Category: Uncategorized

  • How I Learned to Make Poland’s Famous Dumplings: Pierogi

    How I Learned to Make Poland’s Famous Dumplings: Pierogi

    Roll up your sleeves and join us at at a local restaurant in the city center, right next to the Old Town, for a hands-on pierogi adventure! Learn to make dough from scratch and fill your pierogi with two tasty fillings.

    Our local pierogi expert will guide you every step of the way, sharing family secrets passed down through generations, and making sure you master the technique without going hungry – because we’ll eat the pierogi we make together! To make the process even more fun, there’ll be wine or beer to sip while you roll and fill your pierogi.

    Pierogi-making is a cherished family tradition and an essential part of Polish culture – there’s truly no better way to spend time in Poland. Whether you’re a kitchen novice or a budding chef, you’ll leave confident in your skills, full of tasty pierogi, and with stories to take home.We can’t wait to welcome you!

  • I Climbed the Tatra Mountains and Here’s How You Can Do It (Step-by-Step Guide)

    I Climbed the Tatra Mountains and Here’s How You Can Do It (Step-by-Step Guide)

    When many people think of Poland, the envisage the vibrant cities, the complex and detailed history, the tasty cuisine, but perhaps they don’t consider the natural beauty. While this doesn’t apply to everyone, this was certainly the case for us, and many people we spoke to regarding Poland before visiting. Tucked away along the southern border of Poland is a true ‘hidden gem’ of the country.. Zakopane!

  • Why Rosół Became One of My Favorite Soups

    Why Rosół Became One of My Favorite Soups

    In a beautiful jar that fits the rosol soup. I gather tje all necessary ingrediants for a good rosol that can reserve on sundays obiad.

    Do dużego garnka przełóż mięso, zalej zimną wodą. Wstaw i na średniom goniu zacznij gotować. W tym czasie obierz warzywa. Marchew, pietruszkę, por, cebulę, seler, paprykę, czosnek (w łupinach), przełóż na papier do pieczenia i wstaw do nagrzanego piekarnika (200st z termoobiegiem) . Podpiekaj chwilę, do momentu aż zaczną się prażyć. Zdejmij łyżką szumowiny z zupy, przełóż podpieczone warzywa do garnka. Dodaj liść kapusty, połowę pęczka natki pietruszki, pieprz, 2 łyżki soli, lubczyk i liście laurowe. Przykryj. Gotuj na niewielkim ogniu przez kilka godzin (4-5). Odcedź rosół do szerokiego garnka i przygotuj kluseczki.

  • Redyk in Poland: Why This Autumn Festival Captured My Heart

    Redyk in Poland: Why This Autumn Festival Captured My Heart

    Kto ma owce, ten ma co chce – mawiano niegdyś…Najbardziej widowiskowy i największy Redyk Jesienny w Polsce odbywa się w Szczawnicy. To niezwykłe święto promujące kulturę i zwyczaje Górali Pienińskich oraz tradycje pasterskie odbędzie się w tym roku 10-11 października.

    Owce towarzyszą góralom od stuleci, stanowiąc nieodłączny element ich życia oraz podstawę bogactwa kulturowego regionu Pienin. Ich hodowla zawsze należała tu do głównych form tradycyjnej gospodarki rolniczej. Początki pasterstwa w Pieninach sięgają XV w. i związane są z przybyciem na te tereny ludności wołoskiej. To właśnie Wołochom zawdzięczamy całą kulturę pasterską. Do dziś na pienińskich halach, łąkach i polanach możemy oglądać piękne stada owiec, a także baców i juhasów.

    23-go kwietnia, na świętego Wojciecha patrona pasterzy, zgodnie z tradycją rozpoczyna się wypas owiec na górskich halach, który kończy się 29 września, w świętego Michała. Ich powrót, to wielkie, folklorystyczne wydarzenie, które jest świetną okazją do tego, by zapoznać się z tradycjami pasterskimi.

    Najbardziej widowiskowy i malowniczy Redyk w samym sercu Pienin odbędzie się początkiem października. To niezwykłe święto promujące kulturę i zwyczaje Górali Pienińskich oraz tradycje pasterskie. Podczas uroczystego obchodu można podziwiać pędzące przez ulice owce prowadzone przez baców, juhasów przy akompaniamencie góralskiej muzyki.

    Jesienny Redyk, w Szczawnicy cieszy się olbrzymią popularnością. To jedno z najbardziej widowiskowych i tradycyjnych świąt obchodzonych w polskich górach. Pozwala ono turystom cieszyć się pięknymi widokami, ale także poznawać lokalne tradycje i kulturę pasterską.

  • Why Ojców Is One of Poland’s Best Hidden Gems

    Why Ojców Is One of Poland’s Best Hidden Gems

    One of the most special rock formations in the Ojców National Park Poland is the Hercules club (Maczuga Herkulesa). This freestanding limestone rock formation of about 25 meters high is a special sight and you wonder how this unique shape could have been created. It is the years of erosion that have created the formation. The club-like shape, reminds of Hercules’ club, hence the name. According to legend, the rock was placed there by a devil. It is one of the places in Ojców National Park where you definitely want to stop for a photo.

  • How This Museum Brings a Bit of Warsaw’s Story to Life

    How This Museum Brings a Bit of Warsaw’s Story to Life

    You will see over 100 neon signs, iconic inscriptions and fascinating stories – this museum is a must-visit for any street art lover. Neon signs which – after having had their best years in the communist era – have fallen into oblivion, regain a second life at the museum. Renovated and colourful, their unusual designs are eye-catching and bring a touch of nostalgia.

    Neon signs in socialist Poland fulfilled a different function than in capitalist countries. While in the West their role was always advertising, in People’s Poland, which did not have a free market, they served as information and prestige. As a result of what was called ‘neonisation’, neon lights were placed in urban spaces according to a deliberate plan. They were designed for whole series of streets so that they would form an integral part of the architecture – matching in size and colour and not obstructing each other. Polish neon lights were designed by renowned graphic designers, artists and architects.

  • Poppy Fields in Poland: When and Where to See Them

    Poppy Fields in Poland: When and Where to See Them

    Poppy flowers only blossom briefly between the months of May and August. It grows predominantly in the dirt and on both sides of the pavement, in lowlands and in the foothills. During this short period, the redness of fields and meadows become an unforgottable moments for those who crave such natural gems.

    Blooming poppy fields in Lesser Poland during early summer. © Why Poland?

    In many European countries, including Poland, the poppy is a symbolic flower. It has been closely associated to the European fields where its brilliant redness added charm to open landscapes. Through time, it turned from a wildflower to be used in art, medicine, and cosmetics, as well as for the production of oil.

    Beyond its beauty, the red poppy flower has acquired symbolism that has made it a memorial to victims of war, especially in Poland through the popular song “Czerwone Maki na Monte Cassino” (The Red Poppies on Monte Cassino). This flower represents the memory of the Polish soldiers that fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II.

    By the time May arrived, gorgeous crimson poppy fields were everywhere and there was no way to escape them. The images has started to flood social media and appear in friends’ posts. Before long, I found myself eager to get into these landscapes that almost surreal instead of simply admiring them through a screen.

    At some point, curiosity turned into a real desire to see that view with my own eyes instead of through a screen. So we left Krakow behind and drove deeper into Małopolska. The landscape began to change—the roads grew quieter, the fields spread wider, and nature slowly took over. We drove for miles, chasing those mysterious fields I’d only seen in photos. At first, just a few poppies appeared, shy and scattered along the roadside. Then, almost without warning, we were surrounded by them—thousands of red blooms stretching endlessly toward the horizon, as if the earth had slipped into a flowing crimson dress. We didn’t even have to think about it; we pulled over, stepped out, and let ourselves be completely lost in the beauty, capturing every moment through our lenses.

    The fields at the foot of the Karkonosheh Mountains are among the most beautiful places to admire the poppies. Behind this vast expanse of red, rolling hills and mountains covered in dense forests rise, creating a captivating natural tableau that combines the magic of color with the grandeur of the landscape. As the sun sets, the scene becomes even more enchanting; the poppy petals take on a warmer hue under the golden rays, while rays of light filter through the clouds and reflect off the fields, creating an unforgettable, dreamy atmosphere. For this reason, photography enthusiasts flock to these fields in the late afternoon to capture the most beautiful and magical images.

    Blooming poppy fields in Lesser Poland during early summer. © Why Poland?

    These fields are no longer just a destination for photographers; they have also become a favorite spot for families, couples, and friends looking to capture their special moments amidst an exceptional natural landscape. Many come to take family photos, engagement and wedding photos, or to celebrate a birthday or other special occasion, while others simply sit at the edges of the fields and enjoy a peaceful stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city. These photos, after the flowering season ends and the red hues fade from the fields, remain precious memories, evoking the beauty of fleeting moments that occur only once a year, embodying the profound connection between humanity and nature, and preserving unforgettable scenes in our collective memory.

    Enjoying these natural landscapes should always be accompanied by responsibility and respect for the place. This means observing or photographing them only from designated paths and trails, and avoiding trespassing among the crops, trampling the flowers, or damaging them in the pursuit of the perfect photograph.

    Despite its delicate appearance, the poppy is a fragile seasonal plant, and any damage inflicted upon it or the surrounding crops can undermine the farmers’ efforts and have negative repercussions on these natural environments. Furthermore, the influx of large numbers of visitors to specific locations can, over time, lead to the deterioration of the fields and the loss of the beauty they were meant to offer.

    Out of this concern, we also refrain from disclosing the precise locations of some of these fields, not to conceal them, but to protect them from overcrowding and to preserve the privacy of the landowners.

    Although this scene lasts only a short time each year, it leaves a profound impression on all who visit. Pausing for a moment amidst this natural beauty, far from the noise of cities and the fast pace of life, bestows upon the visitor a sense of peace and tranquility, reminding them that the world’s greatest wonders are not created by humans, but are generously gifted by nature. Between photographs that immortalize these moments and memories that remain vivid for years to come, a visit to the poppy fields becomes an experience measured not only by the beauty of the scenery, but also by the sense of wonder and gratitude it evokes for all the fleeting treasures that nature offers, treasures that appear only once a year.

  • I Went to Zakopane and Saw the Giant Sleeping Knights of Giewont

    I Went to Zakopane and Saw the Giant Sleeping Knights of Giewont

    towering over Zakopane, looks like a sleeping knight. Although it is not the highest peak in the Tatra Mountains, it is definitely the most popular! There has long been a legend about a treasure hidden in the corridors of this mountain massif:

    Once upon a time, a young shepherd named Kuba was grazing his sheep in the meadows around Giewont. He had also heard from his father stories about a treasure hidden in the mysterious-looking mountain. One day, one of Kuba’s sheep went missing. While searching for it, the boy came to one of Giewont’s caves, where he saw sleeping knights.

    After returning home, the boy told his father about his adventure:

    “You know, Dad,” he said, “there was no treasure, only those knights…”