Suggestions for Adventurers
BY EXPLORATOR 1 wrote a fortnight ago an article on conducted tours under the auspices of Travel Organisations.
I have, however, one or two little suggestions for those who prefer the unusual under their own auspices as opposed to the auspices of an organisation. There are many travellers to whom these organiaalions are a real boon. particularly those who are tired and do not want to be bothered with tiresome details. Still more so. perhaps, to those who are not linguists and therefore, correctly up to a point, fear the complications or foreign travel. But there are also the others, the adventurous who insist on independence and originality.
and the following suggestions are directed primarily (though not exclusively) to these latter.
There is one country which has for some curious reason not participated to the extent that might have been expected in the development of British tourist traffic
abroad of' recent years. That is Poland.
Scenery not Dull Perhaps some idea of dull scenery or primitive conditions lingers on. If so, it should be dispelled, particularly among Catholics who should have .a special interest in Poland. Polish cities are worthy to rank among the finest European cities. Warsaw, Warta, LwOw (Lemberg). Poznan (Posen), and Cracow — this latter a real mediaeval gem—are well worth a visit and are extremely fine cities.
have, therefore, a tender spot for Wilna, with its unique Ostra Drama pilgrimage, where the famous shrine is to be found in a gateway astride a street and the street can always be found full of kneeling worshippers. Here, as at Lwaiw. it can truly be said that Eastern and Western civilisations meet and the result affords a Fascinating study.
But Poland has very considerable attractions in the way of scenery, too. Far too little is known abroad of the Tatra mountains and that very delightful and typical Polish resort, Zakopane.
Ski-ing facilities in winter and climbing in summer are first-rate. while the Be.skid mountains, also along the Czechoslovak frontier, are, if less imposing, also very charming.
Ukraine and Carpathians Further East still comes the Polish Ukraine and the Eastern Carpathians. Here primitive forests and unspoilt mountain scenery can be found and the seeker after nature can wander for days without meetini.; a human being. The people. too, are extremely attractive in this part of the Ukraine and still cling to their native dress, which is most picturesque. Those who want to get right off the beaten track could not, in fact, do better than visit the Polish Carpathians.
Hotel accommodation will be found to be first-rate in Polish cities and such resorts as Zakopane or Krynica, but in the Carpathians, with the exception of Worochta, it will be found to be rather primitive. As regards language, German and Russian will go furthest, while French is useful, particularly with the upper classes. English will only be understood in Warsaw and the bigger places.
Reply to a Correspondent UPPER NORWOOD.--For Italy you would, in my opinion, do much better to leave yoor biryele behind, make up your mind before leaving England exactly what your itinerary is to be and get a tieket. (Italian Railways. 75, 'Regent Street, W.1). Visit the Paris Exhibition en. ronte and so profit by the 50 per cent. rednetion in France.
should advise you to visit ftenoa, Florence, Assisi, Rome and Naples—a few hours will suffice for Genoa. Get exact details from the Italian Railways as Florence ana Assist are not on the main Paris-Genoe-Rome line. TImre is first-rate walking country round all these cities, perhaps particularly the umbritin hills round Assisi, the hills near Florence and the Campagna at Rome's door. Italy is r,:ry .cheap, too,