Severely damaged in the battle with the Swedes in the 1800s, falling apart under Communist ignorance in the 1900s, the ruined castle on the hill is still the centrepiece landmark of Lanckorona. A popular day escape from Kraków the village's wooden houses in the give Lanckorona a nice touch.

Lake Czorsztynskie in the far south of Poland is known for its castles and its mystical views of the Tatra Mountains a bit further south. A small winter series from my February journey.

Known for her moodiness, the Mount Babia Góra (The Old Lady) is not always the potentially easy hike up it seems to be. Tales of witches conferencing at the top at 1725 metres (5695 ft) ASL brings an extra dimension to this legendary rounded rock in Southern Poland. But on this winter day, she was in such a good mood - flirting with the Tatra lads in the distance all the time.

The city of Poznań is famous for its St. Martin croissant, but even if you don't bare the same name as the tasty bite, it is a delight to visit.

Shipyards, German-Dutch-Flemish architecture, a good night and day life and the birthplace of Solidarity: Gdańsk.

Looking proud on the banks of the Wisła river (Vistula), the former royal city of Kraków is remarkably easy going.

While children run for icecream, a rockband plays on the corner, the procession makes its own way around the Maria Cathedral (Bazylika Mariacka) at Kraków's main square (Rynek Główny)

"I wasn’t in a hurry. I never have to be in any particular place at any particular time. Let time watch me, not me it," wrote Nobelprize in Literature winner Olga Tokarczuk about her hometown of Wrocław in her novel Bieguni (Flights).