This report focuses on the places visited while on an Essentials Tour with Gate 1 which I used to extend my trip through the Baltics. The tour experience trip report is located here. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/tour-review-gate-1-essentials-poland
I flew into Warsaw from Vilnius on LOT Polish airlines. I took the train from the airport to the Central Train Station (cost $1.40) and then walked less than 5 minutes to my hotel, The Intercontinental Hotel by IHG. This hotel is a prototype for an American Business 5 star hotel. There is absolutely nothing personal or charming about it. However, my room was very nice with a great view, the location quite convenient for services and transportation, and the included breakfasts amazing. This was the tour hotel. I noticed the Mercure Hotel was just 1 block away and 2/3 of the price. I made a mental note about it for future trips.
The first day I took a 3 hour “introduction to Warsaw tour” that I signed up for through the Costco/Viator portal. It included hotel pickup, a driving tour of key areas, a long and enjoyable stroll through Lazienki Park, and walking tours through former Jewish Ghetto and Old Town. It ended in Old Town at noon where I ate lunch and then toured the Marie Curie Museum on its free day. There were just 6 of us on the tour and I felt I learned quite a bit. Cost was $50.
Warsaw public transport is excellent and easy to use. I found their app great for buying tickets on the go. The first time I took it I struggled to find the QR code for validation until I finally looked up and found it over the door of the tram. Metro gates have the QR code to the side. More neighborhood walking followed.
The following day I took a “Introduction to Warsaw” walking tour provided as part of my tour. Some parts were the same as the day before but they were enough different that I felt it was time well spent. The afternoon was a tour to Wilanow Palace. I noticed public transport stops at the place where we exited the tour bus so it would be easy to get here privately. It really paid off having a tour guide for the Palace. So much to learn and appreciate that would be hard to get on your own.
The next day was completely independent. I left for the POLIN museum so that I would get there right at opening since it was a free day and I anticipated large numbers. The strategy worked well. I picked up the free audio guide and explored this incredible museum without any large crowds. The museum uses a variety of creative methods and interactive approaches to tell 1000 years of Jewish history. I felt it was one of the better museums I have gone to and I have been to quite a few.
That afternoon I found out where the free day crowds had gone, The Warsaw Rising Museum. I got my free ticket, discovered they were out of audio guides, and joined a long line waiting for admission. I reminded myself I had waited in bigger lines at Disneyland. It really wasn’t that bad and 15 minutes later I was admitted to the museum. The exhibits all have English version interpretive signs. The large number of people made it a little hard to appreciate, but I did learn a great deal about this event in Polish history. A highlight was actual footage shot by war correspondents at the time of the Uprising shown in their theater.
The following day was “moving day” as we traveled by tour bus from Warsaw to Krakow. We made a stop at the Jasna Góra Monastery for a tour on the way. This site is considered a major pilgrimage location and holds a special place in Poland’s Catholic heritage. We at lunch at “The Pilgrim’s Bar.” Basically a cafeteria with hearty homemade food featuring Pope Cake. This was thought to be a favorite of Pope John Paul, one of Poland’s heroes.