Poland
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Language: Polish (a Slavic language with notoriously tricky pronunciation). English is widely spoken in cities and by younger people. Less so in rural areas.
Currency: Polish Złoty (PLN). Cards are accepted in most places in cities. Carry cash for smaller shops, markets, and rural areas. ATMs are plentiful.
Transportation:
Train: PKP Intercity is the main operator. The Pendolino high-speed trains connect Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław. Book via the PKP app.
Bus: FlixBus serves domestic and international routes. Regional minibuses fill gaps in rural areas.
City transport: Warsaw and Kraków have excellent tram networks. Buy tickets from machines at stops and validate them on board. Uber and Bolt are cheap and reliable.
What To Expect
Poland is the Central European country that has done the most with the least recognition. The tourist trail is anchored by Kraków, arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The Main Market Square is the largest medieval square on the continent, and the Wawel Castle complex tells the story of Polish kings, dragons, and resilience. Nearby, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is an underground cathedral carved entirely from salt.
Warsaw tells a different story. Flattened during WWII and meticulously rebuilt, the Old Town is a UNESCO-listed act of defiance as much as architecture. The POLIN Museum and the Warsaw Uprising Museum document a history that is not always easy but is deeply important.
Polish food is exactly what you want in a cold climate: hearty, rich, and unreasonably good. A bowl of żurek (sour rye soup served in a bread bowl), a plate of pierogi (dumplings filled with potato, cheese, meat, or fruit), and a pączek (Polish donut) from a bakery. The craft beer scene in Warsaw and Wrocław is also surprisingly strong.