Poland has a rich heritage of culture and cuisine, but those are not all the country can offer. The astonishing wildlife invites you to discover in the countryside. Not to mention the long history of Gothic and Renaissance eras reflected on architecture and arts. But before you fly to Poland and order a vodka, maybe try exploring these travel tips first:
1. Make Sure to Mingle with the Locals
You can’t explore a culture without connecting yourself with the people of that culture, so mingling with the Polish people should be on your bucket list when travelling to Poland. For smoother ice-breaking, learn a few Polish words beforehand. Locals will see your effort as a respect to their culture, which they would highly appreciate.
2. Explore Local Delicacies
Polish cuisine is extraordinary and unique. Many dishes require lengthy preparation and varieties of seasonings, resulting in hearty and flavorful delicacies. Some of the best to taste is bigos (a stew of cabbage, meat, and mushrooms), kotlet schabowy (breaded pork cutlet), barszcz (beetroot soup), and gołąbki (cabbage rolls with meat and rice stuffing).
While the foods might sweep you off your feet, make sure to spare room in your stomach for the desserts. You can’t have a complete culinary experience in Poland without tasting sernik (cheesecake), makowiec (poppy seed cake), or pączki (doughnuts with fillings).
3. Go to Milk Bars, But Expect More Than Just Milk
You can buy milk in a milk bar, indeed, but that is not all. Historically, milk bars are the cheap type of cafeteria that sells milk and dairy products subsidized by the government. The trend was an attempt to provide nutrition to lower-income families during the communist era in the late 19th century. Over time, milk bars also served traditional Polish foods.
Aside from its powerful history, milk bars are also where locals socialize. Typical milk bars have communal tables so people can gather and have conversations. Services are fast, but the prices are still very much affordable. Another unique trait is that you might hear loud announcements of the orders.
4. Vodka is More Than Just A Drink
As you might have known already, Poland is famous for its vodka. What many people don’t know is that there are so many tourist attractions related to it. As the national drink, vodka comes in many varieties, flavored with various herbs, fruits, and spices. Aside from vodka-tasting tours, you can also learn the history and production of vodka.
5. Driving is Super Tricky, But Public Transports Are Wonderful
Going around Poland by yourself is a hard job. Traffic rules are complex, and road conditions are awful. Fortunately, public transportation is bliss. Your options are buses, trams, metro, and suburban trains. Each has an extensive network and affordable rates. It is such an efficient option to go around, especially in large cities.
6. Go Beyond Warsaw
Poland has so many underrated attractions with different vibes from Warsaw. You will miss out on the diversity of Poland’s charms if you only stick to one place. Consider checking out Krakow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Renaissance masterpieces. Or, maybe visit Gdansk to explore more about the maritime atmosphere.
7. Look for Insider’s Tips
Poland has a lot of hidden gems with unique characteristics. You can’t easily get such information from major websites. The best way to get such interesting and reliable recommendations is from travelers who have explored many Polish wonders. Here is a website for that.
Bonus Tips: Use MySecondLine for Communications
When the locals are nice, you would want to keep in touch with them. Here is when you need to install MySecondLine, register yourself, and create a Poland mobile number. MySecondLine is a virtual phone system that you can operate through an app. Registration is quick and easy. It only requires your ID. Compared to conventional mobile number systems, MySecondLine is as secure, yet very much cheaper.