Discover captivating and diverse, but often overlooked, Poland

Adelman’s Diana Wray recently had the privilege of visiting Poland as a guest of the Polish tourist board. “Truthfully, I didn’t know much about Poland other than its role during World War II. I expected to see blocks of grim and gray Soviet era apartments and buildings, but nothing could be further from the truth. Poland is a wonderful place to visit,” Diana says.

The first stop on Diana’s trip was Warsaw. “It is a modern, sophisticated city, but still retains many historical areas such as Old Town along with many beautiful cathedrals and churches. Clean streets, pedestrian-friendly areas, restaurants and shops abound,” Diana notes.

Besides visiting the fascinating historical sites around Warsaw, Diana enjoyed participating in a Pierogi making class, visiting the famous Wedel Old fashioned shop for hot chocolate and cake, and the Chopin piano recital. As Diana learned, “Chopin spent his early years in Warsaw before moving to France. He loved Warsaw so much that his dying wish was for his heart to be buried there. It was smuggled out of France and is now residing in the Church of the Holy Cross.”

Just a short train ride away is Krakow. According to Diana, “Krakow has the feeling of an exciting tourist hotspot with its many restaurants, shopping areas and active nightlife. Plus, in the center of the city are Old Town, Cloth Hall and Market Square where everyone seems to congregate.”  The 12^th century gothic St. Mary’s Basilica is located on Market Square. Diana notes, “The towers of St. Mary’s are impressive, and the interior is stunning.” Another impressive sight is the ancient Wawel Castle, which is located high on a hill overlooking the city and can be seen from miles away.

Diana also took a few side trips including to the town of Wadowice, which is the childhood home of Pope John Paul II, and to the Wieliczka Salt mine, which has been in operation since the 13^th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage. Diana notes, “The centerpiece of the mine tour is the St. Kingas Chapel, which is carved from salt. Everything in the chapel is made from salt including the beautiful chandeliers.”

Diana visited the Auschwitz concentration camp, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. “The visit was both informative and heartbreaking at the same time, but certainly a worthwhile trip,” Diana says. “While this era in our history is so terrible it must not be forgotten.” 

If you are looking to experience a different side of Europe, Diana recommends a trip to Poland. “Every hour of everyday on this trip brought a new understanding of this wonderful country. Both Warsaw and Krakow are worthy alternatives to the more traditional European destinations. While I only saw a fraction of Poland, I intend to go back and explore the rest of this beautiful country,” Diana concludes.

If you would like more information on Poland or would like help in planning a trip to any one of Europe’s great cities, give Diana or any one of our expert vacation advisors a call at 800-749-7116 or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.