Wyld Family

Name: Mark, Rebecca, Wilow and Marley
wyldfamilytravel.com
Occupation: Mark (disabilty support worker) Bec (barrister)
Current location/hometown: small town Australia – Maffra
“…just take it all in and enjoy it.”

Welcome to the ZakopaneGO Travelbloggers Q&A sessions. Today we’re joined by the family behind the ever popular ‘Wonderland Pictorial’ tweets including the youngest travel presenter ever to talk us through an entire Toboggan ride on the Gubalowka (and if that’s not worthy of a spot in the Guiness Book of Records, I don’t know what is), the Wyld family! Let’s meet them. Please introduce yourselves to our readers..

We have been together for 15 years. Rebecca had no desire to travel before she meet me, she now loves it. We live a small town with small minds and we like to expose our kids to different cultures and ways of life to hopefully make them more accepting adults. We are just your normal couple who work, participate in the school community, enjoy socializing with friends and getting away when we can. We often get asked how we can afford to travel. i always say i have an old house an old car for me experiences are more important than flashy new cars ect. When i get old i wont remember having a new car ect i will remember all the geat culture experieces and historic places we have been as a family.

What motivated you to go out and see the world?

I have always been interested in other cultures and history. In Australia our history does not stetch back to far. We have no magnificent castles or building older than 200 years.

As active travelbloggers, you know how globetrotting can change a person’s life and open them up to new cultures, perspectives and experiences. What made you choose Zakopane as one of your pit-stops?

To be honest Zakopane was not planned by us. We have friends, a married couple: she is Polish and he is German. When we go to Europe we have previously meet up with them in both Poland and Germany. This time they planned a 2 night surprise stay in Zakopane for us before moving onto to Wisla near where she is from.

Would that be the Family Without Borders?

Yes, for sure, especially if we could be. We love our country but the problem with Australia is that its a long way from anywhere. To fly around 30 hours plus is a big ask and its a real journey in itself, but for us its well worth it for sure to experience places like Zakopane and Poland in general. I love the fact it feels like an era gone by when you visit Poland. It seems far less regulated than Australia. It feels like Australia 25 years ago.

What time of the year did you visit and why?

It was in May 2015.

Where did you stay and how would you rate the facilities?

Not sure of the name as I did not book it but it was a great room in a house directly behind ‘U Wnuka’ restuarant. A nice old couple have 3 guest rooms on the second story of their house. She made the best breakfast i have ever seen or tasted.

Anytime food gets mentioned, I have to ask. I’m a massive foodie and love the Polish cuisine. What was in this breakfast of champions?

Meat , cheese breads eggs , tomatoes, cucumbers, cereal, bread rolls ect it was amazing! But I always find the Polish food with lots of meats and vegetables excellent and an attraction in itself. We had a pork knuckle at “Stek Chalupa” on the main pedestrian mall area that was amazing.

Crockery aside, what would you say was the highlight of your trip?

The trip up Gubalowka was fantastic the views are amazing. We have nothing like this in Australia where I have been. The kids enjoyed the toboggin, we enjoyed the beer garden with some of the best views in the world while having some of the best beer in the world. The market at the top was an added bonus for my wife as she loves markets and we were able to buy some local crafts which are always cheap and well priced in Poland.

What activities would you have liked to see made available to travellers visiting the region?

I really dont know as Zakopane has a full book of activities for both winter and summer with skiing ect. for winter and walking, mountain biking, hiking for summer.

But based on your short stay, what could the city improve on to enhance the experience of tourism in the area?

Not sure to be honest, I don’t think we were there long enough. From what we were able to ascertain, Zakopane seemed well developed for the tourist market.

That’s always nice to hear. Tell us your top travel tips for visiting the city/region?

If your not from a ski region, a trip up the top of the Zakopane ski lift is a great experience, not for the faint heated if u don’t like heights but the view from the top is amazing. Enjoy strolling the main street/mall looking at the shops, enjoy some food and beer on a sunny day – just take it all in and enjoy it. Just outside of Zakopane, traditional cheese making huts where u could see the cheese being made.

Sound like you went to the top of Kasprowy! I caught the ride up a few days ago and it was spectacular as always. You’re right though, anyone with vertigo wants to think twice! Where’s next on your bucket-list?

Hopefully Christmas in Poland in December of 2016 with friends and to see some more of Europe. Hoping to maybe go to Croatia and Serbia next time with some more friends, Spain and Portugal thrown in as it won’t be as cold down that way. I always say I must do some of Asia since we live so close but we just love doing Europe flat out.

Anything else you’d like to share with the readers at ZakopaneGO.com?

The wife says it was very picturesque and worth visiting in summer.

The wife is always right! We’re glad you enjoyed the visit and if you do come back in the winter, we throughly recommend catching the views from Gubalowka: the Tatra panorama is absolutely stunning when all the peaks have been sprinkled with fresh powder. It’s been great talking to you, we hope you get some well earned rest and get back out on road soon. Keep us posted about your adventures, all the very best, we hope to see more great videos from you guys soon!

You can follow (wyldfamilytravel)’s adventures on the blog wyldfamilytravel.com or follow on Twitter @wyldfamtravel.
Also, check out their photoblog on instagram @wyld_family_travel


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