It’s finally here! I’ve dreamed about going to Poland since I was a little girl. And now I’m going with the other person in my life who had the same dream, my cousin (and great friend) Barbara Anne.
The photo above is our maternal Grandma with Kevin and me as wee ones. She’s the reason we’re going to Poland. Grandma (and our grandfather who we never got to meet) were born in Warsaw and came to Canada as youngsters. She went back to visit, although rarely. But we feel a pull to see the land she, and to an extent we, came from.
The forecast says the weather will be spring-like: cool, rainy, and my idea of perfection! You can have your hot summers, thank you. I’ll take any weather you have to layer-up for. I have rain boots and a slicker in my suitcase. Bring it on.
Here are the highlights of our itinerary:
Monday, April 6 (Easter Monday): Arrive in Warsaw, Poland.
Friday, April 10, fly to Krakow, Poland.
Monday, April 13, travel by bus/train to Prague, Czechia.
Friday, April 17, bus/train to Zagreb, Croatia.
Tuesday, April 21, fly home.
We will visit Auschwitz and go down to a salt mine. We almost skipped the mine until several people told us it was a must-see. In each city, we’re staying in the “old town” to absorb as much architecture and real life as possible. Although we are staying in Zagreb, Croatia, we will travel to the coast. It’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.
A Selection of Stays
Because being in each city core was our priority, I’ve booked a mixed bag of accommodations. We’ll be in a hostel/hotel in Warsaw that will probably be full of college-age people. Derek and I stayed in one of these just outside Venice, Italy and it was wonderful. The food and rooms were good, the staff were terrific, and the atmosphere was like being camp directors. The place was clean and quiet. We had our own bathroom – a “must” for us. We enjoyed our breakfasts watching dozens of teens and twenty-somethings prepare for their day. It was an energizing and different experience.
For the rest of the trip we are booked into one regular, non-chain hotel, and two apartments. The full apartments cost less than tiny hotel rooms and are better located for things to see and do. I’m excited about the variety.
Unlike other places in Europe we’ve been to, Poland requires security checks before we arrive. We had to upload our passports and fresh selfies as well as fill out a bunch of forms. Hosts of our excursions have been in touch to confirm details and pick-up locations. They’ve also offered to help with restaurant recommendations or anything else we need. I said, coffee?? And they replied, you won’t have a problem finding coffee in any city. My needs are therefore met!
Buttoning Up for Other Reasons
As far as safety goes, Poland joined other countries in saying it will stay out of the war on Iran. Czech Republic (Czechia) is backing the attacks, verbally at least. But we feel we will be far enough away from anything dangerous to worry about it. It’s as safe as one can feel, knowing life is unpredictable. Poland shares a border with Ukraine but it’s hundreds of kilometres from where we’ll be.
I’m putting Canadian flag stickers, pins, and tags everywhere possible so no one mistakes us for Americans. I have a container full of flag buttons and plan to pin a couple on myself every day. Sorry, US friends, but this is the reality we live in. I don’t want to be an apologist for what the orange menace is doing.
I hope to post pictures on social media here and there, likely on Instagram. (My Instagram will automatically publish pictures to Facebook and Threads, too.) It all depends on what we’re doing and whether there is downtime. I won’t interrupt a good time just to go online. I will not take photos at Auschwitz. But I will take tissues, lots of them, before we arrive at that sacred site. Until then, na razie, friends!