Holiday house to rent for self-catering holidays in Rabka Zdroj, 25 miles Zakopane, half hour drive Lake Czorsztyn and 45 mins to Pieninski National Park. Good base for exploring this part of Poland.

Tel: 0044 1245 325 273

Rafting in southern Poland

Rafting is a popular organised tourist activity that starts south of Kroscienko in the Pieninski National Park.

There is a car park and visitor centre with cafe and toilets (1 zloty required for toilet). Tickets for the boat trips are purchased at the visitor centre. A minimum of 10 people is generally required for a boat trip, so you have to wait until a party of 10 is gathered.

Each trip takes over 2 hours and ends at either Kroscienko or Szczawnica. Personally, we found that lovely as the scenery is, the 2.25 hour trip to Szczawnica was enough - especially on a hot day. The boats are essentially punted along the river by the local boatmen dressed in national costume, so that you're travelling at a very leisuredly pace.

See holidays in south Poland with views of the Dunajec between Splyw Dunajca to Szczawnica.

The trips end at 5 pm during the summer. We were told that the best time to arrive is 11 am.

Coaches ferry people back to the visitor centre after the trip, and each bus leaves as soon as it's full, which gives you the opportunity to look around Szczawnica if you wish, or stop for lunch. There is an additional price for the coach journey.

Click on the image below for a photo of the prices in May 2007.

Rafting prices in May 2007 on left.

Telephone of rafting centre is 018 262 97 21

The Dunajec Riverflows through the Pieninski National Park - there are stunning views, lots of foot paths, cycle paths, wild flowers - perfect for walking groups.

Szczawnica is a favourite spot for Poles in southern Poland. There is cycle hire available from a house adjoining the car park and a superb cycle/walking path that runs along the Dunajec River. You can cross the border to visit the Czerwony Klasztor or Red Monastery but do remember to take your passport. It takes just over a 2 hours to walk to the monastery.

For walkers, the best times to visit Poland are probably mid May and mid September. The summer months can get very warm.

• Walking holidays in south Poland
• Szczawnica
• holiday cottages Poland