Flanked by the Baltic Sea on one side and verdant forest lands on the other, Poland’s Tricity region comprises the trio of Gdynia, Sopot and Gdansk, the compatible “sister cities” bustling with beautiful beaches, thriving historic streets and lively fishing piers. Wooded hiking trails connect the three communities through fairy-tale-like canopies dripping with ancient vines, welcoming cyclists and joggers on their way to seaside beaches.

Strolling the cobblestone lanes of Gdansk is a throwback to its Hanseatic history, with picturesque Mannerist houses along Długa and Nowy Targ streets capped by impressive architectural gates, and the tower of St. Mary’s Church beckoning visitors to climb the 400 steps of this enormous brick basilica. Mariacka Street hosts a collection of ancient carvings and gargoyles interspersed amongst lively cafes and boutiques, while Monte Cassino Street in Sopot is where to go for pubs, clubs and entertainment. Sopot is also home to one of the longest wooden piers in Europe, jutting 515 metres into the sea and offering seaside cruises to Hel, a charming fishing port that is known for cafes serving up sizzling salmon, herring, turbot and flounder pulled in from local fishing boats.

Tourists to the Tricity region can pick up a rental car at Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport, about 10 kilometres from the Gdansk city centre, with numbered motorways providing access to the area. Trams, buses and SKM commuter trains traverse the three cities, and Gdynia operates trolleybuses connecting main tourist and business sections of town. Ferries glide the waters for sightseeing and other port excursions.

Its picturesque seaside belies the Tricity’s industrial port history, which impacted the world as the strikes of 1970, 1980 and 1988 gave birth to the Poland's Solidarity resistance movement. Trade-union leader Lech Walesa, an electrician by trade, led workers in the Lenin Shipyard strike of 1980, with about 17,000 striking workers barricading themselves in the plant at Gdansk. Walesa’s ensuing notoriety led to his eventual election as the President of Poland and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.