Things a first-time foreigner to Poland would be surpised most

Poland is still a kind of exotic country for travellers from abroad. Some even believe that an old joke about white bears walking on its streets is true. Some are surprised that Poland has an access to the sea, or (that’s original) that Vistula doesn’t flow in the Black Sea.

Nevertheless, there are some who decide to explore this “new world” and they risk being surprised or even shocked. Imagine this would – be tourist.

He arrives at Chopin Airport in Warsaw. Well, the airport is not maybe big, but it’s civilized all right. The staff is also not bad smiling and speaking languages. Now, let’s get to the City!
He needs to be cautious because if he gets a taxi it’s necessary to check the bill for taxis in Poland are not usually more expensive than in London or Paris. Well, they sometimes misteriously become almost as expensive as the flight ticket itself. Strange, isn’t it? Now, let’s try a bus: a modern, clean bus. Only the pickpockets are the same for ages. They even have some apprentices. Not that unusual thing on the way from airport anywhere, though.
The hotels in downtown are all right, they adapted the international standards and prices are sometmes lower. The staff speaks English.

But to get in such an exotic part of the world and stay in a hotel is not very adventurous. The tourist walks out to the city. Actually Warsaw doesn’t differ from other world capitals so much: it’s noisy, dirty, has its own junkies, thieves and people who wants to asure you that Elvis is alive. If the tourist is tired and wants to eat something it’s easy in the city centre. Students working as waiters speak English though for example in the banks the situation is not so optimistic. I even heard about the gsm operator help line “in English” where there was not a single person speaking in other language than Polish. So it is better not to have problems with your credit card, cell phone or health. Yes, better not to deal with our public health service. The private one is more expensive but they do speak English. Just make sure you have the proper insurance.

Traveling through the country. The tourist can do it by bus but again it can be impossible for him to communicate in English, so he decides to go by train. Better not the cheap lines though. Better buy a ticket for Intercity or Eurocity. Believe me it’s a lot safer for him. Of course the situation is not so bad, but to meet a group of reservists would be an unpleasant surprise. Most people in trains are nice and ready to talk to the tourist all the way. Hospitality is one of our national virtues. Many foreigners are surprised at that because it is often totally disinterested hospitality. It is more visible outside the big cities where the folk lives slower and closer to the nature maybe. In small towns and villages the tourist would find another attraction – Polish traditional cuisine. Made of fresh ingredients courses can satisfy even the most fastidious gourmet.

It is also a well know opinion – and I’m sure our tourist would agree with that – that Poland is a very beautiful country. Its various landscapes from sea to mountains, its many monuments and historical buildings are really worth if appreciating. Saddly the Polish government does’t care about them as much as they deserve. The most famous remainings like Wawel in Crakow or the Old Town in Warsaw are in a good condition but most of the old houses, parks, monuments even heritage parks in the country are allowed to fall into neglect.

After tiresome but full of events and surprises journey our tourist gets back home. Maybe his opinion about Poland changed a bit. Maybe he would tell his friends that Poland is not the Lord’s tail after all...

Ula

Lol - that's true. It's sort of small - like a local airoport in the US ;=).

depends on which local airport you're talking about - 'cause if it's in MORGANTOWN, WV, then Warsaw's airport's SORT OF BIG!

Did you ever fly into Poznan? Think Warsaw is small....?

I think everyone needs to visit at least once

ive heard frum my friends that krakaw is a beautiful old town, worth visiting...

Yes, Krakow is a very beautiful, old city, a forgotten European marvel... I think, polish people don't know how to advertise themselves...too modest. We even do not dispute other's opinion of us. This makes us an easy target.

krakow-info.com/sights.htm

I think the most beautiful city in Poland is Wrocław - it is not as dirty and noisy as Warsaw but very friendly especially for foreigners. I fell in love with the city when I came here for studies and decided to stay forever :)

My school organizes Summer courses of Polish for foreigners in Wrocław - lessons with sightseeing and discussions about Polish culture. If you want to know Poland better, join our Summer course. More info at polish-world.pl

Greetings,

Anna

Visit Kielce too if you can. Its a pretty city that gets overlooked too often.

What will surprise you? Probably how bad the roads really are...I know people say this all the time but it shocked the hell out of me and I'm from there, and visit pretty often. Don't drive on foggy nights in the summer. Just don't do it.

from Poznań to Warsaw - wonderful - no way in heaven - or hell - to get lost ;P

Don't visit Krakow in the summer it is too full of tourists to get the real feel of the city. Its fun and beautiful beyond compare but too crowded.