Warsaw has a surprisingly old-world atmosphere to it. It’s particularly
unforeseen as Poland’s capital was turned into a large heap of rubble by
the Second World War, and has been rebuilt in classical style by its
proud citizens, and astounding feat of triumph in the face of diversity
that still defines the native’s character in many ways: stubborn,
progressive and high achieving. Despite their backwards-looking architectural exploits, the citizens of
Warsaw are notoriously forward thinking, and the capital has become
difficult to match in terms of contemporary entertainment,
with an enviable nightlife and manic music scene. That doesn’t mean
Warsaw’s forgotten its terrible past, though. You can explore the
history in great detail through the numerous museums, which can be a
dark, painful experience, yet remain extremely memorable.
If you prefer
your sights a little more toned down, head to the pillared facades of
the Lazienki Palace and its impressive lakefront views, or to the
manicured lawns of the vast and equally striking Wilanów Palace. Or
wander through the streets of "The Old Town". The shopping scene’s
pretty impressive, too, with plenty of handmade products to splash
(relatively insignificant amounts of) your cash on, before heading for
the nearest restaurant to delve into an impressive array of stuffed
dumplings washed down with a shot of bison vodka (which, for the record,
is flavored with local bison grass, as opposed to the large cow-like
creature).
