Poland has withstood tremendous wars and tribulations during its short history. Indeed, for a time during the 1800s and 1900s, the country was consumed completely by its neighbors. During the 20th century, the country was conquered repeatedly and carved out by invading German and Soviet forces. Yet despite this tumultuous past, Poland has emerged as a successful center of tourism and trade once more.

Modern-day Poland is a study in fascinating contradictions. Medieval Old Towns at the core of the major cities--such as Krakow and Warsaw--are contiguous with major metropolitan centers. Horse-drawn carts navigate rustic country roads while buses, trucks, and imported cars race alongside them. Poland is a bridge between the heartland of Central Europe and the forests of Eastern Europe.

Thanks to the government's market reforms as well as to the country's recent inclusion in the European Union, the Polish tourism business has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. While plenty of fledgling companies have sought to guide guests through this newly opened land, there's one name you can trust time and time again for excellent service, cultural savvy, and reasonable prices--Poland and Beyond.

We at Poland and Beyond have put together a number of extremely fine educational tours to Poland. Our Folklore and Leisure tour, for instance, is a nine-day excursion to Krakow, Warsaw, Zakopane, and Bielsko Biala. This adventure takes you through the romantic Beskidy mountains, down into the Wieliczka salt mine, and rafting down the Dunajec River.