hi Everyone! <BR>Few days ago I needed some help about Florida and I noticed, that I received many feedbacks from people living there, that were so nice and answered my questions. i don't have to explain how great it was to have some insider tips. I also checked that there isn't almost any single member from Poland on this forum. I found it a great pity, so I decided to join this forum and offer all of You that come to visit my country and need any advise about Warsaw, Krakow, Zakopane or Poland general my help. If you need to know something, maybe I as a local can response Your question? <BR>Just emil me. <BR>Agi

Thank you, Agi. I enjoyed Krakow and Zakopane in December but could have used your expertise for an even greater experience. If you ever come to Texas, let me know. The people in Poland are very nice and I am corresponding with a teacher I met on the train from Vienna to Krakow.

This is excellent. Over three years or more I've seen a growing interest in Poland among readers here on this forum, motivated partly by family connection, partly by the beauty abd pleasure of the country. I hope we keep you steadily supplied with queries. <BR> <BR>May I add a point on method ? If people e-mail you and you e-mail back fine, but of course that means that readers on this forum don't have the chance to learn. What I do is to think about new incoming e-mails: would this interest others ? If it would, I post my reply on this forum as a "new topic". <BR> <BR>If you'll do the same we'll all benefit. <BR> <BR>Again, welcome. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London

Dzien dobry Agi, We will be coming to Poland in September. We plan on visiting Warsaw, Turun and Krakow for about 1 week. Is Gdansk worth a short visit. What things in Warsaw do you recommend? We had planned 1 1/2 days in Warsaw and probably 3 days in Krakow. We'll be driving from Berlin to Warsaw and the driving time seem to be approximately 8 1/2 hours. Since we pick up the car at 9:00 am I thought that we would stop in Turun overnight and take a look at Copernicus’s birthplace before driving on to Warsaw. I've been reading warnings not to drive at night. I have been trying to learn a little Polish before our trip. It is a very difficult language. <BR>Any comments you have would be very welcome. You could either respond here or email me. <BR>Dziekuje. <BR>Do widzenia <BR>Art <BR>

Agi: Thank you very much for your kind offer. My wife and I will spend 25 days in Poland in 2002 (Scandinavia this year. I usually start doing research for the next year's trip, immediately upon returning from the current trip. I am sure we will have many questions for you as we approach that time. I promise I will read at least a couple of books on Poland before I make inquiries so I avoid the tiresome "so, what should we see in Poland" question. Welcome to the forum. I look forward to your offerings.

How about some restaurant recommendations for Warsaw and Krakow? Thanks Agi.

Hi everyone! First of all - thanks for such a hot welcome at this forum. <BR> <BR>Now some answers on Art questions. <BR>Yes Gdansk is absolutely worth to visit it. I really enjoy walking along Dlugi targ and see Athus house,touch a neptun scuplture (according to the folklore brings luck??). But be prepared that it is really very far away in the north. The road there is bad and very crowded. <BR>Torun has a great old city district. I wouldn't skip it on my way not only because of the Copernicus, but also because of the cakes, they do produce there. The town is very famous from the cakes called PIERNIKI TORUNSKIE ( a kind of a ginger bread in chocolate). They are also available in a summer version ( suger instead of choco) and are very typical gift for tourist and travelers families. <BR>Visiting Warsaw in 1 1/2 day is possible. You will have to concentrate Yourself on : Old City ( an afternoon walk) , try some sweets or meals in BLICKLE cafe ( oldest cafe in Warsaw). <BR>Next day drive in the morning to WILANOW ( lovely barock castle- former king residence) and in the evening a Chopin concert in LAZIENKI park in center of Warsaw. Apart of that, nothing really inportant to see there. <BR>There is such a rule for traveling around Poland saying, that everything what is really an absolute must ( don't miss it) in Poland is on the south of the country. <BR>Dear Art, I think thta You have planned to little time for Krakow. You don't want to miss a Unesco Heritage Salt Mine from XIV century in Wieliczka, Castle in Cracow, University, Walks along the Gragon Cave in the middle of the city ect, do You? <BR> <BR>I enclose s link that will help Linda find some restaurants. Chose Robert Mak³owicz guide. He is a very famous conneseur of the polish and international cusine. It is almost customary in Poland "to go , where Robert advise". Check it out:http://www.fema.krakow.pl/~restaura/index_e.htm <BR>In Warsaw I advise to have a lunch in St. Trafo on Nowy Swiat street, Try some Pierogi in PIEROGOWY SWIAT on Krakowskie Przedmiescie street. I also like Kredens, Cafe Brama ( great pasta, no alcohol!) and Mekong. <BR>Till again ! <BR>Yours Agi <BR>

Agi, <BR> <BR>I saw how helpful you were to the others in the group. I'm hoping that you can help me. <BR> <BR>I am traveling with my father to Krakow in October. We have had differing views on some of the hotels in Krakow. We don't want the highest price hotel but would like a quiet hotel with modern amenities. Do you have any suggestions?

Welcome! <BR>I've been telling my wife (who grew up in Krakow) that Poland needs to do something about tourism. Maybe you are the one to help! There is so much to see in Poland. I loved Krakow (the square, the tapestries, the dragon, the stained glass at St Mary's Basilica, the bakeries, the salt mine, climbing on the statue in the square, the pub under the Italian center, the flowers, the pigeons, the people, and so much more) and Zakopane (cable car, standing in Slovakia next to the sign that says not to cross into Slovakia, sitting on top of the hills, and our friends Bartek and Agnieska.) It is a wonderful country, and I wish people knew as much about it as they know about Praha. Best wishes from Chicago, home to the second largest Polish population outside of Warsaw!

We stayed at the Atrium Hotel in Krakow for three days this July. Small, newly rennovated and very convenient. I'd definitely stay there again. <BR> <BR>Ken <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Thanks for the info on Krakow. We are still planning on going in October despite the events of today. I'm going to look into the Atrium. I'll let you know how it was when we get back!

For Agi,<BR>We will be travelling by car for four weeks in May/June 2002 on a round trip from Frankfort to Ukraine. After a stop of a day or two in Dresden, we want to visit the most interesting spots in southern Poland. Of course, Krakow will be included but what other places should we consider? I think we will have 10 to 14 days for southern Poland.<BR>Thanks, Roy

Hi Roy, if you have 12 to 14 days, that would be enough for you to also visit Gdansk and Warsaw. Krakaw is worth several days. We visited the area where Schindlers List was filmed as well as the Plaszow death camp depicted in the film (no buildings left, just a memorial and some cement steps leading to nowhere, but worth seeing for yourself), the house that the commandant lived in and Schlinders factory. The salt mines and of course Auschwitz and Birkanau. I filed a trip reort for my Poland and Romania trip. Look under Poland for it. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me.<BR>Regards,<BR>Art<BR>

Hi Agi! I've got a question for you about Polish customs. My husband and I are attending a family wedding in Torun later this year. When visiting family, what gifts should we bring? Also, what kind of gifts are usually given to a bride and groom? In the states, we often give money, but I'm not sure how we'd do that with the difference in currency or if it is even an acceptable gift in Poland. Any suggestions that you have would be great!

Dzien dobry, Agi.<BR><BR>Thanks to Ben (above) and my internet travel research, I've now decided to spend two days in Wroclaw in May (as part of a longer trip to Dresden and Berlin) rather than a long single day. Have you any restaurant suggestions? I am Polish by birth, and am excited about visiting Poland for the first time.

Message for Agi:<BR><BR>I am delighted to find this site and your message. My husband and I are traveling to Poland about mid May, 2002. From reading the messages it may be that we should avoid Zakopane and spend more time in Krakow. Could use your advise.<BR><BR>Also, our flight home leaves Krakow very early in the morning. Is there a hotel at the airport? If not, what is the most reliable way to travel from the city? reliable taxies? I ask this because one time when we were in Italy, the cab we requested never showed up, so I am aprehensive.

Roy&gt; From West to East of South Poland - Stop in Karpacz (south of Jelenia Gora by Czech Border), take a chair lift to Sniezka Mtn and 1hr hike to the top of the mountain for some spectacular views. Karpacz is also a good stop over Town. From there drive to Bolkow (between Jelenia Gora and Walbrzych), in Bolkow visit the castle (2hrs should be sufficient), then taking Route 5 towards Swidnica/Walbrzych Stop in Ksiaz (Palace/Castle with Stables) - you will need at least 1/2 day for this place also it has a hotel (http://sudety.net.pl/ksiaz.shtml) http://www.ciesin.ci.uw.edu.pl/poland/orbis/fold_5.htm.<BR>From Ksiaz drive south toward Klodzko To Polanica/Duszniki and Kudowa Zdroj (in all three stop and try and drink Natural Mineral Waters - outlets are marked throughout the towns with mineral contents (all 3 are good stopover places) From Kudowa bit north Drive to "Bledne Skaly" (driving towards Radkow) Table Mountain Area with some really cool labyrinth like trails... Then Maybe Wroclaw - Stay in Monopol Hotel nice old with charm Hotel right in Old City with Guarded Parking and decent prices. From There Drive to Czestochowa - between Czestochowa and Krakow take the path of "Eagles Nests" by visiting Castles in Olsztyn (next to Czestochowa), Mirow, Ogrodzieniec, Olkusz , Piaskowa Skala (see Herkules Club), Ojcow.<BR>and then to Krakow. From Krakow take Day trips to East Wieliczka (salt mines) South West to Wadowice (Pope John Paul II comes from this little cute town) or West (Oswiecim - Nazi Camps). Once done with Krakow, drive south to Zakopane (from Krakow follow signs for Chyzne then in Rabka for Zakopane). In Zakopane visit local Folk Market (path behind Gazda Hotel), at the end of the market take the Lift to Gobalowka (and on the way back do your shopping). While in Zakopane take the hike to "Morskie Oko" (Salt lake surrounded by Mountains of unknown depths). From Zakopane visit Castle in Niedzica (also a Hotel), by Dunajec River (take the dunajec raft river ride) http://www.niedzica.com.pl/turystykaa.htm<BR>http://www.hotelspoland.com/details.phtml?&service=Poland&site=HotelsPoland.co m&hotelid=a95067a6460f188f58125fbcae32a1e7<BR>an d Wezykow Palace http://www.hotelspoland.com/details.phtml?&service=Poland&site=HotelsPoland.co m&hotelid=f6ed348940241d9005ab09f4cde43535<BR>Th en drive towards Rzeszow - and 18 km east of Rzeszow, visit and stay in Lancut Palace – really nice place… http://www.hotelspoland.com/details.phtml?&service=Poland&site=HotelsPoland.co m&hotelid=a88179256772ec504ccf5569af9ec228<BR><BR> <BR>Gloria&gt; this hotel is near the Airport.<BR>http://www.hotelwitek.com.pl/<BR>As for Zakopane - MUST see. When visiting Krakow it maybe a good idea to stay in one of the hotels near or in Old City, then you last night transfer to Hotel near airport. Parking behind "Dom Turysty" Hotel is one of the cheapest guarded parkings near the Old Town (FYI... Old Town is closed to traffic)<BR><BR>Victoria&gt; Wroclaw's Old City section has many good restaurants from fast food to sit down from Polish to International - so You should have no problem picking something<BR><BR>Julie&gt; Gifts ... same as in US, money any currancy is welcome. I also suggest getting something specific from your region. You will love Torun - very old full of history.

I'm planning a trip to Berlin in the next few months, and as I'm of Polish heritage, I wanted to do a quick day trip to Poland. Checking a map & rail times it looks like 'Kostrzyn' is the easiest to get to from Berlin. Does anyone have any information about this city, or suggest a different one? I didn't want to travel more than 2 hrs each way, and wanted to make it a day trip.<BR>Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kostrzyn is not a city, just a town. It has a museum of nature studies, a hotel, and a cheap and convenient sleeping car train to Warsaw. I am not sure what you would do with a whole day there. So I suggest you try Poznan. Leave Berlin Zoo 0650, Berlin East 0707, breakfast in the dining car, reach Poznan 1007. Take a tram or taxi straight to the Rynek, or town square, a beautiful and historic place, with plenty to see. There is a guide to Poznan on http://www.cs.put.poznan.pl/poznan/general.html. Leave at 1930, dine on the train, and reach Berlin east at 2233 or Berlin Zoo at 2247.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London

I was in Poland summer 2001. Looooved Krakow and wish we'd spent more time there. We had a wonderful, wonderful meal there at a "country" style restaurant. The name had "Rose" in it -- that's all I recall, but a local could help you. (The Rose and something, maybe?) We sat in an outdoor courtyard, and there was live music. It was wonderful.