Travel Guide Warsaw Boomtown with a past

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Boomtown with a past 02 02 04 04 05 Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet 05 06 08 09 10 Getting

1 Boomtown with a past Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Getting around Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Fotolia LH.com/travelguide 01/13

2 02 Quick view : Boomtown with a past The Polish capital was the setting for some of the most tumultuous events of the 20th century, but you d never guess walking around this bustling modern city today. The Old Town, almost flattened by bombing in WWII, has been artfully restored to its medieval glory, and the surrounding skyline is studded with futuristic skyscrapers, part of an ambitious programme of reconstruction that followed the end of the Communist rule. The traumas of the past are still remembered in excellent museums and moving memorials, but has emerged with an undeniably positive outlook, best experienced after dark in the city s clubs and bars. General Information Country overview One of Europe's most underrated countries, offers a huge amount for travellers of all stripes, from the wild scenery of its mountainous south, with its great skiing and hiking, to the stunning Old Towns of Cracow, Zamość and Gdańsk, and the wilderness of the Białowieża National Park and the Great Masurian Lakes in the country's north. 's scenic beauty is as varied as it is extraordinary. The Baltic coast has some excellent sandy beaches, as well as the Słowiński National Park with its ethereal forests, bogs and sand dunes. The Cracow-Wielun Upland with its limestone areas, caves and medieval castles is another highlight, while perhaps most beautiful area of all is around the Carpathian Mountains in the far south. Geography shares borders to the east and northeast with Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, to the south with the Czech Republic and Slovakia and to the west with Germany. To the north lies the Baltic Sea. The Baltic coast provides almost 525km (325 miles) of sandy beaches, bays and steep cliffs; between Gdańsk, and the port city of Szczecin to the west there are many seaside towns offering unpolluted water and some fine beaches, with sunbeds and umbrellas available for hire. These sand and gravel deposits also form the shifting dunes of Słowiński National Park, the sand bars of Hel and the Vistula Lagoon. Northern is dominated by lakes, islands and wooded hills joined by many rivers and canals. The Masurian Lake District to the northeast is a patchwork of lakes and forests with Lake Hańcza, the deepest lake in, located here. The longest river, the 1,090km (675 mile) Vistula, or Wisła, rises in the Tatra mountains and empties into the Baltic, cutting a wide valley between the capital, in the heart of the country, to Gdańsk on the coast. The rest of the country rises slowly to the Sudety mountains, which run along the border with the Czech Republic, and the Tatra mountains, which separate from Slovakia. To the west, the River Oder, with Szczecin at its mouth, forms the northwest border with Germany. LH.com/travelguide 02/13

3 03 counts almost two dozen national parks, covering an area of 3,200 sq km (1,235 sq miles), and including the oldest, Białowieża National Park, east of on the border with Belarus, and one of the largest, Bieszczady National Park, part of the Carpathian mountain range. These parks are home to European bison (the largest mammal in Europe), brown bears, lynx, wolves and even some wild horses. And Białowieża contains a fragment of the forest that once covered Europe in prehistoric times, with some oaks dating back half a millennium. Polish forests are largely pine though, accounting for two-thirds of the total. General knowledge Key facts Population: Population Density (per sq km): 123 Capital:. Language Polish is the official language. There are a few small German-speaking communities primarily in the southwest. English and, increasingly less so, Russian are also spoken. French is also popular. Currency Złoty (PLN; symbol zł) = 100 groszy. Notes are in denominations of zł200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. The coins are in denominations of zł5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszy. is required under the terms of its accession to the European Union in 2004 to adopt the Euro as its national currency sometime in the future but this is not expected to happen for at least three years. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz; continental plugs with two round pins. General business opening hours Most offices in major industries open Mon-Fri Government offices are open Mon-Fri A few independent businesses may open on Saturday morning. Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 December 2020 period Nowy Rok (New Year s Day): 1 January 2019 Święto Trzech Króli (Epiphany): 6 January 2019 Pierwszy dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019 Drugi dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Monday): 22 April 2019 Międzynarodowe Święto Pracy (Labour Day): 1 May 2019 Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja (Republic Day): 3 May 2019 Pierwszy dzień Zielonych Świątek (Whitsun): 9 June 2019 Dzień Bożego Ciała (Corpus Christi): 20 June 2019 Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny (Assumption): 15 August 2019 Wszystkich Świętych (All Saints Day): 1 November 2019 Narodowe Święto Niepodległości (Independence Day): 11 November 2019 Pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019 Drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Second Day of Christmas): 26 December 2019 LH.com/travelguide 03/13

4 Nowy Rok (New Year s Day): 1 January 2020 Święto Trzech Króli (Epiphany): 6 January 2020 Pierwszy dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020 Drugi dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Monday): 13 April 2020 Międzynarodowe Święto Pracy (Labour Day): 1 May 2020 Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja (Republic Day): 3 May 2020 Pierwszy dzień Zielonych Świątek (Whitsun): 31 May 2020 Dzień Bożego Ciała (Corpus Christi): 11 June 2020 Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny (Assumption): 15 August 2020 Wszystkich Świętych (All Saints Day): 1 November 2020 Narodowe Święto Niepodległości (Independence Day): 11 November 2020 Pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020 Drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Second Day of Christmas): 26 December 2020 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Poles are friendly, industrious people and foreigners are usually made very welcome. There are vast contrasts between urban and rural life and the Polish peasantry is very religious and conservative, maintaining a traditional lifestyle. Roman Catholicism plays an important role in daily life and criticism or jokes about religion are not appreciated, despite the general good humour of the people. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting; an older man will often kiss a woman's hand. Normal courtesies are observed when visiting private homes, and it is customary to bring flowers, preferably in odd numbers. Fairly conservative casual wear is the most suitable attire, but dress should be formal when specified for entertaining in the evening or in a smart restaurant. Smoking is banned in public places, including railway stations, restaurants and bars. Photography Military installations including border points should not be photographed. Health Health Main emergency number: 112 Food & Drink Mains water is normally chlorinated, and while relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Do not drink water from rivers or lakes even if they look pristinely clean as it may contain bacteria or viruses that can bring on diarrhoea and vomiting. Make use of the public wells for better tasting water; bottled water is available everywhere. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Two words of caution - a lot of dishes in Polish cuisine are stuffed or wrapped. Avoid them at a cafeteria or buffet if they look like they have outlasted their shelf LH.com/travelguide 04/13

5 05 life. Also, Poles can be big drinkers and vodka is the national drink. You definitely won't be able to keep up with your fellow drinkers for long. Go easy and either miss a few turns or sip your drink in stages. Otherwise count on the mother of all hangovers and an upset stomach the next day. Other Risks Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended. Another one is against tick-borne encephalitis. This is spread by small insects that burrow under the skin and in recent years has become a common problem in parts of central and eastern Europe. Encephalitis is a serious infection of the brain, and vaccination is advised particularly for campers and hikers. Anyone who is considering spending a lot of time outdoors in affected areas should consider getting the jab before they leave home. Two inoculations of the vaccine will protect the recipient for a year while three doses provide protection for up to three years. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Kruk, Marek Medical Centre in der Botschaft der BRD 31 Katowicka Street Tel Tel ext. 240 Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code: +48 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Getting around Getting around Public Transport has an efficient integrated public transport network, operated by Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego (ZTM; tel: ; Metro trains run north to south along the west bank of the Vistula River, buses connect the suburbs to the centre, and trams trundle day and night on easy-to-follow routes to all corners of the city. Tickets can be purchased from stations, ticket machines on LH.com/travelguide 05/13

6 06 platforms, bus drivers and many shops and kiosks. Remember to validate your ticket in the franking machine when you board buses or trams. For sightseeing, ZTM passes offer unlimited travel for one to seven days. Taxis Official taxis in are metered and reliable. Look for the taxi sign on the roof and the mermaid symbol the official emblem of on the doors. Be wary of unofficial taxis charging elevated fares at tourist hotspots. Reputable radio taxi companies include MPT (tel: ) and Sawa Taxi (tel: ). A small tip is appropriate; locals generally say keep the change. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Palace of Culture & Science The influence of the Soviet Union is obvious in this dramatic tower, a grand, Stalinist edifice that mirrors the Stalinskie Vysotki (Stalin s towers) in Moscow. The highlight for visitors is the breathtaking view across from the roof terrace, reached via a high-speed elevator. plac Defilad Tel: Daily Royal Castle The dramatic castle looks the part, but many parts of the building are skilful copies, reconstructed after the castle was devastating by bombing in WWII. Filled with period furniture and works of art, the lavish interiors whisk visitors back to the lavish reign of Stanisław Leszczyński, the 18th-century king of. plac Zamkowy Tel: Mon-Wed and Fri-Sat Thurs , Sun Łazienki Królewskie Park and Palace A former playground for the flamboyant King Stanislaw, s most elegant park is dotted with formal gardens, pavilions and follies. Scattered around the park are the Palace on the Water, the Belvedere Palace, the dainty White House and the atmospheric Island Amphitheatre. ulica Agrykoli Tel: Daily (gardens) Mon , Tue-Wed and Sun Thurs-Sat (palace) Wilanów Park & Palace LH.com/travelguide 06/13

7 07 The lavish palace of King Jan III at Wilanów is a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture. Amazingly, this magnificent edifice survived WWII with only minor damage, and almost everything on display, from the murals to the portrait collection, is original. ulica Stanislawa Kostki Potockiego 10/ Tel: Mon Tue and Thurs-Fri Wed and Sat Sun Rising Museum First-hand accounts from survivors bring the Polish experience in WWII to life at this moving and thought-provoking museum, set in a former power station. Interactive displays walk visitors through this dark time in Polish history, from the first invasion to the Rising that eventually delivered independence. ulica Grzybowska Tel: Mon, Wed and Fri Sat-Sun Thurs National Museum s premier museum of art displays everything from grand Polish portraits to ancient Egyptian art, rescued from rising floodwaters after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The medieval collection is particularly impressive. Aleja Jerozolimskie Tel: Tue-Wed and Fri-Sun Thurs Frédéric Chopin Museum The elegant baroque Ostrogski Palace is the perfect setting for this museum charting the rise of the country s most famous composer. Interactive displays provide plenty of opportunities to listen to Chopin s work. plac Defilad Tel: Tue-Sun Copernicus Science Centre A playhouse of interactive displays, full of buttons to press and levers to pull, covering all areas of scientific endeavour. This sprawling science museum will keep kids of all ages entertained, and young-at-heart adults too. LH.com/travelguide 07/13

8 08 ulica Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie Tel: Mon-Fri Old Town Although it looks centuries old, the Stare Miasto (Old Town) in dates back just 50 years. This fascinating facsimile was recreated stone by stone after WWII, which destroyed 85% of the old centre. Highlights of this World Heritage-listed area include the restored Royal Castle and Old Town Square. Rynek Starego Miasta St John s Cathedral s oldest church suffered terribly in WWII, but it was restored to its original Gothic grandeur as part of the reconstruction of the Old Town. Highlights include the mausoleums of the dukes of Mazovia and the tombs of famous citizens of in the crypt. ulica Kanonia Tel: Mon-Sat and Sun Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Ulica Nowy Świat is the heartland for shopaholics in, with plenty of stores selling international brands, local design, Polish delicacies and amber jewellery. Other good shopping streets include Aleje Jerozolimskie and ulica Marszałkowska. Markets Traditional market places are giving way to mega malls, but a few cling on, offering interesting browsing opportunities for visitors. The weekend Bazar na Kole, on ulica Obozowa in the west of the city, is a treasure trove of antiques, vintage clothes and the odd WWII relic. Seek out tasty Polish foodstuffs at Le Targ in Wilanów. Shopping Centres Mall shopping is all the rage in. The Arkadia centre (Aleja Jana Pawła II) is one of the largest malls in Europe, with more than 200 stores under one roof. For international brands and fashion, try the central Zlote Tarasy (ulica Złota) or Sadyba Best Mall (ulica Powsińska). LH.com/travelguide 08/13

9 09 Restaurants Restaurants in is the centre of s food revolution, with chefs offering innovative modern takes on traditional Polish cooking. The best place to sample authentic Polish food hearty,wholesome and full of seasonal ingredients is the area around ulica Nowy Świat; restaurants in the Old Town mainly offer bland tourist fare. U Fukiera s oldest restaurant still exudes plenty of old-world charm; come for sophisticated candlelit dinners and the chance to spot a famous face or two. Rynek Starego Miasta 27 Warszawa Tel.: Price: Expensive The Belvedere If the grand dukes of could choose one restaurant, it would be this lavish Michelin-feted eatery in the Orangery at the Royal Bath Gardens. Agrykola 1 Warszawa Tel.: Price: Expensive Dom Polksi A lighter take on traditional Polish delicacies, served in style in the light and elegant surroundings of a grand old manor house. ulica Francuska Price: Expensive Prasowy This arty designer café takes the Communist-era concept of inexpensive food for all, and updates it for the ipad generation. ulica Marszałkowska 10/ Price: Moderate Pierogarnia na Bednarskiej Pierogi (Polish dumplings) are the main attraction at this homely Polish restaurant, serving dumplings just like mama made them. ulica Bednarska 28/ Price: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 09/13

10 10 Nightlife Nightlife in A love of music endured through all s troubles in WWII, and the music of Chopin still rings across the city, particularly during the summer festival season. For contemporary nightlife,take your pick from energetic nightclubs, slick cocktail bars, edgy art centres and Communist-style milk bars. The greatest concentration of watering holes is around ulica Mazowiecka. Paparazzi A cut above the average on the Mazowiecka bar strip, with friendly staff who know how to mix a perfect cocktail or three. ulica Mazowiecka Plan B Popular with young hipsters, this cool lounge bar buzzes year round, particularly in summer when the action spills out into the adjacent square. Aleja Wyzwolenia Fabryka Trzciny Arty and industrial, this edgy venue and art centre stages everything from cinema screenings to catwalk shows and dance parties. ulica Otwocka Klubokawiarnia A Communist-era colour scheme sets the mood at this boisterous club just a few blocks from the Palace of Art and Culture, pulling in an energetic international crowd. ulica Tadeusza Czackiego 3/ Filharmonica Narodowa Classical music has been big news in since Chopin s time, and this grand venue home to the famous National Philharmonic Orchestra of is the best place to hear it. Jasna Warszawa LH.com/travelguide 10/13

11 11 Calendar of events Calendar of events Easter Sunday Easter is a huge celebration in this overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country and is celebrated all over. In, the day is marked by religious services that are attended by young and old alike. It is a particularly popular festival with children who decorate traditional eggs and bring them to Mass to have them blessed. Afterward families traditionally go home to a brunch or early lunch on dishes and delicacies denied during Lent. 21 April 2019 Venue: Various locations in Constitution Day 3 May is Constitution Day in and marks the ratification of the Polish Constitution on this day in However, the constitution was to last for just a year as was partitioned by invading forces who effectively disbanded the country, dividing it between Russia, Prussia and Habsburg, Austria. And it was not until November 1918 that regained its independence. To this day, 3 May is an important civic holiday that is recognised throughout the country and is marked with patriotic parades and festivities in the capital. 3 May 2019 Venue: Various locations in Art of the Street Festival This rather unusual five-day event features street theatre, open-air concerts and art installations and happenings staged unpredictably in public places such as Old Town Square, the Royal Way, public parks and even bus stops. It s a thinking man s flash-mob scene. June 2019 sztukaulicy.pl/pl/ Venue: Throughout Anniversary of the 1944 Uprising Nearly 200,000 people lost their lives in the fight against Nazi occupation during the Uprising of 1 August 1944, which is one of the most important events in modern Polish history. Each year, Poles all over the world remember the event and the heroic men and women who took part in the fighting to defend their city. The commemorations in include a special ceremony at the Uprising Museum and the city comes to a standstill for a minute's silence to remember the dead. 1 August Venue: Various venues, including the Uprising Museum Chopin and His Europe This two-week festival of orchestral and chamber music focuses not just on the LH.com/travelguide 11/13

12 12 great Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin but usually on the works of one or two other European composers as well such as Bach, Schumann and/or Debussy. It is organised by the Fryderyk Chopin National Institute (Narodowy Instytut Fryderyka Chopina) and held at various venues throughout the city, including the Chopin Museum. August 2019 en.chopin.nifc.pl/festival/ Venue: Various concert halls in Autumn (International Festival of Contemporary Music) The renowned Autumn (Warszawska Jesien), a festival of contemporary classical music from around the world, was for many years the only event of this kind in Central and Eastern Europe. Today it is one of the largest and most popular events of its kind with performers and audiences coming from all over the world to take part in a variety of concerts over 10 days. Singers, vocal groups, orchestras and chamber ensembles perform in venues around the city. September Venue: Various venues International Film Festival Though not yet on the same level as Berlin and Cannes, the International Film Festival offers a packed programme of art house film premieres, lectures and screen-writing workshops. Along with an array of prizes awarded annually and worth upwards of 40,000, the festival also features an audience prize. October Venue: Cinemas across New Year's Eve (Sylvester) Celebrated all over but particularly in the bigger towns and cities, New Year's Eve is a great time to be in. Many people throng into the Old Town Square close to the Wisla River for a spectacular fireworks display. Most restaurants, theatres, clubs and bars hold some kind of event on New Year's Eve and those that want to keep on partying after the stroke of midnight have no shortage of options to choose from. 31 December 2019 Venue: Old town square, Vistula riverbanks and various other venues and locations throughout the city Hotels Hotels in As a legacy of WWII, has few of the grand palace hotels found in other European capitals, but modern chain hotels abound, particularly in the Financial District. The boutique hotel scene is rapidly expanding, with some impressive art LH.com/travelguide 12/13

13 13 deco-inspired hotels in the centre. sees a steady flow of business travellers which has elevated hotel prices compared to the rest of ; visit at the weekend for discount rates at business-class places. Hotel Bristol A lavish reconstruction has returned this historic hotel to its original neoclassical glory; come for attentive service and elegant comfort in a prime location by the Old Town. Krakowskie Przedmieście 42/ Category: Expensive Mamaison Hotel Le Regina Designer flourishes and a hint of art deco mark out this atmospheric boutique hotel, with a peaceful courtyard and great location in the reconstructed New Town. ulica Kościelna Category: Expensive Rialto A step back in time to pre-war, this sophisticated art deco hotel would make a fine location for a Poirot mystery with its period furniture and vintage light fittings. ulica Wilcza Category: Expensive Ibis Warszawa Centrum Modest prices, friendly staff and a handy downtown location bring plenty of repeat visitors to this modern hotel near the Old Town. ulica Zagorna Category: Moderate Oki Doki Hostel Eccentric and eclectic, this much-loved hostel is a institution; frills are limited, but friendly faces are plentiful. plac Dąbrowskiego Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 13/13

Travel Guide Rzeszów. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels. Quick view Poland Travel etiquette Health

Travel Guide Rzeszów. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels. Quick view Poland Travel etiquette Health Travel Guide 02 02 04 04 Quick view Travel etiquette Health 05 05 07 08 Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants 09 10 11 Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy