A Gem of the East

What is there to see and do in Warsaw, Poland’s capital city? To put it simply, a lot! The city has a more turbulent history than most, which is what gives it its distinct character, but also combines this with a modern urban diversity. This can be seen instantly through its skyline, a mix of modern sky scrapers and structures reminiscent of the many upheavals that the city has witnessed. Here’s of pick of Warsaw’s top attractions:

 

The Old Town: This area of Warsaw was raised to the ground in WW2, completely destroyed by the Germans; located in the heart of Old Warsaw, the structures have been impressively restored to their past glory after years of reconstruction. The area is perfect for a leisurely stroll and people watching, with many windy streets, square and cafés/bars/restaurants around every corner.

The Palace of Culture and Science- This is Poland’s highest building and was also once the highest in Europe. If you go to the top of the Palace, you’ll see staggering panoramic views of Warsaw from the observation decks.

Lazienki Park- This is one of Warsaw’s most beautiful spots. Perfect for a peaceful/ romantic stroll, you might even get lucky and catch one of the music concerts often performed here. You’ll also be able to tour the impressive Palace on Water, a luxurious palace with an expansive garden that was built by King Stanislaw during his eighteenth century rule.

The Zoo- This is always a popular choice amongst kids if you happen to be travelling yours. With over five-thousand different species of animals, lush park trails, an aquarium and a reptile house, the zoo is a dead cert to please young and old alike.

The New Town: The term is slightly misleading as this part of the city was constructed in the 13^th century. The area offers an exceptional dining and shopping experience with a distinct tendency towards Polish culture.

The Warsaw Uprising memorial: This inspirational memorial was erected in honour of the many men and women who lost their lives battling against German forces.

 

For those looking to do a bit of drinking on their trip, why not go vodka tasting and experience one of the true roots of Polish culture. Vodka is a beverage which originates in Eastern Europe. Poland is well known for its vodka and there are many of them. Distilled from grain or potatoes, Polish vodka tends to have more taste and texture than others.

Centre of the Wine World

In my lifetime I’ve been lucky enough to travel to many wonderful places across the globe. One place that particularly stands out for me is the small, yet incredibly charming French town of Beaune. Located just a few hours south-east of Paris and in the heart of the Burgundian wine country, this may not jump out to you as one’s dream destination, but I´m almost certain that if you ever have the chance to visit you’ll quickly be seduced. The fact that I spent 10 months living there probably does have something to do with the attachment I have developed with the town, however I would highly recommend visiting for anyone who happens to be in the area, especially wine-enthusiasts.

Beaune lives and breathes wine- making it, selling it, tasting it, but most of all drinking it. It has consequently become one of the best places in France for wine tasting. But Beaune has much more to offer than just wine: It is a bustling, wealthy, and charming place of pilgrimage for art lovers and gastronomes too. It is also home to one of the jewel’s of Burgundy: the magnificent Hôtel-Dieu, France’s grandest medieval charity hospital and one of the country’s most visited tourist spots.

For the typical tourist, Beaune is a half-day town. The historic town centre (with its narrow, cobbled streets and picturesque old square) is charming and a pleasant place to walk around. Clearly the Hotel-Dieu (or Hospices de Beaune) is a must-see, but doesn’t take too long to see. In contrast, there’ll never be enough to time to spend in and around the town for the food and wine lover. For this the region is like a wonderland. Almost every town in the Côte-d'Or (the “département” where Beaune is located) has a fabulous restaurant, where you can sample all the local delicacies (such as the famous “escargots”, or “snails” in English), as well as countless cellars to taste wine. Even though the wine appellations in the Côte-d'Or are geographically not far apart, the wines produced in relatively close appellations vary radically- this diversity is one of the major attractions of Burgundy wine, and is what makes it such a popular destination. You’ll find world-famous wines dotted all over the region.

Beaune makes the ideal base for exploring other small wine towns in the region. It is centrally located and well connected to other famous nearby wine towns like Montrachet, Pommard and Nuits-Saint-Georges, all just a short drive away.