A vacation in Poland? Say what? Isn't all of Poland just covered in snow? I'm sure many people immediately look to the warm Hawaiian beaches or the impressive history of Paris when they think of vacation. But I'm here to plant a seed of doubt in you when you plan your next vacation.
Here are 6 reasons why you should visit Poland since its such a delight!
1. Cutest cities
Despite Poland's general devastation from WWII, so much of the country was rebuilt over the last 70 odd years. And Poland didn't decide to just simply rebuild, they rebuilt their old towns to be just as cute as their western and central European counterparts. Sure some cities like Warsaw show scars of its past, but it gives the city a unique character.
Just look at how cute so many of these cities are!
2. Interesting Modern History
Speaking of being devastated, this makes Poland's last hundred years truly unique. It may not be the good kind of unique, but its still unique.
Poland's turbulent modern history shows in their country's high level of patriotism as well as their city layouts. It also means its easier for most people to relate to if you're not a history scholar. Ancient history is interesting but I've always found it hard to relate to the modern day but you can see how recent history has affected Poland.
Its a great way to change gears and stop looking at old kings that built some castle or started some war or made some country great again. I'm not going to go into Poland's history here since I covered a fair share in my Warsaw and Auschwitz post.
3. Off the beaten path (for now)
Since everyone else is going to look at the same historical locations in western and central Europe, why not avoid some of the crowds? Sure Warsaw and Krakow have their fair share of tourists, but much fewer people visit Poland in comparison to the mobs in nearby cities like Prague or Budapest. And if you wander to those smaller cities, it'll just be you and the locals wandering around.
But you gotta get over there quick, tourism in Poland is rising rapidly every year.
Even the local market isn't terribly busy
4. Beautiful countryside
Poland is renown for being a relatively flat country. Most of their countryside consists of small rolling hills dotted with cute red roofed houses. The drawback for Poland is that it makes it fairly easy for their neighbors to roll tanks through their territory. The advantage for us is that it makes for great views.
If the rolling hills get too samey, a trip up north Gdnask will reveal a wonderful port city with sweeping coasts. Or a trip south to Zakopane in the Tatras mountains will change the scenery to little Bavarian houses and towering mountain ranges. There are easy paved routes with carriages to the famed Morskie Oko for families and beginners to hard multi-day hikes with scrambling at the peaks. Or you can be me and pick a hike beyond your fitness level and regret every step.
But regardless of difficulty level, you'll be awarded with some amazing views.
5. Affordable Prices
Why pay $10+ dollars for a beer at the London bridge when you can pay $1.50 for craft Polish beer in front of their cute town hall?
Food will set you back less than $5 for a quick meal. A unworried traveler can easily budget $10 a meal for some high quality quality dishes at almost any restaurant.
Need to travel between cities? Polski bus will take you there comfortably and safely for $7 for 3-4 hour trips. You have to pay at least twice that much to take a Greyhound back at home and that comes with the risk that you head won't be firmly attached to your neck.
Hostels in smaller cities can be as cheap as $7.50 a night and can go up to $20 for a higher quality one in a main city. For those looking for more privacy, advance bookings at cheap hotels can cost around $40.
I'll convince you with food
6. Friendliest people
Polish people are actually very shy and reserved until they down too much of their local vodka (Zubrowka). A great example, if you happened to be accidentally standing in the way, Polish people will attempt find any alternative path around you rather than ask you to move. And if they have to ask you to move, it'll be with a quiet murmur of 'excuse me.' Sometimes they'd rather just wait behind you in the hopes that you'll move soon.
If you can get past this shy exterior, you'll see the Polish friendliness truly shine. The Poles see you as a welcome guest and wholeheartedly wish you to enjoy your time in their country. Larger cities like Warsaw and Krakow are inundated with tourists and may even be less open. In many of the smaller cities, I saw many people go far out of their way to be helpful and be friendly to me.
Just look at how many people tolerated my inane questioning.
Helpful Tips
- Bus tickets are valid for lengths of time (20 min, 40 min, 1 hour) rather than by the number of trips. Make sure you buy a trip long enough to reach your destination.
- As a quick reminder, Poland speaks Polish, not Russian. Their long, sordid history makes this important to not mix up.
- If you are paying in cash and can pay in exact change, you can hold your hand out with all your change and the cashier will pick out the coins they need.
- Tap water is okay to drink but it tastes pretty funny.
- If you are on a charter bus, and you pull over to the rest stop, make it quick. They don't break for more than five minutes and they don't do headcounts.
- Making eye contact with your waiter means nothing. You have to flag them down.
- If you don't know what beverage to get when at a restaurant, check the prices for water (water is not free in most restaurants). Often beer will be cheaper than water. I'm sure this will help your drink choices.