Polandoffroad

Please read this section carefully. There are two alternative answers to some questions, depending on the type of holiday you want to take. If you have any questions or doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Q. What requirements does the car have to meet to take part in the expedition or 4-day holiday package?
A. The minimum requirements are AT tyres, strong tow rope, anchoring points, kinetic rope, two shackles (gyves), shovel. If the car is equipped with a winch, it MUST have a tape to fasten around a tree.

Q. What camping equipment do I need to have?
A. For the "Borderland of Europe" expedition you will need a tent, sleeping bag and a foam pad or mattress. The rest of the equipment is up to you - whatever you think you will need. We won't instruct you that you will need torches, chairs, tables etc. - you know it yourselves. We would only recommend taking a tarpaulin sheet (even ordinary construction site sheeting will do) and bungee cords or ropes. As we will spend two nights in tents, a protective sheet stretched between two cars can be useful if it rains. If you forget something, don't worry - you'll manage anyhow.

For 4-day holidays take such equipment as you usually take for a day trip to the countryside like tourist chairs, thermos flasks etc.

And of course - a smile, a friendly attitude to others and a sense of humour are an absolute must.

Q. Can I rent camping equipment or other things from the tour operator?
A. Yes, for a small fee you can rent a tent, ropes, GPS. If you want to rent a 4x4 vehicle, it is also possible - for a bit higher price. Please notify us at least 7 days in advance if you want to rent a car from us - if you tell us about it when your arrive, we may have a problem! We will also be happy to fulfill any special requests you might have, even unusual ones.

Q. What is the rental cost?
A. Car rental is 150 € per day, tent rental - 5 € per day, kinetic line and shackles (gyves) - 2 € per day, GPS - 5 € per day. If you rent a tent or a GPS, we will ask for a deposit of 100 €, if you rent a car - the deposit is 800 €. Deposits are refunded on returning the rented object to us. We will also sign an official rental agreement with you.

Q. Where will we spend nights?
A. During the "Borderland of Europe" expedition you will spend the first and last night in high standard boarding houses / hotels. Other nights will be spent in decent standard boarding houses or hotels with bathrooms en suite. We will spend two nights in tents, on private property.

Those who take part in 4-day package holidays will stay in a high standard boarding house / hotel every night.

Q. In what language will we communicate with the tour operator's staff ?
A. The tour operator's staff can speak English. If a group consists mainly of e.g. German people, we will have a staff member who is fluent in German, which will facilitate contact and ensure good communication.

Q. In what language will the printed materials be e.g. the road book?
A. The printed materials (road book, guide book) will be prepared in your mother tongue. Please note that even if only one crew from any particular country comes, we will prepare special materials in their mother tongue, too.

Q. Do I need to have a GPS?
A. Yes, it would be advisable because in the road book we will also provide navigation coordinates, which will help you bypass certain road sections or find your way if you ever get lost.

Q. I use the OziExplorer program - are there any maps available?
A. Yes, we have 1:50,000 black and white topographic maps calibrated to be used in that program.

Q. Is Poland a safe country?
A. Yes, contrary to popular opinion the crime figures in Poland are lower than in at least some countries of the European Union. By no means are cars stolen in the street and if you have the habit of locking your car, it should be safe - car burglaries are now quite rare. Also assaults or thefts seldom happen nowadays. It is advisable, however, not to leave your GPS unit or a camera in plain view in your car in order not to tempt fate. As a rule, Polish people are friendly and welcoming to foreign visitors. You won't meet children begging for sweets or drunkards lying in the street. These are myths, unfortunately, very long-lasting, but only myths.

Q. Do I have to bring food with me?
A. Only if you follow a special diet based on hard-to-get products. Otherwise you will be able to buy all the necessary products on an ongoing basis, even in village shops.

Q. Do I have to take out additional motor vehicle / health insurance?
A. You do not have to have special motor vehicle insurance in the EU. Regarding health insurance, you have to find out what solution has been adopted in your country. For example, a citizen of Poland who wants to have the right to free medical treatment during a journey in the territory of the EU must have a certificate from a competent authority in Poland.

Q. Will we travel in a group or according to the road book?
A. Each crew will receive a road book and should travel according to its instructions. We recommend driving in groups (minimum 2 cars).

Q. Will the tour operator provide meals?
A. During the "Borderland of Europe" expedition, the participants will have to prepare all their meals themselves, excluding the first night supper and last night banquet. On the campsites where we will sleep in tents, the tour operator will provide wood and light a fire.

Within the four-day holiday package the tour operator will provide breakfast and dinner every day.

Q. What do the materials supplied to the participants contain?
A. These materials contain information about the history of Poland, history of the regions on our route, descriptions of the historical sights and places of interest. Practically, you will receive a complete guide book with all the necessary information.

Q. Are medical services / emergency aid readily available?
A. The standard waiting time for an ambulance / helicopter outside a city limits is 15 minutes. In a city the waiting time in not more than 5 minutes. Polish hospitals guarantee a high level of medical services and care.

Q. Is there GSM network reception everywhere in Poland?
A. In the areas where we will be travelling you may happen to move out of range. However, usually you just need to walk or drive a few hundred metres to be again in the range of the base stations.

Q. Do I need spare cans with fuel?
A. No, if the fuel range of your car is 300 km or more.

Q. What are the prices in Poland? Do I need to have cash with me or can I pay by credit card?
A. 1 litre of diesel fuel costs about 1 Euro, a loaf of bread - ca. 0.75 Euro, a packet of cigarettes - ca. 2 Euro, 1 kg ham or other cured meats - ca. 5 Euro. It is good to have cash because, although the ATM network is well developed, please remember that we will be travelling across the least industrialized parts of Poland. However, practically all petrol stations accept credit cards.

Q. Is it difficult to find the expedition starting point?
A. No. We will send you an e-mail with GPS coordinates and if you let us know where you are setting out from, you will get a detailed description of your itinerary from us.

Q. Do I need to make a prepayment?
A. No prepayment is required. We treat out clients seriously and we expect the same in return.

Q. How can I pay for the expedition?
A. In cash. It does not matter whether you pay in Euro or PLN. You will be given a receipt and an invoice.

Q. Do you offer any extra services?
A. Yes. For example, if you want to stay on in Poland and you need your personal guide for a few days, let us know in advance what you would like to see and where to go. We will be happy to help you.

Q. Will I receive a bill / invoice?
A. Yes, certainly. We run a registered business.


Useful general information

The most important rules:

- headlights must be on all day
- speed limit on residential streets is 50 km/h, outside residential areas - 90 km/h
- unless traffic signs indicate otherwise, drivers coming from the right have the right of way

THE POLICE
The Polish police has modern equipment and unmarked radio cars with video recorders. Most drivers in Poland do not obey traffic rules concerning speed limits and passing prohibition. However, you are strongly advised to obey traffic rules because as foreigners you would have to pay a fine on the spot, otherwise your car would be towed away to a police car impound (in such a situation it's good to have some cash on you - the maximum fine can be 1,000 PLN and the police do not accept payments in Euro).
Contrary to popular belief the Polish police do not take bribes and an attempt to give a police officer a backhander may cause a lot of trouble, including a charge brought to court against you.

OTHER MATTERS
When driving on a road with a broadened shoulder, it has become customary to pull off to the right edge of the road to make it easier for faster cars to pass. You have to make sure, however, whether the white line separating the lane from the shoulder is not solid. If it is, it must not be crossed - otherwise you can be fined.
Do not be surprised if a car, having passed you, flashes the emergency lights - it means "Thank you for giving way".

If a car driving from the opposite direction flashes its headlights it may mean either:
- that you have forgotten to switch on your headlights, or
- that the police with a radar or a photo-radar are nearby.

FILLING STATIONS
We recommend using premium-brand filling stations such as: ORLEN, SHELL, BP, STATOIL, LOTOS, BLISKA to refuel. At all these stations you can have something to eat: a hot dog or a regular lunch. You will see quite a lot of filling stations and practically all stations of the aforesaid companies operate 24 hours a day.
If you need to take a nap in your car for an hour or two, you can do it at these stations. They are safe and monitored by cameras.

ALCOHOL

The legal limit of blood alcohol concentration in Poland is 0.02%, which corresponds more or less to one beer, but please remember that the influence of alcohol on a person is an individual matter, depending among other things on the body weight. The blood alcohol content between 0.02 – 0.05% is a petty offence and is punishable with a penalty of 5 thousand PLN and detention. If the blood alcohol level exceeds 0.05 %, you are liable to 2 years of imprisonment and forfeiture of the car to the State Treasury. These penalties apply to mere drunk-driving, if you cause an accident , the penalties are much more severe.
The Polish Police are not lenient towards drunk drivers so you’d better think twice before you take the wheel after you’ve been drinking.