Corina Moscovich: 07.2015

15.7.15

P8. Gdynia-Sopot-Gdansk, Poland

3 cities in one all joined by the train, which reminds me more and more of my adored Luxembourg.

I arrived in Gdynia by train (from Torun) and then I kept using trains to move from one place to the other (train passes are the best option).

During the first day I discovered Sopot, an overcrowded sea resort with an incredible location.

The Grand Hotel is amazing.

Later I visited Gdynia town and its beach. It has a picturesque Marina and the air by the sea is super fresh (ideal for a stroll)

I decided to explore Gdansk, which is the oldest of the 3. Gdansk' s town is too touristic at this time of the year. That for me makes it difficult to enjoy it.

Gdansk Glowny train station

The weather in the North of Poland and by the Baltic sea is super crazy. I'm already catching a cold but nothing will stop me from walking around.

Sopot has the longest wooden pier in Europe.

Locals say that you should work in Gdansk, go out in Sopot and leave in Gdynia. If you are not fun of going to crowded spots, I would suggest not to go to the Tricity in plain summer. I hope one day I can come back and enjoy it with less people around.

Next destination is Luxembourg.

Corina Moscovich

14.7.15

P7. 20 hs in Torun, Poland

Torun is famous mainly because of Nicolas Copernicus (he was born there) and for its ginger bread. It's a pity as the town has much more to offer.

Close to the train station there is a huge grey bridge which leads you to town.

When standing in the middle of the bridge you get the feeling that what you see from there will have to be good.

Yes, no questions about it.

First excellent impression of a busy family/friends/happy people Sunday in Torun.

Food is cheaper than in other Polish cities. Lifestyle, from what I understood, is only a bit more expensive than Lublin.

Lots of frogs in the shape of metal sculptures, as well as a dog and a donkey in different corners of this charming town.

English? Almost zero. Except in some touristic spots as below.

I was told that tourists don't stay the night in town. They just come for the day and spend a couple of hours. In my opinion, and having stayed there only one night, I would have liked to stay at least one more night so as to walk around with no hurry.

Pebbles and street lamps everywhere make this town look gorgeous in its "old age".

I couldn't taste the gingerbread as it has cynamon and I can't stand it.

The Leaning Tower was a typical fortified tower, built as part of the city walls (14th. C.)

Next destination: Gdynia-Sopot-Gdansk

Corina Moscovich

13.7.15

P6. Poznan and Kornik, Poland

Poznan means "a place of meeting" (there is a legend about three brothers who happened to meet just here). Ironically enough, in Poznan I "met" myself once again. It was the place where it really hit me what kind of trip I have been doing so far. Maybe this is an extended metaphor. Oh well... (these reflections will probably go on in my purple journal).

I will miss the cutest!

There is a striking contrast between very old buildings and German constructions.

Poznan is a city which is "on the way" to other cities. My first surprise was when I was given a Plan Miasta/City plan/Stadt plan in three languages (Polish, English and German).

In Poznan I found a more genuine Polish spot. Odkryj Poznan! (Discover Poznan)

Furthermore, I visited Termy Maltanski, a huge complex of swimming pools, saunas and the kind. This was the best experience so far in Poland regarding my senses. To be in contact with the water and get hydraulic massages was incredible.

Poznan doesn't pretend to show its beauty. It just offers itself to the traveller as it is.

Tourism is kind of a new thing compared to the situation in Wroclaw.

I guess in ten years from now, Poznan will be a must in the traveller' s road to Poland.

Now, it feels as it is just starting. Again, as in most of the cities I have visited so far (in Poland) I did not find multicultural or multilingual variety.

The Main Square is the most beautiful part of Poznan. It has several old and narrow colourful buildings which now evoke the commerce stalls at the Medieval fairs. This is because after World War II, many of the old buildings were restored to the original states.

I love the different kinds of street lamps and the variety of green everywhere.

Food in Poznan is strongly influenced by German taste. But I kept on doing soup-tasting.

Cucumbers everywhere!!!!!!

A classic postcard from Poland

Drinking MATES in Poznan (yerba Pipore)

Bigos is a hunter' s stew. Stewed sawerkraut and cabbage with meat and mushrooms, served with bread or potatoes. This one was hand made and delicious!

A very cool vodka. Yes, I had to try some...

There are cute details on the roofs, on the streets, on the walls.

Poznan is considered a "sleeping" town for people working nearby and it is also a university town. Coming here from Wroclaw, it was not a huge change; as both have similar "main attractions" to offer to the tourist. However, Poznan has a wild, authentic kind of beauty.

Again, the Stare Miasto (old area) is amazingly beautiful and it has a smaller size than Wroclaw' s. You can't stop shooting your camera because it's pretty and colourful everywhere.

I was lucky to witness the two mechanical goats emerging from the tower of the Old Town Hall at noon. There are different legends and stories about this. People gathered there looking up to wait for these characters and to listen to some jazz as a bonus.