Surviving Poland

If traveling to Poland, leave your sweats at home. Dress is a little more formal in Poland than what you might be used to. T-shirts, shorts, sneakers, and sweat suits are almost always considered inappropriate. The general rule of thumb in terms of attire in Poland is to dress smartly and conservatively. From dress to table manners to business customs, it's important to learn about Poland's etiquette while visiting their country. Poland is a country full of interesting history and culture, so remember to be respectful of that. Below is a list of etiquette for your trip to Poland. Although Poland might seem more formal that you may be used to, you will find that Poles are very friendly people. Most importantly, be friendly back to them, be polite, and act and dress conservatively. Enjoy your trip to Poland! 

A Taste of Poland

Poland is a haven for food buffs. Polish cuisine ranges from the simple to the exotic, with a dish to suit the most eclectic and eccentric of taste buds. In Poland, you have staple foods, seasonal foods as well as territorial foods. The mainstays of the Polish diet are meat, bread, and potatoes. For many Poles, dinner is not dinner without meat, primarily pork. Bread is consumed and treated with reverence. Polish food is usually very wholesome and people consume large portions. The cuisine had definite leanings towards meat, although Poles do consume diary products and vegetables and especially root vegetables. Polish food goes down well with vodka. In any Polish dish, you will be sure to find a smattering of any of beetroot, cucumber, sour cream, egg, kohlrabi, mushroom or sausage. A meal owes it taste to the herbs and spices used; such as marjoram, dill, caraway seeds, parsley, or pepper. The most popular desserts are cakes and pastries. Popular beverages include coffee, tea, milk, buttermilk, and fruit syrup and water. However, vodka distilled from rye is known as the national drink.

Shopping in Warsaw

As Poland's capital, Warsaw has attracted all the big international names in shopping, keen to take part in the country's economic resurgence. As a business hub, Warsaw is also an oasis for travellers looking for smart clothes at reasonable prices. Still, the city continues to retain its old world charm, and there are plenty of smaller stores tucked on the back streets with treasures waiting to be discovered. Warsaw has a long way to go before it’s regarded as a shopping mecca, but nevertheless the city now touts an array of shops that make further investigation not just recommended, but required. Whether it’s western style malls, designer boutiques, dusty family stores or antique markets a day spent shopping can result in both bargains and treasures. In Poland it is even possible to go shopping on Sunday. The best places to shop are the shopping malls that have been built in last 10 years, they usually contain a hypermarket, so you will be able to do all the shopping in one location. Most often the malls are equipped with cinemas and even fitness centres. Warsaw really is a great place to go shopping. Shopping hours are usually from 11 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, but shopping malls are open until 8 or even 10 pm. There are no fixed dates for sell-outs and sales in Poland, so that the stores have to decide when to do their final sales. The summer sale begins at the end of June and the winter sale starts at the beginning of January. The sales last for around 6 weeks.

Art in Poland

The Art Culture of Poland is closely connected with its intricate 1000 year history. The culture of Poland has a lot to do with everything in Poland. Its unique character developed at the crossroads of the Latinate and Byzantine worlds, in continual dialog with the many ethnic groups living in Poland. The people of Poland have always been hospitable to artists from abroad and eager to follow cultural and artistic trends popular in other countries. In the 19th and 20th centuries the Polish focus on cultural advancement often took precedence over political and economic activity. These factors have contributed to the versatile nature of Polish art, with all its complex nuances. Nowadays music festivals, concerts, theatre performances and other cultural events make essential part of any trip.  Moreover they are becoming one of the main motives to visit other countries or cities.  And cities play here the major role in organizing events and festival and  creating the right atmosphere for enjoying and experiencing culture. Each Polish city has a calendar filled with local and international events that offer the highest quality, still at the moderate price.

Culture in Poland

Warsaw has no location that could get away from the culture’s embrace. Poland's national culture emerged as a synthesis of Latin and Byzantine influences and was further engendered by the numerous European occupations, throughout its history. Customs, traditions and mores display a diverse mix of the East and the West - a colourful cohabitation of the vibrant Eastern ornamental style and the sombre Islamic influence. Every day and every night, all over Warsaw, something impressive is going on. The agenda is packed with abundant amount of events of different calibre, which define the cultural map of the city. For the centuries Warsaw always represented a proverbial melting-pot comprised of different multicultural customs and traditions. Today such description would be entirely appropriate – a pure cultural Mecca frequently visited by the artists, inventors and creators which directly contribute to the longest, in this part of Europe, list of events and attractions taking place in this amazing city. Poland is pretty much ethnically homogeneous. Ukrainian, Belorussian, Slovakian, and Lithuanian minorities reside along the borders. A German minority is concentrated near the southwest city of Opole. The capital and other cities are experiencing some inward migration from foreigners.

Sights and Sounds of Warsaw

Sightseeing and Warsaw don’t usually go together, and the reason, if not the blame, for that falls on her citizens. While some cities may have been happy to wait out Nazi occupation, the Warsaw locals were having none of that. The ensuing uprising which took place in 1944 would become both the most glorious and tragic episode in the city’s history. Warsaw is among the greenest metropolises on the continent, with the Europe’s wildest river gushing through the centre of the city. During World War II Warsaw was reduced to rubble, nonetheless she was brought back to life and continues flourishing. There are many ways to fully comprehend Warsaw, get to it better, and many more are waiting to be defined and shared with others. Everyone will find amusing or entertaining ways to spend time in Warsaw, which should help with understanding this multitude of contrasts and variations that define this spectacular city. Paradoxically Warsaw’s Old Town is only fifty years old. After World War II it was proudly and laboriously reconstructed to its present form. In 1980 it was placed on the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Monumental and lapidarian Socialist realism neighbours the subtle and ethereal Art Nouveau, and modern-glass skyscrapers tower over the apartment buildings. Modern office building designed by the famous architect beautifully blends in with its neighbouring Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was constructed as the arcade of Saxon Palace. Monumental district Praga, which for decades was in the shadows of cultural life, is enduring meticulous revitalization, and it is becoming a promised land for the artists and the oasis for the creative undertakings. There is an absolutely, one hundred percent authentic orchard on the roof of the largest University Library in the city. There is Hip-hop and all-pervading Fryderyk Chopin whose music you can listen to within ancient walls of the Łazienki Park – where the composer himself used to play. It is an interesting contrast.

Wonderful Warsaw

Warsaw, also known as Warszawa, is the capital and the largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, equidistant from the Baltic Sea and the Carpathian Mountains. Completely destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, the city managed to lift itself from the ashes. The only thing that persevered was the Polish spirit. Since the fall of communism in 1989, Warsaw has been developing much more rapidly than Poland as a whole. You wouldn't recognize the city if you saw it ten years ago, and more changes are constantly taking place. Warsaw has long been the easiest place in Poland to find employment, and for this reason many of the Polish inhabitants of the city are first or second generation, originating from all over the country. Today, almost every building in Warsaw dates to the post war era - with what little remains of the old structures being confined largely to the restored districts of Stare Miasto (the 'old city') and Nowe Miasto ('new city'), as well as selected monuments and cemeteries. The vibrant heart of the largest country in "New Europe", Warsaw is now poised to make is presence felt as a business and cultural hub. This awesome city is full of contrasts, questions and astonishments. Warsaw will not leave you different – reflection and euphoria simultaneously spring to mind. Warsaw is home to some of the largest corporations serving business or conducting financial activities and to the largest legal companies operating in Poland. Warsaw hosts Stock Exchange and the headquarters of the most commercial banks operating in Poland and is also the location of main offices of the largest transport and shipping companies. Poland is a country rich in history and attractions. It is part of EU and NATO. It is one of the most stable and affluent countries in the world. Apart from Warsaw - we recommend tourists to visit the town of Krakow. Krakow was a capital of Poland for centuries and was almost left intact after 2nd World War. The train ride from Warsaw to Krakow takes only 2.5 hours and it is possible to do a day trip from Warsaw to Krakow.

Surviving Hungary

Hungarians put a great emphasis on socializing, including eating, drinking, and entertainment. So, when you are out and about and being social, impress those around you with your knowledge of Hungarian etiquette. Below are some etiquette tips to help you out on your trip to Hungary. Since socializing is such an important part of Hungarian culture, proper etiquette is important. You'll blend in better and make a far better impression if you can follow their etiquette and have a wonderful trip to Hungary.

Hungarian Food

The simplest way to learn a nation is said to be through its cuisine and experiencing Hungary’s food is the best way for learning about Hungarian culture and traditions. This city has a number of flavours: different in Óbuda, Buda and Pest. What is Hungarian cuisine like? Many think that Hungarians eat heavy, fatty dishes, a key ingredient of which is the throat-burning hot red paprika. Traditional Hungarian dishes abound in piquant flavours and aromas. Dishes are flavourful, spicy and often even heavy. People with a sensitive stomach should be careful. Flavours of Hungarian dishes are based on centuries old traditions in spicing and preparation methods. The exquisite ingredients are produced by local farmers. Lard has long been replaced with vegetable oils, and red paprika is only used to enhance the flavour of the dishes. Every region has got its own special food that encompass a wide variety of fishes, poultry, vegetable and meat and of course cakes in all styles. Budapest has over 1,000 restaurants, offering Hungarian and international cuisine. In the past ten years the choice has been growing fast: French, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Serbian, Indian, American, Greek, British, Czech, Danish, even vegetarian or kosher eateries have been opened. Fast-food operations with all the major chains have outlets in Budapest.