TRAVEL TO POLAND: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

I've been to Poland countless times, and lived there for a few years. What can I say, the culture kinda grew on me. If this is your first visit to Europe, and you choose Poland as your destination; then this blog is perfect for you. Here are Five things you need to know before you travel to Poland.

Recommend Cities

Located in Central Europe, Poland is the bridge between Western and Eastern Europe. Poland was closed to most of the Western world until it became part of the European Union. Therefore, the language barrier may be difficult for English speakers.

The bigger cities are more accommodating for English speakers. Therefore I would recommend the Capital Warsaw, Gdańsk, Kraków and Toruń. Not only will you find many Poles that speak English, But you will also find multi-cultural cuisine.

However, if you wish to challenge yourself and enjoy a more of a Polish Native experience, I would then recommend the following cities: Bydgoszcz, Hel, Poznań, Lublin, Łódź, etc. These cities are great, but they're not as accommodating to English speakers.

Polish WW2 Vessel at Kolobgreg, Poland.

Understanding Polish People

Polish people are often misunderstood as being rude and standoffish. Although they're known for the infamous “Resting Bitch Face”, I'll try my best to dispel this stereotype. Polish people are straightforward and do not sugarcoat their speech. And given how the Western world try so hard not to be offensive, Eastern Europeans including Poland view us as being fake and insincere.

Therefore, in order to get along with Polish people, you have to also learn to become straightforward. Understand the difference between being Nice and being Kind. Polish people are not Nice, but they are the most kind hearted people I had the chance to know.

And if you put in the effort to learn the basics of the Polish language, then they will welcome you with open arms. So I recommend you learn the simple greeting such as Dzień dobry, Dziękuję, and do widzenia.

Black Man in Town Square Krakow, Poland.

Polish Cuisine

Polish cuisine is not as spice oriented as the Mediterranean nor the Caribbean. Neither is as Blend and flavorless as the English. Due to their climate region, Polish taste veer more on the sour base. They pickle their vegetables and smoke their meat before winter. And they grow a lot of potatoes, raised mostly pigs.

Therefore, some of the traditional Polish food I would definitely recommend are Schabowy z ziemniakami, gołąbki, bigos, kiełbasa and of course Pierogi.

Transportation

Getting around in Poland is very convenient. All of your necessities are within walking distance when you live in a city. Staying in a village is a different story. Trains are easily accessible as well as buses. Uber and Lyft are available in bigger cities. Smaller ones have their own taxi services but are very limited. I will write a blog specifically on that topic.

If you decide on a car rental, then just make sure you get your international driver's license at Triple A before you travel. Having cash on hand is also a good idea in case you're pulled over for speeding. I know from personal experience.

Affordability

Even though Poland is part of the European Union, they still maintain their own currency, known as the złoty. 1 USD is equal to 3.6 zł on average. 1 EU is over 4 zł, the Sterling Pound is about 5 zł. That currency exchange rate makes Poland the perfect destination for your next vacation. Your money goes a lot further, and is highly technically advanced.

If you are a digital nomad and able to work remotely, you can live very comfortably and your dollar can go a lot further.

Conclusion

If Travel is part of your New Year resolution or you wish to explore Europe, then Poland is a great way to start. Get the ball rolling by booking your ticket, and start practicing your Polish phrases. And Who knows, We might come across each other during one of my visits.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm your Charming Sexy Host, ThaHaitian. Thank you for checking out my content. Don't forget to subscribe. And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to comment.

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