Is the Jewish ghetto within walking distance to the square? Anybody that's been there, what did you think?

I didn't have huge expectations of Warsaw, and actually enjoyed it quite a lot. Here's an account if you'd like to read it; I really recommend the Warsaw Uprising Museum

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34841274

(I walked everywhere, so I'm not too good on "regular" walkability from one spot to another.)

Happy trails!

We did a 2 weeks tour of Poland last summer and had a nice time in Warsaw. As people have said, it is rebuilt but everything looks original. There is a fabulous pirogie restaurant right next to the barbican in old town that you must visit. We also enjoyed the uprising museum - it is one of the best museums I have ever been to, and that is high praise from a DC native. Overall, we liked Krakow more, there was more to do that interested us, but Warsaw is definitely worth a visit.

Hi, worldview -

> Is the Jewish ghetto within walking distance to the square? Anybody that's been there, what did you think?

I walked there, but like Amy, I walk a lot, so others might not agree with what I call "walking distance." It's been a while, but I'd guess it was perhaps 15 or 20 minutes from the square to the start of the old Jewish ghetto.

Also, as I recall, much of that area is now a residential district. There are some monuments scattered about, which I was glad to see, but the ghetto itself has not been reconstructed (unless that has happened since I was there). I also found the old Jewish cemeteries near that district to be interesting.

Hope that helps!

"There is a fabulous pirogie restaurant right next to the barbican in old town that you must visit." Does anyone know the name of this restaurant? Thank you all for you advice, I'll definitely visit the Uprising Museum, it sounds great! Any other advice?

Worldview; When you are in Prague, you must go to the Jewish Synagogue and 15th century cemetery. In the Synagogue, inscribed on the walls, are the names of 80,000 Jewish residents of Prague, shipped to Auschwitz and murdered in the Holocost. It is a place of deep emotion and sorrow. Iris

Any other fascinating thoughts on Warsaw...your input is greatly appreciated...your 15 second synopsis please...go or no go. or you can take 15 minutes if you'd like. thank you.

GO TO WARSAW - We liked it better than Krakow - it's certainly a matter of personal opinion, but we enjoyed seeing the juxtaposition of the Soviet-era architecture and the elegantly rebuilt square. The film depicting ghetto life during the war was worth the trip on its own (it's at the museum on the square with the huge black and white photos on its facade).

We found the people friendly and helpful.

Is it possible to do a day trip to Krakow from Warsaw? I'll be in Warsaw for business, and may consider coming or staying 1 or 2 days extra.

Is it generally safe to walk around (in busy areas) or take public transportation? I'll be on my own.

Thanks

I did a (long) day trip from Warsaw to Gdansk, and really enjoyed it. Gdansk/Sopot/Gdanyia is on the North Sea so it looks a lot like Scandinavia.

Gdansk is where Lech Walesa started his uprising in the 1980s (Solidarinosk?) so there is lots of recent history there, too.

Sopot is a resort town so there is a big old fancy hotel there and you can even hit the "beach."

worldview:


Basing my opinion on several visits during the "bloc" days and two thereafter, please go.

We attended the commemoration ceremonies for 50th anniversary of the Ghetto Uprising (April 19, 1943-April 19, 1993)..a most moving event held in its only active synagogue at the time.

There is little left in the old ghetto area, mostly new appartment buildings..but there is simple monument at where "Mila 18" was located. (A book by Leon Uris by that name tells the story well).

Treblinka, 75 miles northeast, is the closest K-camp....no buildings, but some very unique granite monuments.

Go.

stu t.