Barge holidays and canal boat cruises in Poland

Barge holidays and Europa boating holidays from our Poland base at Mikolajki

Mazuria, the 'land of a thousand lakes', is in North-East Poland, close to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. It is a network of lakes, canals and rivers fringed by great forests of pine, oak and silver birch. A nature-lover’s paradise, the whole area boasts a rich fauna: lynx, deer, bison, wolves, wild boar, beavers as well as a wide range of birds including swans, cormorants and grey herons.

Until World War 2 Mazuria was part of East Prussia. It was converted to Christianity by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century and during your cruise you will be able to see their ruined castles atop many hills, and especially at Gizycko Worgorzeno and Ryn. The little towns along your route have been popular since the 1920’s for their boating, fishing and bathing, and there are many festivals and concerts during the summer months.

The town of Mikolajki, our base, is one of the most attractive in Mazuria and just 20kms from the Russian border at Kaliningrad. There are many historic buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Between Ruciane Nida and Mikolajki do visit the Wildlife Park at Kadzidlowo with its beautifully restored traditional house. At Gizycko, the vast fortress of Fort Boyen stands as a reminder of Poland’s troubled past. Further north, the little town of Wegorzewo on Lake Mamry is only 20km from the Russian frontier. It is an attractive place to visit both for its many craft workshops and for the sandy beach at Ogonki 7km south-east.