Biskupin, an hour from Poznań, is Europe's most complete Iron Age archaeological park with a reconstructed Lusatian-culture settlement and a September archaeological festival featuring period food.
Tip: Visit during the September Archaeological Festival; period-correct cooking demos on open fires are the main reason to go.
Gniezno, 30 minutes by train from Poznań, is the first capital of Poland and the seat of the country's oldest cathedral, with regional Greater Poland restaurants around its medieval Rynek.
Tip: Combine a cathedral visit with lunch at one of the Rynek bistros; the gęsina (goose) on Sunday menus is the seasonal hit.
Kórnik, 25 km south of Poznań, is a Greater Poland market town built around a neo-Gothic castle with one of Europe's oldest arboretums and lakeside Polish bistros.
Tip: Eat at a lake-side bistro after the castle; the smoked-fish plates from Kórnik Lake are the local pick.
Rogalin, 25 km south of Poznań, is the Raczyński family palace and the 800-year-old Lech, Czech and Rus oaks, with a palace bistro pouring Greater Poland classics in restored stables.
Tip: Pair Rogalin with Kórnik; both sit within 10 km of each other and split a Sunday well between two regional lunches.