Białowieża

Bialowieza (Białowieża)[1] is a small village in the Podlaskie Voivodship in Eastern Poland. It is on the edge of the Bialowieza Forest. Get in You can take a bus from Bialystok (Voyager Trans, 14 zl, 2 hr). Get around The town is small enough to discover on foot. If you want to explore the forest a little further, it is advisable to rent a bike (5-9 zl per hour). See Bialowieza National Park (Białowieski Park Narodowy), a UNESCO World Heritage Site just next to the village, is the last remains of the primeval forest which once covered most of Europe. Open Air Wooden Architecture of Rus' Population of Podlachia Museum in Białowieża (Skansen Architektury Drewnianej Ludności Ruskiej Podlasia w Białowieży), ul. Zastawa 66B. Complex of wooden huts, windmills and other farm buildings. Also a chapel and a sauna. Most of the buildings are around one hundred years old.  edit Nature and Forest Museum (Muzeum Przyrodniczo-Leśne), Park Pałacowy 11, ☎ +48 85 682 97 04, [2]. 9AM - 4PM Mondays closed. 12 PLN normal 8 PLN discount.  edit Palace Park (Park Pałacowy). An English garden park from 19th century. It assisted the (now nonexistent) palace located on the hill which Russian tzars used in summer while on hunts.  edit Do The town is surrounded by forest, which is the main thing to see/ do here. There are multiple well-signalled routes ranging from 4 to 14 km. One can hike through them, and some are also cycle-friendly - definitely worth a shot! The yellow route also leads to a Bison reserve (8 zl, 4 zl for students with a valid ID). It's called Rezerwat Pokazowy Zubrow, and holds the most representative large mammals of the Forest, ranging from lynx and elk to, of course, the endangered European Bison. The latter are also part of a breeding programme that aims at repopulating viable habitat within Poland. Buy Eat Drink Sarenka Cafe Gallery, ul.gen.Waszkiewicza 8, 17-230 Białowieża (next to the Youth Hostel). A nice place, which sells art as well as hot drinks, fruit juice and similar (sadly no beer, wine or spirits) (the owner often organises live music, film screenings, impromptu feasts etc. Worth checking out). Sleep Chatka Puchatka, 6 Graniczna Street, ☎ +48 502 419 167, [3]. Agro-tourism accommodation "Chatka Puchatka" is a place of high standard situated in a lovely quiet area far away from housing in the nearly Narewka valley. Five double-rooms with bathroom, regional breakfast and dinner or supper are prepared from local, organic products. The house is situated aback with panoramatic view of Bialowieza. The main tourist attractions are 15-20 minutes on foot away. It's possible to rent a bike and set a campfire. From €30.  edit Paprotka Youth Hostel, ul. Waszkiewicza 6 (From the main square of town, walk east, away from the post office. You'll see signs on your right.), ☎ 85 681 25 60, [4]. Very Basic Youth Hostel, member of Hostelling International. About what you'd expect from the location. 47 beds. Self-catering. Reservations for groups over 15 should be made by phone at least three days prior to arrival. UPDATE* The youth hostel is currently closed as of April 2013. Whether it will open again is uncertain. 30 - 60 PLN.  edit Camping Białowieża, Krzyże 11, ☎ +48 85 681 27 03, [5]. 80 tent places + four double rooms.  edit Get out Bialystok - Capital of the Podlaskie Voivodship Hajnówka This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!