As one of Ukraine’s greatest friends in the European Union, Poland is rather open to its tourists. One of the best things about traveling to this neighboring country is that it doesn't take long to get there and it can be done on a shoestring budget.
When I worked out my short vacation plan for
Poland, I decided to visit at least three cities in six days. Connections
between various Polish cities are incredibly convenient. All you do is book a
ticket on PolskiBus.com, and then enjoy traveling in a comfortable bus with few
stops and free Wi-Fi.
My vacation started in Warsaw, where I had a
brief tour around the most stunning parts of the city. In Warsaw, the ticket
system is handy because you can buy one for all types of transport, including
bus, tram, metro and city trains. There are several types of tickets, but I
figured that for my short stay the best choice was to buy one that gave me 40 minutes
of journeys for 4.60 zloty ($ 1.50).
Those who prefer bikes to public transport will
be pleased to know that Warsaw has numerous bike rental stations. The heart of
the city is great for walking and gives the best overview of the restored part
of Warsaw.
Many parts of Poland’s capital feature typical
Soviet-style block architecture with gray, concrete block buildings. One of
those architectural gifts is the Stalinist Palace of Culture and Science. It’s the
tallest building in Warsaw and houses numerous cafes, restaurants, a cinema and
the Collegium Civitas University.
The most impressive sight was Krolewski
Lazienki Park – one of the greatest in Warsaw. It was designed in the 17th
century and still charms residents and visitors of the city with its unique
atmosphere. This spot with lots of wild ducks, peacocks and squirrels is the
best place for relaxing in the shade offered by old trees in the heat of the
summer. Warsaw Multimedia Fountain Park, which opened in 2011, is a favorite of
tourists. It is located near old town, just by the Vistula River.
My next destination was Torun, located in
northern Poland. The trip from Warsaw to Torun takes 3 hours and 27 zloty ($ 8.50)
per person. Founded in medieval times, Torun is listed in the UNESCO World
Natural and Cultural Heritage list. It’s also known as the birthplace of
Copernicus, the famous principled scientist in the Middle Ages, who stuck with
his belief that the Earth was round even when threatened by punishment by the
Inquisition. Torun is also famous for its gingerbread.
There is a free Wi-Fi spot right near the Old
Town Hall in Market Square, where residents and tourists can relax or browse
the web close to the Copernicus monument. The Old Quarter is the main attraction
for every visitor. Almost every narrow medieval street is a must-see because of
the many enchanting old kamienicas (a Polish term
describing a type of residential building made of brick or stone) and cozy cafes.
In the heart of the city you’ll surely come
across St. Johns’ Cathedral, with the largest medieval bells in Europe. Then I
moved on to the Leaning Tower that was a part of the city’s defenses. Torun’s
Gothic cathedrals really do catch your eye with their organs and baroque
statues.
You also find your eye lingering on the wall
plaques of the old buildings, informing you that, say, this is where composer
and pianist Frederic Chopin lived. Torun’s contemporary art museum is also
worth visiting. All of its exhibitions are free of charge.
During my entire Poland journey, I always faced
a dilemma during lunchtime. It’s very easy to get frustrated with the choices.
What I discovered is that you need to walk away from the main street – it
improves your chances of finding the right place at the right price.
For those who are interested in tasting the
traditional cuisine – pierogi (dumplings with various fillings) is the
best option. Also, don’t miss out on the bakeries. While there, do be sure to
try one of the popular specialties – pastries filled with rose jam and, of
course, Torun’s famous gingerbread.
For home-made cakes and pastries, head to
Cukiernia Franciszek Pokoiski where you’ll get to choose from a great array of
tasty desserts displayed in the glass window. A great piece of chocolate cake,
washed down with a tasty cappuccino will cost some 13 zloty ($4).
Another bonus I found on my trip was the annual
Probaltica Musical and Art Festival that is held in May in four polish cities –
Torun, Gdansk, Warsaw and Grudziadz. It’s free and lets you explore classical
and modern music from Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Finland and other countries.
My final destination was Lodz. There I
discovered one of the longest streets in Europe, Piotrkowska Street, which
stretches about five kilometers. Almost all of the city’s main banks,
government buildings and restaurants are located there in the heart of the city,
between Independence Square and Liberty Square.
The city hosts a famous movie academy, and
boasts three Oscar-winning alumni – Roman Polanski, Andrzej Wajda and Zbigniew
Rybczyński. Under your feet you can find a number of stars on the Walk of Fame,
featuring names related to the best of Polish cinema. The city also has the Museum
of Cinematography, which is fun to explore.
Ukrainian feels at home in Poland because of the
great hospitality and its proximity to Ukraine. This country will keep its high
place in my personal must-visit list.
Kyiv-Warsaw-Kyiv train ticket – Hr 1, 900 ($237)
Average meal – $6
Bus ticket Warsaw-Torun – $ 8.50
Torun-Lodz – $10
Accommodation price – $50 per day (for double
room)
Kyiv Post staff writer Olena Goncharova can be reached
at [email protected].
