A Weekend in Poland

Last weekend, I made a trip from Leipzig to frosty Wroclow in Poland with a group 20 fellow students. Coming from Ireland I was still getting used to the -2 temperatures in Leipzig nothing could have prepared me for the -10 that hit me like a bus when I stepped off the heated train. Once I got used to that, I was able to focus on the city. Wroclow is immediately recognisable for it's upkeep of it's old buildings, picturesque in its Church Towers and the town-hall in the city centre.

Arriving in the middle of winter wasn't without it's perks the whole town was decked out in lights and Christmas market taking up the whole town centre. Mulled wine and coffee was flowing from old fashioned wooden huts next to Stalls selling handmade wooden toys and woolly hats. Really doing Christmas right.

We checked into Grampa's Hostel. Cheap and cheerful accommodation in walking distance of the city centre, friendly staff, great facilities including a kitchen with free tea and coffee, breakfast was provided in the morning and comfy beds.

After the seven hour trip first order of business  was to get fed and watered. The group of about 20 and I were eager to try to local delicacy of dumplings with meat fillings. We ate at the highly recommended by are designated guide 'Pod Złotym Psem'. Right on the corner of the town square  Really nice warm, relaxed, old fashioned  interior (great attention to detail was paid even the electric hand dryers in the bathroom had wooden panelling). The food was great, chicken dumplings in mushroom sauce and a coffee with caramel syrup, perfect preparation for going back out into the frosty evening. And most importantly for a traveller on a budget, it was very reasonably priced.

The next day was set aside to see the sights which are in plentiful supply in Wroclow, the highlights being the  townhall and Wroclow Cathedral which was built and expanded on over 250 years from  the end of the 13th century though to the middle of the 16th century. It stands in the city centr

No trip to Wroclow would be complete without ascending the tower of Wroclow Cathedral for a Panaramic view of the city and beyond to get to top will only cost you the equivalent of about a €1.50 and it's well worth it. It was the last thing I did and was a perfect way to round off the weekend.

Most places I've travelled to, I;ve had a few words and phrases to get by on. "Wie Viel?" "Merci", "Uno Cervaza Por Favor" etc I had absolutely zero polish however, but this was never a problem. Everyone in the service industry has a decent handle on English so I rarely had to resort to awkward hand gestures.

Wroclow Poland was definitely worth the visit and I’d love to go back to see how it looks in the warmer seasons.

Highlights: Cheap food and accommodation and beautiful architecture.

Tips: Be prepared for the cold if you’re there in the winter.