Two important overnight stops on any Poland tour are Warsaw and Krakow. Spanning the Vistula River, Poland's capital Warsaw was almost completely destroyed during World War II. After careful, and lengthy, reconstruction, its Old Town was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With more than 20 museums within city limits, Warsaw is a hugely important cultural center. One of the most fascinating museums is the Warsaw Historical Museum, with a moving film showing the city before and after wartime destruction.

Krakow is also on the banks of the Vistula River, but far to the south in the foothills of the Tatra Mountains. Unlike Warsaw, it largely escaped destruction during World War II. Sightseeing highlights include Market Square, with its Cloth Hall, which was reconstructed in the 1800s from 14th-century merchants' stalls. It is truly a unique place to visit and a must-see on your Poland vacation! Two other ancient sites here: Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, and the Old Synagogue, dating back to 1557 and one of the oldest synagogues in the world.

Eat like the locals do on your Poland tour by sampling bigos, made with sauerkraut, cabbage, onions and just about any kind of meat. Rich, thick soups are also common, especially one made with beets. You'll also find herring and other fish on restaurant menus, as well as sausage and pig's knuckles. Like its neighbor Russia, vodka is the national drink of Poland.