A vast new hotel complex on Poland’s Baltic Sea coast is set to open next week, but despite its scale and ambition, not all of it will be ready for guests when the doors officially open.

Located in the small resort village of Pobierowo, which has a population of just around 1,000 people, the new five-star property is being described as the largest hotel on the Baltic coast. The development spans 180,000 square metres, rises 13 floors, and contains 1,240 rooms, making it one of the biggest hospitality projects in the region.

The hotel is part of the Gołębiewski chain and sits roughly 30 minutes from the popular German holiday island of Usedom. Room prices start at around €350 per night, while premium suites can reach up to €900, placing it firmly in the luxury segment of the tourism market.

However, the opening comes with a significant limitation. Only about 500 of the 1,240 rooms are fully completed and ready for guests. The remaining rooms, each measuring approximately 50 square metres, are still under construction or awaiting final finishing touches. Many include balconies, though not all offer sea views.

Despite the incomplete sections, demand has been strong. Marketing director Marta Masłowska said more than 2,000 bookings were made within the first 24 hours of reservations opening, signalling high interest in the resort ahead of its debut season.

The hotel’s location places it just 150 metres from the sandy Baltic coastline, offering direct beach access for guests. A major highlight is its expansive pool complex, featuring a 104-metre-long and 60-metre-wide swimming area situated directly in front of the building.

In addition, the property includes a wide range of leisure facilities such as indoor swimming pools, whirlpools, a children’s water zone, sauna areas, water slides, and a salt grotto. Further attractions are planned, including a cinema, bowling alley, supermarket, climbing walls, volleyball courts, a nightclub, and entertainment spaces for children. It remains unclear whether all amenities will be fully operational at launch.

Live piano music in the lobby is expected to add to the luxury atmosphere, with regular entertainment planned for guests throughout the season.

The project was envisioned by the late Polish entrepreneur Tadeusz Gołębiewski, who began his career as a waffle baker before founding the Tago biscuit company in 1972 and later expanding into the hotel industry, building a nationwide hospitality empire.

While the hotel is expected to transform tourism in Pobierowo, questions remain over how quickly the remaining sections will be completed and whether the full vision of the mega-resort will be delivered on schedule.

A new long-distance rail service set to launch this summer will connect central and eastern Europe in one continuous route, offering passengers one of the continent’s longest direct train journeys, with fares starting from as little as €10.

Prague-based operator Leo Express will begin the inter-European service on 25 June, creating a 1,300-kilometre connection linking Poland, Czechia and Germany with a direct extension towards the Ukrainian border. The service will operate once daily in each direction.

The route begins in Przemyśl in southeastern Poland, close to the Ukrainian border, and travels through Kraków, Ostrava and Prague before continuing into Germany via Dresden, Leipzig and Erfurt. It will then proceed to Frankfurt am Main and terminate at Frankfurt Airport, forming a key east-west transport corridor across multiple European regions.

Leo Express chief executive Peter Köhler said the service is designed to strengthen cross-border connectivity and improve mobility between eastern and western parts of the continent. He described the initiative as a step toward breaking down long-standing transport divides across Europe while improving access to Ukraine through established rail infrastructure.

The westbound journey departs Przemyśl at 1:31 p.m., with arrival at Frankfurt Airport scheduled for 7:53 a.m. the following morning. The return service leaves Frankfurt Airport at 8:27 a.m., reaching Przemyśl at 2:23 a.m. the next day.

According to the company, the timetable has been structured to allow passengers to connect easily with both regional and international travel networks. The early morning arrival in Frankfurt is intended to support onward flights across Europe and long-haul destinations, while the return schedule offers direct links to key cities including Prague and Kraków later in the day.

Köhler said the route will also improve links between major urban centres such as Prague, Dresden, Leipzig, Erfurt and Frankfurt, creating a continuous transport chain across central Europe. He added that the service is expected to appeal to both business and leisure travellers seeking more affordable and sustainable alternatives to air travel.

Onboard services will include Wi-Fi connectivity, power outlets at seats, air conditioning and onboard refreshments. The operator says the aim is to provide a consistent level of comfort across the entire journey despite its extended duration.

With tickets priced competitively, including introductory fares starting at €10 on selected routes, the new service is expected to increase competition in Europe’s long-distance travel market while offering passengers a more direct and cost-effective way to move between key cities across the region.

A chance to live on a picturesque Greek island without paying rent is being offered on Syros, but the opportunity comes with a very specific requirement: applicants must be committed cat lovers willing to care for stray animals.

The offer is being run by the animal welfare organisation Syroscats, which is seeking volunteers aged 25 and above to help look after its cat population. The group is calling for individuals or couples who are physically fit, independent and comfortable working in an outdoor, hands-on environment.

In exchange for their work, volunteers are provided with accommodation, breakfast and utilities. The role requires around five hours of work per day, five days a week, focused on feeding, cleaning and caring for cats, many of which are feral or semi-wild.

The organisation says prior experience as a veterinary assistant or working with stray animals is an advantage, though not essential. It stresses that reliability, responsibility and a willingness to work in sometimes challenging conditions are more important than formal qualifications.

Volunteers are expected to stay for at least one month, allowing enough time to settle into the routine of caring for the animals and supporting ongoing welfare efforts on the island.

Syros, located in the Cyclades island group, offers a backdrop that contrasts sharply with the work involved. Its main town, Ermoupoli, is known for its neoclassical architecture, marble staircases and broad public squares, reflecting its history as a major commercial centre in the 19th century.

Unlike better-known Greek destinations such as Mykonos, Syros has retained a quieter and more traditional atmosphere. It is considered less commercialised, with a stronger local presence in everyday life. Cafés and restaurants are often frequented by residents rather than tourists, and prices tend to be more moderate compared with more heavily visited islands.

The island’s appeal lies in its blend of authenticity and calm surroundings, attracting visitors who prefer a slower pace and cultural depth over nightlife and mass tourism. For volunteers, the experience offers both immersion in local life and the opportunity to contribute to animal welfare efforts in a scenic setting.

Syroscats says it is particularly interested in applicants who are willing to “get their hands dirty” and work independently while maintaining consistency in daily care routines. The organisation relies on volunteers to help manage the growing population of stray cats on the island, which requires ongoing feeding, medical attention and habitat maintenance.

For those selected, the arrangement combines practical volunteer work with the opportunity to live in one of Greece’s quieter island communities, offering a lifestyle shaped by both responsibility and the relaxed rhythm of island life.