We Skipped ZAKOPANE… and Found THIS in Poland

We skipped crowded Zakopane and discovered a quieter side of Poland's beautiful Tatra Mountains! 🇵🇱🍂 Welcome to the beginning of our second slow road trip through southern Poland. From Kraków to Kościelisko, we're travelling without motorways, discovering traditional Polish villages, stunning autumn landscapes, local houses and breathtaking views of the Tatras. But this journey is about more than beautiful places. It's about slowing down, choosing a different way of travelling, and discovering what makes Poland such a special place to live. ❤️ *WELCOME TO OUR SECOND SLOW ROAD TRIP IN POLAND!* My dear friend Selin and I are back on the road! After our first slow road trip through Poland, where we explored places like Zalipie, Sandomierz, Lublin and Kazimierz Dolny, we couldn't wait to discover another part of this beautiful country. This time we're heading south from Kraków towards the Tatra Mountains (Tatry), one of Poland's most spectacular mountain regions. And just like last time, we've made one important decision: *No motorways. No rushing. Just Poland.* We want to experience the countryside, small villages, changing autumn colours and everything beautiful that lies between the destinations. 🏔️ *KOŚCIELISKO INSTEAD OF ZAKOPANE — A QUIETER TATRA EXPERIENCE* For our first stay, we consciously chose Kościelisko, a beautiful village near Zakopane in southern Poland. Zakopane is one of Poland's most famous mountain destinations, but it can also be incredibly busy, especially on weekends. We wanted something different. A peaceful place to stay. Traditional Polish mountain houses. Beautiful autumn scenery. And views of the magnificent Tatra Mountains. Kościelisko offers exactly the kind of atmosphere we love. On Sunday, we originally considered visiting one of the mountain valleys, but the parking areas were already full. Instead of forcing our plans, we decided to explore the neighbourhood. And what a beautiful decision that turned out to be! 🍁 *AUTUMN IN THE TATRA MOUNTAINS — THE BEAUTY OF SLOW TRAVEL* During our walk around Kościelisko, we discovered a wonderful side of southern Poland. Traditional wooden houses. Quiet streets. Beautiful Polish mountain architecture. Golden autumn trees. And the Tatras appearing again and again in the background. We didn't need to climb a mountain or visit a famous attraction to enjoy the beauty of this region. Sometimes a simple walk through a neighbourhood becomes one of the most memorable parts of a trip. This is what slow travel means to us. Not trying to see everything. Not rushing from one attraction to another. But giving ourselves time to notice the little things. And appreciating the place where we already are. 🇳🇱🇵🇱 *LIVING IN POLAND OR THE NETHERLANDS? AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION* During our adventure, Selin and I also talk about something personal. She used to consider moving to the Netherlands. But after spending time together and discovering more places in Poland, her perspective has started to change. As a Dutch woman who has travelled extensively and spent a lot of time in Poland, I know both countries from personal experience. I share some of my insights about living in the Netherlands, the differences between the two countries, and why Poland has become so meaningful to me. Of course, every country has its advantages and challenges. But sometimes discovering a place through someone else's eyes changes the way we see our own possibilities. And I love having these conversations while exploring beautiful places together. 🌿 *WHY WE TRAVEL THROUGH POLAND WITHOUT MOTORWAYS* For us, travelling is not only about reaching the destination. It's also about the journey. The villages we pass. The houses we notice. The colours of autumn. The mountain views. The spontaneous stops. And the freedom to change our plans when something doesn't feel right. Now we're continuing that experience in the south. 📍 *PLACES FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO* • Kraków, Poland — starting our second slow road trip • Southern Poland — scenic countryside roads • Kościelisko — our peaceful mountain base • Tatra Mountains / Tatry — stunning autumn mountain views • Zakopane area — discovering quieter alternatives to the crowds If you're planning a trip to southern Poland, looking for things to do near Zakopane, or wondering where to stay in the Tatra Mountains, Kościelisko is worth considering. Subscribe to The Writing Traveler and join us for the next part of the adventure. 🇵🇱 *TO MY POLISH VIEWERS* I personally create Polish subtitles for every video on this English-language channel. You can turn them on in the YouTube subtitle settings. I also have a Polish-language channel called **Holenderka w Polsce**, where I share my love for Poland, travel experiences and everyday life in Polish. Thank you for being here and travelling with us. ❤️ #PolandTravel #TatraMountains #Koscielisko #Zakopane #SlowTravel