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Hip Guide to Poland
One of the recent countries to join the European Union, Poland is undergoing a huge transformation, now that it has thrown off decades of communist programming. From it's medieval city centers to modern skyscrapers and vast countryside, the new Poland has so much to offer the visitor. Whether you come for a historical tour, a religious pilgrimage, or a taste of Polish culture, you will find a warm welcome in Poland. The Hip Guide to Poland offers highlights of the country, and contains many tips for making your stay here more rewarding.
The Hip Guide is Poland's most complete and up-to-date source for hotel reservations, tourist information, events, reviews, shopping and much more! Don't forget to visit our Poland Photo Gallery! Bookmark this site, and visit whenever you need to find out what's happening in Poland.
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Shopping in Poland
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Poland offers some interesting shopping for the traveler. From glittery hi-tech malls in Warsaw, to the ancient markets in Krakow, you will find many interesting trinkets and bargains to take along with you as you journey.
However, if you need any specialty items as birth control products, newer types of medication, or cosmetics, you should bring it along with you, and enough to spare. Especially in the instance of birth control, Poland is a strict Catholic country (where is the Pope from???) and some things are simply unobtainable.
Warsaw
Also in Warsaw, which is now incredibly 'westernized,' one can find anything from Ikea, to Marks & Spencer, in the various malls and shopping areas of the city.
Local products to be found are antiques, hand-embroidered linens, glass or crystalware, leather goods, and of course the outstanding amber jewelry and objects made from this resiney substance. In the city of Warsaw visit the Nowy Swiat and Old town for antiques, and souvenirs.
In Warsaw the Blue City is making waves, because of the diversity of offerings under their blue domed roofs. Here you can shop for a car, entertain the kids in a theme park, eat, drink, and be merry. You can find the Blue City on Al. Jerozolimskie not far from Rondo Zesłańców Syberyjskich (near the Zachodni railway station). There is a tunnel giving access to the mall for people coming along Al. Jerozolimskie both from the city center, and from the Pruszków direction. There is parking available for 3000 cars.
In fact this is just one of literally dozens of malls that are springing up around Warsaw. Here you can go bowling, eat in a nice restaurant, shop, drop off the kids for playtime, and just relax. All in one environments designed to cost you money every step of the way like a good consumer.
List of Warsaw Malls:
Klif, Okapowa St.
Galeria Centrum, Marszafkowska St.
Galeria Mokotow, Woloska St.
Panorama, Witosa St.
Promenada, Ostobramska St., Grochow
Reduta, Jerozolimskie Av.
Reform Plaza, Jerozolimskie Av.
Sadyba Best Mall, Powsinska St., Sadyba
Krakow is far more interesting for the tourists to shop. In the authentic old town square is the amazing Cloth Hall, which we discuss in another article on architecture.
Here in Krakow looks for beautiful displays of amber jewelry, chess boards, pyramids and more. There are many different vendor stalls to explore in the Cloth Hall and adjacent alleyways. It's the closest thing you'll find to a souk in Northern Europe. Beautiful hand-made dolls, amazing lace tableclothes and pieces of lace for God-knows-what purposes and delightful wooden toys for the kids are displayed here.
In the buildings aroind Krakow's old town square are designer shops, and antique stores galore. Here you can find everyone from Gucci to Versace and lots more...
2012 Holidays Poland
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New Year’s Day Sunday, 01. January 2012
Three Kings day Friday, 06. January 2012
Easter Sunday Sunday, 08. April 2012
Easter Monday Monday, 09. April 2012
Labour Day Tuesday, 01. May 2012
National Flag Day Wednesday, 02. May 2012
Constitution Day Thursday, 03. May 2012
Corpus Christi Thursday, 07. June 2012
Assumption of the Virgin Mary Wednesday, 15. August 2012
Our Lady of Czestochowa Sunday, 26. August 2012
All Saints’ Day Thursday, 01. November 2012
Independence Day Sunday, 11. November 2012
Christmas Day Tuesday, 25. December 2012
2nd day of Christmas Wednesday, 26. December 2012
Map of Poland
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Visit Poland with this map. Double-click to zoom in, click and drag to move it around. Change from satellite view to road map to combination maps. Plan a trip from Warsaw to Krakow by train!
Polish Food
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Food of Poland
While travelling from Warsaw to Krakow recently I met a character that detested root vegetables. I asked why, and she replied that the sisters in her boarding school as a child forced her to eat all sorts of them, leaving a bad memory – and taste – in her mouth. I wondered why she was travelling in Poland, Motherland of all Root Vegetables, but soon realized the beauty of the countryside and the friendly people was a major reason for anyone to visit here.
Some of the best things to eat here are anything made with the abundance of fresh produce to be found in Poland. Here are some of the things I tried, and liked.
Soups – Zupa Grzybowa is cream of mushroom soup, and made with the local bolete mushrooms for the best flavor. Grochowka is a yellow split pea soup with potatoes, carrots, and also sausage. A rather hearty stew indeed. Although I didn’t try it, Flaki is also a popular soup in Poland. It’s tripe soup, with lots of pepper, ginger and marjoram – an unusual flavor combination, and the Warsaw natives add a topping of grated cheese. I did enjoy a bowl of Zupa Szczawiowa, which is another cream soup, made with sorrel leaves, and included a hard-boiled egg. But one of the most popular offerings for soup seemed to be Czysty Barszcz Czerwony, a clear red soup made with beet roots, garlic and mushrooms.
Polish History
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Poland’s History
966 - Poland is born, and most importantly, recognized by THE church.
1000 – Boleslaw the Brave King of Poland crowned by German Emperor Otto III, who also recognizes the Polish state’s existence.
1225 – Recently unemployed Teutonic German crusaders brought in to re-establish order against invading Lithuanians, Jacwingians, and Prussians.
1241-42 – Mongol expansion into Europe crushed as Poland and Lituania expand eastward.
13th thru 14th Centuries – Poland expands further eastward, while giving up Denmark, Bohemia and Volhynia.
1346 – During the reign of the Great Kazimierz, a law was passed offering sanctuary to Jews fleeing other European countries, allowing them to settle here.
1410 – Poland and Lithuania defeat the Teutonics.