I’ve been fortunate to travel to incredible cities and countries over my years in the travel and tourism industry. Some have lived up to every expectation, and others have surprised me in ways I never imagined.
Poland wasn’t a destination I’d ever associated with luxury travel. I instinctively thought of France, Italy, or Spain when the time came to plan a European holiday. Poland sat quietly in the background, a country I knew of for its remarkable history rather than its hospitality.
After spending time in its cities and among its people, I realised how wrong I’d been.
First Impressions
Earlier this year, I had the chance to visit Poland on a familiarisation trip hosted by Euromic and Mazurkas Travel, where I joined fellow travel professionals to explore the country’s hotels, cultural landmarks, and emerging tourism experiences. I arrived expecting a few interesting days of tours and site inspections and left wondering why Poland isn’t already on more South Africans’ travel wish lists.
What surprised me the most right away was how modern it all felt. The cities are clean, safe, and incredibly easy to explore. You can see how much the country has evolved, particularly since joining the European Union. Yet it never feels as though it’s lost its identity along the way.
One thing I’d say to any South African visiting Poland is: don’t be afraid to ask for help. It doesn’t matter if you’re standing in a train station trying to work out your next connection or looking for directions in the city; Polish people genuinely want to help. I’d been fed plenty of stereotypes about this being the “unfriendly” side of Europe, but they dissipated almost immediately in the face of the warmth and pride of the Polish people.
Source: Photograph by Kevin Perez Camacho on Unsplash
Kraków’s Enduring Charm
My first stop was Kraków,and I was immediately schooled on how to say its name properly. It’s pronounced Kra-kuhf, not Krack-ow. It might seem like a small thing, but you soon realise just how proud the locals are of their city and the history intertwined within its walls.
The city exudes an effortless charm through its grand architectural structures, lively squares, and historic streets, all of which perch comfortably alongside stylish restaurants, boutique cafés, and contemporary hotels. It’s a city where history can be found behind museum doors and as an integral part of everyday life.
I stayed at the Hotel Saski Kraków Curio Collection by Hilton, just a short walk from the Main Market Square, which quickly became one of the highlights of the trip. The hotel has a rich musical heritage, and walking through its elegant interiors often felt theatrical. Stepping outside into streets filled with music, cafés, and conversation; I felt as though I’d wandered onto the set of a classic European film.
Source: Photograph by Jonathan Lechtman, The Wieliczka Salt Mine
One of my favourite experiences took place just outside the city at the Wieliczka Salt Mine. I’d seen photographs beforehand, but nothing quite prepares you for descending into this extraordinary underground world. Mining here dates back to the 13th century, and the scale of the place is incredible. The part that took my breath away was St. Kinga’s Chapel, where almost everything, from the chandeliers and sculptures to the altar itself, has been carved from rock salt. It’s the world’s most extensive subterranean marvel and one of those places that lingered awhile longer than expected in my mind after I got home that night. It’s easy to see why it’s one of Poland’s most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Source: Getty Images for Unsplash+
Food, Vodka, and Local Flavours
I’d heard how delicious pierogi were before I arrived, but I wasn’t prepared for just how many I would want to wolf down in one sitting. Every restaurant seemed to have its own variant, and before long I’d accepted the fact that ordering pierogi was an unavoidable part of my daily routine. The same goes for pączki, traditional jam-filled doughnuts that, in my opinion, deserve a seat in the doughnut hall of flavourful fame.
One evening we dined at Elixir by Dom Wódki, a sophisticated restaurant at ul. Wierzbowa 9/11 (near Plac Teatralny) in central Warsaw. We enjoyed a tasting menu in which every course was paired with a different Polish vodka – and no, the aim wasn’t to take a shot between each course. Each vodka was carefully selected to complement the food, and it completely changed the way I thought about something I’d previously associated with celebrations rather than fine dining. I also happened upon Wiśniówka, a cherry liqueur that’s dangerously easy to fall head over heels in love with.
Source: Photograph by Kamil Gliwiński on Unsplash
The Poland I Didn’t Expect
If you’d told me I’d be visiting a vineyard in Poland that could rival those of my native country of South Africa, I’d probably have smiled politely (but tersely) and changed the subject. Instead, I found myself at Nuna Vineyard in the Mazovia region, meeting winemakers who are helping to shape Poland’s emerging wine industry. We sampled their wines while learning about the country’s growing reputation for winemaking and heard that some of these wines are even served on their national airlines. Whether the conversation turned to wine, food, or hospitality, there was always a genuine passion for supporting local producers and sharing something uniquely Polish.
Other highlights include the Baltic coast’s sandy beaches, pine forests, and resort towns; Sopot for its electric nightlife; Świnoujście for the country’s widest beaches and warmest waters; and Łeba, the gateway town of the shifting dunes of Słowiński National Park.
That’s probably the best way I can describe Poland, as every time I thought I knew what was coming next, the country offered something I hadn’t expected, and Warsaw was no different.
Today, it’s a contemporary capital with a past that is impossible to ignore. Around 80 per cent of the city was destroyed during the Second World War, yet a remarkable resilience stands tall and proud.
Poland disappeared from the map of Europe for more than a century after being divided between neighbouring powers. It endured war, occupation, and communist rule, yet somehow never lost its culture or its sense of self.
It’s also a country that has given the world remarkable thinkers. Nicolaus Copernicus changed the way we understand the universe, while Marie Skłodowska-Curie, born in Warsaw, honoured her homeland by naming the element polonium after Poland. All those stories add more layers to Poland’s story. Speaking of layers, do yourself a favour and try the multi-layered Pani Walewska at least once in your life.
Why Poland Should Be on Every South African’s Travel List
One genuinely impressive aspect is the monetary value. Although Poland is part of the European Union, it still uses the Polish złoty rather than the euro, which means those luxury hotels, outstanding restaurants, and memorable experiences often come at a far more accessible price than in many of Europe’s better-known destinations.
As someone who can’t sit still and who spends a lot of time travelling for work, I’m always asking myself two questions when I visit somewhere new:
Would I come back?
Would I recommend this place to my clients?
Poland was an easy yes to both.
For South Africans who’ve already explored Europe’s classic destinations and are looking for somewhere different, Poland deserves your attention. Here, you can feast on history without feeling weighed down by it, enjoy luxury without excess, and have experiences that feel genuine rather than generic.
