For a Half Day

Kampinoski Park: There is plenty to see and do in the countryside surrounding Warsaw - a little further afield are areas of forests, lakes and mountains. The Kampinoski Park (tel: (022) 722 6001; website: www.kampinoski-pn.gov.pl), with walking trails, education centre, and abundant wildlife, lies just to the northwest of the city and is easily accessible by PKS bus from Warsaw's main bus station, also known as Dworzec Zachodni on al Jerozolimskie 144 (tel:0300 300 130). It is the largest park adjacent to a city of more than a million inhabitants. One of its major features is its inland sand dunes that contrast with the peat bogs. The park is open from dawn to dusk and admission is free.

Zelazowa Wola: Frederic Chopin was born here, 54km (34 miles) from the capital. A museum dedicated to his life and work is located in the manor house where he spent his first months. Polish Landscape (tel: (022) 824 3911; website: www.polish-landscape.pl) offers a day trip from the major hotels in Warsaw. This trip includes Nepokalanow, with its Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nieborow Palace, and the typical Mazovian medieval village of Brochow, where Chopin's parents were married. Mazurkas Travel (tel: (022) 635 6633; website: www.mazurkas.com.pl) offers an equivalent service. Zelazowa Wola is located inside Kampinoski Park and can be reached by bus from Dworzec Zachodni, Warsaw's main bus station, al Jerozolimskie 144 (tel: 0300 300 130).

For a Whole Day

Toruń: This walled, medieval town on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites is often called the Copernician Town, because it was the birthplace of Mikolaj Kopernik (Copernicus). Its location on the banks of the Vistula River offers a popular place for people to promenade, and leads to the ruins of the 13th-century Castle of the Teutonic Knights. Regular boat tours operate on the river in summer. The city's former wealth is expressed in the impressive Town Hall and parts of the Church of St John (where Copernicus was baptised and later taught) which date from the 13th century. The gothic townhouse where Copernicus was born is located at Ulica Kopernika 17. Torun is also famous for its gingerbread, still baked in medieval moulds according to a traditional recipe. The city is 200km (124 miles) from Warsaw and is reachable by train from Warsaw Centralna (journey time - 3 hours) or by Polski Express bus, which departs every hour from the bus stop near Warsaw Centralna (journey time - 3 hours 40 minutes). Torun Tourist Information Centre, Rynek Staromiejski 25, Torun (tel: (056) 621 0931; website: www.it.torun.pl) can provide further information.