Even the best instructions and guide books will not replace practical information of those who have seen the country. Therefore, in addition to the “Useful information” and “Poland for Dutchmen”, we proudly present a comprehensive (though not quite serious) photo-report of a visit by a Dutchman, who has already had 8 trips to Poland.
And wants more! (The secret reason is that he extremely loves Polish apple cake and pork chops, which can’t get in his fatherland.) He has dreamt of visiting Poland since childhood, when he read the story of the trumpeter of Cracow and almost always wanted to see this magical city. He came when was already on pension and when he had secured the help of a Polish guide, who was able not to break her tongue on such unspeakable names of cities like Szczebrzeszyn, Żyrzyny or Dźwierzuty. This Dutchman agreed to share his experiences with all who would like to come to Poland one day – to warn them and let them know what to expect.
1. It is highly recommended by him to take a car and a good guide…
2. and good GPS (tomtom)…
Tomtom at work
3. …which knows well even the smallest Polish roads. (It is necessarily to say however, that even the best GPS is sometimes lost a bit as they built roads here so quickly and in big number.)
Somewhere in Poland
4. Looking for adventure has to be started in Cracow, of course. This is surely the essence of Polish culture!
Floriańska Gate, Cracow.
5. The city is beautiful and you can have great relax there…
Old Market Square, Cracow
6. … but the town does not really care about tourists from the Netherlands who do not belong to the Lilliputians. Sooner a camel will squeeze through the eye of a needle than a Netherlander by the narrow spaces between the wooden bars in the Zygmunt bell tower!
The Zygmunt Bell Tower
7. Whatever to say, it’s a pity you can’t find in the Netherlands a town like this.
Old Market Square, Cracow
8. And few things else. Like a traditional Polish apple cake. Well, this one is a bit unusual.
Café at Kazimierz, Cracow
9. And tea is served there of a high quality. At least… sometimes.
“U Dziwisza” tearoom, Kazimierz Dolny
10. Well, the food here is not stingy…
Hotel Vincent, Kazimierz Dolny
11. …but sometimes you do not know what’s on the dish. Especially as some dishes tend to be a little strange.
Somewhere in Poland
12. In general, survival in Poland requires sometimes incarnation in different forms. For example, to pretend a Jew…
Kazimierz district in Cracow, Remuh cemetery
13. a miner…
Uranium mine, Kowary
14. …and even a guard!
Castle Czocha
15. There was even a very scary moment…
Old Town, Warsaw
16. …but people are usually very friendly, and some even speak English!
Park of Miniatures, Kowary
17. A good tour guide will understand the secret needs.
Hotel Vincent, Kazimierz Dolny
18. Doesn’t force to be in a hurry, allows to drink your usual coffee and always finds a pleasant place for rest.
Somewhere in Poland
19. And there are no problems with paying by credit cards. OK, maybe not always.
Tearoom “U Dziwisza”, Kazimierz Dolny
20. But in emergency cases there is a place where they can help you. When you are Dutchman, of course.
Dutch Embassy in Warsaw
21. One even has internetconnection in the hotel room – feels almost like home.
Hotel Batory, Szczawnica
22. Almost, because sometimes real Dutchman longs for his beloved polder.
Hotel Chojnik, Zachełmie
23. Anyway, traveling into Poland has its pleasures, especially when having a company of a guardian angel!
Old Town, Posen
24. So he will be back!
- Written by: Renata Głuszek ©
- Foto: Renata Głuszek, Han Tiggelaar ©
All (well, almost all) places shown on the pics are described in our detailed reports.