Warsaw in a Weekend

The weekend after we were back from skiing in France, we headed off to Warsaw, Poland. It was the last free weekend before we left the UK (so we were busy packing the house and for our round-the-world trip) but we managed to squeeze in one last weekend trip. I had to go anyway to hand my European responsibilities over for work, and my boss invited Kent and I to visit for the weekend. I had been to Warsaw before in my Dell days, but it was Kent's first time in Poland. With my job we had learned a lot about Polish culture and history, so we were looking forward to actually being there and exploring.

We flew out on a Saturday morning and after a quick flight we arrived in Warsaw. Taxi to the The Hotel Bristol, recommended by my boss....what a great location and nice hotel. Just next to the Presidential Palace and across the street from the Potocki Vodka office on Warsaw's fashionable Krakowskie Przedmiescie (the "Royal Route"), the road that leads through the historical area of the city.

Saturday evening, my boss and his girlfriend took us on a walkin tour of the Old Town. It looks very old, but is in fact built after WWII. Like almost all of Warsaw, the Old Town was completely destroyed in the war. Pieces of the old city wall are still there, but most of this area was carefully rebuilt to look as it used to. I mentioned the Potocki Palace, across from our hotel and the Presidential Palace. "Pałac Potockich" was torn down in 1944 by the Germans after the collapse of the Warsaw Uprising. It was rebuilt after the war in 1948-1950. Unfortunately it's not owned by the family anymore - it is a government building.

Saturday evening, my boss had made reservations for Kent and I at one of Potocki's best customers and a famous Warsaw restaurateur family, The Gesslers. U Kucharzy ("At The Chefs" in English) is the name of the restaurant and the concept is that the customers are seated in the kitchen. Literally, this is the kitchen of an old hotel (which the building is actually owned by the Potocki family now). The chefs prepare most of your meal tableside, including the famous steak tartare. Great Polish meal, and we did not leave hungry!

Sunday, we headed out to sightsee. Warsaw is actually the business center of Poland and not a whole lot to see besides a few museums, since most of the city was destroyed and rebuilt under Communism. I would recommend visiting Krakow for more of a cultural experience. Anyway, we found our way to the Chopin Museum and spent most of the afternoon there. The museum was very modern and interactive. Kent is now inspired to take up piano again and play some of the Chopin pieces he used to!

Sunday evening we headed to my boss' flat for a home cooked dinner. Jan's girlfriend, Agnieszka, made a really great Polish meal and we had a nice evening. She used to live in Hong Kong for about 10 years, and was giving us tips on where to visit on our upcoming trip.

Monday, Kent headed off to London and I stayed for another night/ 2 days for work. Great weekend in Warsaw! Below are a few photo highlights, and here is the whole album: http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=121867296903%3A1857124847&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharee

Hotel Bristol

The Presidential Palace

The original gate of the Potocki Palace, the only piece that survived. Notice the cross in the top middle - same that is on the vodka bottle.

Old Town

Kent enjoying the Chopin Museum