Zakopane
We opted to visit Zakopane simply because it was on the way to Slovakia, we had never heard of it but it turned out to be a beautiful (and popular) tourist resort in the High Tatras.
Our campsite was a bit tatty but very well located in that downtown was only a 20 minute walk away.We were fortunate in parking our van on some concrete hard standing, as one morning we awoke to find that we were parked in one huge puddle after a torrential thunderstorm the night before. We were lucky, there was a young Scottish couple whose tent began to float away during the storm.
The town is in a valley and on one side was a funicular leading to a hmini holiday resort with pony riding, candy floss and trampolines and on the other side was the serious cable car network. We went up two of these cable cars to 6,000 feet and walked some rough paths in cold and windy weather but with fantastic views across the mountains and into Slovakia.There were two cable cars to take before reaching the top, it cost about £8 each return but it was worth it.
Our campsite was a bit tatty but very well located in that downtown was only a 20 minute walk away.We were fortunate in parking our van on some concrete hard standing, as one morning we awoke to find that we were parked in one huge puddle after a torrential thunderstorm the night before. We were lucky, there was a young Scottish couple whose tent began to float away during the storm.
The town is in a valley and on one side was a funicular leading to a hmini holiday resort with pony riding, candy floss and trampolines and on the other side was the serious cable car network. We went up two of these cable cars to 6,000 feet and walked some rough paths in cold and windy weather but with fantastic views across the mountains and into Slovakia.There were two cable cars to take before reaching the top, it cost about £8 each return but it was worth it.
A bit windy up at the top
we were surprised to find snow
Cheese counter
Zakopane is a popular all year resort, there were two ski jumps near to our campsite and despite the hot weather there was ski jumping - the same stuff as on a UK artificial ski slope. The main street is devoted to parting tourists from their money but despite this it was an enjoyable road to stroll down with lots of restaurants, bars and shops. A local speciality appeared to be grilled meat and each restaurant produced some great aromas as you walked by.
You could take a ride in a traditional carriage, the drivers of which were all in local dress including rather fetching white woollen trousers with red pompoms on.
At the end of the road is a market selling more local produce, sheepskins, wooden prodcuts, dried flowers and cheese. The picture above shows one of the cheese stalls. The cheese was cow, sheep or goat or a mix of cow and sheep, it was delicious and cheap. Below left is the dried flower stall and of course the man with the pompom trousers on the right. The sheepskins were on sale for between £8 - £10 which was an irresistable bargain, we bought six, although not all were for us.
You could take a ride in a traditional carriage, the drivers of which were all in local dress including rather fetching white woollen trousers with red pompoms on.
At the end of the road is a market selling more local produce, sheepskins, wooden prodcuts, dried flowers and cheese. The picture above shows one of the cheese stalls. The cheese was cow, sheep or goat or a mix of cow and sheep, it was delicious and cheap. Below left is the dried flower stall and of course the man with the pompom trousers on the right. The sheepskins were on sale for between £8 - £10 which was an irresistable bargain, we bought six, although not all were for us.
Traditional dress
Dried flower stall
