Warsaw Special

The perception of Warsaw as a bleak, concrete wilderness, a desolate landscape of Soviet-era homes, does not align with the reality of this dynamic city over the past 15 years. This metropolis has much more to offer, with numerous attractions, a remarkable cultural scene, and a vibrant nightlife. Warsaw is looking forward, leaving its Soviet history where it belongs - in the past. After World War II, 85% of the city was in ruins, necessitating a significant reconstruction. This successful rebuild was acknowledged in 1980 when UNESCO designated Warsaw's Old Town as a World Heritage Site. Situated in the Mazowieckie province, in central-eastern Poland, the city is bisected unevenly by the Vistula River. Most tourist attractions are on the river's left bank, while the right bank is home to the emerging, stylish district of Prague. The focal point for visitors in Warsaw is the so-called Royal Route (Trakt Królewski), which extends north-south from the New and Old Towns, past the chic Nowy Swiat shops, war-surviving palaces, and the royal Lazienki Park gardens, before reaching the Wilanów Palace, south of the city center. The city also boasts numerous green spaces with lush lakeside parks where rowboats glide on sunny summer days and where visitors can find an abundance of open-air cafes. Free classical music concerts, drawing large crowds, are also held in the parks, a scene far removed from the grim images of Warsaw during the communist era. Today, the city offers an incredible nightlife, with stylishly dressed young locals heading to the city's trendy bars and hip clubs. It's certainly a city that comes alive as the sun sets. While some may argue that Krakow has the beauty, Warsaw possesses the culture, the energy, and the action.