Trip to Poland/Polska. (2009, rental, credit card)

[Milwaukee City]

So I'm planning a trip to Poland next summer and I would like any insight on what to see and what not to see. I would like to see Warsaw, Krakow, The Baltic sea and the Mountains as well. I know that's a loaded trip but I'll be going for two weeks. Should I stay in Krakow or Warsaw, I'm also looking for good night life. I would like to venture out in the country side but do they rent cars to foreigners? I plan on taking a train anywhere I need to go so any other tips would be helpful or if you have had any experience traveling to eastern Europe.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

So I'm planning a trip to Poland next summer and I would like any insight on what to see and what not to see. I would like to see Warsaw, Krakow, The Baltic sea and the Mountains as well. I know that's a loaded trip but I'll be going for two weeks. Should I stay in Krakow or Warsaw, I'm also looking for good night life. I would like to venture out in the country side but do they rent cars to foreigners? I plan on taking a train anywhere I need to go so any other tips would be helpful or if you have had any experience traveling to eastern Europe.

I have no experience with traveling outside of the states, but I do know a few things about Poland. These are the places I would go to if I go to Poland. I would like to try Krakow because that is where Pope John Paul II got his start. Not only that, there is a trumpeter is plays a very interesting tune every hour on the hour. Krakow had the least amount of damage from World War II. It's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A more somber place to visit is Osweicim, which is where the former death camp of Auschwitz is. It is a scary place, but a place worth visiting and learning from.
The Tatras are something you should check out too. There is a National Geographic article from January 1981 about the people living in Poland's mountains.
Another interesting thing to check out is Jasna Gora Monastery, which is where the shrine of the Black Madonna is(it is a wooden carving of the Virgin Mary). It has survived many things. It can be found in Czestochowa.
There is Gdansk, which is on the Baltic. There is fountain, called Neptune's Fountain. It is very beautiful. Actually, I just love fountains. Gdansk is known for having alot of open-air concerts.

[meet4]

I would like to venture out in the country side but do they rent cars to foreigners? I plan on taking a train anywhere I need to go so any other tips would be helpful or if you have had any experience traveling to eastern Europe.

It's central Europe btw. You have normal rental chains there like Hertz, just be prepared for much higher price compared to US. You will need a valid credit card and international driving license (google it).

It's a very loaded trip even for two weeks. Nightlife is good in Warsaw, rest of the country not much. Regarding trains, always pay for first class (it's not much more expensive) and look for International/higher quality trains. Local trains are junky and tend to be slow. If I would be on your place, I would go to Prague and Vienna too, since you will have Shengen Visa anyway.

If you have some specific question, just throw it here.

[wastina]

Two weeks is a decent period and Poland is a worthy country! Please DO rent a car: it's so much more fun to see things at your own pace and time. You'll likely want to spend more time in/around Krakow than Warsaw, which has a big city feel by comparison. The mountains you speak of are around Zakopane, reachable from Krakow, as is Auchwitz. Make sure you get to Wieliska salt mine, too. I've never been to the Polish Baltic coast, but it's a good destination and you should give it an overnight there. Don't forget to look for amber on the beach!

Have fun with your trip; you'll enjoy it!

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by wastina

Two weeks is a decent period and Poland is a worthy country! Please DO rent a car: it's so much more fun to see things at your own pace and time. You'll likely want to spend more time in/around Krakow than Warsaw, which has a big city feel by comparison. The mountains you speak of are around Zakopane, reachable from Krakow, as is Auchwitz. Make sure you get to Wieliska salt mine, too. I've never been to the Polish Baltic coast, but it's a good destination and you should give it an overnight there. Don't forget to look for amber on the beach!

Have fun with your trip; you'll enjoy it!

The amber. That must be the amber route. And Poland it not the only nation with it. Latvia and Estonia have it too.

[Milwaukee City]

I know! my wife picks some up every time she goes to Lithuania.

[ResearchMom]

Stay in Krakow, and forget Warsaw ;-) Krakow is in a different league, it will show you the HEART of Poland. Instead of traveling to Warsaw, visit the Tatry mountains in Zakopane. You will not regret it! While there, rent a little affordable lodge overnight such as "Gospoda pod Niebem". GOSPODA POD NIEBEM
I've stayed there and it was so wonderful and cozy. The owner has a little restaurant inside, and if you ask for food/drinks, they will bring them up to your room. The lodge is within walking distance to all the attractions, food, trails, cable car, main street "Krupowki", etc..

[Milwaukee City]

Stay in Krakow, and forget Warsaw ;-) Krakow is in a different league, it will show you the HEART of Poland. Instead of traveling to Warsaw,

I hear this a lot that Warsaw is too "Americanized" now and it's not true Poland, can you speak any info to this?

[chielgirl]

Krakow is beautiful and has nice castle. The town square is marvelous.
I heard the best concert in all of my travels in 2004 in a cathedral in the Jewish sector (south of the town). It was the last of a 10-day concert series.

I'd go again.

It gets pretty cold in that area.

[Yac]

This article covers some of the more impressive places.
If you're looking for great night life, I suggest the tri-city area - Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot. Sopot is considered the clubbing capitol of Poland.
Warsaw is a mixed experience. On one hand there are tons of landmarks, statues, the old town etc. But at the same time it's dirty, smelly, congested (think NYC without the skyscrapers ..) and after being leveled by Germans during ww2,has been rebuilt in the spirit of socialism. This means ugly, concrete buildings and huge residential blocks of flats.
Half of my family lives in Poland, I've visited Warsaw and most bigger cities there several times. If you have any more specific questions, feel free to ask
Yac.