Rigi

When my human family told me that we are going to see the Rigi mountain, I was not excessively happy. After all, we have already been to Mount Pilatus less than two years ago. And Lake Lucerne is not my favourite lake on the planet. But since horse of value always overcome their fears, I decided to spend this lovely summer day with you in the Swiss canton of Schwyz and even get close to what was my most dreadful experience ever. First, we will take a cable car to arrive to Rigi Kaltbad, where people enjoy some mineral water spa with an amazing view.

From here, we will go further up with a cogway train, being the oldest mountain railway in Europe.

As we move up, you can notice this wooden platform. If you thought it is standing here because there will be a dancing party tonight, you definitely know little about the pre-Alpine folklore.

This is a platform prepared for Schwingen, a traditional Swiss wrestling contest. And if you think that Swiss people do not take it seriously because it is "only" folklore, watch that.

Finally, we arrive to the top of the Rigi Kulm.

One of the most amazing things about Rigi is that it is almost entirely surrounded by water. It has three lakes at its feet. The first is Lake Lucerne that we all know too well.

Then come Lake Zug which we have already seen in the city of Zug ...

... and just next to it Lake Lauerz.

Rigi is referred to sometime as the queen of mountains. To improve its status even more, it arranged to become a sister of a goddess. Or more precisely a sacred mountain, Mount Emei.

Let's jump on the train again and move down the Rigi mountain towards the shores of Lake Lucerne.

I love this sign towards sheep and goats.

As we approach the lake, I recalled why I always thought this is one of the nicest areas of Switzerland.

It almost makes me want to get closer. I am not yet ready to be in the lake. But why not trying to be on the lake?

Everyone on board!

Safety first so let's check the lifeboats.

The engines seem to work fine as well.

I am now reassured, we can sit on one of those nice benches.

The nice building in the back is a luxury hotel.

Have you noticed something special on the mountain? Yes! This is a huge Swiss flag over there!

Time to get off the ship and move towards new adventures. I hope that you have enjoyed the time we spent by the Regina montium. If you would like to see more, I truly recommend you to watch the panoramic views available under the link.

Krynica

We have visited recently Piwniczna-Zdrój. Today I will take you to yet another health spa town in the South of Poland - Krynica-Zdrój.

Krynica was founded in the middle of the sixteenth century but you will not find there any building that will be that old. The oldest buildings you can see were built in the nineteenth century.

The nicest is probably the Old Pump Room.

Next to it, you will find a concert hall, dedicated to the most famous Polish tenor of all times, Jan Kiepura. Every year Krynica welcomes the European Jan Kiepura Festival. Its artistic programme consists of opera and operetta performances, symphonic concerts, ballet and theatrical spectacles, proms, and presentations of films featuring Jan Kiepura.

You have correctly guessed that, like in Piwniczna-Zdrój, the Old Pump Room has a younger sister called New Pump Room. And just like in Piwniczna, the is the ugly young sister.

Yes, yes, obviously, it is not the looks that counts and you should never judge a book by its cover. Inside, the New Pump Room turns out to be filled with exotic plants.

Some of them are really high.

The health waters are distributed here.

Unlike in Piwniczna you need to pay for them. But at least you can chose between a few types with different features.

The most famous is probably Zuber, helping patients with gastric problems. You really need to try this one. Though I doubt if you can really have a second sip. It has the most horrible smell of rotten eggs that I was ever confronted with.

Krynica houses every year thousands of visitors who come here to cure their diseases with the health waters. Many of them stay in the main building of the health spa.

Others live in one of many smaller and bigger hotels and B&Bs.

That way they can enjoy every day a refreshing walk through the town. Crossing the Kryniczanka brook ...

... or going up the hill to the park.

In between the woods you can find a little jewel.

This is the church of Transfiguration, built in 1864.

I hope that you have enjoyed this visit to Krynica-Zdrój. I propose that instead of souvenirs you buy a pack of health waters that you will be able to enjoy when you are back home.

Piwniczna

The South of Poland is famous for two things. First, for hills and mountains that are maybe not so high but great for hiking. Second, these hills are populated with lots of tiny towns and villages that are famous for their health waters and health spa. You can recognise them by the fact that their names usually have 2 words, the second of which is "Zdrój", meaning "Springs".



Today we will visit together Piwniczna-Zdrój, a small town (just around five thousand inhabitants) located at the very border between Poland and Slovakia, on the border of the Poprad river.

The tower in the back is of course the church.

If you arrive to Piwniczna-Zdrój by train do not miss the train station - it is small and old-fashioned.

In the middle of the town you will find a well, depicting the coat of arms of Piwniczna.

On one of the sides you will notice a picture of a bearded men. This is king Kazimierz the great (yes, the one who has founded Kazimierz district in Kraków!) who was the founder of many towns in this region, including Piwniczna. 

On the Western side of the market square you will notice a modest Town Hall.

But the real heart of Piwniczna is not the Town Hall of course. We need to cross the Poprad river.

Just on the other side you will spot a pretty unusual concept - a health spa park that is located, unlike in Busko-Zdrój or Nałęczów, in the forest. It is really large.

We can enter here to have a look.

Some of the paths look more solid ...

... while others run into the wild.

But we will not run in the forest today. Let's turn left and look for the famous health water Piwniczanka. Here it comes, in the Old Pump Room.

In Warsaw or any other big city you need to buy Piwniczanka in a shop. Here you can get some for free, straight from the spring.

The tall figures in the back are for chess lovers. Giant chess lovers.

You probably noticed that the Old Pump Room is pretty small. Or rather pretty and small. This is why there is also a New Pump Room in Piwniczna-Zdrój.

This one is big and ... Well, it is big.

Obviously, inside you can also taste the health water.

Everybody has a mug of Piwniczanka? We can then sit next to this nice fountain and enjoy the health water and the fresh air.