Poland is a beautiful country, though November can be quite gloomy and cold. You've made a great choice with your cities—Krakow, in particular, is a stunning place rich in history. I recommend finding a local guide to show you around the Old Town and Kazimierz, the historic Jewish district, both of which are within walking distance of each other.We have been traveling to Europe twice a year (May and November) for several years now and have been to almost all of the Western European countries, some several times. We have also visited Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, and Denmark, but we haven’t been to Poland yet. We are planning a 3 week trip there starting in mid November and we know what weather to expect. There’s not much information here on Poland, except for hiking and biking trips. We do neither, but we enjoy Old Towns, cathedrals, palaces, and museums. We are able to walk around well enough.
Our tentative plans include a nonstop round trip flight from Newark to Berlin on United, as DW has status with them. We do not do well with long overnight flights with stops. Besides, although we have been to Germany, we have never been to Berlin. We have 3 nights each in Berlin, Poznan, Wroclaw, Krakow, Warsaw, and Sopot. We will rent a car and drive to each city, parking it at our hotels. I have driven all over Europe and have no qualms about it. I have a valid International Driver’s Permit. Except for Sopot to Berlin, the other cities are about 3 hours apart. There are a few extra unaccounted for nights for staying an extra night here or there or for adding another stop.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Edited to add: we have watched the Rick Steves episode on Poland and several other travel shows on YouTube about Poland. Plus, we have done a few Internet searches on our included cities. And, we have been to Dachau, so we plan to skip Auschwitz.
Be sure to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, located about 45 minutes from Krakow. It's an incredible underground marvel and well worth the trip. Another great destination is Zakopane, a charming mountain town about 1.5 hours from Krakow, perfect for a scenic escape.
When driving, keep in mind that Poland's highways have speed limits of around 85 MPH (140 km/h), but be cautious about exceeding that limit.
Polish people are generally warm and welcoming, though they may seem reserved at first. As for the cuisine, Polish food is hearty and perfect for the colder weather.
A quick tip: If you're staying in Krakow's Old Town, parking can be a challenge as it's none existent. I’d recommend heading straight to your hotel from the airport to avoid car rental.
Statistics: Posted by mrtiger — Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:01 pm — Replies 14 — Views 607