The Zloty is the currency used in Poland. However, it will not be used for very much longer. Poland joined the European Union in 2004 and a condition of its joining, was that it would eventually adopt the euro as its official currency. Its ability to adopt the euro is conditional on Poland managing to satisfy quite stringent requirements, with regard to making sure that its currency is stable. Consequently, it is unlikely to adopt the euro until the year 2012.
Poland had felt that it would be possible to introduce the euro as early as 2011. But many people in Poland, feel that the issue should actually be decided by a referendum and indeed even the President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski has indicated that he feels a referendum should be held, since joining the euro would actually limit Poland's sovereignty.
But if Poland fails to adopt the euro, then its future within the European Union will look quite tenuous. The European Union is clear that only countries which adopt the euro will be allowed to remain in the union.
So for the time being, the zloty will be in use in Poland, as it has been for a very long time. Each zloty is divided into 100 groszy.
The zloty is the standard of currency that has been used in Poland since the Middle Ages. The word zloty actually means golden, and it used to describe the different kinds of foreign coins, usually golden that were used in Poland, during the late Middle Ages.
It first became the official currency of Poland, in the year 1496, and it has been used as the national currency ever since. However, that brief interruption from 1850 until 1924 when the Russian rubel was issued, because Poland was to a large extent governed by Russia.
Coins are issued in the forms of 1,2,5,10,20 and 50 groszy. Also in circulation are the 1, 2 and 5 zlotych (zlotych is the plural of zloty).
Notes in use are the 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 zlotych.
It is possible to take some zlotych with you to Poland, because you are able to buy them within the United Kingdom. However, because they are only used in Poland, you will probably have to order them in advance. Usually a week's notice will provide the bank with enough time to make sure that it has got your zlotych.
Traveller's cheques can also be taken to Poland. These can be taken in Euros, US dollars or British pounds sterling. However, you will p as a commission charge on these cheques.
ATM machines are plentiful in Poland, particularly in the big towns and cities. Effectively, this provides you with ready access to your cash.
Credit cards can also be used extensively, but you may find that AmEx as well as Diners' Club cards are not as widely accepted.
There are some private exchange centres in Poland that are called Kantor. You may find that these will offer you a better exchange rate for your money than you would get in a bank. That being said, it is possible that in some of the very touristy areas, you will get a lower exchange rate.
Unfortunately Poland suffers from having a relatively high level of petty crime. Usually this isn't the form of a pickpocketing. Thieves may try to get jewellery, expensive watches or even your mobile phone. Mobile phones seem to be rich pickings for the pickpockets, so always ensure that your mobile phone is stored securely at all times.
When travelling in Poland, make sure, when on a train or a bus, that your luggage is visible at all times. Thieves have been known to simply get off a bus or a train, carrying someone else's luggage, and then they just disappear into the crowd never to be seen again.
Overall the risk of serious violence is quite low in Poland. You just need to be mindful of the fact that you could be pick pocketed, particularly within crowded areas.
There have been occasions where foreigners have been attacked by groups of youths, but these occasions are quite rare and generally, there should not be a problem.
The Poles are particularly sensitive about much of Poland's history. They find it offensive to dwell on the issues surrounding the German occupation of Poland, particularly the concentration camps that were built in Poland.
Usually they are less sensitive about the Communist days and will often talk about what life was like, living in a communist regime. So this subject is less taboo than talking about the German occupation.
Poland is more expensive than it used to be, but it still offers very good value for money, when compared to many other European countries.
Eating and drinking is remarkably cheap in Poland. You will find that it is possible to have some quite delicious food, for incredibly low prices. Historically Poland had quite a bad reputation for food, with a feeling that Polish restaurants only served very heavy, stodgy food and that, the choice was extremely limited, which was far from a gastronomic treat.
Yet that has changed dramatically over the past few years. Poland can now boast that it is home to some excellent restaurants, which have varied and wide menus and are accompanied by very extensive wine menus. But although you can have a fine dining experience, you will certainly not be paying anywhere near the same amount of money, that you would expect pay almost anywhere in the rest of Europe.
Even vegetarians are catered for much more extensively than they used to be. Vegans, on the other hand, may still struggle to find appropriate dishes on standard menus.
Drinking is also quite cheap in Poland and although it was actually where vodka was first brewed, beer is much more popular than vodka. There are also some great liqueurs to be had and a popular local drink is mead.
Poland makes some good wines but they are not outstandingly good, but it is nice to try them. Some of the fruit wines are quite lively and taste a little bit different from standard wines.
Shopping in Poland offers tremendous value for money. Of particularly good value are amber jewellery or some arts and craftwork. The amber jewellery is said to be amongst the finest in the world and yet, it is exceptionally good value for money.
Although modern shopping centres are beginning to take over, particularly in the larger towns and cities, you will find that there are still quite a few markets around and they offer a real chance to see a huge range of items for sale.
Warsaw in particular has a lot of people selling items from stalls on the street. Some of these can be quite average, but occasionally you will find some really good items for sale at really low prices.
Some of the craftwork that is sold is of exquisite design and has been very carefully made. Leather goods are also a particular bargain in Poland.
You will find that your zlotych go a long way when travelling in Poland, because it is one country where it is still relatively cheap to use public transport, or even to hire a car. Because Poland is bordered by Lucy and then a various other countries including Germany, Russia, Lithuania and Slovakia amongst others, it has quite significant regional differences.
This makes it important to actually get out and about within Poland and get a feel for the country as a whole. If you only stay in Warsaw, Krakow or a large town, then you really don't get to know Poland very much at all.
Poland can offer travellers the chance to experience some very vibrant cities, but it is also home to the largest natural forest in Europe, as well as a large area of seaside, with some spectacular beaches and some excellent walks.
Or you can travel down to the south and see some of the world's oldest salt mines or some very mysterious caves. The south also has a very different 'feel' to it than the other regions.
But in order to it take advantage it of all that Poland has to offer, you need to get mobile. If you are going to explore Poland by train, then you should be aware that there have been occasions where people have reported incidents happening at night on trains. But if you travel during the day then you should be quite safe. Ticket prices are exceptionally low, but the trains may not be the most comfortable or up-to-date in the world. They tend to be quite old, but are usually kept very clean.
Hiring a car can also be a good way to get around Poland and is a relatively cheap option. But the roads are quite congested and you may find that even short journeys take considerably longer than you would have anticipated.
Cycling is also a very good way to get to know Poland and gives you a chance to meet more locals than you would to if you are simply in a car. Hiring bicycles is quite easy and relatively cheap. Generally the roads are in a good state and drivers are relatively courteous, which makes it a safe way of getting around.
Poland's zlotych will work very hard for you when you are in the country and you will find that a very few zlotych certainly go a long way. Travellers often choose not to visit Poland, preferring instead to go to the more 'popular' or cosmopolitan countries. In some ways this is indeed a shame, because they lose out on seeing all that Poland has to offer and the great hospitality its people can provide. But in some other ways, it is good, because once you leave the major cities, you will find that you really have left the tourist trail behind you.
So for a holiday that is good value for money and which is still a vibrant and exciting holiday, Poland will certainly not disappoint.