Poland
Rude awakening aside, this old-school European sleeper is a pleasant ride
Have your tickets ready for a middle-of-the-night inspection by border guards if travelling overnight from Poland to the Czech Republic.
- Tim Richards
The 20 countries to put on your travel list for 2026
Find new charm in the familiar, or forge a fresh trail. Here are the under-the-radar nations and re-emerging classics set to define travel in 2026.
- Ute Junker
Better than the Med: Europe’s other great sea remains underrated
Like the Mediterranean, this sea and its eight countries are rich in attractions and culture – but there are far fewer crowds.
- Brian Johnston
This underrated, affordable country is Europe’s perfect destination
Fancy a trip to Europe but worried about the cost? Try the route less travelled and head for Poland, the affordable heart of the Continent.
- Sue Williams
- ★★★★
- Train journeys
Travelling first class on this train is a perfect mix of old and new
This European train offers modern comfort, while its compartment seating and dining car are welcome reminders of classic rail travel.
- Tim Richards
Where local ‘milk bars’ feel more like Soviet IKEAs
No-frills state-subsidised canteens dish up hearty Polish fare at prices that haven’t budged much since Stalin.
- Natasha Bazika
Everything about a bagel is great, except one thing
They may have been described as “an unsweetened doughnut with rigor mortis”, but the bagel is only getting bigger.
- Ben Groundwater
Port guide: Gdansk, Poland
Eastern Europe’s great port city takes you from medieval trading times to the anti-Soviet movement, and into a lively 21st-century revival.
- Brian Johnston
- Opinion
- Travel tips
The world needs to keep this joyful aspect of travelling alive
The effort involved in sending a postcard has changed its status. Nowadays, when your loved ones receive a postcard, they know you’ve gone to a lot of effort.
- Tim Richards
Forget the Med: Europe’s new, surprising, summer holiday hotspot
It’s easy to forget there are beaches in Europe beyond those fringing the Mediterranean Sea. But a change in weather patterns is driving a shift in attitudes.
- Sarah Marshall