Will be arriving from Warsaw into Poznan in mid-September for two days. What should we see/do in Poznan? Also, are there private drivers to hire for a road trip to a small town (Smigiel) for a day trip? Recommendations for a very nice hotel in Poznan? Restaurants?
Thank you
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6425 posts
In Poznan we stayed at a B and B. One day we took a day trip via train to Gniezno for the museum and cathedral. In Poznan, we walked over to Ostro Tumski to see the churches and we did a self guided walking tour of the old town. I used Rough Guides and Eyewitness Travel some for researching things to do in Poznan (as well as this forum and the RS guide).
If you do a search, you will find a few trip reports for Poland. This is mine:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/poland-trip-report
I don't always love Rome2Rio, but Google maps did not show options for public transportation from Poznan to Smigiel. But, Rome2 Rio did. I found public transportation in Poland to be excellent. Rome2Rio shows a bus option and train with a transfer
Posted by
OP
Ohio
3 posts
Thank you. This is very helpful. My maiden name is Smigielski ergo the trip to Smigiel!
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6425 posts
That is so cool! We went to Torun, Poland, and a few weeks after I returned I realized that was the town my great, great grandfather was from. When he lived there, it was Thorn, West Prussia, so it didn't click with me at the time. I had a church name where he was baptized and married and got some information and pictures from both the Lutheran church association in Poland (not many of them!) and the Torun historical museum.
If you have the time, Torun, is a very interesting and picturesque town to visit. Home of gingerbread and Copernicus! Not too far from Poznan.
Posted by
OP
Ohio
3 posts
My maternal grandparents were from Solow and Blinow near Lublin. Maybe next trip will venture there. Very small villages. I am retired and now have time to travel. Thank you again for your posts. You’re definitely knowledgeable and have a knack for writing too!
Posted by
Poland
25 posts
Hi,
I am based in Poznan, Poland, and it would be great to come to Śmigiel with you, but... I will not be there in mid-September as I will be travelling around Poland (until the 24th) with a wonderful couple to research their family history.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend a friend of mine as he's working in Germany at the moment.
What to see in Poznan?
- The oldest cathedral in Poland, the second largest after Krakow, the burial place of our kings and rulers.
- The beautiful and picturesque Old Town Square.
- Citadel Hill, once a great fortress overlooking Poznan in the XIX century, now it's a beautiful park.
- Fort VII - German labour camp, place of martyrdom, where gassings took place during the Second World War.
These few points are just a hint of what awaits you in Poznan, the cradle of Poland, but still a little known city :)
Greetings from... Berlin!
Tomasz