GDANSK

The warm glow of amber has been appreciated by people and used in jewellery since Neolithic times. It has other uses too: as early as the fourth century BC, historians have noted how the tribes around the Baltic Sea made use of the fossilised tree sap for fuel, as a currency of exchange, and to adorn themselves and their clothing. But since its earliest days, the amber trade has been localised on the northern edge of continental Europe. One city

With a beautiful Old Town, stunning cathedral and engaging museums, it’s easy to see why Gdańsk has enjoyed such attention from discerning holidaymakers in recent years. A successful post-war reconstruction has reinvigorated this Baltic city, and it’s not an overstatement to say that it surely ranks alongside Bilbao, Liverpool and Marseille when it comes to port cities that have cut a dash on the European cultural scene in the past decade. With this guide to one of Poland’s most fascinating destinations, you’ll get to sample the spirit of this distinctive city and discover its many cultural gems. St Mary’s Church