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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to go sightseeing in Poland?

100 replies

touristina · 04/04/2022 12:09

Friends are proposing spending the May bank holiday weekend in Poland. Just general sightseeing and cultural activities just as a fun city break.

AIBU to think this is a bit odd

OP posts:
grapewines · 04/04/2022 12:55

@touristina

Friends are proposing spending the May bank holiday weekend in Poland. Just general sightseeing and cultural activities just as a fun city break.

AIBU to think this is a bit odd

Very. Why is it odd?
EatSleepRantRepeat · 04/04/2022 12:56

@touristina

I assume everyone in this thread worried for Poland's tourism industry is also planning a trip there shortly, then?
As soon as I can afford to holiday anywhere abroad, yes. You're pretty lucky to be planning a city break in this economy tbh.
audweb · 04/04/2022 12:58

Do you equally think people shouldn’t holiday in Greece or turkey? Or is it just eastern europe refugees that make a difference to where people should holiday?

SantaHat · 04/04/2022 12:59

I mean, if you said they were visiting Kyev for the weekend I’d raise an eyebrow but Poland? If that’s being “weird” because of the war, where do you draw the line of acceptable places to visit right now? Does that mean Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia are out too?!

thepeopleversuswork · 04/04/2022 13:02

Why on earth is this odd?

Is it odd to go on a mini-break to Paris? Rome? Prague? No. Why should Poland be any different?

EatSleepRantRepeat · 04/04/2022 13:02

@SantaHat

I mean, if you said they were visiting Kyev for the weekend I’d raise an eyebrow but Poland? If that’s being “weird” because of the war, where do you draw the line of acceptable places to visit right now? Does that mean Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia are out too?!
I'd recommend Estonia too actually - spent a lovely week visiting Tallinn, Tartu and the surrounding countryside and it was so beautiful and quiet. Very little overcrowding compared to our summer resorts.
Original poster
touristina · 04/04/2022 13:05

I think a very large, sudden and unexpected influx of refugees which has put strain on infrastructure (Warsaw, Krakow have said hostels are full, people are sleeping in train stations) is a reason to reconsider travel until the situation is more under control, yes. Apparently this is a strange point of view...

Anyway, have already said no since I have other plans in the UK, so I won't be going.

OP posts:
changingstages · 04/04/2022 13:09

Poland is bigger than the UK. It's not some tiny place. So while there might be pressures on some infrastructure in some part, it doesn't mean all of Poland should be out of bounds.

Do you avoid Greece for the same reasons?

Iamclearlyamug · 04/04/2022 13:14

@touristina

I assume everyone in this thread worried for Poland's tourism industry is also planning a trip there shortly, then?
Actually I am 🤷‍♀️ My OH is Polish and still has a property there so we want to go and visit. Oh and we won’t take up any plane seats for refugees as we’re going to drive
LaurieFairyCake · 04/04/2022 13:16

How long does it take to drive to Poland ?

Shiningpath · 04/04/2022 13:19

I assume everyone in this thread worried for Poland's tourism industry is also planning a trip there shortly, then?

Literally just back from Poland and had a great trip thanks. Krakow makes for an amazing city break.

Notjustanymum · 04/04/2022 13:20

“ Not worried directly for my safety so much as the idea of laughing with mates about our boozy weekend while on a plane probably containing refugees fleeing a war zone?”

I can see where you’re coming from, OP, but what makes you think that going anywhere in Europe might be different? Some refugees may well be making their way to the UK via Spain or Portugal, so wouldn’t you be equally concerned about taking their options away too?
I think you’re paying too much attention to the destination, rather than the situation in your AIBU…

TheVanguardSix · 04/04/2022 13:21

Poland is gorgeous! One of the most beautiful countries in Europe. The lake district is heavenly. Krokow and Torun are beautiful cities. My father came from a small town called Swidnica near Wroclaw. One of my best holidays ever was our family trip to Poland a few years ago. I am biased but the people are amazing. The food is so, so so yummy. And it is a country steeped in fascinating history. Lots of Unesco sites. In fact, all of Torun is a Unesco site... the city itself!
Honestly, there's so much to do and see in Poland. Where is the trip meant to take place? I'd totally go, OP. You will be more than pleasantly surprised.

Not worried directly for my safety so much as the idea of laughing with mates about our boozy weekend while on a plane probably containing refugees fleeing a war zone?
As the daughter of a war refugee, it doesn't really go this way.

It's ok to love life and have a laugh, OP. Nobody, not even refugees fleeing wartorn countries, expects you to take on some sort of Lenten lifestyle courtesy of their suffering. I mean this kindly and truthfully.

TheVanguardSix · 04/04/2022 13:22

Sorry Krakow, not Krokow. Confused

ShaneTwane · 04/04/2022 13:24

I assume everyone in this thread worried for Poland's tourism industry is also planning a trip there shortly, then?

Actually yes I'm currently Saving for a trip to Poland can see some friends there as well. But alas I am also not the one writing MN threads trying to make out people are weird and trying to stop people going to Poland on holiday.

HidingFromDD · 04/04/2022 13:30

Having spoken to our team out there I wouldn’t.

Branleuse · 04/04/2022 13:36

i dont know if its odd or not. Are the main touristy areas of poland dangerous? In normal times it wouldnt be odd, but id want to establish whereabouts as poland is pretty big

MrsEdnaWelthorpe · 04/04/2022 13:39

Well, Poland is currently housing over 2 million refugees so I think they are probably trying to deal with that right now, it's not a question of it being dangerous.

Meadowbreeze · 04/04/2022 13:45

My sister just went out of need rather than want. Needed to be in person for something. You are correct the plane will probably be quite full of refugees. There was loads at the Modlin airport 2 weekends ago, including two bus loads of very disabled refugee children. The plane was mostly refugees.
However, life goes on and lots of tourists were there and they do need the money. It's very beautiful.

maddy68 · 04/04/2022 13:48

Why is that odd? It's a great place and wonderful for site seeing.

Cas112 · 04/04/2022 13:49

Yabu

LegMeChicken · 04/04/2022 13:56

YANBU.
There are plenty of other places to choose from.
I've already supported by donating, don't feel the need to sacrifice a relaxing holiday.

Hillarious · 04/04/2022 13:57

My colleague is Polish and has said she's not planning on going home any time soon.

I would love to visit Poland, and hope to do so at an appropriate point in the future.

Pluvia · 04/04/2022 13:57

YNBU. Let's hope your friends aren't like people I know who went to Lesbos during the Syrian refugee crisis and then complained about seeing families sleeping rough, litter and the unsightly refugee camp...

StrangeCondition · 04/04/2022 13:59

Krakow is one of my absolute favourite places to have a long weekend, absolutely beautiful with some fantastic bars and restaurants and as a previous PP said, very cheap. Can't wait to go back