"Poland - the best destination just now!" Poland by matcrazy1

Poland Travel Guide: 19,726 reviews and 43,494 photos

WHY POLAND?

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"The historical experience of socialist countries has sadly demonstrated that collectivism does not do away with alienation but rather increases it, adding to it a lack of basic necessities and economic inefficiency."
John Paul II

Pope John Paul II born in Wadowice, Poland in 1920, died today at 9.37 pm in Vatican. Sadness...
02 April 2005.

Although I am not crazy about religion, any religion, it's far more than the simple fact for me, it's also a lot of emotions. After death of John Paul II I wanted to go to his funeral but I had to stay at work. Instead I visited four times Krakow (JPII was bishop there), Wadowice (birthplace) and small village off the beaten path called Niegowic (he was a priest there in 1948-1949).

Step by step I am trying to put up my personal albums on my homepage, travelogues on the above mentioned pages as well as on my hometown Tychy page. I want to show you spirit of Poland in these unusual days and share some of my pictures, my thoughts and reflections and pay tribute to the great man who taught millions in 122 countries, he visited, what tolerance to other people and religion is, what is freedom and human dignity. Enough to said.

WHY JUST NOW?

KRAKOW-the Main Square

1. Poland is unique in Europe in that it has so far managed to hold on to its traditions in the face of economic progress. I'm not sure for how much longer. Right now there is still time to experience and savour its unique qualities.
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2. Poland has made transition from 19th century to 21th century in just over the last ten years. If you have been here before say 1990, you’ll notice that its very much changed. It may be fascinating and unbelievable how much my home country is different now, even in the smallest rural communities.There is an incredible amount of new infrastucture: thousands of new hotels, restaurants, pubs, banks, gas stations, big department stories, highways, millions of cell phones are in use and much, much more.
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3. Poland is a very cheap country for tourists. I don't know for how much longer but the Polish currency (zloty) is slowly appreciating more and more to the US$ and Euro. So, if you are thinking about visit to Poland do it soon to enjoy unbelievably low prices.
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Some prices (in Euros, Summer 2002):
ACCOMMODATIONS:
- double room in a cheap hotel: 15-20/night;
- cheap pension (min. 7 nights): 5-8/person/night (12-15 full board)- prior reservation recommended in high season in touristy places;
- luxury old style hotel (in a castle or old manor) in countryside: double room 80-120; appartment 180-240;
- youth hostels: 3-6/person/night
- cheap camping: 2 persons + a tent 3-5
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MEALS (per person):
- cheap meal 1.0-3.0;
- in a cheap restaurant 4-6;
- in a quite good restaurant 8-12;
- in a luxury restaurant 20-30 or more;
- KFC: 5 chicken wings+small chips+salad - 2.7
- McDonalds: hamburger 0.8, cheesburger 1.2; meal 2.5-3.0.
- Pizza Hut: medium pizza 3.9(margherita)-6; big pizza 5-8
- 0.5 l of Polish beer: 0.5-0.7 in a store; 0.9-2.0 and more in a pub; imported beer is usually at least twice as expensive as Polish;
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FOOD in a department store (grocery):
- coca-cola 1 l - 0.9-1;
- juice box 1 l - 0.8-1.1;
- polish sausages 1kg - 2.5-3.0;
- Gouda cheese 1 kg - 3-4;
- polish ham 1 kg - 4-5;
- mineral water 1.5 l - 0.3-0.5;
- bottle of wine 0.7 l - 2.5-10.0 or moooore...
- vodka 0.7 l - 7-10 or more,
- milk UHT 1.0 l - 0.4-0.6,
- bread 1.5 kg - 0,75
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HOW CHEAP IS TO GET THERE!

Poland in Europe

Airfares 2002/2003: round-trip to Krakow, all taxes included, ticket purchased in the USA/Canada, at least 1 additional stopover permitted.
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FROM:
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USA (in USD):
Chicago - 576.50
Dallas - 618.50
Los Angeles - 661.00
New York - 482.00
San Diego - 661.00
San Francisco - 661.00
Seattle - 661.00
Washington DC - 539.50
Source: www.lot.com
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Canada (in CAD):
Edmonton - 1180 (LOT)
Montreal - 625 (Austrian Airlines)
Toronto - 670 (Air France)
Vancouver - 1070 (Air France)
source: http://ca.travel.yahoo.com
check: www.lotcanada.com/main.htm as well.
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MORE: in my transportation tips.
Please e-mail me if you find anything cheaper :-).

Pros and Cons

Pros:Fantastic natural attractions, old cities and towns, very affordable, friendly people, unique traditions, good tourist infrastructure - do you need anything more?
Cons:Poland may not be so traditional and cheap in a few years :-(
In a nutshell:Do it soon! Discover still undiscovered pearl of Europe!

Last visit to Poland: Apr 2005
Intro Updated Apr 9, 2005
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Reviews (59)

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Jezioro Paprocanskie - the lake Off The Beaten Path (8)

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Pszczyna castle Off The Beaten Path (8)

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Transportation (29)
See All Where to find Polish train timetables
Local Customs (2)
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Restaurants (2)
See All Delicious Polish duck
Warnings Or Dangers (2)
See All Polish specific letters

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (206)

Maurizioago Aug 12, 2009 at 1:37 AM Report Abuse

Nice page Matt. Ciao!
Nemorino Jan 29, 2007 at 1:36 PM Report Abuse

Very moving photos in your five travelogues. We just had an opera premiere last night (Wagner's Tannhäuser in Frankfurt) which the young stage director Vera Nemirova said was inspired in part by the young people she saw on TV after the Pope's death.
Siddha3th Nov 1, 2006 at 1:21 AM Report Abuse

Guess the trick would be to get here before the old world charm fades. I liked your newer set of photographs, it does seem very charming. Cheers, Matt :)
acemj Aug 11, 2005 at 5:59 AM Report Abuse

Hi Maciek!!!! I'm still excited to visit at the end of September!
skye820 Aug 7, 2005 at 6:27 PM Report Abuse

Firas...I never knew you wanted to visit Poland with me?? :)) Oh Mat..great tribute to John Paul II, he was an Icon of our age and will be missed by many.
dr.firas Apr 14, 2005 at 6:25 AM Report Abuse

I want to visit Poland so much, one day with my beloved one for sure :-)))
Kajron Apr 11, 2005 at 12:40 PM Report Abuse

I must see this country a day:) I see the photos, thank you. Apart all the important message is that Love triumph and a day we could smile all together,where we will be all popes, ciao, with friendship, Mattia from ITALIA.
Kodi01 Apr 11, 2005 at 12:37 PM Report Abuse

I had to laughy out loud. Funny that you of all people could find where to make travelogues, when vt does not give up enough room. GREAT tribute to the Pope- Bravo!!!!!!!
Pawtuxet Apr 10, 2005 at 5:42 AM Report Abuse

Matt -- thank you so much all the photos and stories from Krakow at historic moment at the death of an amazing Pope. The world is grateful he came to us... You have much to be proud of. Hope, courage, and determination are yours.
JudyinPA Apr 9, 2005 at 7:49 PM Report Abuse

Matt, this is a wonderful tribute to John Paul II. It was a time of solidarity for all the religious world regardless of affilitation. Your pictures portray a thousand words. I am so glad someone like you did a page like this.