Poland

One of the largest and most populous countries in Eastern Europe, Poland is also one of the most intriguing and historic. An EU member since 2004, it offers an appealing combination of history, modernity and culture - and remains much cheaper than most western European destinations.

Visitors from overseas are most likely to land at Warsaw Airport - although other international airports include Gdansk Airport, Krakow Airport, Katowice Airport and Wroclaw Airport. Once in Warsaw, essential attractions for first-time visitors include Lazienski Park, the Old Town and the Pawiak Prison, which provides an interesting insight into life in the Jewish Ghetto during WWII.

Another city definitely worth visiting is Krakow. The setting for Schindler's List, Krakow is a beautiful, historic city that straddles the Vistula River and was the capital of Poland from the 9th-17th centuries. Consequently, Krakow is richly endowed with historical buildings and has a very civilized feel, with many museums, churches, shops and cafes. Particularly worth seeing in Krakow are the Wzgorze Wawelskie (the former royal palaces), Barbakan (a 15th century castle) and the Rynek Glowny, the city's bustling market square, which dates back to the 13th century and is surrounded with bars, cafes and restaurants.

A more sombre but unforgettable experience is a visit to Auschwitz. One of the largest and most notorious Nazi concentration camps, the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp is located about 50km to the west of Krakow. Many of the original buildings remain and the camp is an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Poland also has both seaside and mountains to offer. For anyone seeking some sea air, the northern coastal city of Gdansk is well worth a visit. More than 1000 years old, it's historic buildings and museums are well worth a visit. However, if it's mountain air you are looking for, you should head south instead. A little to the south of Krakow, the town of Zakopane forms a gateway to the mountains - with all their normal opportunities for outdoor sports and nature lovers.