Traveling to Poland from Chicago next month! Few questions.

Well, first.. My name is Tyler. Im 27, I live in Chicago, IL. I am of Polish decent, and this is the first time I am traveling there. I could not be more excited. I always heard about Poland from family members and from festivals around the city. (Chicago has a very large Polish population)

Anyways, we fly into Warsaw and we are staying at the Westin. So... First questions would be (if anyone has stayed here) How was your experience at the hotel? Anything stand out in the surrounding area? Any areas to stay away from? -not just around the hotel, but in Warsaw in general: Any recommendations on bars, clubs, restaurants?

Next we are going up to Trojmiasto.. mainly Gdansk. Not sure where we are staying here yet.. but any recommendations?

Next heading to Krakow. Here we are staying at the Tango House. Again, if anyone has stayed here or heard anything. I would love to know your experience.

Our last stop is in Prague.. But thats a whole different thing.

If anyone is around our age, and would wanna grab a drink.. I am always down for new friends in Poland. Here is my facebook if anyone is interested: facebook.com/tsichelski

Thanks!!!

Here are some tips:
ricksteves.com/plan/tips/tips_menu.htm
ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/europe/readview_menu.htm
my favourite site:
don't forget to check the links on the left
inyourpocket.com/poland/warsaw
inyourpocket.com/poland/krakow
inyourpocket.com/poland/gdansk
inyourpocket.com/czech-republic/prague
Enjoy your trip!!

Wolne Miasto in Gdansk is a nice hotel with a great location in the Old Town, and it's just around the corner from Absinthe, the best pub in the city. I'm far from your age, but I'd enjoy having a piwo or two with you when you're here.

Good tip from elnina about inyourpocket.

Thanks Scottie and Elnina!

That InYourPocket website is sucha great help.

Scottie, we would like to have a piwo from ya. are you in gdansk?

you can usually find some InYour Pocket guide books on ebay

Summer nights in Sopot are the best. Start at the beach and then go to one of the night clubs or pubs. Or just stroll around. It's great!

A special town, with a special summer atmosphere. You will not get disappointed.

And it's very close to Gdansk.

sichelski83,
Please re-visit Polish Forums and Facebook when you return and let us know how your trip went. Also let us know how helpful were the suggestions you got here. Maybe you could start a blog about your travels, and post a photo or two.

Hope you have a great trip!

Yep, I live in the Old Town, just 5 minutes away from Wolne Miasto and Absinthe. I'd be happy to show you around. When are you coming?

I will certainly do that!


we will be arriving in warsaw on july 11th. probably heading up that way on a overnight train on the 14th. we will keep in touch through the coming weeks. if you have a facebook, feel free to add me on there.. the link is in the original post.


i have been hearing a lot about sopot! sounds like my type of place!

also, question for all. how are american travelers received in poland? i have been treated very nice over the internet.. (through facebook and here). just curious how it will be with the general public. i am sure not many americans travel there..

in case anyone was curious why i had chosen poland.. it is because i am of polish decent, both sets of my grandparents were born in poland. however, i only knew 1 grandma. sadly the rest died before i was born.

cheers!

Good timing. I'll be coming back from summer camp on the 14th.

Sopot's nice, but crowded with tourists in the summer. Still, while you're here you should go. It's only about 20 minutes away by SKM. I'll help you with all that stuff. I don't go there very often, as Gdansk has everything I want.

Tourists, American or otherwise, are welcome here. Well, maybe not the drunk Brits, but that's another story.

The weather should be good here, but we're on the Baltic and it's unpredictable. I usually take a light rainproof jacket and sometimes a sweater when I go out.

sichelski83, I will be very interested also in reading about your travel's to Poland. I am 29 from Rochester,MN and also have Polish roots. I will be going to Poland next summer. I will be traveling to Trebaczow,Wielkopolskie. Hope you have a great time on your trip. I have been to the Taste of Polonia in Chicago...it's great.