Warsaw Travel Guide

I don't want to write a tip for Warsaw... I want to write a tip for the small mountain village in South Poland I passed through once & only once, and could never find again because I never noted the name... and the roads in Poland are notoriously confusing (not to mention dangerous - do NOT begin a road rage contest with a Polish truck driver on his own turf - you will LOSE).  That place was one of the most unbelievable little pockets of beauty I've ever seen, stone cottages two stories and higher, a babbling brook with cows just wandering about the place - I swear I saw a black haired Tess of the D'Urbevilles out getting ready to milk them.  Idyllic, but like all idyllic scenes - it's be ruined if you stopped and tried to fit into it.   Anyway my tip on Warsaw:  don't get stuck in rush hour traffic. In fact, don't drive into town at all, go by foot and just find yourself a nice place to stay... then walk out at night and meet all the lovely people - they make eye contact!  They say hello to strangers! 

Vegetarians should definitely check out Biosfera.  They also got vegan dishes and extremely friendly staff. :) It's just a couple of stops south from the central metro stop so easy access.

Warsaw is my hometown, but I still don't feel I know it inside out. I guess it's almost impossible to really get to know the city but for every tourist I reccommend the central part of it. Supposing you arrive in Warsaw by train, the first place to go is Zlote Tarasy shopping centre, where you not only can do some proper shopping, eat something and grab a coffee but also admire the building itself, which is an excellent example of modern architecture. When you're done, go straight to Palace of Culture and Science -the tallest building in Poland where you can admire the panorama of Warsaw. It's only a 3-minute walk from the shopping centre but it's enought to notice the eclectic architecture of the central Warsaw. You can see 17-th century stylled building right next to modern sky scrapers. The next place to go is Chmielna Street which is famous for its numerous cafes. You don't necessarily have to stop for a coffee but you must try some typical polish doughnuts [pączki] which are sold there. I guarantee - these are the best pączki in the world!  Right next to Chmielna Street is Nowy Swiat Street, which is the best place for shopping [mostly high fashion but not only!]. This is where you feel the European touch. And it's only a 15-minute walk to the Old Town. While walking you will be passing the Warsaw Uni campus, some beautiful churches and many beautiful historical bulidings reconstructed after the WWII. The Old Town itself is a long story, you'll find out for yourself when you get there. Some other places to see are: picturesque Lazienki Park, Wilanow, Teatr Wielki [the National Theatre building from 19th century], Belweder and many museums: the National Museum, Centre for Contemporary Art [CSW] and my personal favourite - Warsaw Uprising Museum.