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France Travel
france travel guide book france travel itineraries visiting france for the first time map of france france tourism paris travel guide traveling to france what do i need visit france
Planning a holiday to France? Read our guide to the best regions, including expert advice on where to go on the Côte-d'Azur and Aquitaine Coast, in Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon, Brittany, Normandy, Burgundy and the Dordogne as well as the best operators and booking details. By Anthony Peregrine, Telegraph Travel France expert. Click on the tabs above for our expert's picks of the best beach, villa, culture, food and drink, activity and cruise holidays in France.
FRANCE RENTAL CAR REQUIREMENTS & DRIVING INFORMATION
We are reliably schizophrenic about the French. This is understandable. They are both our next-door neighbours, and hereditary foes. Because we live so close, their supposed foibles - arrogance, slipperiness, dubious morality - are amplified. And yet, and yet, we can't keep out of their country.
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Clearly, and like a classy courtesan, France is so damned seductive that she lures us away from fiercely-held principles. You can see how she might. The most diverse country in Europe runs from celebrated mountains to the continent's finest coast via everything else in-between. Great rivers run hither and yon, forest covers 28 per cent of the landscape and there's hardly anyone about.
Amboise, in the Loire
More Telegraph Travel expert guides
For roughly the same population, France covers more than twice the area of the UK. The few there are have filled the place with the first-class food and wine, châteaux (not all built to fight the English) and variegated culture. In few other countries can you go, as I did four summers ago, from a bull-running festival to major Signac exhibition in under 25 minutes. Villages remain complete unto themselves, rather than urban out-reach communities. They will have proper bakeries. The chain store might still be the ironmonger's. The mayor will take him(her)self very seriously.
As importantly, and despite (or because of?) its Jacobin impulse to centralisation, France has retained marked regional identities. The country covers the West European spectrum, from Flemish and Germanic in the north to Latin in the south. You can holiday in a different France every time you go. But how do you choose where
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Lido de Paris: New Year's Eve Dinner and Show
Lido de Paris Tours
With a history dating back to the 1940s and a prime location on the glittering Champs-Elysees, Lido de Paris is one of Paris’ most famous and celebrated cabarets. The legendary show is a feast for the senses, with mesmerizing choreography, dazzling costumes, a medley of foot-stomping show tunes, the famous Bluebell Girls—and, in true French fashion, Champagne.
The Basics
Lido de Paris guests can expect to be truly wowed. Advance booking is essential, as tickets can sell out weeks in advance, especially during busy periods. Two 90-minute shows are performed each evening, with lunch and matinee shows held on select days. You can choose to enjoy a pre-show dinner and/or Champagne, opt for a private hotel transfer, or combine the show with a guided night tour of the City of Light.
Things to Know Before You Go
There is a smart-casual dress code—shorts, sportswear, flip-flops, and sneakers are not permitted.
A coat check is available and is free for guests.
Taking photos or videos is not permitted during the show.
Lido de Paris is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Lido de Paris, on the Champs-Elysees in Paris’ 8th arrondissement, is a five-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe. The closest metro stop is George V, and the nearest RER A train station is Charles de Gaulle–Etoile.
When to Get There
Lido de Paris has performances every day of the year. For last-minute tickets and deals, it’s best to visit in low season (November to March) or opt for a weekday show. The hottest tickets of the year are the special Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve shows, accompanied by a six-course gourmet dinner and plenty of Champagne.
The Magic of “Paris Merveilles”
Over the years, stars such as Elton John, Elvis Presley, Edith Piaf, and Shirley Maclaine have performed at the iconic Lido de Paris cabaret, while in-house entertainers include the famous Bluebell Girls, the Lido Boys, and the Lido Orchestra. Franco Dragone’s “Paris Merveilles” show, a 90-minute extravaganza devoted to the wonders of Paris, features spectacular sets that include an ice rink, a gigantic chandelier, and water fountains, plus unforgettable acts with burlesque dancers, acrobats, magicians, and mimes.
Lido de Paris: New Year's Eve Dinner and Show
Ring in the New Year in deluxe Parisian style with dinner and a show at the legendary Lido de Paris! Treat yourself to a gourmet 6-course dinner, accompanied by a bottle of fine French wine or
Champagne and served in the Lido’s sumptuous, historic showroom. Then, feast your eyes on the decadent costumes and enchanting sets of the ‘Paris Merveilles’ cabaret revue, starring the famous Bluebell Girls and Lido Boy dancers. Celebrate the stroke of midnight with a Champagne toast, and dance to live orchestra music until dawn. Highlights Exclusive New Year's Eve Evening at Lido de Paris Spectacular Paris Merveilles cabaret show at the Paris Lido on the Champs-Elysees Enjoy a 6-course, gourmet menu Fabulous dancers, costumes, music and theatrical effects Champagne toast included Dance until dawn at the Lido de Paris What You Can Expect Lido de Paris: New Year's Eve Dinner and Show One of the premier venues in Paris, Le Lido is known for pioneering the dinner-
and-show concept and has been tantalizing audiences with lavish cabaret-style revues since 1946. Spend an unforgettable New Year’s Eve here while cherishing a true slice of Parisian history. When you arrive at the historic club on the Champs Elysées, take your seat in the elegantly appointed, historic dining room and savor the rich flavors of French cuisine as servers present six gourmet courses (see Itinerary below for a sample menu). Enjoy an abundance of wine all night with an entire bottle of your choice of excellent red or white wine or Champagne. After dinner, spin your sweetheart around the dance floor while the house orchestra provides high-energy, vintage-inspired tunes. At 10:40 pm, return to your seats before the curtain rises on the Lido’s spectacular new ‘Paris
Merveilles’ show. Be mesmerized as the Lido’s famous Bluebell Girls — decked out in elaborate feathered and sequined costumes — present impressive dance numbers against the backdrop of splendid mechanical sets. As the clock ticks toward midnight, celebrate the big moment with a Champagne toast and onstage festivities led by the beautiful Bluebell Girls. Then, shake, shimmy and strut your stuff on the dance floor until the wee morning hours. It’s an unforgettable way to kick off the New Year! Book early, as Lido shows are extremely popular and often sell out far in advance. Please be advised that this performance contains partial nudity, and may not be appropriate for all audiences. Itinerary Lido de Paris New Year’s Eve Menu Sunday December 31st 2017 Sea urchin served with diced crab and Aquitaine caviar Lobster served with a tarragon-flavoured green sauce and vegetables with balsamic vinegar Scallops served with a golden sabayon sauce, leeks and wild mushrooms with tarragon Veal filet mignon and foie gras with smoked salt served with a truffle cappuccino Dessert of Maison LENÔTRE : The "Twelve Strokes of Midnight" Sweetpetits fours New Year's Eve Menu (490€) : ½ bottle of Champagne Lido brut 1er cru Mineral water and coffee Privilege Menu (680€) : Puff pastries served with Rosé Champagne Champagne Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, at will Or wine (white or red), at will 2015/16 Bourgogne - Chablis 1er cru - Montée de Tonnerre 2013 Bordeaux - Haut Médoc - Château Victoria Mineral water and coffee
Read more about Lido de Paris: New Year's Eve Dinner and Show 2018 at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Lido-de-Paris-New-Years-Eve-Dinner-and-Show/d479-5091NYE?pub=vcps
France Now
Tips for Visiting Paris in the Summer
In many ways, Paris in the summertime is the least Parisian of times in the city of lights. Since French people generally have several weeks of paid vacation a year, huge numbers of locals flee town for vacations in the South of France or elsewhere, and the influx of visitors turns the city into a perpetual Babel, with foreign languages heard just as frequently as French in metro cars or cafes.
The pace slows, the streets are calmer, the nights longer, and summer festivals and special events promise some fun days and nights out in the warm (or muggy) air.
Love It (The Pros)
Summer might not strike every traveler as the ideal time to visit, but for some, it'll strike all the right chords.
It's a prime time for festivals and great open-air events, and many of these, including the Paris Street Music Festival (Fete de la Musique), or the open-air cinema at the Villette park in the city's north, are entirely free.
Visitors rule the city during the summer. Paris is always geared toward tourists, who flock here in the millions year-round. But in the summer, since most Parisians are gone, you can truly enjoy the city on your own terms. Meeting people from around the world is another fun prospect, especially for student travelers who may be using the summer break to explore the city.
The atmosphere is relaxed and carefree, and opportunities for great nightlife in Paris abound. Sprawl out and have a picnic at one of Paris's elegant parks and gardens or along the banks of the Seine or have an all-nighter by hopping between some great Parisian nightclubs.
And Now, the Cons
It can be prohibitively expensive: A spike in airfares during peak season means reserving well ahead is a must (Look for a travel package and book direct via TripAdvisor). If you're taking the train, book tickets well ahead (Buy direct at Rail Europe).
It's not for the crowd-shy: Tourism peaks between May and early October most years in Paris, so you're going to have to accept having...erm, lots of company during your visits to Notre Dame Cathedral or the Eiffel Tower.
The metro is generally crowded, and often, hot and congested, so make sure to wear layers even if it's relatively cool out.
The weather can be erratic and unpredictable: Spells of rain or intense heat waves can ruin plans for outdoor activities, and extreme heat can be dangerous for elderly or young visitors. Make sure to bring lots of water with you on long excursions, and dress appropriately (again, I recommend layers to make sure you're prepared for sudden rain or heat spells).
What to Do?
Summer is festival season, and with the extra-long days and (generally) warm nights, you'll have no trouble finding things to keep your schedule full and exciting. Here are just a few ideas for what to do-- click through to explore these in detail:
Sun, Sand, and Fun at Paris Plages (Pop-Up Beaches)
Launched in 2002, Paris Beach (or "Paris Plages" in French) is a free summer event that transforms several spots in Paris into full-fledged beaches, each with their own distinctive themes and attractions. The brainchild of former Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe who was well-known for launching ambitious municipal events, Paris Plages has become a permanent fixture in the Parisian summertime scene. From sunning in the sand to swimming in pools suspended over the Seine, kayaking, or enjoying free evening concerts, Paris Plage offers activities that everyone will enjoy and is especially ideal if you're visiting Paris with kids.
2018 Locations and Hours
The 2018 beach operation will be open daily from early July to late August. Precise dates have yet to be announced; visit this page in late May for more details. Beaches are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to midnight. This summer, Paris Plages will have three main locations:
The first beach (generally the most popular and crowded) is located on the right bank of the Seine in central Paris, stretching from the Pont Neuf near the Louvre to the Pont de Sully near Hotel de Ville (City Hall).
The second "plage" is a sandy beach along the stretch of the right bank quay known as the "Voie Georges Pompidou."
Finally, heading northeast, the third major beach stretches alongside the picturesque canal known as the "Bassin de la Villette" (near metro Jaures/Stalingrad), in northeastern Paris (19th arrondissement). Scroll down for more details on each of the beaches and their highlights, from activities for kids and adults, dining, drinking, and entertaining.
Are the Beaches Accessible to All?
All Paris beach sites have been designed to be as accessible as possible to visitors in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. Ramps allow easy access to beaches. Water fountains, swimming pools, and some boats at the Villette site are also accessible.
Free Concerts
Every year, a score of free concerts are held in tandem with Paris Plages, bringing an exciting lineup of contemporary artists to liven up the evenings at the makeshift beaches.
The FNAC Live festival will take place this year in front of Hotel de Ville.
Activities and Ambiance at Paris Plages 2018
"Traditional" Beach (Pont Neuf to Pont de Sully): This is the most traditional of the three Paris Beach locations and features sand and grass beaches, and stretches for some three kilometers along some of the most coveted stretches of the Seine River. Here, you can relax under parasols and on chaise longues (rental is free, but the competition is fierce, so arrive early!), splash around in fountains and mini pools to cool off, and enjoy a variety of sports and games. Boardwalk-style cafes and snack bars line the beach (beer and wine are available for purchase at many), and at night a series of free concerts around Hotel de Ville liven up the strip.
Water Sports and Boating at La Villette: Stretching from the Rotonde de Ledoux near the Jaurès Metro station to the former Magasins Généraux on Rue de Crimee, this is the beach to choose if you'd like to see a more contemporary side of Paris, and are interested in getting in the water. For water sports enthusiasts, the beach of choice will be at La Villette, where the Canal de l'Ourq affords participants a choice between a variety of relaxed water sports. Kayaks, pedal boats, sailboats, canoes, and more are open to the public at no charge until 9:00 p.m. with instructors on the scene to help ensure a safe experience. You'll be able to glide along over 53,000 square feet of water, and after boating, a cold drink on one of the beach's waterside cafes will be in order.
ENGLAND 2018
The word 'luxury' is one of the most overused in marketing, no more so than when it comes to the travel industry. So where does that leave people who want to stay in a genuinely lavish and all-round superb hotel?
The hospitality industry’s hotel star ratings are a good start, of course, but even this can be misleading and confusing. Moreover, online reviews quickly reveal that even some five star hotels can let service, food or facilities slip, whilst others inflate their prices.
Read on to discover our pick of the best of the best in the UK – the hotels that we think it’s worth forking out the extra money on for a really special overnight stay. Whether you want a swish city-based, boutique hotel or country house accommodation set in rolling fields – or maybe you want a romantic, family or corporate stay – our list will help you find your perfect hotel in the perfect destination.
Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire
This 18th century mansion house has more of a feel of a private country club (probably because it doubles up as one) and the benefit is two-fold. First, it’s relaxed, while remaining sophisticated. Second, it means guests get use of all the club facilities – spa, tennis and championship golf course. The grounds stretch to 300 acres and there’s a superb spa and exceptional restaurant, run by head chef Chris Wheeler. Word of advice - rooms in the Pavilion are more bland and less opulent than those in the main house. Double rooms from £290 (roo
Hambleton Hall, Rutland
The Michelin-starred restaurant is so good that it’s ranked among the top 50 restaurants in the UK. But that’s not all that keeps this calming, unpretentious 17-roomed hotel a firm favourite, particularly among TripAdvisor travellers. The lakeside setting is spectacular and whilst you can go on long walks, cycle rides and go sailing, there’s a very good chance you’ll just wind up succumbing to the sheer comfort of the hotel – with its sophisticated yet homely interiors. Double rooms from £265 B&B
The Vineyard, Berkshire
Inspired by the vineyards of California – which is home to the owner’s personal winery – this 49-roomed hotel used to market itself as a “restaurant with rooms”. The contemporary bedrooms have exceptionally comfy beds and Ren products in the bathrooms, while the stunning restaurant has some of the best tasting menus around, with staff who will help select matching wines that are truly memorable. Bring your costume for the spa’s inviting facilities and extensive treatment menu and pack your glad rags too. Double rooms from £235 B&B
4/12
Ynyshir Hall, Eglwysfach
Once the childhood retreat of Queen Victoria, this five-star country-house hotel in west Wales is the perfect rural getaway, with Richard Gere and Eddie Izzard among fans. Take a ramble in the 14 acres of landscaped gardens, climb a mountain, walk on a wild beach, book a treatment in the new therapy centre or just read by the fire. Every one of the 10 bedrooms and suites, as well as the reception areas, are individually and stunningly designed and the restaurant is so good under head chef Gareth Ward that a Michelin star surely can’t be far away. Above all though, it’s the personal touch of owners Rob and Joan Reen, that make this place so special. Double rooms from £230 B&B www.ynyshirhall.co.uk
Book Now
Calcot Manor, Berkshire
Somehow, Calcot manages to be everything to everyone, so whether you want a romantic spa weekend, family break or girlfriends’ getaway, your expectations will be surpassed. The rooms are chic; the spa is blissful and huge; and there are two restaurants – an inn for gastro-pub style informal dining and a finer dining experience in the conservatory. There are free bikes for cycling locally, a crèche that’s open daily and we love the fact that it’s spread out across different (all stunning) buildings. Double rooms from £280 B&B
30 fabulous hotels for family fun in England
The Swan Hotel & Spa
Lake District, Cumbria, England
8 Telegraph expert rating
A prettily situated, riverside coaching inn turned family-friendly hotel with exuberantly coloured rooms, and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. For children, there's an adventure playground and nature trail plus indoor playroom with lilac pool table, games and toys. Packed lunches, secure bike storage and clothes-drying facilities are provided for the energetic. Little ones also benefit from welcome toys and books, children’s menus, and night-time milk and cookies.
Lympstone Manor
Exmouth, Devon, England
9 Telegraph expert rating
Britain's most exciting new country house hotel in decades, with double-Michelin-starred BBC Great British Menu icon Michael Caines MBE at the helm. The man himself takes the time to greet guests and can often be spied striding through the halls in his white chef overalls. Don't miss the eight-course tasting menu dinner. Many chefs get bogged down in zany experiments with foams and moleculars. Michael prefers to bravely poke at the booby-trapped boundary between sumptuous and sickly. Book a room with an outdoor bath overlooking the golden syrup sunsets of the Exe estuary.
fabulous hotels Luxury in United Kingdom ( england )
Read on to discover our pick of the best of the best in the UK – the hotels that we think it’s worth forking out the extra money on for a really special overnight stay. Whether you want a swish city-based, boutique hotel or country house accommodation set in rolling fields – or maybe you want a romantic, family or corporate stay – our list will help you find your perfect hotel in the perfect destination.
12 best luxury hotels in the UK
Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire
This 18th century mansion house has more of a feel of a private country club (probably because it doubles up as one) and the benefit is two-fold. First, it’s relaxed, while remaining sophisticated. Second, it means guests get use of all the club facilities – spa, tennis and championship golf course. The grounds stretch to 300 acres and there’s a superb spa and exceptional restaurant, run by head chef Chris Wheeler. Word of advice - rooms in the Pavilion are more bland and less opulent than those in the main house. Double rooms from £290 (roo
Hambleton Hall, Rutland
The Michelin-starred restaurant is so good that it’s ranked among the top 50 restaurants in the UK. But that’s not all that keeps this calming, unpretentious 17-roomed hotel a firm favourite, particularly among TripAdvisor travellers. The lakeside setting is spectacular and whilst you can go on long walks, cycle rides and go sailing, there’s a very good chance you’ll just wind up succumbing to the sheer comfort of the hotel – with its sophisticated yet homely interiors. Double rooms from £265 B&B
The Vineyard, Berkshire
Inspired by the vineyards of California – which is home to the owner’s personal winery – this 49-roomed hotel used to market itself as a “restaurant with rooms”. The contemporary bedrooms have exceptionally comfy beds and Ren products in the bathrooms, while the stunning restaurant has some of the best tasting menus around, with staff who will help select matching wines that are truly memorable. Bring your costume for the spa’s inviting facilities and extensive treatment menu and pack your glad rags too. Double rooms from £235 B&B
4/12
Ynyshir Hall, Eglwysfach
Once the childhood retreat of Queen Victoria, this five-star country-house hotel in west Wales is the perfect rural getaway, with Richard Gere and Eddie Izzard among fans. Take a ramble in the 14 acres of landscaped gardens, climb a mountain, walk on a wild beach, book a treatment in the new therapy centre or just read by the fire. Every one of the 10 bedrooms and suites, as well as the reception areas, are individually and stunningly designed and the restaurant is so good under head chef Gareth Ward that a Michelin star surely can’t be far away. Above all though, it’s the personal touch of owners Rob and Joan Reen, that make this place so special. Double rooms from £230 B&B www.ynyshirhall.co.uk
Book Now
Calcot Manor, Berkshire
Somehow, Calcot manages to be everything to everyone, so whether you want a romantic spa weekend, family break or girlfriends’ getaway, your expectations will be surpassed. The rooms are chic; the spa is blissful and huge; and there are two restaurants – an inn for gastro-pub style informal dining and a finer dining experience in the conservatory. There are free bikes for cycling locally, a crèche that’s open daily and we love the fact that it’s spread out across different (all stunning) buildings. Double rooms from £280 B&B
30 fabulous hotels for family fun in England
The Swan Hotel & Spa
Lake District, Cumbria, England
8 Telegraph expert rating
A prettily situated, riverside coaching inn turned family-friendly hotel with exuberantly coloured rooms, and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. For children, there's an adventure playground and nature trail plus indoor playroom with lilac pool table, games and toys. Packed lunches, secure bike storage and clothes-drying facilities are provided for the energetic. Little ones also benefit from welcome toys and books, children’s menus, and night-time milk and cookies.
Lympstone Manor
Exmouth, Devon, England
9 Telegraph expert rating
Britain's most exciting new country house hotel in decades, with double-Michelin-starred BBC Great British Menu icon Michael Caines MBE at the helm. The man himself takes the time to greet guests and can often be spied striding through the halls in his white chef overalls. Don't miss the eight-course tasting menu dinner. Many chefs get bogged down in zany experiments with foams and moleculars. Michael prefers to bravely poke at the booby-trapped boundary between sumptuous and sickly. Book a room with an outdoor bath overlooking the golden syrup sunsets of the Exe estuary.
ENGLAND UNITED KINGDOM
Going to the UK for the first time?
Here are 20 things that might surprise you when you visit Ol' Blighty.
Free museums
Hotels may be pricy, but sightseeing can often be deliciously cheap. Most state and council-owned museums are free to enter – and this includes the likes of the British Museum, Science Museum and Natural History Museum in London amongst many more obscure oddities.
SEE ALSO
England travel guide
Warm beer
The classic Aussie complaint about British beer is its temperature. And when it comes to lager, Australia is correct – it shouldn't be served warm. But good, hand-pulled ales taste better at room temperature. If the lager is warm, or the ales horrible, you're in a bad pub – of which there are more than reputation suggests.
Brilliant museums, for free. Something that will surprise Aussie visitors to the UK.
Brilliant museums, for free. Something that will surprise Aussie visitors to the UK. Photo: Getty Images
A handy rule of thumb on pubs is that if there aren't at least two more beers on tap than the usual selection – which comes from a pool of Guinness, Tetley, Carling, John Smiths, Fosters, Carlsberg, Becks Vier, Kronenbourg, Boddingtons, Stella and Heineken – go somewhere else.
Wetherspoon's
Talking of pubs, it's pretty much impossible to avoid the Wetherspoon's chain. Often in distinctive historic buildings but somehow managing to look and feel identical, they have no music and soul-sapping spirit. But they also serve an admirable range of drinks on the cheap, so yin and yang…
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Gregg's
Wetherspoon's, but with greasy pastries that are hotter than the sun upon first bite. By unwritten law, there are at least five outlets on each street. Everyone knows they're awful, deep down, but people get inexplicably defensive if an outsider criticises Gregg's.
TV quality
The UK has the best free-to-air TV in the world, but don't expect it to be wall-to-wall Wolf Hall and Doctor Who. Australia tends to get the best UK exports, skewing perceptions of the overall quality. But anyone who prefers Australia's mediocre filler to the UK's has serious quality control issues.
Separate taps
One tap for hot water, and one tap for cold. It's the British way, and no amount of aggrieved shrieking about the concept of mixer taps looks likely to change this.
Dull countryside
The great British countryside is often not as scenic as stereotypes would suggest. Famous areas such as the Cotswolds, Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District are nice enough, but the character comes from the villages rather than the landscape. For atmospherics and stark wow factor, the North York Moors, Scottish Highlands and Northumberland coast are a better bet.
Medium-sized market towns
Also majorly overrated are medium-sized market towns. Most have interchangeable high streets and are hotbeds of mindless parochiality. Oh, and the markets usually just sell poorly-made clothes, mobile phone covers and produce that's no better than that on sale in supermarkets.
National newspapers
The Australian (and US model) of city-based newspapers, with one more right-wing populist, the other leaning more left and wordy, doesn't apply. The main papers (in England at least) are national, and fit carefully plotted spots on the spectrum. Which you pick can reveal a fair bit about your character.
Time-consuming cross-London trips
The tube is remarkably efficient, but somehow it always takes longer than expected to get from A to B. Walking between lines in the same station, waiting for the second train and spending five minutes disorientated upon exit add up. Always budget an hour if changing lines is required, and 90 minutes if heading significantly out of Zone One.
Tube tap-ins
You no longer need to queue to buy tickets or Oyster cards for the Tube. If you've got a contactless credit card, you can simply tap in and out with that, and the correct fare will be automatically billed.
Train ticket prices
Train tickets in the UK can be much cheaper than their reputation suggests – but only when bought in advance and for travel outside of peak commuter periods. Research and plot ahead via Nationalrail.co.uk or face jaw-dropping walk-up prices. This is particularly galling on weekends and public holidays, when the whole network can go to pieces for repair work, and achingly slow 'rail replacement buses' take the place of the trains. With no discount.
City driving hell
So is hiring a car a better bet then? If you're planning to stick to the countryside, then certainly, but in urban areas, a car is a massive liability. A network of towns and cities born before the advent of the car, tiddly narrow spaces in multi-storey car parks and inevitably choked ring-roads don't to endear themselves to visiting drivers.
Scottish (and Northern Irish) bank notes
Scottish and Northern Irish banks issue their own notes, which are perfectly legal tender, but inevitably invoke suspicion in English and Welsh shops. Be prepared to stand your ground, and expect a severe struggle to exchange them outside of the UK…
Prepacked sandwiches
Perhaps more than anywhere else, the UK has an inexplicable love of pre-packed sandwiches. It's not just convenience stores that sell them – you'll find them in newsagents', pharmacies and supermarkets too. Freshly-made sandwiches seem to be regarded as pushing the boat out a bit.
Exceptional food quality
Sandwiches aside, food in the UK has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of decades. Whisper it, but quality is often is at least as good as in the more fabled France or Italy, while the globe-spanning variety makes eating out far more interesting than in most of Europe.
Indian food that isn't Indian
Whereas in Australia a cheap Thai is usually reliable and good Indian food can be hard to find, it's the other way round in the UK. But many of the classic dishes – especially Balti and chicken tikka masala were invented in the UK. Oh, and most 'Indian' restaurants are actually Pakistani or Bangladeshi.
Inexplicable local rivalries
While Australia concentrates on big cities, the UK is a country made up of a patchwork of large towns and smaller cities. And each one has an irrational hatred of another one, largely based around football. Some rivalries – Liverpool vs Manchester and Glasgow vs Edinburgh are well known. Others, such as Portsmouth vs Southampton, Ipswich vs Norwich or Nottingham vs Derby may come as a befuddling surprise.
The accent panoply
This collection of hundreds of distinct local identities often shows in the accent – which can undergo a complete change within the space of 50km. Only a select few of them tend to make it overseas in TV and films, although credit is due to Littlefinger in Game Of Thrones for attempting to run through every single one of them within a single episode. In short, expect to think: "What?" quite a lot.
Not everyone loves football
Despite a football-mad reputation, many Brits only have a slight interest in the sport. But British men, in particular, learn to be able to bluff about football from a very early age, even if only for the purposes of default pub conversation. Just because someone is talking football doesn't mean they really want to be.
Read more: http://www.traveller.com.au/united-kingdom-travel-tips-20-surprising-things-visitors-will-discover-ghv7h
POLAND now
Poland is often overlooked as a travel destination of choice. It’s a good thing for you because you won’t experience a crazy amount of tourists like in Italy, France or Croatia. While many travelers stop mainly in Cracow (Krakow) in the southern part of the country, the capital of Poland – Warsaw, is also an interesting place to visit with a sad history. There are plenty of things to do in Warsaw!
Many of you might not realize this, but I was actually born and raised in Warsaw. However, Poland 29 years ago when I was born was surely different than it is today. When I was a newborn, my parents had to use food ration cards to get food and supplies (like those in Cuba!) and while the communism ended in 1989, for many years Warsaw was still associated with old and destroyed gray walls of the industrial city in the eyes of foreign visitors.
Over the years things have changed, and Warsaw is neither gray anymore (in fact, when I was a kid they painted many apartment complexes with random bright colors), or in any way behind the rest of Europe. In Warsaw, you can find any foreign brands, restaurant chains, shops and many cool spots to hang out on top of museums and other attractions.
How to Get to Warsaw?
There are many direct flights to Warsaw from anywhere, with LOT Polish Airlines and many other major carriers. You can choose to fly to either Chopin Airport or Modlin where cheap airlines like RyanAir or WizzAir fly to (30 minutes away). Check on Skyscanner which one is cheaper to fly to.
Thanks to Warsaw’s hosting of the Euro 2012 football championships, getting to and from the airport is now easy due to new train lines and bus routes.
If you’re flying into Chopin Airport, you can simply take a taxi (approx. 40 PLN to downtown), train, or a local bus (no. 175, 188, 148, 331 during the day, and N32 at night). If you choose to travel by bus remember to validate your ticket inside the bus.
If you’re flying into Modlin, then you have less option, but it’s also doable. The fastest option is a train that runs every 20-30 minutes. There’s also a Modlin Airport Bus that costs 9 PLN and takes 40 minutes to downtown.
There is free Wifi at both airports, so don’t you can also easily navigate once you arrive. If you prefer to purchase a local SIM card instead, I recommend Orange as it has the cheapest and fastest 4G.
Warsaw Poland
Safety in Warsaw
Warsaw is relatively safe, but it isn’t as safe to leave your belongings unattended. Keep on eye on your purse in crowded spaces (entrance to Metro or in public transportation). Basically, use some common sense.
When to Go to Warsaw
Choosing the best time to go to Warsaw depends on whether you want to experience heat or cold. Poland has a temperate climate with hot summers (up to +30 C) and cold winters (down to -20 C).
There are several public holidays in Poland. Many restaurants, stores, and public institutions will be closed, so plan accordingly.
January 1st New Year’s Day
January 6th Three Kings’ Day
April 1st (2018) Easter Sunday
April 2nd (2018) Easter Monday / Smigus Dyngus – on this day young people throw water at each other and have water fights. Similar to Songkran Festival in Thailand.
May 1st Labour Day
May 3rd Constitution Day (many Poles take the 2nd of May off and make a trip somewhere
June 19th Corpus Christi
August 15th Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Polish Armed Forces Day (celebrating the battle of Warsaw in 1920)
November 1st All Saints’ Day
November 11th Independence Day
December 25th Christmas Day
December 26th St. Stephen’s Day
Warsaw Budget
Comparing to other European places and the US, Poland is definitely cheap.
For dinner, I’d usually prepare around $10-20 (40-80 PLN), including a cocktail or wine with your meal. If you decide to downtown and try a Milk Bar (Bar Mleczny), you can get a meal for $4-7.
Tips aren’t mandatory in Poland and service charge is never automatically included in your bill. But the tips are quite common and always appreciated.
Warsaw mermaid
Practical Info About Poland
The official language in Poland is Polish.
Poland is part of the EU and Schengen Zone, so you don’t need a special separate visa to visit.
The currency in Poland is Zloty (PLN), despite the country being in the EU. At most places it’s impossible to pay with Euros or US dollars, so always have Polish money with you. Like in some other European countries, American Express cards aren’t widely accepted. Visa, Mastercard and Maestro are common.
Like in some other European countries, American Express cards aren’t widely accepted. Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro are common.
You can drink tap water in Poland, but many locals are still afraid of doing so. Don’t worry – it’s perfectly safe!
It’s common for Polish people to shake hands as part of the greeting. Friends will kiss each other on the cheeks – one or three times.
Men shouldn’t wear hats or caps indoors, whether at houses, cars, or restaurants. Especially among older generations, it’s considered rude.
“Staying on the right side of the law is significantly easier for tourists who accept that Polish beer and vodka are rocket fuel and drink accordingly. If you’re determined to make an idiot of yourself then make sure it’s not in front of the law. In recent years visitors ranging from folks in Chewbacca costumes to complete fools who’ve thought it’s perfectly acceptable to drop trousers and urinate in a city center fountain have tested the patience of the local law enforcement. Their tolerance threshold is now decidedly low so don’t push your luck. Those who do may well be treated to a trip to Warsaw’s premier drunk tank (ul. Kolska 2/4), a chastening experience which will set you back 300zł for an up to 24-hour stay. In return for your cash expect a strip search, a set of blue pajamas and the company of a dozen mumbling vagrants. Not to mention a hefty fine (credit cards not accepted, of course).” – Warsaw Basics
wild mushrooms Poland
Most important travel tip for Poland: stuff your face with wild mushrooms and chanterelles!
Where to Stay in Warsaw?
There are plenty of amazing hotels, hostel and apartment options, but I highly suggest choosing one centrally located – between the Palace of Culture area and Old Town.
My hotel recommendations for Warsaw
I had a chance to stay at one hotel in Warsaw that I’d highly recommend. I also have many friends working in other hostels and hotels, so I can vouch for them. Here are my recommendations depending on your budget and expectations.
Best Hostel
Nicely equipped hostel, located next to Warsaw University which means there are plenty of affordable student restaurants and bars around.
Dream Hostel Warsaw – Check Prices On: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Best Downtown Hotel
Located just opposite Warsaw’s Palace of Culture and Science the hotel is more luxurious than others, for still an affordable price. I stayed there during my last visit and can tell you that the breakfast is the best part! Especially including free unlimited champagne.
Best Old Town Hotel
Founded by the composer, pianist and statesman Ignacy Paderewski in 1901, this hotel has been considered the best in Warsaw for many years. Many presidential guests stayed in the top-floor suite.
Bristol – Check Prices On: Booking.com | Agoda
Best Apartments
Ego is a chain of apartment rentals that offer good price and nice locations.
Ego Apartments – Check Prices On: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Things to Do in Warsaw Poland
How to Get Around Warsaw?
Whether you choose to rent a car, public transportation, or Uber, you’ll be fine. I’d generally advise against renting a car if you’re staying only in Warsaw, simply because like in any other city you’ll encounter few parking spots and traffic.
Taxis
Taxis are everywhere in Warsaw, and you can just stop one or call for one. However, Uber works totally fine too. Tipping your driver isn’t common.
Public Transportation
Warsaw has an extensive bus and tram system across the city. There are many bus routes with each one having a number and at night all night buses display the letter N in front of the number. Marked red, are express buses that skip certain stops.
Standard fare is 4.40 PLN for adults. There is also a 20-minute ticket priced at 3.40 that allows you to change buses and go into trams and metro within a limited time frame. Tickets can be bought from some street kiosks, ticket machines (with English instructions) near stops or at metro stations, or anywhere with a sign saying Bilety.
trams in Warsaw
Souvenirs from Warsaw
Most shops are closed on Sundays with an exception of touristy areas, so buy any souvenirs on a Saturday.
Amber jewelry – Amber jewelry is very typical to Poland and you can find it pretty much anywhere. There are plenty of stores in the Old Town selling beautiful amber items.
Pottery – Traditional pottery can make a good souvenir. There are stores called Cepelia, selling Polish folk art and handicrafts so you might want to head there. You can also discover some beautiful ornaments for Christmas and Easter while shopping at Cepelia.
Vodka & Liquor – Poland is in Eastern Europe after all, and therefore drinking vodka or liquors are very common. It’s no surprise that many foreigners buy traditional liquor (Nalewka) as a gift. Bison Grass Vodka is also a popular alcohol and makes a good gift in its fluffy bottle with a giant piece of bison grass inside.
Polish chocolate & Gingerbreads – Once you stop at E. Wedel for some hot chocolate, you’ll want to buy it for your friends and family. If you want to take a step further, get some gingerbreads from Torun (but sold everywhere) as well.
Oscypek (Polish cheese) – Any cheese-lovers in your family? Bring them some Polish cheese from the mountains called Oscypek. It’s made or either sheep or sheep-cow milk and can survive without a fridge for a while. It’s perfect to eat on its own, or grilled with cranberry sauce on top.
souvenirs from Poland
Best Restaurants & Cafes in Warsaw Poland
Remember, most restaurants in Warsaw close earlier than in the US. You might struggle to find a place open after 10 PM. Polish cuisine is heavy on meat, potatoes, and cheese, but in this day and age vegans will also be able to find something for themselves.
traditional polish food
Wedel
Poland has one of the best liquid chocolate on the planet. It’s thick and rich in flavor. Do yourself a favor and stop by one of the Wedel cafes for a cup of hot or cold chocolate. For first-timers, I recommend a tasting menu containing three small cups of hot chocolate: traditional, dark and white. Another favorite of mine is Amaretto Milk Chocolate.
Grycan Ice Cream
A huge selection of ice creams and sorbets to choose from, including non-typical flavors like rose, poppyseed, gingerbread, or kiwi. You can choose a cone with a few scoops (Polish scoops aren’t like American scoops – I’d say one American scoop is like 4 Polish scoops).
Bar Mleczny (Milk Bar)
Visiting a traditional milk bar is must-do on your trip to Poland and should be high on your food to-do list. Milk Bars were extremely popular in communist Poland where people used to come for super cheap traditional food. While most of them are gone, Warsaw decided to leave a few to keep the tradition going.
Don’t expect the staff to speak much English, so be prepared for a surprise food. Some of the best milk bars include Rusałka (Floriańska 14), Familijny (Nowy Świat 39), and recently renovated Prasowy (Marszałkowska 10/16).
Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa
It’s undeniable that vodka and beer is a big part of Polish culture. Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa is a place that’s inspired by the shops and bars in the communist style decor. It’s not your conventional type bar, as treat it as an experience. For 1 Euro you can get a fancy shot of vodka, or a beer.
Along with your beverage, you should try typical Polish snacks that come along with alcohol: dill pickles and herring.
pijalnia wodki
Zapiecek Polskie Pierogarnie
A trip to Poland is a trip lost without pierogi (important: pierogi is already plural, so don’t call them pierogies like they do in the US). Pierogi can be eaten sweet or savory, with different fillings and toppings, either boiled, baked or fried. Zapiecek is a chain restaurant with multiple locations that offers fresh and tasty pierogi.
Manekin
I got to know Manekin while studying in Torun, and since then the small restaurant created many branches across the whole country. There’s always a line to get in, so I guess I’m not the only one who think the wait is worth it.
Manekin is the ultimate kingdom of crepes. There are over 100 fillings to choose from, both sweet and savory, with different sauces, toppings, and types of flour. The place also caters to gluten-free customers.
Manekin Warsaw
Street food to try in Poland:
Kebab – It might not sound very Polish at first, but kebabs are extremely popular in Poland. They’re as authentic as they can get as they’re run by immigrants from Egypt. After a night out, Poles head to a nearby kebab place to stuff their faces with delicious meat or falafel.
Spring rolls & Vietnamese – Vietnamese food is huge in Poland for the same reason as kebabs, there’s a huge Vietnamese community. Unlike in the US, you won’t find Banh Mi or Pho in Poland, as the food is more Europeanized. The most popular items are spring rolls, chicken in the dough, sweet & sour chicken, or fried soy noodles.
Zapiekanki – An item I never paid any attention to my entire life, until I guided a few Mexicans who demanded to eat it. Zapiekanka (plural: zapiekanki) is a grilled open-face sandwich (sidenote: noone eats closed sandwiches in Poland) made of half baguette, topped with cheese, sautee mushrooms and lots of ketchup.
Things to do in Warsaw
HISTORICAL SITES
Palace of Culture and Science
Palace of Culture was an unfortunate ‘gift’ from Stalin who wanted to erect a similar monument like the one in Moscow, in order to mark his territory. The building is built in a way that makes it visible from many corners of the city, despite being surrounded by skyscrapers. While it was planned to demolish it, it became a national monument in the meantime. You can go up to the 30th floor and see Warsaw from the top.
Palace of Culture night
Old Town
Built during the 12th century, Warsaw Old Town was almost entirely destroyed during WWII, but got reconstructed after the war ended thanks to very detailed paintings by the Italian artist Canaletto who gave a template of how the city looked like before. This is where pastel colors on the ancient building facades meet a modern touch of restaurants and boutiques. The Old Town hides many additional activities, such as visiting the Royal Castle
The Old Town hides many additional activities, such as visiting the Royal Castle. The original castle only lasted 30 years, after moving the capital from Krakow to Warsaw by Zygmunt III Waza (whose monument stands in front of the castle). The castle is completely restored and totally worth a visit.
Another thing to see is Barbican, the ruins of the original late Medieval city fortification. Built by architect Giovanni Battista Venetian, it was only used in one fight in 1656. Today, it serves as a bridge between the Old and New Town.
Powazki Cemetery
Krakowskie Przedmiescie & Nowy Swiat
Nowy Swiat & Krakowskie Przedmiescie are part of the Royal Route, one of the main historic thoroughfares of Warsaw, that run from the center (fake palm tree that became a permanent exhibition) right through to Warsaw’s Royal Castle and into Old Town.
I highly recommend taking a walk from the beginning of Nowy Swiat (you’ll see a giant palm tree) until the Royal Castle. On the way, you can see the Warsaw University, Presidential Palace (photo below), Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, gorgeous churches, and important monuments.
presidential palace warsaw
Churches
I’m not asking you to pray, but churches in Warsaw are surely interesting to stop by. A lot of them got almost completely restored to its original Baroque and/or neoclassical form, so the architecture is impressive.
Monuments
Warsaw kept up with its history with impressive monuments. Wherever you go, even in not-so-touristy areas, you might stumble upon a monument remembering something. While I could write down a list of all of them, it might be impossible to see them all, so just keep this in mind when you walk or drive around Warsaw.
monuments in warsaw
Warsaw Uprising Monument. Supreme Court building behind.
MUSEUMS
Warsaw Uprising Museum
This interactive spot will keep you emotional long after the visit. You’ll be put you in the shoes of citizens who witnessed the horrors of the 1944 uprising. You’ll go down the sewers, touch everything and even see the plane that flew over Warsaw.
Neon Museum
Warsaw’s Neon Museum holds a vintage neon advertising signs from the 1950s–1970s. In the Western world, the role of neons was always directly connected with advertising, but in the People’s Republic of Poland with no free market, they served to provide information and prestige.
The governmental campaign, so-called “neonization”, installed neon signs all over urban areas in accordance with a well-thought-out plan to be part of the architecture. They matched in size and colors and designed by the best artists, so they would not obscure each other.
Chopin Museum
A must-see for the music lover. Chopin Museum stretches over 4 floors presenting everything about Chopin’s life and work. An additional bonus for music enthusiasts is Chopin benches located along Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street.
Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Polish is a museum of the History of Polish Jews on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto.
Madame Marie Skłodowska Curie Museum & Gardens
French like to claim Marie as hers, but so do Polish. The museum is dedicated to the life of Nobel Prize-winning physicist, including letters and various personal belongings. Madam Curie also got gardens dedicated to her, with a monument standing in the middle of them.
National Museum (NMW)
One of the largest museums in the country, NMW is a place where the most iconic Polish art is being held, including some of the Chełmoński and Matejko’s paintings. From the international collections, the most well-known is the 15th-century Dutch and Flemish (Bosch, Brueghel), as well as several Botticelli’s masterpieces.
WWII Museums
If you want to see some war tanks and planes, Warsaw won’t disappoint. There are several places with real and used vehicles from WWII, but the most centrally located one is right next to the NMW. You can wander around the courtyard free of charge, and if you want to see more, pay a few Zlotys to get inside.
WWII Museum Warsaw Poland
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Visit Warsaw Zoo
Warsaw Zoo has always been an attraction, but it became even more popular after the movie Zookeeper’s Wife got released. And while the ZOO has remodeled almost entirely since the times of Antonia Zabinski, it’s a nice place to walk around in the afternoon.
Climb the Rooftop of University Library
University Library might not seem very interesting at first, but it hides surprising gardens on a rooftop, filled with bridges, streams, pathways, sculptures and plant life that covers an entire hectare.
Stroll around Lazienki Park
Lazienki is without a doubt, the most beautiful park in Warsaw. The neoclassicist park is stretching over 80 hectares and includes a lake and palace on the water, the summer residence of the last King of Poland, Stanislaw August Poniatowski. There are also numerous amphitheaters, orangeries, and monuments to stumble upon. You can see plenty of peacocks walking around, friendly red squirrels begging for some nuts, ducks hungry for some bread and fish.
In front of the park, between Lazienki and Botanical Gardens, at the Chopin’s Monument, there are often free Chopin concerts.
The Łazienki Palace
The Lazienki Park
I actually once released a carp into the lake there. In Polish tradition, a carp is a typical fish to put on your Christmas Eve table (Polish celebrate Christmas Eve and this is when they open gifts) since you don’t eat meat that day. Therefore, for an entire December, supermarkets are selling alive carps that people buy to kill and cook later (I remember a carp swimming in a bathtub for days before Christmas). My dad and I thought it was a cruel thing to kill all carps so each year we released one into the river or a lake. Who knows, maybe babies and grand-fish of my rescued carps are still there.
Sit by the River
For a glimpse of daily life, head to the Vistula river. The river is definitely not good for swimming (trust me!), but the holiday vibe is present on several man-made beaches with open-air bars.
Horror House
Something slightly different than typical escape rooms is a Horror House in Warsaw. It’s scary, creepy and you might want to leave, but if you’re a fan of horrors you’ll surely enjoy it.
Join a Walking Tour
If you want to get a guide, you can join some ‘free’ walking tours. The tour is free to join, but at the end, you’re supposed to tip your guide. They aren’t paid any salary, so they rely on how much do you want to give them. Check out Original Walking Tours.
Chopin momument
For more activities and organized tours check Viator here.
What to Pack for Warsaw
The type of clothes to take depends on the time of your travel. You can get some inspiration from my Shop Instagram page 🙂
You don’t need to take too much cash with you, there are numerous ATMs everywhere.
If you’re coming from the US, remember to bring an electric converter. Electricity in Poland is 230 Volts, 50 Hertz.
>> Read more on carry-on packing.
pierogi
Day Trips from Warsaw
There are many great things to do around Warsaw, so don’t hesitate to get out of the city for a bit. If you want to travel to other bigger cities in Poland, I’d definitely advise planning for a few days. Krakow, Wroclaw, and Gdansk shouldn’t be done on a day trip unless you want to be extremely rushed.
Wilanow Palace
The ‘Polish Versailles was another Baroque summer residence of Polish royalty that gleams with a white and yellow decor. The place is full of random artifacts facts from all over the world and represents an Epoque of which has been lost after Poland got wiped from the map of Europe. Its gardens of 45 hectares are perfect for an afternoon walk.
Wilanow is very easy to get to with buses 116 and 180 from the Old Town, or 519 from downtown.
Wilanow Palace
Malbork Castle
This UNESCO Heritage castle isn’t usually a place that everyone talks about, but it should be. The Castle of the Teutonic Order is the largest in the world measured by the land area. It’s a must-visit place in Poland.
The best way to get there is by train that goes to Gdansk (another beautiful place, full of history – it was an independent port city once) and getting off at Malbork station. It takes about 2:15h to get there. While it can be done on a day trip, I highly recommend spending one night in Gdansk before heading back to Warsaw.
Fryderyk Chopin Birthplace & Park in Żelazowa Wola
You can visit the birthplace and early childhood house of Frederic Chopin in Zelazowa Wola. Half of the house has been filled with early 19th century keepsakes, instruments and paintings. The place is 54 km away and can be easily reached by a mini-bus from downtown at ul. Marszałkowska.
Torun
You probably heard of Nicolaus Copernicus? He was born in Torun. It’s a beautiful and lively city that owes its origins to the Teutonic Order, which built a castle there in the mid-13th century. The old town is remarkably preserved and it’s a pleasure just to stroll around and admire its architecture from the street level, or from the tower of the town hall. Think Bruges of Poland.
For museum enthusiasts, there’s a Museum of Gingerbread, Astronomical Observatory and much more. I actually had a chance to study in Torun, so if you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Source: http://annaeverywhere.com/things-to-do-in-warsaw-poland/
Many of you might not realize this, but I was actually born and raised in Warsaw. However, Poland 29 years ago when I was born was surely different than it is today. When I was a newborn, my parents had to use food ration cards to get food and supplies (like those in Cuba!) and while the communism ended in 1989, for many years Warsaw was still associated with old and destroyed gray walls of the industrial city in the eyes of foreign visitors.
Over the years things have changed, and Warsaw is neither gray anymore (in fact, when I was a kid they painted many apartment complexes with random bright colors), or in any way behind the rest of Europe. In Warsaw, you can find any foreign brands, restaurant chains, shops and many cool spots to hang out on top of museums and other attractions.
How to Get to Warsaw?
There are many direct flights to Warsaw from anywhere, with LOT Polish Airlines and many other major carriers. You can choose to fly to either Chopin Airport or Modlin where cheap airlines like RyanAir or WizzAir fly to (30 minutes away). Check on Skyscanner which one is cheaper to fly to.
Thanks to Warsaw’s hosting of the Euro 2012 football championships, getting to and from the airport is now easy due to new train lines and bus routes.
If you’re flying into Chopin Airport, you can simply take a taxi (approx. 40 PLN to downtown), train, or a local bus (no. 175, 188, 148, 331 during the day, and N32 at night). If you choose to travel by bus remember to validate your ticket inside the bus.
If you’re flying into Modlin, then you have less option, but it’s also doable. The fastest option is a train that runs every 20-30 minutes. There’s also a Modlin Airport Bus that costs 9 PLN and takes 40 minutes to downtown.
There is free Wifi at both airports, so don’t you can also easily navigate once you arrive. If you prefer to purchase a local SIM card instead, I recommend Orange as it has the cheapest and fastest 4G.
Warsaw Poland
Safety in Warsaw
Warsaw is relatively safe, but it isn’t as safe to leave your belongings unattended. Keep on eye on your purse in crowded spaces (entrance to Metro or in public transportation). Basically, use some common sense.
When to Go to Warsaw
Choosing the best time to go to Warsaw depends on whether you want to experience heat or cold. Poland has a temperate climate with hot summers (up to +30 C) and cold winters (down to -20 C).
There are several public holidays in Poland. Many restaurants, stores, and public institutions will be closed, so plan accordingly.
January 1st New Year’s Day
January 6th Three Kings’ Day
April 1st (2018) Easter Sunday
April 2nd (2018) Easter Monday / Smigus Dyngus – on this day young people throw water at each other and have water fights. Similar to Songkran Festival in Thailand.
May 1st Labour Day
May 3rd Constitution Day (many Poles take the 2nd of May off and make a trip somewhere
June 19th Corpus Christi
August 15th Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Polish Armed Forces Day (celebrating the battle of Warsaw in 1920)
November 1st All Saints’ Day
November 11th Independence Day
December 25th Christmas Day
December 26th St. Stephen’s Day
Warsaw Budget
Comparing to other European places and the US, Poland is definitely cheap.
For dinner, I’d usually prepare around $10-20 (40-80 PLN), including a cocktail or wine with your meal. If you decide to downtown and try a Milk Bar (Bar Mleczny), you can get a meal for $4-7.
Tips aren’t mandatory in Poland and service charge is never automatically included in your bill. But the tips are quite common and always appreciated.
Warsaw mermaid
Practical Info About Poland
The official language in Poland is Polish.
Poland is part of the EU and Schengen Zone, so you don’t need a special separate visa to visit.
The currency in Poland is Zloty (PLN), despite the country being in the EU. At most places it’s impossible to pay with Euros or US dollars, so always have Polish money with you. Like in some other European countries, American Express cards aren’t widely accepted. Visa, Mastercard and Maestro are common.
Like in some other European countries, American Express cards aren’t widely accepted. Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro are common.
You can drink tap water in Poland, but many locals are still afraid of doing so. Don’t worry – it’s perfectly safe!
It’s common for Polish people to shake hands as part of the greeting. Friends will kiss each other on the cheeks – one or three times.
Men shouldn’t wear hats or caps indoors, whether at houses, cars, or restaurants. Especially among older generations, it’s considered rude.
“Staying on the right side of the law is significantly easier for tourists who accept that Polish beer and vodka are rocket fuel and drink accordingly. If you’re determined to make an idiot of yourself then make sure it’s not in front of the law. In recent years visitors ranging from folks in Chewbacca costumes to complete fools who’ve thought it’s perfectly acceptable to drop trousers and urinate in a city center fountain have tested the patience of the local law enforcement. Their tolerance threshold is now decidedly low so don’t push your luck. Those who do may well be treated to a trip to Warsaw’s premier drunk tank (ul. Kolska 2/4), a chastening experience which will set you back 300zł for an up to 24-hour stay. In return for your cash expect a strip search, a set of blue pajamas and the company of a dozen mumbling vagrants. Not to mention a hefty fine (credit cards not accepted, of course).” – Warsaw Basics
wild mushrooms Poland
Most important travel tip for Poland: stuff your face with wild mushrooms and chanterelles!
Where to Stay in Warsaw?
There are plenty of amazing hotels, hostel and apartment options, but I highly suggest choosing one centrally located – between the Palace of Culture area and Old Town.
My hotel recommendations for Warsaw
I had a chance to stay at one hotel in Warsaw that I’d highly recommend. I also have many friends working in other hostels and hotels, so I can vouch for them. Here are my recommendations depending on your budget and expectations.
Best Hostel
Nicely equipped hostel, located next to Warsaw University which means there are plenty of affordable student restaurants and bars around.
Dream Hostel Warsaw – Check Prices On: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Best Downtown Hotel
Located just opposite Warsaw’s Palace of Culture and Science the hotel is more luxurious than others, for still an affordable price. I stayed there during my last visit and can tell you that the breakfast is the best part! Especially including free unlimited champagne.
Polonia Palace – Check Prices On: Booking.com | Agoda
Best Old Town Hotel
Founded by the composer, pianist and statesman Ignacy Paderewski in 1901, this hotel has been considered the best in Warsaw for many years. Many presidential guests stayed in the top-floor suite.
Bristol – Check Prices On: Booking.com | Agoda
Best Apartments
Ego is a chain of apartment rentals that offer good price and nice locations.
Ego Apartments – Check Prices On: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Things to Do in Warsaw Poland
How to Get Around Warsaw?
Whether you choose to rent a car, public transportation, or Uber, you’ll be fine. I’d generally advise against renting a car if you’re staying only in Warsaw, simply because like in any other city you’ll encounter few parking spots and traffic.
Taxis
Taxis are everywhere in Warsaw, and you can just stop one or call for one. However, Uber works totally fine too. Tipping your driver isn’t common.
Public Transportation
Warsaw has an extensive bus and tram system across the city. There are many bus routes with each one having a number and at night all night buses display the letter N in front of the number. Marked red, are express buses that skip certain stops.
Standard fare is 4.40 PLN for adults. There is also a 20-minute ticket priced at 3.40 that allows you to change buses and go into trams and metro within a limited time frame. Tickets can be bought from some street kiosks, ticket machines (with English instructions) near stops or at metro stations, or anywhere with a sign saying Bilety.
trams in Warsaw
Souvenirs from Warsaw
Most shops are closed on Sundays with an exception of touristy areas, so buy any souvenirs on a Saturday.
Amber jewelry – Amber jewelry is very typical to Poland and you can find it pretty much anywhere. There are plenty of stores in the Old Town selling beautiful amber items.
Pottery – Traditional pottery can make a good souvenir. There are stores called Cepelia, selling Polish folk art and handicrafts so you might want to head there. You can also discover some beautiful ornaments for Christmas and Easter while shopping at Cepelia.
Vodka & Liquor – Poland is in Eastern Europe after all, and therefore drinking vodka or liquors are very common. It’s no surprise that many foreigners buy traditional liquor (Nalewka) as a gift. Bison Grass Vodka is also a popular alcohol and makes a good gift in its fluffy bottle with a giant piece of bison grass inside.
Polish chocolate & Gingerbreads – Once you stop at E. Wedel for some hot chocolate, you’ll want to buy it for your friends and family. If you want to take a step further, get some gingerbreads from Torun (but sold everywhere) as well.
Oscypek (Polish cheese) – Any cheese-lovers in your family? Bring them some Polish cheese from the mountains called Oscypek. It’s made or either sheep or sheep-cow milk and can survive without a fridge for a while. It’s perfect to eat on its own, or grilled with cranberry sauce on top.
souvenirs from Poland
Best Restaurants & Cafes in Warsaw Poland
Remember, most restaurants in Warsaw close earlier than in the US. You might struggle to find a place open after 10 PM. Polish cuisine is heavy on meat, potatoes, and cheese, but in this day and age vegans will also be able to find something for themselves.
traditional polish food
Wedel
Poland has one of the best liquid chocolate on the planet. It’s thick and rich in flavor. Do yourself a favor and stop by one of the Wedel cafes for a cup of hot or cold chocolate. For first-timers, I recommend a tasting menu containing three small cups of hot chocolate: traditional, dark and white. Another favorite of mine is Amaretto Milk Chocolate.
Grycan Ice Cream
A huge selection of ice creams and sorbets to choose from, including non-typical flavors like rose, poppyseed, gingerbread, or kiwi. You can choose a cone with a few scoops (Polish scoops aren’t like American scoops – I’d say one American scoop is like 4 Polish scoops).
Bar Mleczny (Milk Bar)
Visiting a traditional milk bar is must-do on your trip to Poland and should be high on your food to-do list. Milk Bars were extremely popular in communist Poland where people used to come for super cheap traditional food. While most of them are gone, Warsaw decided to leave a few to keep the tradition going.
Don’t expect the staff to speak much English, so be prepared for a surprise food. Some of the best milk bars include Rusałka (Floriańska 14), Familijny (Nowy Świat 39), and recently renovated Prasowy (Marszałkowska 10/16).
Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa
It’s undeniable that vodka and beer is a big part of Polish culture. Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa is a place that’s inspired by the shops and bars in the communist style decor. It’s not your conventional type bar, as treat it as an experience. For 1 Euro you can get a fancy shot of vodka, or a beer.
Along with your beverage, you should try typical Polish snacks that come along with alcohol: dill pickles and herring.
pijalnia wodki
Zapiecek Polskie Pierogarnie
A trip to Poland is a trip lost without pierogi (important: pierogi is already plural, so don’t call them pierogies like they do in the US). Pierogi can be eaten sweet or savory, with different fillings and toppings, either boiled, baked or fried. Zapiecek is a chain restaurant with multiple locations that offers fresh and tasty pierogi.
Manekin
I got to know Manekin while studying in Torun, and since then the small restaurant created many branches across the whole country. There’s always a line to get in, so I guess I’m not the only one who think the wait is worth it.
Manekin is the ultimate kingdom of crepes. There are over 100 fillings to choose from, both sweet and savory, with different sauces, toppings, and types of flour. The place also caters to gluten-free customers.
Manekin Warsaw
Street food to try in Poland:
Kebab – It might not sound very Polish at first, but kebabs are extremely popular in Poland. They’re as authentic as they can get as they’re run by immigrants from Egypt. After a night out, Poles head to a nearby kebab place to stuff their faces with delicious meat or falafel.
Spring rolls & Vietnamese – Vietnamese food is huge in Poland for the same reason as kebabs, there’s a huge Vietnamese community. Unlike in the US, you won’t find Banh Mi or Pho in Poland, as the food is more Europeanized. The most popular items are spring rolls, chicken in the dough, sweet & sour chicken, or fried soy noodles.
Zapiekanki – An item I never paid any attention to my entire life, until I guided a few Mexicans who demanded to eat it. Zapiekanka (plural: zapiekanki) is a grilled open-face sandwich (sidenote: noone eats closed sandwiches in Poland) made of half baguette, topped with cheese, sautee mushrooms and lots of ketchup.
Things to do in Warsaw
HISTORICAL SITES
Palace of Culture and Science
Palace of Culture was an unfortunate ‘gift’ from Stalin who wanted to erect a similar monument like the one in Moscow, in order to mark his territory. The building is built in a way that makes it visible from many corners of the city, despite being surrounded by skyscrapers. While it was planned to demolish it, it became a national monument in the meantime. You can go up to the 30th floor and see Warsaw from the top.
Palace of Culture night
Old Town
Built during the 12th century, Warsaw Old Town was almost entirely destroyed during WWII, but got reconstructed after the war ended thanks to very detailed paintings by the Italian artist Canaletto who gave a template of how the city looked like before. This is where pastel colors on the ancient building facades meet a modern touch of restaurants and boutiques. The Old Town hides many additional activities, such as visiting the Royal Castle
The Old Town hides many additional activities, such as visiting the Royal Castle. The original castle only lasted 30 years, after moving the capital from Krakow to Warsaw by Zygmunt III Waza (whose monument stands in front of the castle). The castle is completely restored and totally worth a visit.
Another thing to see is Barbican, the ruins of the original late Medieval city fortification. Built by architect Giovanni Battista Venetian, it was only used in one fight in 1656. Today, it serves as a bridge between the Old and New Town.
Powazki Cemetery
Krakowskie Przedmiescie & Nowy Swiat
Nowy Swiat & Krakowskie Przedmiescie are part of the Royal Route, one of the main historic thoroughfares of Warsaw, that run from the center (fake palm tree that became a permanent exhibition) right through to Warsaw’s Royal Castle and into Old Town.
I highly recommend taking a walk from the beginning of Nowy Swiat (you’ll see a giant palm tree) until the Royal Castle. On the way, you can see the Warsaw University, Presidential Palace (photo below), Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, gorgeous churches, and important monuments.
presidential palace warsaw
Churches
I’m not asking you to pray, but churches in Warsaw are surely interesting to stop by. A lot of them got almost completely restored to its original Baroque and/or neoclassical form, so the architecture is impressive.
Monuments
Warsaw kept up with its history with impressive monuments. Wherever you go, even in not-so-touristy areas, you might stumble upon a monument remembering something. While I could write down a list of all of them, it might be impossible to see them all, so just keep this in mind when you walk or drive around Warsaw.
monuments in warsaw
Warsaw Uprising Monument. Supreme Court building behind.
MUSEUMS
Warsaw Uprising Museum
This interactive spot will keep you emotional long after the visit. You’ll be put you in the shoes of citizens who witnessed the horrors of the 1944 uprising. You’ll go down the sewers, touch everything and even see the plane that flew over Warsaw.
Neon Museum
Warsaw’s Neon Museum holds a vintage neon advertising signs from the 1950s–1970s. In the Western world, the role of neons was always directly connected with advertising, but in the People’s Republic of Poland with no free market, they served to provide information and prestige.
The governmental campaign, so-called “neonization”, installed neon signs all over urban areas in accordance with a well-thought-out plan to be part of the architecture. They matched in size and colors and designed by the best artists, so they would not obscure each other.
Chopin Museum
A must-see for the music lover. Chopin Museum stretches over 4 floors presenting everything about Chopin’s life and work. An additional bonus for music enthusiasts is Chopin benches located along Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street.
Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Polish is a museum of the History of Polish Jews on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto.
Madame Marie Skłodowska Curie Museum & Gardens
French like to claim Marie as hers, but so do Polish. The museum is dedicated to the life of Nobel Prize-winning physicist, including letters and various personal belongings. Madam Curie also got gardens dedicated to her, with a monument standing in the middle of them.
National Museum (NMW)
One of the largest museums in the country, NMW is a place where the most iconic Polish art is being held, including some of the Chełmoński and Matejko’s paintings. From the international collections, the most well-known is the 15th-century Dutch and Flemish (Bosch, Brueghel), as well as several Botticelli’s masterpieces.
WWII Museums
If you want to see some war tanks and planes, Warsaw won’t disappoint. There are several places with real and used vehicles from WWII, but the most centrally located one is right next to the NMW. You can wander around the courtyard free of charge, and if you want to see more, pay a few Zlotys to get inside.
WWII Museum Warsaw Poland
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Visit Warsaw Zoo
Warsaw Zoo has always been an attraction, but it became even more popular after the movie Zookeeper’s Wife got released. And while the ZOO has remodeled almost entirely since the times of Antonia Zabinski, it’s a nice place to walk around in the afternoon.
Climb the Rooftop of University Library
University Library might not seem very interesting at first, but it hides surprising gardens on a rooftop, filled with bridges, streams, pathways, sculptures and plant life that covers an entire hectare.
Stroll around Lazienki Park
Lazienki is without a doubt, the most beautiful park in Warsaw. The neoclassicist park is stretching over 80 hectares and includes a lake and palace on the water, the summer residence of the last King of Poland, Stanislaw August Poniatowski. There are also numerous amphitheaters, orangeries, and monuments to stumble upon. You can see plenty of peacocks walking around, friendly red squirrels begging for some nuts, ducks hungry for some bread and fish.
In front of the park, between Lazienki and Botanical Gardens, at the Chopin’s Monument, there are often free Chopin concerts.
The Łazienki Palace
The Lazienki Park
I actually once released a carp into the lake there. In Polish tradition, a carp is a typical fish to put on your Christmas Eve table (Polish celebrate Christmas Eve and this is when they open gifts) since you don’t eat meat that day. Therefore, for an entire December, supermarkets are selling alive carps that people buy to kill and cook later (I remember a carp swimming in a bathtub for days before Christmas). My dad and I thought it was a cruel thing to kill all carps so each year we released one into the river or a lake. Who knows, maybe babies and grand-fish of my rescued carps are still there.
Sit by the River
For a glimpse of daily life, head to the Vistula river. The river is definitely not good for swimming (trust me!), but the holiday vibe is present on several man-made beaches with open-air bars.
Horror House
Something slightly different than typical escape rooms is a Horror House in Warsaw. It’s scary, creepy and you might want to leave, but if you’re a fan of horrors you’ll surely enjoy it.
Join a Walking Tour
If you want to get a guide, you can join some ‘free’ walking tours. The tour is free to join, but at the end, you’re supposed to tip your guide. They aren’t paid any salary, so they rely on how much do you want to give them. Check out Original Walking Tours.
Chopin momument
For more activities and organized tours check Viator here.
What to Pack for Warsaw
The type of clothes to take depends on the time of your travel. You can get some inspiration from my Shop Instagram page 🙂
You don’t need to take too much cash with you, there are numerous ATMs everywhere.
If you’re coming from the US, remember to bring an electric converter. Electricity in Poland is 230 Volts, 50 Hertz.
>> Read more on carry-on packing.
pierogi
Day Trips from Warsaw
There are many great things to do around Warsaw, so don’t hesitate to get out of the city for a bit. If you want to travel to other bigger cities in Poland, I’d definitely advise planning for a few days. Krakow, Wroclaw, and Gdansk shouldn’t be done on a day trip unless you want to be extremely rushed.
Wilanow Palace
The ‘Polish Versailles was another Baroque summer residence of Polish royalty that gleams with a white and yellow decor. The place is full of random artifacts facts from all over the world and represents an Epoque of which has been lost after Poland got wiped from the map of Europe. Its gardens of 45 hectares are perfect for an afternoon walk.
Wilanow is very easy to get to with buses 116 and 180 from the Old Town, or 519 from downtown.
Wilanow Palace
Malbork Castle
This UNESCO Heritage castle isn’t usually a place that everyone talks about, but it should be. The Castle of the Teutonic Order is the largest in the world measured by the land area. It’s a must-visit place in Poland.
The best way to get there is by train that goes to Gdansk (another beautiful place, full of history – it was an independent port city once) and getting off at Malbork station. It takes about 2:15h to get there. While it can be done on a day trip, I highly recommend spending one night in Gdansk before heading back to Warsaw.
Fryderyk Chopin Birthplace & Park in Żelazowa Wola
You can visit the birthplace and early childhood house of Frederic Chopin in Zelazowa Wola. Half of the house has been filled with early 19th century keepsakes, instruments and paintings. The place is 54 km away and can be easily reached by a mini-bus from downtown at ul. Marszałkowska.
Torun
You probably heard of Nicolaus Copernicus? He was born in Torun. It’s a beautiful and lively city that owes its origins to the Teutonic Order, which built a castle there in the mid-13th century. The old town is remarkably preserved and it’s a pleasure just to stroll around and admire its architecture from the street level, or from the tower of the town hall. Think Bruges of Poland.
For museum enthusiasts, there’s a Museum of Gingerbread, Astronomical Observatory and much more. I actually had a chance to study in Torun, so if you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Source: http://annaeverywhere.com/things-to-do-in-warsaw-poland/
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