Gdańsk

Gdańsk is a Baltic port that grew rich for centuries on sea trade in the Hanseatic League, which gave its architecture a clear Dutch flavour: tall narrow houses with ornate facades along the Long Market (Długi Targ) and around the Neptune Fountain.

On the bank of the Motława stands the medieval wooden crane, symbol of the old port, with cafés and boats along the quay. Gdańsk is the world's amber capital: Mariacka street is lined with amber and silver jewellers, and the city has an amber museum.

Gdańsk is about three hours from Warsaw by high-speed train. Summer, June to August, is its finest season, with St Dominic's Fair and mild sea weather in nearby Sopot.