranquility. In the course you can go to Krakow, Wadovice, Auschwitz, Katowice. I think you will like it.