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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:
Corgeti · 04/04/2022 14:01

I would go if I had the money to their tourism board is still saying tourism is encouraged and open for business. They've had a shit two years in the tourism sector all over and those industries still need to make money and keep people in jobs. just be respectful on the plane back as you would normally be anyway.

To not want to go sightseeing in Poland?
OhamIreally · 04/04/2022 14:06

I'm in Poland right now. Beautiful.

altforvarmt · 04/04/2022 14:09

I'd love to visit Poland. If you can, I don't see why you wouldn't.

Poland is a NATO member. If Russia touches it, we're all in deep shit. So it's really no different to a holiday in France or Norway.

irishfarmer · 04/04/2022 14:18

I've visited Poland, fab country and I had a great time. I would be the same as you right now though. I wouldn't go.

ravenmum · 04/04/2022 14:20

It is weird that while some people are cowering in bunkers or being forced to leave their husbands behind and seek refuge in foreign countries, others are going to the same countries to laze around having fun. But you not going won't change that situation.
Last time I visited the UK, my partner and I went up Commercial Road in London, for some leisurely sightseeing and shopping, to visit pubs and so on. There were several people sleeping on the pavement. Seems quite a similar situation.

Original poster
touristina · 04/04/2022 14:31

I've traveled to other countries which have been in various types of trouble (not warzones but poverty, corruption, hunger...). It's interesting, perspective-expanding, touching etc but also emotionally draining and confronting. Think you need to be in a different headspace from "yay fun party weekend".

Don't think I'm unreasonable for not being up for it. I'm not stopping anyone else from going.

It does seem the Polish government is more encouraging than they were a month ago, for all the would-be Poland visitors in this thread who are still keen!

OP posts:
jimmyhill · 04/04/2022 14:37

Why draw the line at Poland though? The war is taking place on mainland Europe. By your logic we shouldn't be going on holiday anywhere in Europe. Or having any fun ourselves since we share a sea border.

lljkk · 04/04/2022 14:41

I can't face Covid passport rules & there are other places I want to visit instead right now. I wouldn't decline to go for reasons OP have but I don't think OP is wrong either.

Poland is huge - where wiould you go? My favourite (mid 90s) place was Tatry mountains, based in Zakopane. I'd go to Gdańsk before I went back to Krakow

CocoLoco123 · 04/04/2022 14:42

YANBU to not want to go at the moment, but YABU to think that other people can't even suggest that. I have a short break planned in Poland in 2 weeks and I can't wait to go, but at the end of the day only you know what you are comfortable with. I probably wouldn't visit certain parts of UK either, but I don't think it's 'odd' that other people suggest visiting those places.

CocoLoco123 · 04/04/2022 14:44

@lljkk

I can't face Covid passport rules & there are other places I want to visit instead right now. I wouldn't decline to go for reasons OP have but I don't think OP is wrong either.

Poland is huge - where wiould you go? My favourite (mid 90s) place was Tatry mountains, based in Zakopane. I'd go to Gdańsk before I went back to Krakow

There are no covid restrictions in Poland since 1st of April (even if you are unvaccinated).
dworky · 04/04/2022 14:48

@touristina

I assume everyone in this thread worried for Poland's tourism industry is also planning a trip there shortly, then?
I'm worried about a lot of things I won't or can't be involved in solving, so no!
TheNoonBell · 04/04/2022 14:52

Poland is really nice for sightseeing if you are in one of the old towns. The newer ones from the 60's are interesting if you like soviet architecture.

Food is great as is the nightlife. I suggest the rye soup (zurek?) for starter and a nice pork cutlet for dinner.

On the whole it is far safer than London!

Ohbuggeritsme · 04/04/2022 14:52

Nothing odd about it all.

I've been to Poland a few times, Lublin, Warsaw and Gdansk. All amazingly fantastic places for different reasons x

donquixotedelamancha · 04/04/2022 14:56

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

Yes, that is how reality works. Human's can't form opinions except when they are about to take an action.

You are bloody lucky so many people are of there on their hols, or this thread would have been empty.

I've traveled to other countries which have been in various types of trouble (not warzones but poverty, corruption, hunger...). It's interesting, perspective-expanding, touching etc but also emotionally draining and confronting. Think you need to be in a different headspace from "yay fun party weekend".

Have you seen the UK lately? By that measure we should all be interested, perspective-expanded and touched all the time.

NalPolishRemover · 04/04/2022 15:23

Snap @DJSteves we've been to Krakow & Gdansk & loved both. Warsaw is on my list & i'd love to visit.
Poland is fantastic

Lilybow · 04/04/2022 15:29

Not odd at all. Poland is a fantastic place to visit, cheap drinks, good food, beautiful scenery. I'm certainly going again at some point.
Go and have some fun.

incognitoforthisone · 04/04/2022 15:33

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

Those refugees will be on planes fleeing a war zone whether you go on holiday or not. I also doubt that if you're flying between Poland and the UK, there will be many, if any, refugees on your plane, given that we're absolutely shit at housing refugees here in the UK.

Poland is doing absolutely loads to support Ukrainian refugees, and it is not a war zone. I have a British friend who has lived in Krakow for 20 years and Krakow relies heavily on tourism for its economy - if that tails off, that won't be helping either Poland or the Ukrainian refugees currently hoping to settle there.

saraclara · 04/04/2022 15:41

@touristina

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

The Polish people's response to the Ukraine situation has been astonishing. I for one don't think that their tourism industry and all those who work in it should suffer.

It's a lovely country.

Justcallmebebes · 04/04/2022 15:42

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

Yes, I visit friends at least once a year and will go over in the summer

1forAll74 · 04/04/2022 15:52

That countries dynamic has changed somewhat in certain parts of Poland, with the war situation near to them. But I am sure the country would like tourists to still go there, and nothing has been said about people going on a holiday there as yet.

Epli · 04/04/2022 15:54

@touristina

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.

I think we are now past the biggest wave of refugees and it looks like in some parts of the Ukraine the Russian army is retreating, so it is likely that the conflict won't escalate further.

I checked booking.com for a May weekend and there's plenty of hotels/hostels in Krakow available. Majority of refugees went to live in privately rented flats or a couple of refugee centers not in hotels. There is likely to be some chaos due to amount of crowds on train and bus stations but it won't disturb your holidays, unless you are travelling in direction of Przemysl because this route might get crowded. A lot of help for refugees came from privately own businesses like cafes, restaurants, so if you are looking for a way to have fun and help at the same time, I'd say it's a great opportunity.

Mustreadabook · 04/04/2022 15:55

If all the tourist money stops there will be lots of businesses closing. That’s not going to help!

LardyDee · 04/04/2022 16:00

Don't think I'm unreasonable for not being up for it.

Ah, it's one of those. Maybe there should be a different board called "I'm definitely not being unreasonable and I want to have an argument with everyone who says I am" Hmm

LardyDee · 04/04/2022 16:05

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

I'm not FWIW

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