Mikolajki

Mikolajki sits on the strait between Lake Mikolajskie and Lake Talty, with a promenade, a footbridge over the water and marinas along both banks, and in summer it is the busiest resort town on the Masurian lakes - the nickname Masurian Venice is about the boats rather than any architectural resemblance. Its emblem is the Krol Sielaw, the King of the Vendace: a legend that a giant fish once wrecked local nets until fishermen caught it and released it on condition that it drive shoals into their nets forever, chaining it under the bridge; a small figure marks the spot. Lake Sniardwy, the largest lake in Poland at over a hundred square kilometres, is a short sail east and is shallow and dangerous in wind. Luknajno, the swan reserve, is a few kilometres away. The town itself is small, with one main street and a great deal of ice cream.

What you actually see

• Marinas along a strait - between lakes Mikolajskie and Talty.
• The King of the Vendace - the chained-fish legend marked at the bridge.
• Lake Sniardwy nearby - the largest lake in Poland, shallow and rough in wind.
• A promenade town - one main street and the waterfront.

When to go

May to September. A day.

Honest expectations

Peak summer is very crowded and prices rise sharply. The town is small - it is a base rather than a destination. Sniardwy is genuinely dangerous for small boats in wind. Off-season, most of it closes.

Nearby

Lake Luknajno and its swans are east; Gizycko is north.