As far back as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by the Volkswagen phenomena. It all started when my grandfather, Edmund Suchecki started driving a VW Beetle in the 1960s. Impressed by his father’s choice of car, my father, Zenon Suchecki bought one when he moved to Berlin in the 1980s. We did not start collecting VWs until we moved from Germany, back to Poland in the 1990s, when my father bought the first beetles that are still in our collection today.

The first car that my father bought - and still has today - is the VW Transporter with the tall roof. This is a rather rare vehicle, and has been converted into a camper van. Then came more cars; the VW Kubelwagen, Passat Syncro, Golf Country, Transporters (both double cab and single cab) T2a, and of course several Beetles, one of which is from 1956. It’s a remarkable collection of cars indeed – there are presently 41 in total.

By the time that we had collected about 30 cars, my father decided that it was time to fine somewhere to house the collection. We found a property in Pępowo, which small and not particularly attractive, do we decided to expend it. By the end of 2008 the building was 3 times its original size. We knew that we weren’t alone in our passion for the VW Beetle, so we started to think about promoting holidays, where fans of the iconic car could stay at our guesthouse and explore the region of Pomerania in Beetle.

Pomerania is rich in picturesque views and visitor attractions – it has always been a popular destination for people from all over Poland and the rest of Europe. The nearby upside down house in Szymbark and the crooked house in Sopot are well-known throughout Poland for their unique structure and all-round quirkiness. Last but not least, Galeria Pępowo is located in the middle of Kashubia and very close to Tri-City, the conurbation that includesGdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot – a popular spot with visitors all year round.

 

Tri-City Attractions

If you love to hit the beach during the Summer months, or enjoy the briskness of a fresh sea breeze off-season, Tri-City is a great place to explore – visitors really do get the best of both worlds: the vibrant buzz of Gdańsk, a city that is also steeped in history, and the coastal resorts of Gdynia and Sopot, both of which have their own charming characteristics. If you’re into active pursuits, even better - the Sopot catamaran school, boat trips and water-skiing are just some of the ways you can explore the region on the water.  Or drift through the skies above Gdynia in a hot-air balloon, helicopter or paraglider. If, after all of that, you are still seeking thrills, you can head to Gdańsk for a few laps around Poland’s largest go-kart track.

During the summer Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, are overwhelmed by lively crowds of tourists who come back every year to mooch around the shops, cafés and pubs. Sopot is the culinary capital of the north coast - seafood tastes better here than anywhere else in the world, and the chefs compete in order to create the best food creations possible. “Plaża piratów”, a very famous restaurant, and it never fails to delight its guests and encourages them to discover different tastes of the sea.

Tri-City is not only filled with attractions but also with historic buildings that fascinate visitors from all over the world. The oldest city of the three is Gdańsk, which has no shortage of historic churches and museums. The medieval Basilica of St. Mary and the rococo organs in the Oliwa cathedral are sacred monuments that are valued all over Europe.

Natural Kashubia

In this corner of Poland, you can smell the freshness of the grass; hear the rustle of the wind in the trees and the bird singing. The picturesque landscape of the Kashubia is eye-catching and awe-inspiring at the same time – it is where you can get close to nature and leave the hectic pace of the city behind you.

Kashubians value tradition – you can learn more about their traditions at some of the museums and heritage parks found throughout the region.  The most popular is “Muzeum Kultury Kaszubskiej” (Museum of Kashubian Culture) in Kartuzy. In Chmielno there is the “Muzeum Ceramiki Kaszubskiej” (Museum of Kashubian Pottery), which belongs to the “Neclów” Family and has been passed on through five generations. In Żukowo, Kashubian embroidery is still in use and also very popular among visitors because of its amazing precision. For a remarkable and memorable trip we recommend a visit on the narrow railroad in Stegna. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful railway tracks to be preserved in Poland.

For fans of train travel, there is also a retro-train and locomotive museum that can be visited in Kościerzyna. In order to get to know Kashubia as close as possible, you really need to visit the “Słowiński Park Narodowy” (Słowiński National Park), where you can witness the biggest sand dunes in Poland. If you get tired of walking and strolling around, you can stop by at the “Western City”, where the Polish Wild West is very much alive. It features many attractions such as quick-draw shooting and Indian dancing.

Listen carefully while you are exploring Kashubia – you’ll almost certainly hear one of the 100 bird species singing in the nearby ornithological reserves. The botanical gardens in Gołub are also worth a visit - this is where you’ll find more than 4,000 plant species from all over the world. Kashubia is indeed unique – not only in Poland, but in the world.