Gulf tourists say Polish mountain town is a cool place

Zakopane, Poland: Saudi photographer Fahad Alayyash gazed over the Alpine like panorama of the Tatras, Poland s highest mountain range and a surpri...

Zakopane, Poland: Saudi photographer Fahad Alayyash gazed over the Alpine-like panorama of the Tatras, Poland's highest mountain range -- and a surprising new hotspot for Arab tourists.

The 38-year-old is among thousands of Gulf residents spending their summer vacation in Zakopane, a resort known for its ski lifts and hiking trails, where historic wooden houses mix with modern hotels.

"We've completely taken over the place," Alayyash said while standing on Gubalowka, a peak overlooking Zakopane, where dozens of visitors drink coffee, shop for souvenirs and enjoy the view.

Zakopane, located in southern Poland, has become a major summer draw for holidaymakers from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, with up to seven daily flights from the region at nearby Krakow Airport.

The boom started with a Saudi travel agency representative, said Agata Wojtowicz, head of the Tatra chamber of commerce.