From the shores of the Baltic Sea in the north to the peaks of the Tatra Mountains in the south, Poland will surprise you at every turn. 2018 is a particularly important year for Poland, celebrating a centenary of independence.
With over a thousand years of history, Krakow was the capital of Poland up until the 17th century. It was, and still is, a very cosmopolitan city, attracting many artists and scholars. Mercifully untouched during World War II, the city is perfectly preserved and rich in history.
In contrast, by the end of the World War II, nearly eighty-five percent of Warsaw lay in ruins. However, like a phoenix, it has risen beautifully from the ashes. Spanning the Vistula River, most of the historic sites are situated on the left bank, while on the right bank is the fashionable Praga district.
Between the two cities, there are 53 restaurants listed in the Michelin guide, making Poland a center of culinary innovation.
Wroclaw (pronounced Vrots-waff) was European Capital of Culture in 2016 and is worth visiting for its magnificent market square alone.
Gdansk, formerly Danzig, right on the Baltic coast is one of the Tri-City towns that include Sopot and Gdynia and is a stop on many Baltic cruises. Learn about the Solidarity Movement which started here and played a seminal role in overthowing Poland’s communist government.
Wherever you choose to visit in Poland, we are sure that it will exceed your expectations. Contact our expert team to start planning today.
The Museum of the Second World War is located on the Westerplatte Peninsula in Gdansk where on September 1, 1939 WWII began. The museum grounds cover almost 2.5 acres, while the building itself is almost 3 million square feet. The exhibits are divided into three areas – past, present and future. You can easily spend an entire day at the museum, so plan accordingly!
The award winning European Solidarity Center also in Gdansk is dedicated to the Solidarity Movement and the opposition, which led to the overthrow of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. The center showcases the timeline of contemporary history leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Whether you are researching your roots, or just have a general interest in Jewish cultural history, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews (POLIN) in Warsaw is an absolute must. This stunning 43,000 square foot commemorative museum charts the 1,000-year history of all Jewish life in Poland, which also includes the former Polish territories now a part of Lithuania and Ukraine.
Opened in 2004 to mark the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the fight for Warsaw, the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising is a tribute to those who fought and died to bring freedom to Poland and its capital. As one of the country’s leading interactive museums, we suggest grabbing an audio guide when touring independently to make the most of your experience.
The Oskar Schindler Factory is today a branch of the Krakow History Museum, highlighting the moving history of Krakow from 1939 through 1945. You will see the changes in the city brought on by the Nazi occupation.
These are just a handful of the interesting and varied musuems in Poland. Have a passion for Chopin? We can arrange a custom tour just for you. Read the Zookeeper’s Wife and want to learn more? Contact us to plan your Poland trip.
For over 1,000 years, Poland was the focal point of Jewish culture in Europe. Over two thirds of Ashkenazi Jews have roots in Poland. Over the years, we have helped many of our travelers research their ancestry while visiting Poland.
Whether you are researching your familial roots or just want to learn more about Jewish heritage, Exeter International will make sure your journey is personal and meaningful. We have deep knowledge of all the sites, from forgotten shtetls to concentration camps and the newest museums that celebrate the long history of Jewish presence in this region. There are active synagogues, cemeteries, museums and cultural centers that can be visited, and people who are eager to share their Jewish experience.
Visiting Auschwitz is for anyone, a harrowing experience. We can arrange privately guided visits where you can take everything at your own pace.
Every individial trip is custom designed with your specific interests in mind. Get in touch with our expert Poland team to plan your trip today.
Poland has a thriving culinary scene. Seasonality and local produce are the keystones. For example, Poland has a strong tradition of using the gifts of the forest – mushrooms, berries and herbs which all play starring roles in Polish cusine. This new style of Polish cusine has its roots in traditional recipes that are being rediscovered and reinvented.
Wojciech Amaro, the first Michelin starred chef in Poland, took skills learnt abroad and returned home to Poland to open Atelier Amaro in 2012. Using local ingredients such as, aged spruce and oak vinegar and salted poppy seeds, he has undoubtedly been a huge influence across all of Poland’s food scene.
Mateusz Gessler, one of Poland’s top celebrity chefs, has three restaurants in Warsaw, two of which are open 24/7. Warszawa Wschodina, one of our favorite restaurants, is located in Praga, a gentrifying area of Warsaw. In a converted factory, the restaurant has an industrial feel, and the food is a blend of Polish with French influence.
The Likus family, who own several hotels, have also established themselves firmly in the Warsaw and Krakow restaurant landscape. Their LConcept Bar & Restaurant in Krakow is located below ground of the main market square, Rynek Glowny, and focusses on modern Polish food with Italian influences.
In Wroclow, multi-award winning chef, Justyna Słupska-Kartaczowska, opened jaDka in a medieval cellar right in the heart of the old town. Using 100% Polish products, her inspiration comes from traditional recipes with a modern twist.
Near Gdansk, Bogdan Gałązka has just celebrated 10 years as the Head Chef of the Gothic Cafe and Restaurant at Malbork Castle, the world’s largest brick castle and certainly the most impressive in Europe! Bogdan’s greatest influences are historic Polish recipes. During the restaurant’s annual closure from December to April, he travels the world researching the latest food trends.
At Exeter International we research all elements of your custom designed trip, which includes our preferred restaurant recommendations, each venue personally vetted by one of our team. Get in touch to plan an unforgettable trip to Poland.
In May, Warsaw is set to welcome the addition of a truly world-class deluxe hotel – the Raffles Europejski. Located on the Royal Route right across from the presidential palace, the hotel will have the most spacious rooms in Warsaw. A hotel for 160 years, the building has been completely restored and will be filled with contemporary modern art. The outside terrace of the Europejski Grill will be the place to people watch in Warsaw this summer!
A recent addition to the Krakow Hotel landscape is the Unicus Palace. Just steps from the Old Town the hotel has been converted from historic buildings to a luxe boutique property with charachter and charm.
We personally select and inspect all of our preferred hotels in Poland. Our expert team will be able to advise which is the best for your requirements whether you are traveling as a family, a couple or group.
Poland has a continental European climate with cold winters and warm summers. May through September are the ideal months to travel for good weather, although Christmas markets are a growing attraction in Poland, with Krakow being particularly beautiful during the holiday season
We recommend a minimum of six days to visit Warsaw and Krakow, and 10 to include Gdansk. Our Essential Poland progam is a great place to get inspiration, before calling one of our team to customize your trip.
If you have more time and want to extend your stay, we have some ideas:
Krakow combines perfectly with the enchanting city of Prague. A leisurely direct train from Krakow places you in one of Europe’s most popular cities. Indulge in one of Prague’s superb hotels and enjoy the city’s rich musical and artistic heritage. Or for the ultimately luxury, your private driver will take you door to door with a stop in the Czech countryside.
Get back to nature with a short drive to the Tatra mountain region of Slovakia. The stunning Kempinski High Tatras is the perfect break for a few nights after intensive touring in Poland. Hike the mountains, walk around the lake, take out a rowboat, or indulge in spa services at this gorgeous mountain retreat.
A short flight or a six-hour high-speed train from Warsaw puts you in Berlin – one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan capitals. Poland and Germany have deeply intertwined histories, making a visit to Berlin a logical extension of your time in Poland.
Gwen Kozlowski, our General Manager, has been recognized by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler and Wendy Perrin as the expert for deluxe travel in the region. Contact Gwen today to plan your trip!
