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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:
DameHelena · 04/04/2022 16:07

@ShaneTwane

So because there is a war in Ukraine you think Poland's tourism industry should collapse? Interesting take.
Oh behave, that's not what the OP is on about and you know it.

I was thinking about a holiday to the Baltics this summer, but probably won't now as a) it doesn't seem like a good idea safety-wise and b) while I'm aware that the tourism industry needs people to visit, I'm also aware that resources are likely very overstretched as it is.

I think worries about that area of Europe are perfectly valid.

Frazzled2207 · 04/04/2022 16:08

YABU.
I’d probably avoid towns near the border but quite a lot of Poland is a very long way from the Ukraine border including Warsaw, Wrocław and Gdańsk. Lived in Poland and it’s a smashing place.

DdraigGoch · 04/04/2022 16:09

@Easterbunnyiswindowshopping

My soldier ds is going at the weekend to help for at least 4 months. Isn't a place for having fun right now imo.
Pretty sure that Polish hospitality businesses would welcome the trade.

I remember having a fantastic pudding in a restaurant in Wolsztyn.

DdraigGoch · 04/04/2022 16:32

@touristina

I assume everyone in this thread worried for Poland's tourism industry is also planning a trip there shortly, then?
I went in January 2020. Poland isn't the only country with a struggling economy and I've got a different destination this year.
CottonSock · 04/04/2022 16:36

I don't think I know many people who would book this right now. Due to the reasons op mentioned. I lobed kracow when I went. Beautiful place.

DameHelena · 04/04/2022 16:48

I remember having a fantastic pudding in a restaurant in Wolsztyn.
Tell us more! Grin

tttigress · 04/04/2022 16:53

Where in Poland?

Personally I would probably go, especially if it were Krakow or Gdansk.

Daddydog · 04/04/2022 17:13

Why is it odd? I'm taking a best friend on a birthday holiday to Zagrab, Croatia on Thurs for a long weekend. Eastern European cities are just as beautiful and magical as anywhere in the world. Also they are easy and cheap to get to, and your money goes a lot further than it would do in more established city holiday places like Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona etc. So you can stay at the best hotels, eat in the nicest resutrants and down yummy cocktails in eclectic places for a fraction of the cost of the above. An Uber driver was talking to me about how amazing the restaurant scene is in Sofia - that's next on my list!

Philisophigal · 04/04/2022 17:15

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn at the user's request.

DdraigGoch · 04/04/2022 17:23

@DameHelena

I remember having a fantastic pudding in a restaurant in Wolsztyn. Tell us more! Grin
As I remember, it was called "the sun" or something along those lines. Peaches, ice cream etc. in a glass. It was delicious.
Sarah2891 · 04/04/2022 17:33

Well I dont think you are being that unreasonable actually. I get your point.

DameHelena · 04/04/2022 17:41

DdraigGoch, thank you. So a really good fruit sundae, basically? Yum!

DameHelena · 04/04/2022 17:42

@Daddydog

Why is it odd? I'm taking a best friend on a birthday holiday to Zagrab, Croatia on Thurs for a long weekend. Eastern European cities are just as beautiful and magical as anywhere in the world. Also they are easy and cheap to get to, and your money goes a lot further than it would do in more established city holiday places like Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona etc. So you can stay at the best hotels, eat in the nicest resutrants and down yummy cocktails in eclectic places for a fraction of the cost of the above. An Uber driver was talking to me about how amazing the restaurant scene is in Sofia - that's next on my list!
I find Croatia quite expensive, TBH, beautiful as it is.
UpJumpTheBoogie · 04/04/2022 17:47

I wouldn't go to Poland only because of how they treated the black/African refugees that were trying to escape what was happening in the Ukraine.

Lwoj · 04/04/2022 17:52

We were booked to go for a break at the end of May but Jet2 actually cancelled citing uncertainty and that accommodation was being used for refugees. I would love to go to Poland and will definitely go but I don’t think now is the right time.

DogInATent · 04/04/2022 17:53

@Daddydog

Why is it odd? I'm taking a best friend on a birthday holiday to Zagrab, Croatia on Thurs for a long weekend. Eastern European cities are just as beautiful and magical as anywhere in the world. Also they are easy and cheap to get to, and your money goes a lot further than it would do in more established city holiday places like Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona etc. So you can stay at the best hotels, eat in the nicest resutrants and down yummy cocktails in eclectic places for a fraction of the cost of the above. An Uber driver was talking to me about how amazing the restaurant scene is in Sofia - that's next on my list!
I recommend Slovenia - beautiful country, fantastic food and wine.
WildOats5678 · 04/04/2022 18:26

@Easterbunnyiswindowshopping

My soldier ds is going at the weekend to help for at least 4 months. Isn't a place for having fun right now imo.
That really does mean nothing that he’s being deployed there, the Army has been in Poland and Estonia for years. God if you didn’t go anywhere because that’s where the Army is deployed you’d have very little choice…
Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 04/04/2022 18:29

Personally just feel it's in poor taste.
Pictures of prams at the train station awaiting Ukraine dc to fill them was quite sad...

LardyDee · 04/04/2022 18:41

@Easterbunnyiswindowshopping

Personally just feel it's in poor taste. Pictures of prams at the train station awaiting Ukraine dc to fill them was quite sad...
Not going on holiday to Poland will not unfortunately improve that situation.
MySecretHistory · 04/04/2022 19:00

Poland has long been a country impacted by war that has welcomed refugees. They need all the support they can get and tourists are essential

My family were Ukrainian ( Russian at the time) Jews thrown out in 1919 who found a home in Poland before hitler got in the way a bit

Support Poland financially. They can’t manage the burden of the Ukraine alone

MySecretHistory · 04/04/2022 19:01

1910 not 1919

Original poster
touristina · 04/04/2022 19:35

I think my mistake was not being more explicit in my OP! Thought it would be obvious that my reservations related to the refugee/infrastructure situation and not the quality of the puddings available!

I've already admitted I've been a bit U to think no-one should have a party weekend there. The situation is now a bit more under control than it was, apparently. Safe travels to all planning trips.

OP posts:
lljkk · 04/04/2022 20:17

CocoLoco123 -- very interesting !! thanks :)

CrazyHorse · 04/04/2022 23:13

Is it easy to book a hotel in Poland at the moment? I know someone who was desperately trying to book a hotel in Poland for their Ukrainian MIL, and it wasn't easy

user1471557598 · 04/04/2022 23:41

I flew back from Poland last week and like you, before we went I had some apprehensions - it felt a bit “voyeuristic tourism” for want of a better description! However, we spoke to our Polish friends that we were meeting up with and they urged us to continue and I am so glad we did.
We flew into Gdańsk for a couple of days and then headed west to Szczecin near the German border. Like others have said previously Poland is steeped in history with so much to see and do - our friends also wanted to express opinions on what is happening literally next door. With regards to bottle necks we didn’t see many Ukrainians in Gdańsk but witnessed the queue in Szczecin to get equivalent of NI numbers. The govt, (and airlines like Wizzair) are offering free travel in effort to disperse Ukrainian citizens round the country and further afield to avoid pressure on certain areas.
What was overwhelming was the sheer abundance of Ukrainian flags on all forms of transport, public buildings, posters etc and visible support by charities in train stations, airport etc.
Our Polish friends (and the many assorted relatives we met!!) were keen to let us know that unlike 1939 they weren’t turning their backs on their neighbours before dragging us off into yet another bar!
This is far from our first trip and certainly won’t be the last.
Make a charitable donation and go and enjoy Poland for the wonderful country it is.

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