Poland, a destination that I, Eveline Repko - Manager of Operations at Uniglobe Alliance Travel in Goes- had not visited very often until the end of 2019. The reason for my visit was the invitation of the wedding of my cousin and his (now) Polish wife. Of course, as a Business Travel Consultant, I don't let a trip pass me by and in addition to the wedding, I spent a few extra vacation days in Poland with my partner and little son. And I can tell you that Poland absolutely surprised me!
Gdansk, the pearl on the Baltic Sea
Our trip was to Gdansk, located on the Baltic Sea in northern Poland. In just over 1.5 hours we flew directly with KLM to Gdansk's Lech Walesa airport. Where our, pre-booked, transfer was then waiting for us. The friendly driver took us to the hotel in the city center about 15 kilometers from the airport. Booking a transfer in advance is definitely recommended for business travelers. The big advantage is that it saves you having to look for a cab, you save time and the payment is already made in advance: no unexpected costs!
We stayed at Hotel PURO Gdansk Stare Miastro. A unique, modern and attractive 4-star hotel in the old city center. All rooms are stylishly decorated and have comfortable facilities. The exquisite restaurant and beautiful roof terrace (with views over the city) offer the perfect opportunity to have a business dinner with your business partner. Do you prefer to stay in one of the well-known hotel chains? Then you can also stay in Gdansk at the Radisson or the Novotel, for example.
Gdansk is a city with centuries of fascinating history. The city was once one of the most important Hanseatic cities and is connected to the Baltic Sea by the Motlawa and Vistula rivers. The old center was rebuilt after World War II and has many picturesque streets, historical sights, museums and churches. In addition, some fine beaches can be found nearby, there is plenty of nightlife entertainment and the restaurants are delicious and bargain-priced; elements that make this city grow and prosper! Some highlights I found: the Long Street (Ulica Długa) and the Long Market (Długi Targ). Here you will find many special, iconic buildings from the Hanseatic period.
Krakow, the royal city
Years ago, during a study trip, I visited a city in southern Poland, Krakow. Back then not as well known among tourists as it is now, but certainly no less impressive. From the Netherlands, Krakow is easy to reach with a direct flight. Furthermore, you will find many atmospheric boutique hotels in Krakow and the quality of hotels is generally higher than the number of stars indicates.
Highlights of Krakow include:
- The Rynek. The Main Market of Krakow with the Cloth Hall in the middle of it. This is the place where in the Renaissance period the rich merchants bought their textiles, salt, spices and leather. Today the halls are full of stalls where tourists can buy souvenirs
- The Wawel Castle. Located on the Wawel hill in the bend of the Vistula River. Several legends surround this castle. The most famous is the story of the dragon who lived in a cave under the hill. After the dragon was defeated, the castle could be inhabited by the royal family. In 1930, the castle was restored and is now used as a museum. Be sure to visit the treasure chambers here!
- The Kazimierz district. The trendy and historic Jewish quarter of Kazimierz with the old synagogue and cozy Jewish restaurants. In addition, many stores, bars and chic joints can be found here.
- Museum of Auschwitz. This impressive museum takes you into the past and shows you the stories behind the terrible events. In addition, the barracks are about an hour's drive from Krakow.
Warsaw, the greenest capital in Europe
The third and certainly not least city to visit in Poland is Warsaw. We did not visit this city during our trip, but it is definitely still high on my bucket list. Warsaw has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980 and is located along the so-called Royal Route with its many historic buildings and beautiful natural areas. Lazienki Park and Wilanow Palace, in particular, are said to be among the most beautiful in Europe. Kampinoski National Park is located near Warsaw and is the only national park in Europe. Here I hope to tell you more from my own experience soon!
Oh and the wedding, that was a great happening. In advance we received an extensive script so that the "Dutch side" knew what to expect. One thing is certain: people in Poland know what partying and eating is!
That Poland is not only popular with me we also see from the increase in bookings in recent years. Both for business travel and for our group travel this destination is frequently booked. More and more airlines are offering direct connections from Amsterdam and Eindhoven. Are you going on a business trip to Poland soon or are you curious about the many possibilities at your destination? Please feel free to contact us and we will help you find the perfect business trip!
Travel Well!
Eveline Repko
Manager of Operations Goes
