"POSTCARDS FROM POLAND..." Poland by coceng

Poland Travel Guide: 17,094 reviews and 45,323 photos

EURO TRIP 2001
EURO TRIP 2003
EURO TRIP 2004
MIDDLE EAST TRIP 2005

EURO TRIP 2002 :
AUSTRIA
SLOVAKIA
POLAND
GERMANY
CZECH REPUBLIC
HUNGARY
MAY 2002...
Poland ! Before reaching this country...I only knew Poland because of Warsaw (only the name...). That was when I was young, from geography book, from history book...
I also knew about Auschwitz ! After watching the movie Schindler's List I said to myself that I wanted to see the Auschwitz Camp ! Sp, the movie influenced me to come here...
Started to buy a guidebook on Poland, started to read about the places, the history...I became almost enchanted by Poland.
Poland is not just about 'death camps'....It's about beautiful mountain sceneries, it's about cultures & castle ruins as well.
I was in touch with many people before this trip ! They were easy to find anyway, chat rooms, friendship sites & all those ilks.
Nevertheless I only met Polish people when I was in Poland itself....
The south of Poland is amazing ! So green, so many trees....& I saw my very first (melting) snow on The High Tatras !
Then, the middle of Poland; yup ! The Auschwitz Camp, the Birkenau Camp but also Pulawy & Kazimierz Dolny...2 enchanting towns that nobody should miss...
Towards the north, I had my Andrej there. he had 2 (locked) doors to enter his small apartment ! I asked him why was that ? He answered me, "You don't know Warsaw Anuar, you have to be careful all the times ! You cannot walk at night !...".
Did I follow his advice ? I guess I did ! he took care of me like a friend, I would always be thankful of that !
Another Polish I met was on the train to Pulawy; He insisted that I should see his small town; I said okay...He took me back & poured me a strong Polish vodka ! I had my photos on Pulawy with a bit of a twirl in my head...
The north-west of Poland created more beautiful memories for me...
Then, downward to Wroclaw & Legnica; My mind was confirmed to me that I should visit & re-visit this country again !
It was an excellent trip !
Poland is an amazing country indeed !

Poland Map

MY ITINERARIES...

16th MAY 2003 : Lysa Polana, Tatras, Zakopane...
17th : Szczawnica, Pieniny (Dunajec River Rafting)...
18th : Krakow, Wieliczka Salt Mine...
19th : Auschwitz, Birkenau (Nazi Death Camps)...
20th : Czestochowa, Olsztyn Castle Ruin, Warsaw...
21st : Warsaw, Pulawy, Kazimierz Dolny, Lublin...
22nd : Warsaw (rest day)...
23rd : Malbork (from the train...), Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia...
24th : Wroclaw, Legnica...
25th : Berlin in Germany...

Continue with my journey...

Olsztyn Castle...

SUMMARY

16th May 2003, me & Marek entering Poland from Poprad, Slovakia. The border check point is at a place called Lysa Polana.
I went up hiking the Tatras & seeing Lake Morskie Oko.
Met up with Marek at Zakopane, spent the night there.
Following morning, we had the Dunajec River rafting excursion & ended up in Szczawnica.
Following day, Marek went back hiking to Slovakia & I took a bus to Krakow !
Met up with Marisha...stayed 2 nights.
While in Krakow, I went to Wieliczka Salt Mine & the death camps : Auschwitz & Birkenau.
Next place was Czestochowa, even had the time to see Olsztyn Castle ruins...That same evening took the train to Warsaw !
My friend Andrej greeted me at the train station just as I got off from the train ! Guess he was really looking forward to see me...
From Warsaw, took the train to Pulawy, Kazimierz Dolny & Lublin; 2 places in one day ! Phew...
Back to Warsaw...& explore Warsaw for a day.
Next was Gdansk (on the way the train stopped for a few minutes near the Malbork Castle, excellent !).
Gdansk is so beautiful ! I even had times to see Sopot & Gdynia...the 'Triangle City' as they are known, together with Gdansk.
On that same day, took the night train to Wroclaw. Sitting with an old woman in a compartment who was telling me about thieves on trains...
Arrived safely anyway & Wroclaw is another attraction ! Amazing architectures & sights ! Adam from Legnica (about 50 km from Wroclaw..) accompanied me there !
Went back to Adam mum's house & waited till about 3 AM to catch my train to Berlin !
I shall stop here at least for the trip around Poland; If you are interested to read more, as in the continuation of this great trip, proceed to my Berlin page...

Pros and Cons

Pros:An Amazing Country Rich in Sightseeings, History & Cultures...
Cons:Poland Is BIG; It's Hard To Cover Everything On 1 Trip...
In a nutshell:Read About Poland & CHOOSE (at least) One Place To Go !...

Last visit to Poland: May 2002
Intro Updated Jun 30, 2005
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Reviews (22)

One of the most beautiful in the world ! GDANSK ! - Poland

The Most Beautiful Gdansk !... Things to Do (17)

I just adore Gdansk ! It's certainly one of the most beautiful cities that I have been to in Europe ! It is by the sea,... more travel advice

Malbork Castle from the train... - Poland

A Brief Train Stop... Things to Do (17)

From Warsaw,...where would I go next ? Right to the sea ! Not exactly, but the beautiful city of Gdansk ! Nevertheless,... more travel advice

Then Of Course Warsaw... Things to Do (17)

Then, I continued to the Polish capital of Warsaw ! I was so fortunate to have a friend staying there who let me stayed... more travel advice

A Brief Excursion... Things to Do (17)

While in Czestochowa, I had a brief excursion to a good castle ruin by the name of Olsztyn Castle... Although in ruins... more travel advice

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Written Apr 3, 2003

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Comments (5)

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Pawtuxet Oct 8, 2006 at 4:36 AM

Wonderful tour. Sorry I haven't been here earlier. Travelling Poland is always such a treat, isn't it? Marvelous people.
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AniaPL Jun 3, 2004 at 11:05 AM

I am really impressed by the number of places you've seen in Poland and by their choice. Come again and see more!:)
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matcrazy1 May 20, 2004 at 6:12 AM

Great overview! Haha, right, there is not enough place on VT servers to cover Poland! Welcome back :-)))
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ncfg Dec 18, 2003 at 11:36 AM

Great overview about a lovely country. I enjoy to read your memories. Thanks
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eviltooth Sep 15, 2002 at 5:29 PM

Thanks for the beautiful photos. Maybe you can drop by our place in Pilica one day. :)