THE EXCELLENCE OF ECO-EXCURSIONS

Dear readers!

As you may know from the previous posts, we have decided to create an online guide which would provide you with knowledge of ecotourism- a way of responsible travelling. Its main idea is that people should be aware of their actions’ impact on places visited during holidays. By frequenting crowded tourist attractions and notoriously travelling by vehicles, people contribute negatively to the place of visit.  

Therefore, once they realise how damaging their vacation might be, it is about time to turn words into action.

The following programme of a three-day trip is an illustrative insight into the issue of responsible travelling:

DAY 1: The Poznań Zoo

The Poznań New Zoo represents one of the finest institutions of a kind in the whole Europe as it has the extraordinary elephant house. Built in 2008, the outdoor enclosure of enormous size is more than suitable for the herd of five elephants. As their presence in the middle of Europe is quite unusual, vast majority of young visitors leave surprised and satisfied with the trip. 

The enormous elephant house

Apart from the elephant house and pavilions with wildlife representatives such as tigers and giraffes, the Poznań Zoo hosts breeding centres for endangered species as well.  Recently, the new shelter for brown bears has been opened. As its work is closely concerned with preservation of nature, it will be a great opportunity for us to visit the Zoo during the eco-friendly excursion. 

Brown bears playing at the natural environment (created within zoo)

What is also very important, we can get there by model railway called Maltanka, and in the meantime, admire the scenic Malta Lake, surrounding a zone of the Zoo.

Maltanka model railway

Malta Lake

DAY 2: The Royal Trail

The Royal Trail is one of the most beautiful tourist routes and the pride of our region Greater Poland. This picturesque cycling trail which goes across fields and over the hills of Gniezno Lake District will make you feel exhausted and elated at the same time! Travelling by bike, together we will be able to admire stunning landscapes and take a closer look into the historical capital of Poland- Gniezno.  

After this bike excursion and a short lunch break, we will visit two main attractions of the city: an observation tower located at the highest hill of the district of Gniezno and the oldest larch-pine forest in the whole region. 

The city of Gniezno

An observation tower in Gniezno

To continuously support the idea of responsible travelling, we will end up our trip by planting trees in nursery-garden near forest and contribute positively to Mother Nature.

 

DAY 3: The Kórnik Arboretum

    The largest and the oldest arboretum in Poland, situated in the city of Kórnik, is only 23 kilometres away from Poznań and so we cannot miss it! To end our extraordinary eco-excursion, again, we will rent some bikes and use them to visit this magnificent botanical garden, famous for its collection of rhododendrons, magnolias and cherries.

  All of the above have been collected and planted there together with other spectacular species of plants and trees from all over the world. After a walk in the woods we will visit the Institute of Dendrology and the medieval castle situated nearby. 

The plan of a trip has come to an end but the post is not finished yet. Before you go offline, please remember that not only ecotourism aims at awareness but it is also about amusement and adventure:  Be a traveller not a tourist! 

Tired of sightseeing big cities, wearisome monologues of “inspired” tour guides and being bored stiff during endless visits to the museums?

If the answer is yes, I have a perfect alternative for you. My offer will enable you to travel in a more sophisticated way than an average tourist. A trip to Drawa National Park will give you the opportunity to perceive Poland from a completely different perspective. Relaxation in the vicinity of nature combined with gaining thrilling experience will enable you to fully appreciate its beauty.

Drawa National Park was established in 1990 and its surface is covered in 83 percent with Drawa Primeval Forest. In the Drawa National Park you will be able to encounter the examples of not natural but also rich cultural heritage.

Preparations

As we are going to take advantage of nature’s hospitability we also need to express our gratitude and behave in an eco-friendly way. As we are going to travel mostly on foot we will need to take rucksack with all touristic equipment. Think minimalistic while packing to avoid needless burden.  

                                                             Day 1

Church in Głusko

As there is no direct connection between Poznań and the destination, we will need to get off the train in Dobiegniew and hitchhike for about 30 kilometers. It would be a perfect opportunity to get to know the specificity of living in this area of Poland and develop relationships with locals. We will devote our first day to enriching our knowledge about historical background and cultural diversity of the region. We are going to track old churches and ruins of historical villages. We are going to finish our search with visiting the neo-Gothic church in Głusko, which was rebuilt to its current function from a brewery. As it is illegal to spend a night anywhere in the forest and we are eco-friendly tourists we will be accommodated on a campsite in Kamienna. The charge is not really high and the money will supports financially the development and protection of the area.

The ruins of Węgornia

Day 2

 The forester's lodge Jagoda

On the second day we will combine strolling along forest paths with relaxation by different bodies of water. Early in the morning we are going to visit the Black Lake. Unfortunately it is a reserve and we are not allowed to swim there, however we could observe waterfowl in its natural habitat. Don’t forget to take binoculars and patience with you! Then a few hours later we will have the possibility to swim in the special district of Ostrowieckie Lake and admire omnipresent plant life. In the afternoon we will head our night destination – forester’s lodge called Jagoda. On our way we will stop on bridge by Cieszynka and cool ourselves down in its refreshing waters. When we arrive at Jagoda and still have enough enthusiasm, we could go to the Lake Szczuczarz which is only a few hundred meters away, sprawl on the peer and feast our eyes on the landscapes or the sunset. In the evening we are going to set on the bonfire and recount tales in the charming atmosphere of the starry night.

Szczuczarz Lake

Day 3

The third day will be the last day of our trip and we are going to summarise it with a thrilling experience that will provide us with unforgettable memories. We are going to do canoeing on the Drawa river. Drawa is the only river on lowlands that has a mountainous section.  On the way we will have a possibility to meet extraordinary examples of animal and plant life. However we will need to bide our time and behave really quietly in order not to scare of the animals. Canoeing trip will definitely pose a challenge, however completing it successfully will leave as with a rewarding sense of achievement.

River Drawa

Memorable sensations

Eco-travelling gives you the possibility to fully appreciate the closeness of nature. Moreover you are able to visit the area in a sophisticated way unlike boring “tourists”. This trip will enable you to enrich your knowledge about history and culture of the region, get to know your strengths and weaknesses and most importantly broaden your horizons without disturbing the nature!

 GREAT HOLIDAYS?
WHY NOT ECO MAZURIA TRIP?

In today’s blog entry I would like to present  the concept of environmentally friendly travelling with example of this  3 day-long kind of that activity.

But firstly what is ecotourism? 

This is a form of tourism which involves some rules:

1)      Visiting relatively undisturbed natural areas (forests, mountains, seaside),

2)      Ecological conservation and protection of natural environment ,

3)      Minimization of impact of visiting,

4)      Provision financial benefits for local people and conservation ,

5)      Respect for local culture and habitat.

As the idea of ecotourism is more and more widespread and common, I prepared an example of ecotrip day by day with all descriptions of activities. 

The place of destination  is Mazuria in Poland. This is the beautiful natural area with many lakes (over 2000) and various touristic attractions.

 

  

TIP 1 Try to travel by some environmentally friendly means of transport. The best idea is train or if it possible bike or other non-polluting machine. 

DAY 1
KAYAK AND BONFIRE 

During first day of the trip two activities are expected. After arrival and accommodation in local resort ‘Skowronki’ in cottages in Stare Jabłonki the lunch should be eaten. 

TIP 2 Make all meals by yourself! Buy products in local shop and prepare food for you and your fiends! Don’t forget to place rubbish in special bins.

                        

After the lunch, there is possibility of attendance in kayaking on Mały Szeląg Lake which is placed near Stare Jabłonki. You will have a great  opportunity to observe amazing flora and fauna of Mazuria!

TIP 3 Don’t take your own kayak! You can borrow it from local people. During kayaking do not disturb the natural environment because it is you who is the guest! Do not litter or frighten the animals.

When the tiredness will be to strong and kayaking must be stopped, you should turn back to the resort and eat next meal which will give you energy for rest of the day. 

   In resort area there is special place for bonfire. To make this evening more attracitve you can buy some kielbasa form local traders and prepare them above the fire.  When the night comes, there is possibility of watching beautiful night sky and stars laying on the ground hearing only noises of the nature (birds, game, wind).

TIP 4 Be careful with the fire! You are around the trees and each unexpected accident  can result in conflagration of whole forest!

 

 

 

 

DAY 2
HORSE RIDING AND ECO FARM

After the breakfast you can go to the local stud in Stare Jabłonki and take a ride on real horse! It may sound dangerous but the professionals will keep an eye on you. During this action you will become more close to the nature.

TIP 5 Give tipsto  some local people. They do amazing work here and they really deserve a tip as they do not earn a lot! 

 

After the lunch in the resort you can go to eco farm also in Stare Jabłonki. This is and amazing object where people take care of  many animals and plants. In Stare Jabłonki you can observe horses, foals, goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.

TIP 6 Do not frighten the animals! They live in peace on a farm area for a long time and you are only a guest! Respect that they are living things!

DAY 3
SWIMMING AND WILDLIFE OBSERVATION

Today’s plan is really relaxing. First propostition is to go on the beach and enjoy beautiful weather. Near Mały Szeląg Lake there are special beach places where you can put a blanket on aureate sand and have a really great time! There is possibility of sunbathing and swimming in crystal clear water of the lake.

TIP 7 Remember that you must not leave any signs of your staying there.
So no litter, no pollution, no destructions of any objects.

After a relaxing time on the beach you can go to local forester living in Stare Jabłonki and  he will help you with your wildlife observation. He will take you and your friends deep in the forest. But don’t be scared! He knows the area like the back of his hand so you won’t be lost.

When you get through with the guide, he will present  the main information about animals and plants which appear on this area. Probably you will have an opportunity to get into raised hides from which beautiful view is possible to observe. During this trip there is possibility to catch a sight of some wildlife animals. For example boars, deer, hares. cuckoos and many others!

 

TIP 8 In the forest you must strictly follow some rules! You must listen to the guide to not get lost (and believe me, forest is gigantic, there is no signal) and keep as quiet as it is possible to not scare the animals. The silence is good for you because the sounds of the wild nature will be able to be heard.  

After seeing those wonderful wild animals and plants you can go back to the resort, pack your things and turn back home. Make sure that you did not leave any litter or another  pollution: evidences of your staying.

I hope you enjoy this blog entry! I will be very pleased if this information included here changed something in your way of thinking, that you became more ECO friendly. 

Idea of eco travelling is good not only for us but also for nature. We can get really close to the wildlife paying relatively low price and have a really great time! So why don’t do it! 

Summer holidays are closer and closer so make your travelling plans ECO!

                                                                                                                                                           

TRAVELLING ECO LEAVES NO ECHO!

EJDŻEJ