For anyone passionate about the music of Frederic Chopin, Warsaw is an absolute must. But be well prepared – there are few hotels around the city centre and in October they were all fully booked.
I found this town fascinating. The original old city centre, Stare Mjasta, was bombed during the Second World War and completely rebuilt as it was. They did such a good job, the buildings are now listed European architectural heritage. It is charming with its cobbled streets and skilfully decorated facades. A ghost of once upon a time, a city of Romantic virtuosos, men of science and explorers of uncharted heavens…
But above all, spend time walking around the many parks. On summer evenings people crowd around the Chopin monument in the magnificient Lazienski Park, where young musicians play their mazurkas and one can linger amongst myriad red roses and dancing children.
Warsaw feels larger than life, the streets easily compare to motorways but there is an efficient and fast bus and tram service as well as a metro line.
The Lonely Planet guide to Poland is essential, whether one goes for a week or longer, as no one speaks English and there aren’t many signposts for tourists.
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Author: Claudio Alia