Poland

October 5-13, 2008

Oct 5 UA1105/LH431/LH3302 YYZ-ORD-FRA-WAW,
Oct 7 LO3913 WAW-KRK,
Oct 11 LO3844 WRO-WAW,
Oct 12 LH3303 WAW-FRA,
Oct 13 FRA-IAD-YYZ LH418/UA7849

After our previous trip to East Germany and my trip to Hungary, we were interested in seeing more of Eastern Europe.  We had heard very good things about Poland, particularly Krakow, so made a trip of it.  As well as a great chance to see Poland, we took advantage of the trip to use some of our points and experience First Class on Lufthansa.  The trip required a long routing and a planned long stay in the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt.  As well as the dedicated security line, amazing showers and bathtubs, full service gourmet restaurant and well stocked bar, the Terminal visit ended with a private Mercedes ride directly to our plane.  Although we enjoyed Krakow, we actually quite enjoyed all of Poland and found it relatively easy to get around.  The timing was good as we got to experience the fall colours; however, the stock market was collapsing while we were away, making for interesting CNN daily updates.

Oct 6
After 2 days of travel we spent the afternoon walking all over Warsaw

The Palace of Culture; the Soviet gift to Poland was viewed less than positively

One of many ‘Bars’ in Poland where cheap government-subsidized food is available

The Royal Route leads through Warsaw to the Royal Palace

Oct 7
After a night in Warsaw and some more walking around we fly to Krakow

Church of St. Mary in Krakow old square at the end of a day of walking the old town

Oct 8
After a night in Krakow we start the day with a side trip to Wieliczka Salt Mine

Deep inside the salt mine there is a cathedral with everything carved in salt, all by the miners

A recent addition is a carving of Pope John Paul II, native of Poland

The mine used to run boat tours in the saltwater ponds until an accident, years ago

Back in Krakow, Wawel Royal Castle square overlooking the city

Krakow square

Oct 9
After another night in Krakow we pick up the car and head South; got lost only once

We take a traditional raft tour through the Dunajec valley on the Slovakian border

The valley was in middle of fall bloom and made for an enjoyable ride

Before heading on we walk across a new footbridge to Slovakia

Oct 10
After a night in the town of Auschwitz, we start the day with a tour

Although it was a depressing, we were glad we took the time to see Auschwitz

The remains of the Nazi demolished gas chambers and crematoria at larger Birkenau

Me sitting in the charming town square of Wroclaw

Oct 11
We start the morning touring Wroclaw before flying back to Warsaw

Rotunda Containing the amazing Panorama of the Battle of Raclawice

Piasek Island and the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Wroclaw

Oct 12
On our last day in Warsaw we brave the bus and head to Lazienki Park

Palace on the Water in the park

This peacock was roaming the grounds and found its way inside one of the buildings

Oct 13
We start out early for four hours in the first class terminal and then back home

Tom enjoying snacks in the terminal before the Mercedes took us to our plane

Tom finished his meal, but the rose is left behind

After five meals and a really tight connection in Washington Dulles we get back to Toronto