Poland is located at the heart of the European continent. It is home to history, culture, arts, sciences and amazing food. Wandering the streets you find traces of Chopin’s life and work, Marie Curie’s discoveries, Old Towns and UNESCO-listed heritage sites. The food is hearty, a welcomed treat in the cold winter so platefuls of pierogi, potato pancakes, and kielbasa are welcomed.

We started our Polish journey by train to what feels like a living museum, Kraków. As the former royal capital of Poland, it is packed with legends, cobblestone streets, and an atmosphere that is purely magical. Here are 5 things we recommend you visit:

1. Europe’s Largest Market Square: The Main Square is the heart of the city, filled with horse-drawn carriages, shopping and flower stalls. It is home to St. Mary’s Basilica.
2. Real-Life Castles: Explore Wawel Royal Castle, a stunning hilltop fortress.
3. Jewish Quarter: Explore Kazimierz, a trendy neighborhood full of history, bohemian cafes, and artisan shops.
4. Auschwitz-Birkenau: The largest of the German Nazi concentration camps and extermination centers. Over 1.1 million men, women and children were murdered here. The importance of experience and memory was increasingly evident on the 81st anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz.
5. Day Trip to Salt Mines: Just outside the city is the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an underground “cathedral” carved entirely out of salt – including the chandeliers.

Warsaw is consistently ranked among the safest and cleanest cities in Europe, and it combines a beautifully restored Old Town, striking modern architecture, world-class museums, vibrant neighborhoods, great food and cultural scene.

1. Old Town: Walk through a UNESCO World Heritage site that was meticulously rebuilt brick-by-brick after WWII including the old city walls or Barbakan.
2. World-Class Museums: Visit the Neon Muzeum dedicated to the preservation of cold war neon signs, each restored, illuminated and placed in context of the history of the city.
3. The Royal Castlein Warsaw is a national historical monument and a former royal residence.
4. Polish icons: Meet Marie Curie, Frederic Chopin and Nicolaus Copernicus – each of them was born in Poland and have a museum dedicated here.
5. Dine Out: Hearty foods abound, so sit down to a plate of pierogi (sweet or savory dumplings with varied fillings), kiełbasa (sausage), potato pancakes and don’t forget the wódka (vodka)!

From cobblestone streets, historic past to its modern cultural vibe, Poland makes for a perfect ESCAPADITA.