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Any PRACTICAL advice for a new visitor to Warsaw?

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,105 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER ♀	Aug 7, 10, 02:14 #1
I'm taking my first trip to Warsaw and Lublin Poland next week. Any practical advice for a Polish-American female, on her first-time travel to Poland? Honk if you love PF :)

pgtxThreads: 48 Posts: 6,269 Joined: Feb 14, 09 ♀ [Moderator]	Aug 7, 10, 02:19 #2
beckski: Virgin??? ah you just called southern by name... lol beckski: Any practical advice for a Polish-American female, on her first-time travel to Poland? what do you have in mind?

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,105 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER ♀	Aug 7, 10, 02:20 #3
pgtx: what do you have in mind? Museums, restaurants, shopping, jazz clubs... Honk if you love PF :)

ZIMMYThreads: 10 Posts: 2,243 Joined: Feb 21, 09 ♂	Aug 7, 10, 02:37 #4
Wear a beanie with a propeller on top of it. Guys like that.

♀

Edited by: aphrodisiac Aug 7, 10, 02:47 #5

where in Warsaw are you staying?

I was there for a short period 3 weeks ago and you have to see the:
Old Town, the Kings Castle, the President Palace - they are all in the same area.

Also, I recommend Lazienki - it is very nice, but take some walking shoes, because it is a large area.

Have fun and enjoy. Take something dressy, because people like to dress up there, specially when they are going out.

There is a Jazz Festival in Old Town until Aug 28 - so maybe it is worth checking it out.

link:
[url=http://www.jazznastarowce.pl/index.php?a=jazz-old-town-square][/u rl]

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07 ♀	Aug 7, 10, 02:48 #6
At the moment prep for heat and humidity and rain :(. How long are you going to be in Warsaw for? Let me know. I'll try to get you the word on Jazz clubs and local events in the next few days. :)

♂

Aug 7, 10, 02:48 #7

beckski:

I'm taking my first trip to Warsaw and Lublin Poland next week. Any practical advice for a Polish-American female, on her first-time travel to Poland?

Wow, virgins are so rare nowadays... :)

No advice but would love a detailed summary of your visit to the father-, I'm sorry, to the motherland.

I'd like a Yankee perception of Poland, yes Kalifoornians count as Yankees. ;)

(Well, just please don't take any clues from that Aussilady who went to see "Danzig", Poland (sarcasm smiley if I had one).

MEMBER ♀

Edited by: beckski Aug 7, 10, 02:57 #8

aphrodisiac:

Have fun and enjoy. Take something dressy, because people like to dress up there, specially when they are going out

Thanks, my niece and I are going to be roommates. We plan on doing a bit of partying and dancing.

ZIMMY:

Wear a beanie with a propeller on top of it. Guys like that.

Sounds verrrry sexy!

aphrodisiac:

where in Warsaw are you staying?

Holiday Inn

PolskaDoll
We'll be in Warsaw 4 nights

skysoulmate:

would love a detailed summary of your visit to the father-, I'm sorry, to the motherland.

For sure... (well maybe not too detailed!)

Honk if you love PF :)

♂

Aug 7, 10, 05:11 #9

Try Przekąski/Zakąski first for stand up polish style snacks and booze - across from Bristol Hotel.... or if you do not like that, go to Hoover Sq for a meal/drinks - nearby... then watch the crowd in front of the presidential palace and "defend" the cross :-). After that go to Nowy Wspaniały Świat for yet another drink and good music. Last but not least carry on to Foksal St. to visit Meta Seta Galareta.... imbibe there and try a good beef tartare, or śledź or beef strogonoff.... and some more. Enjoy!!! :-)

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,105 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER ♀	Aug 8, 10, 07:39 #10
Thanks so much everyone for all the helpful advice. I'm eagerly looking forward to the trip of a lifetime :) Honk if you love PF :)

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 690 Joined: Apr 18, 07 ♂	Aug 9, 10, 00:28 #11
beckski: Any practical advice for a Polish-American female, on her first-time travel to Poland? Be careful at pedestrian crossings. We would like to see you again here ;)

scottie1113Threads: 10 Posts: 813 Joined: Mar 13, 07 ♂	Aug 9, 10, 01:10 #12
Don't miss the Museum of the Uprising.

♂

Aug 9, 10, 08:11 #13

aphrodisiac:

Also, I recommend Lazienki - it is very nice, but take some walking shoes, because it is a large area.

it's a must.. not negotiable.. if you don't see anything else.. better go to this park. everything else aphro recommends is right on too. + barbakan, the cathedral, st. maria church and any other church in the old town and on krakowskie przedmiescie. the saxon park with the tomb of the unknown soldier.. the palace of science and culture.. make sure to go to the top to the observation deck..

skysoulmate:

I'd like a Yankee perception of Poland, yes Kalifoornians count as Yankees. ;)

no they don't they are fruity flakes however. lol

be ware of pickpockets and drunkards.. definitely bring walking shoes.. walk by the river just below the old city.. also, check out the palace in Wilanow, if you have the chance.

ikes

Aug 9, 10, 12:56 #14

In addition to the previously mentioned ones, Ogród Saski park is a very pretty place not to be missed.

Practical:

It's a city with somewhat long walking distances, so you may want to buy a 1-day/3-day/7-day travel card for the public transport. I'd recommend to print at least the tram network map in advance and carry it with you, as I didn't notice any being visible at the stops!

ztm.waw.pl/mapy.php?c=117&l=1
-> "Schemat linii tramwajowych"

You can also find some information about river boat trips on Vistula on the same pages, that might another idea worth considering.

Other:

Reading en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Uprising in advance will give you correct perspective to understand the extreme hardship and devastation the city and it's inhabitants had to suffer in '44. Being aware of what happened and where will also make walking around more interesting, esp. f you're into contemporary history.

If I'd be travelling to Wawa now without being in a hurry, I'd probably take a tram trip to see some residential areas where you can find houses and villas that actually survived devastation, like green Żoliborz a bit north of the downtown, or the rougher neighborhood of old Praga at the eastern side of the river, where you can also find the zoo, for instance. Too bad my first visit was too short to allow that kind of excursions.

♂

Aug 9, 10, 13:18 #15

beckski:

I'm taking my first trip to Warsaw and Lublin Poland next week. Any practical advice for a Polish-American female, on her first-time travel to Poland?

Pick up a copy of Warsaw In Your Pocket at the hotel (or download a copy from www.inyourpocket.com Don't miss the socialist realist stuff in plac Konstytucji.

Lublin is superb. I think I like it even more than Warsaw (I'd certainly think long and hard about moving there if I could do my job remotely) Where are you planning to stay?

ZIMMYThreads: 10 Posts: 2,243 Joined: Feb 21, 09 ♂	Aug 9, 10, 19:33 #16
...and Beckski, stay away from the tuna, and from Harry. Good luck and have FUN.

shewolfThreads: 5 Posts: 1,829 Joined: Dec 23, 06 ♀	Aug 10, 10, 06:20 #17
Way to go, beckski. Have fun and take lots of pictures!

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,410 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Aug 10, 10, 06:44 #18
plk123: saxon park = ikes: Ogród Saski

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,105 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER ♀	Aug 11, 10, 01:58 #19
Whoooah, the time has finally come for Beckski and her family (my sis, niece, bro, and sis-in-law) to hit Poland! Thanks again for all the great advice. I can't wait to meet over 200+ Polish relatives at my cousin Kasia's wedding, to be held this upcoming weekend :) Honk if you love PF :)

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07 ♀	Aug 11, 10, 02:03 #20
Have a great time Beckski and enjoy as much of PL as you can. :) Have a great time at the wedding too. :)

aphrodisiacThreads: 19 Posts: 3,907 Joined: Apr 15, 09 ♀	Aug 26, 10, 00:43 #21
so how was Poland ? Or you are still there and never coming back;)

IronsideThreads: 56 Posts: 6,196 Joined: Feb 26, 09 ♂	Aug 26, 10, 00:49 #22
beckski: Boo hoo I'm back, still dying from jet lag! Already missing beautiful Poland :( aphrodisiac: so how was Poland ? Or you are still there and never coming back;)

aphrodisiacThreads: 19 Posts: 3,907 Joined: Apr 15, 09 ♀	Aug 26, 10, 00:51 #23
thanks Irons, I missed it. looking forward to hearing more, or this is from another thread? (just got my computer back and it looks like I missed all the fun)

MEMBER ♀

Aug 26, 10, 04:06 #24

aphrodisiac:

so how was Poland ? Or you are still there and never coming back;)

Sadly, I'm back home now :(

My trip was fantastic. Visited Warszawa, Lublin and Treblinka.
I feel in love with Lublin. Went to a fun, yet very long Polish wedding there. Didn't leave the reception til after 3:00 a.m. Talk about tons of food and booze galore!

Here's my favorite photo, the castle in Lublin. The pic sort of looks surreal.
I'll post more photos in a few days. I can't wait to return to Poland, possibly in the next 1-2 yrs ;)

Honk if you love PF :)

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,410 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Aug 26, 10, 06:57 #25
that's not a painting?

IronsideThreads: 56 Posts: 6,196 Joined: Feb 26, 09 ♂	Aug 26, 10, 10:27 #26
beckski: I feel in love with Lublin The only town who somehow regained polish spirit the rest is graded down by post-communist attitude. beckski: Here's my favorite photo, the castle in Lublin. The pic sort of looks surreal. both occupant be it soviet or nazi used the castle to torture and kill patriots and innocent bystanders alike. beckski: My trip was fantastic. Glad you like it:)

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,647 Joined: Mar 10, 08 ♂	Aug 26, 10, 10:38 #27
beckski: My trip was fantastic. You are going to have to tell us all about it :)

MEMBER ♀

Aug 27, 10, 03:17 #28

plk123:

that's not a painting?

Nope. I took the pic at night on my cell

Ironside:

Glad you like it:)

Thanks, I'm looking forward to returning

SeanBM:

You are going to have to tell us all about it :)

Great historical sites and buildings. Met many wonderful relatives. Even a 90 year-old, who makes cookies with rose jam from her Polish garden. Visited the gravesites of my ancestors too.

I didn't care for the humid weather at all. I'm also sick of Hortex fruit juice!

Here's another photo of Lublin at night...

Honk if you love PF :)