The Masuria region in north eastern Poland is renowned for its lakes, storks, paddle boats and its pristine, untouched countryside.

Nowhere else in Europe is the population of storks bigger than here. Its vast forests are almost unparalleled, but there's more to the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship than at first meets the eye.

By far the largest city in northeast Poland is Olsztyn where about 175,000 people live. It was once known by its German name, Allenstein, and was part of the German province of East Prussia until the end of World War II.

This region of Poland is not one of the wealthy parts, but there's no sign that the local economy is depressed.

A university was founded in Olsztyn in 1999 and over 30,000 students live in the city. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes lining the city market place and there's plenty to do in the evenings.

The city boasts its own cultural open air festival of folk, jazz, cabaret, classical, opera and theatre.

Near the market place are a number of historic buildings including the medieval High Gate and the old town hall which has been included on a list of important buildings designed in the Gothic style.

Not far from the town hall is a memorial to the architect Erich Mendelsohn who was born here in 1887. Mendelsohn designed buildings in Israel and the United States, but perhaps his most famous work was the Einstein Tower observatory in Potsdam outside Berlin.

At the start of his career, Mendelsohn designed a mortuary building at the Jewish graveyard in his home city.

The mortuary is due to open to the public as a "meeting place for inter-cultural dialogue," according to Yvonne Meyer who works for the Robert Bosch Institute which is supporting the project.

On the outskirts of the old city stands the medieval castle with its 40 metre-high tower. The astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus spent some time here in the service of the local cathedral chapter.

There are two memorials to Copernicus near the castle, the oldest of which was paid for by Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II. The newest is clearly more attractive due in part to its continuation of a tradition of it being lucky to touch Copernicus by the nose.

Olsztyn is a very green city and one-fifth of its area is covered by trees. There are several walking tours that show visitors the city's green side.

Anna Kravczynska works for the local tourist office where she promotes walking and cycling tours through the city.

Whenever she has time she likes to cycle to the countryside or to one of the 11 lakes that surround Olsztyn.

Ukiel Lake is one of the best places to visit when the weather is fine. It's popular among paddle boat or sailing fans.

One of the best ways to get to know the lake is by taking a ride on the "Cyranka" which is piloted by Waldemar Grochal.

It takes one and a half hours for Grochal to take his passengers across the 23 kilometre long lake and back again. Sunlight glistens off the water's surface on this picture perfect day.

There are plenty of other excursions such as a visit to the open air museum in Olsztynek and Swieta Lipka continues to attract thousands of pilgrims every year to its basilica which was built in the seventeenth century.

Its facade with white columns and two spires can be seen from far away. The church's interior is also impressive with a main altar that is almost as tall as the basilica itself. The building is also decorated with ornate frescos, glass windows and a dome.

Most tourists don't linger too long but it's well worth your while waiting for a demonstration of the basilica's baroque organ which is played every day.

The small town of Reszel between Ermland and Masuria is six kilometres from Swieta Lipka. The most important sight here is the castle which dates from the fourteenth century.

Try climbing the castle's tower where you can admire the view from the windows on each floor and where you will see the roofs of the surrounding houses while on the horizon you can glimpse the green of trees and fields.