Warsaw
Warsaw is a capital of Poland and home to around 1.7m people and is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. It dates back to the 13th century when the first settlement was established on the banks of the River Vistula.
By the end of the 19th century, Warsaw’s facilities could match any other European city but the 20th century was to be one of suffering. At the hands of the Nazis, it became a centre of Polish resistance and the uprising in the Jewish Ghetto saw the deaths of around 500,000 people. The following year in 1944 saw a city uprising which although lasted 2 months, was eventually put down. The people of Warsaw paid a heavy price with many buildings burned or blown up and citizens either killed or sent to concentration camps.
After World War II, the rebuilding of Warsaw began but was now under the control of the Soviet Union. Warsaw lived under Soviet rule until 1981 when communism eventually fell.
Warsaw is very accessible with flights into Fredric Chopin airport from many international destinations. It is a base of the national carrier LOT who are a member of Star Alliance. Several other national airlines serve Warsaw along with the low cost carrier Wizz.
The city is served by excellent train connections and Berlin is a 6 hour journey away. The main airport is around 6 miles from the centre.
Getting around Warsaw is straightforward as the public transport network is well developed with buses, trams and an underground metro.
Warsaw is also growing in popularity as a tourist destination. There are a huge range of museums, monuments, parks, theatres and more to see here. The Palace of Culture and Science is a dominating feature of the skyline. This imposing building was a ‘gift’ from the Soviet people and there are 7 similar buildings found in Moscow. The panoramic view from the 30th is stunning. Other significant places to see include the Old Town, Warsaw Uprising Museum and the Praga District which was one of the few areas to survive the ravages of World War II.
At night, Warsaw is a lively town with plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs to keep you entertained right through the night.
