We remember how they spoiled us endlessly, secretly gave us sweets and… defended us from our “strict” parents, even when we had really “been up to no good” and, objectively speaking, deserved serious consequences!
Grandmother’s Day and Grandfather’s Day are fast approaching, on January 21 and 22, respectively. Grandparents will undoubtedly appreciate every kind gesture on these days. For many, the greatest joy will simply be a visit from their grandchildren, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to surprise these “old folks” this year and give them an exceptional gift they certainly would not expect?
Travelist.pl offers help and inspiration, presenting several suggestions for weekend getaways. Your grandparents do not like travelling far? Here are several offers from different parts of Poland! Looking for even more interesting ideas? Visit Travelist.pl, where you will always find the best offers at the most attractive prices!
But first, a little history…
In Poland, grandmothers and grandfathers have their own separate days, as mentioned above, on January 21 and 22. The initiative to honour all grandmothers arose relatively recently, in 1964 (the idea came from the weekly magazine “Kobieta i Życie”). Grandfathers were recognised later, as the idea for Grandfather’s Day emerged only in the 1980s.
Grandmothers in Brazil and Bulgaria also celebrate Grandmother’s Day on January 21. In Spain, however, this day is observed on July 26. In the United Kingdom, Grandmother’s Day falls on the first Sunday in October, while in France it is celebrated on the first Sunday in March. Grandmother’s and Grandfather’s Day has been celebrated in Russia only since 2009. In the United States, National Grandparents Day has been observed since 1978, always on the first Sunday after Labor Day (in September).
It is a wonderful family celebration, during which grandparents receive small gifts and cards from their grandchildren. For a long time, preschools and schools have organised various kinds of performances on this occasion.
And here are the aforementioned suggestions for excellent gifts in the form of a weekend getaway, prepared in cooperation with the Travelist.pl travel club:
Hotel Polaris*** - Świnoujście
The Polish seaside is exceptionally attractive not only in summer. It is also possible to spend a wonderfully pleasant time here during winter. An excellent suggestion is to purchase a weekend for your grandparents at Hotel Polaris***, located just a few minutes’ walk from the fairy-tale beach. The hotel offers exceptionally comfortable, classically furnished rooms, a spacious bathroom, a television, a telephone and many other amenities. Some rooms have balconies.
Grandmother and grandfather will be able to indulge in blissful relaxation in the indoor pool with numerous water attractions. They will also have access to a sauna, jacuzzi and massage room. If we would like to enhance the gift, we can treat our grandparents to one of the rehabilitation and physiotherapy treatments. There is a very wide selection of treatments. Mud compresses, ultrasound and electrostimulation are among those worth noting. The hotel also offers water treatments such as underwater massages and pearl baths, as well as aqua aerobics for more active guests.
Grandparents will be able to sample delicious Polish and European cuisine at the Ambasador restaurant, while the lobby bar will invite them to enjoy a pleasant evening together over a sophisticated drink. Active grandparents can, of course, take advantage of the area’s wonderful attractions, including the beaches and numerous historic sites, among them the tallest lighthouse on the Polish coast.
Hotel Robert’s Port**** Lake Resort & SPA – Mikołajki
Masuria is known for its exceptional natural, historical and cultural assets, both in Poland and around the world. Giving grandparents a pleasant winter weekend among the Masurian lakes and forests is an excellent way to express our feelings and gratitude for the years they have given us warmth and love. To ensure a pleasant and comfortable stay, it is worth choosing Robert’s Port**** Lake Resort & SPA, located in one of Masuria’s best-known and most highly regarded towns, Mikołajki.
Grandparents will relax in a luxurious four-star property situated right on the shore of Lake Tałty. The hotel has a private beach and marina. A fully relaxing and peaceful stay is ensured by its quiet location, away from the centre of the bustling town. Guests can therefore commune with nature undisturbed and admire its beauty – the winter landscape of the Masurian lakes and forests is breathtaking!
Elegant rooms overlooking the lake are equipped with a stylish bathroom, refrigerator, LCD television and other amenities. In addition, most rooms have air conditioning and a balcony. It is also possible to rent a private cottage on the hotel grounds.
Grandparents will be welcomed by a wonderful Wellness Centre with a large swimming pool, saunas, jacuzzi, relaxation room and other attractions. Seven spa treatment rooms are also available. The hotel’s Kapitańska Restaurant, with its terrace and panoramic view of Lake Tałty, offers extraordinary experiences—not only culinary ones. If grandparents wish to enjoy a romantic dinner, they can visit the cosy, intimate Żeglarska Restaurant, which has access to an outdoor patio with a fireplace. A stay surrounded by Masuria’s largest forest complex, Puszcza Piska, and near Poland’s largest lake, Śniardwy, will certainly be a success!
Crown Piast Hotel & Park***** - Kraków
A stay in the royal city cannot fail to please! Kraków is one of the oldest, most beautiful and most mysterious cities in Poland. The former capital of Poland, the country’s cultural and historical heart… Grandparents who love history and comfortable relaxation will undoubtedly be delighted with a weekend in Kraków. For a regal getaway, there is only Crown Piast Hotel & Park*****.
The luxurious five-star property is located less than 10 minutes from the centre of Kraków, in a quiet area surrounded by a delightful garden with a fountain, pond, walking and jogging paths. Each elegant room is equipped with a tasteful bathroom, minibar, LCD television, coffee and tea-making facilities, and other 21st-century amenities. Some apartments have kitchenettes.
The hotel offers a wonderful wellness area with a jacuzzi and sauna, as well as the NewU spa, where guests can experience top-level wellness treatments. Those who enjoy active relaxation can use the gym.
The hotel’s Anturium restaurant tempts guests with exquisite traditional Polish and European dishes. The cosy, atmospheric Coffee Bar, meanwhile, invites them to enjoy delicious, aromatic coffee and a sweet treat. The hotel grounds also include a grill restaurant.
While in Kraków, a tour of the Old Town and the Main Market Square, with its world-famous landmarks such as Wawel, St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall, is an absolute must. Kraków is not only about historic monuments, however. It is also an excellent base for trips to places such as Ojców National Park, with its greatest natural attractions, including Łokietek’s Cave and Hercules’ Club rock.
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