I have been known on occasion to say that Poland’s not just about Vodka and beetroot.

Since my very first trip – a surprise organised by my mum and granddad when I was nine year’s old, we’ve grown up together and each visit has left a lasting impression.

From the serene Mazurian lakes in the north-east of Poland (incidentally where I’ll be getting married next year) to the ‘Polish Alps’ of Zakopane in the South and to Szczecin on the borders of Germany in the west, Poland is a vast country worthy of exploration – even if you struggle to pronounce the city names.

Which brings me on to Rzeszow – the capital of the south eastern Subcarpathian region of Poland – Zakopane’s next door neighbour.

At a presentation to highlight the tourist opportunities in Rzeszow and the region – the first time the province has promoted itself in the UK – we were greeted with red wine grown in the vineyards of the ‘Podkarpackie’ (Subcarpathian) area.

It’s green with two national parks, it’s cultural with its museums, art galleries and wooden gothic churches and it appeals to the thrill-seeking tourists with its dog team races in the snow as well as for the laid-back traveller looking for 5* pampering at the modern Hilton hotel.

And like every great tourist centre, it has its very own market square (Krosno).

At the travel event held in Hammersmith, there simply wasn’t enough time to run through all the areas of interest, the opportunities awaiting tourists and the history of the region.

But with Ryanair flights direct to Rzeszow, it should be quick and easy to get exploring.

I just hope that Rzeszow doesn’t try to compete with the likes of Krakow and Warsaw which are now the go-to destinations for stag and hen-dos.