21st-24th October 2018, Dave Cropp and John Nicklin visited Dobkow, Poland. Borne out of our meeting with Prof. Mazurski of Wroclaw University, who came to the Symposium in Ludlow in 2015 and was an expert in (geology) tourism (unfortunately he has since passed away).  He wrote a paper comparing Dobkow and Martley so easy for us to go out there and encourage them to join the nascent Geo-Village movement.
Hiring a car at Wroclaw we drove the 150 (ish) km to Dobkow, a village of some 200 situated at the edge of the more mountainous southern regions of Poland.  We stayed for a couple of nights at Villa Greta, a beautifully refurbished farm house and outbuildings that was the childhood home of the current owner, Chris,  along now with wife Evalina. As explained to us, the couple wanted to stay in the area but needed to make a living so opened rooms and as business grew, more and more accommodation, along with dining and bar facilities, all housed in a most characterful old building. Many of their visitors were (and still are) Germans returning to explore and enjoy the land where their families used to live until the end of WW2 when they were forced out. Seeking to develop their business, the couple returned to basics–what did the area offer?  It turned out to be geology, a region of varied volcanics from three main eras–submarine, +-500Ma, sub aerial, +-300Ma and similarly in the Cenozoic 30-10Ma with excellent exposures within short driving distances. Sedimentary deposits too, historic towns, local restaurants–what else does the discerning geology tourist need? Their ambition knew no bounds and with the strengths of the area in focus, developed a business plan with geology at its centre.  Gathering a team around them, EU funding was sought, a grant of some 800 000 Euros obtained, leading to the restoration of another derelict farmstead dedicated to our science.  The centre has a permanent staff of 4 or 5 and hosts many thousands of visitors each year, including many school parties, whilst we were there 2 coach loads of excited youngsters arrived for a tour and lessons. Inside the centre, on three floors, were static exhibits, interactive LED displays, classroom space, a small cafe, a well stocked reception with attractive gifts and even an earthquake platform(!). In another building a workshop to cut and polish rocks and yet another building more classroom space, rock exhibits and so on.  How do they do it?  How do they finance it?  We gained some insight but not the full picture, but what an astonishing credit to all those involved, especially Evalina and Chris.

Dave and I explored the area, weather worsening on the 2nd day so 

we did not make it to the top of a prominent peak in the area, Ostrzyca, a volcanic ‘neck’ from the Cenozoic, standing at 501m above sea level.

Then, just a short river side walk from our lunch stop at the old mill, we came across this rhyolite dome with picnic place, shelter and interpretation boards.

We brought back with us a guide book to the geology, maps and leaflets, available from TVGS library. Worth a visit–YES, definitely.