Gdańsk
I'd never heard of this city before I had to book a flight here. Upon stepping out of the hotel on a gray, rainy evening, I fell in love instantly. Gdańsk is full of interesting textures, lines, and remarkable light. It's a beautiful place, revealing the ability to rise from the ashes after complete devastation.
I was so jetlagged! But that wasn't going to stop me from exploring a new city.
Day 0: Arrival
From the window of my Bolt (Europe's answer to Uber).
It was pouring rain when I arrived in Gdańsk — though fortunately, it let up by the time I was ready to step out for dinner, at a seafood restaurant around the corner.
Herring three ways.
It was no longer raining after dinner, and the sun doesn't go down this time of year until nearly 10pm. I walked along the river, catching a glimpse of a rainbow overhead. I took it as a sign that this would be an amazing trip — and I wasn't wrong!
Day 1: Pre-Tour Adventure & Orientation
I wouldn't have visited the Museum of the Second World War if it hadn't been free day. I got there just as it opened, and it was packed to the gills. Even so, I'm really glad I went. The exhibits are really interesting, and the audioguide is absolutely worth the 12 PLN (<$3.50). I spent about five hours, making sure I saw absolutely everything, even the painful holocaust rooms.
Resist!
The tour officially began in the late afternoon with our orientation meeting, followed by our first dinner together. I sat next to a fellow solo woman traveler, and we became fast friends. Our group chatted, laughed, and applauded the bedazzled singer who belted out Neil Simon and Frank Sinatra. (I may have murmured something to the effect of, "I didn't come all the way to Poland to hear American pop music.")
With full stomachs, we headed out on a short walk along the river. Though most everyone went back to the hotel afterward, it was still full daylight, and I was in no mood to go to sleep. My new friend Christina and I stopped in at the fabulously named Pink Nonna for cocktails. (There are a shockingly large number of Italian-inspired restaurants within a ten minute walk from the hotel. I counted eleven before giving up.)
The lovely folks in my tour group.
Day 2: City Tour, Solidarity Center, & Vodka Tasting
Our completely full day began with a tour of the city with a local guide. We walked down the "most romantic street," filled with jewelry shops where one can buy an engagement ring before getting married at the church at the end. It's also a spot to buy items made from the local amber that Gdańsk and Poland are well-known for.
Local guide Agada.
Afterward, we had a couple hours free, so a few of us stopped for lunch at a milk bar recommended by the local guide. Then we headed over to the Amber Museum. The most interesting thing about it, as pointed out by my roommate Lisa, was the overuse of reflective, black surfaces. It was actually pretty disorienting. I almost walked into a pillar I couldn't quite see (and I hadn't even had any vodka... yet).
Back with the tour group, we walked through the city to the Solidarity Museum. It was super interesting and told a story about Poland and politics that I hadn't known previously. Unfortunately, after two very packed days, I was exhausted — and my feet hurt from doing so much standing! I moved through the museum more quickly than I might have done if I'd been more fresh.
Templates used to create pamphlets in support of the Solidarity movement.
I might have been feeling dead on my feet — but the day wasn't over yet! We then had a vodka tasting at a local bar. When I read about this part of the itinerary, I thought, "Vodka tasting? Vodka doesn't taste like anything." Well, I was proven wrong! We were introduced to five different kinds of vodka, made in different countries and from different ingredients. I learned I really enjoy vodka infused with local bison grass, as well as the traditional cherry-flavored vodka.
They also stuffed us with delicious Polish foods.
With tour members, Mark, Marcia, and Christina. We tasted a LOT of vodka — and may have finished glasses from other tables.
This was a fun activity that allowed my tour group to really bond. As we tasted each vodka, the volume in the room grew steadily louder, and the laughter increased as well. Overall, I loved everything about Gdańsk and hope to come back someday — but the vodka tasting was one of my favorite moments of the tour.