A Whirlwind Tour Through Warsaw

The Novotel Centrum was a great hotel to stay in for our purpose (a 100 person orchestra on tour) but had I been in Warsaw strictly as a tourist, I would have preferred staying closer to the historical district. Ask for a room facing the large traffic circle as if you are fortunate enough to be staying on that side of the hotel, the view of the Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kulturny i Nauki) is stunning. The immense building, built under Communism, is now a subject of controversy for the citizens of Warsaw. It houses everything from museums to swimming pools and offices.

The hotel is reasonably priced (a double room is rented for less than 300 zloty) and is quite comfortable in furnishings. The cookie cutter rooms are all air conditioned and have safes which can be very nice when staying in a foreign place.

Overall, a pleasant place to stay, but recommended more for business than for its (lack of) proximity to tourist destinations. A good value.

Pizza Hut done the European way...

read: not fast food.

Ironically I enjoyed this Pizza Hut much more than any I have been to in the United States. The pizza itself is superior, but fast service in Poland means "sit down and wait half an hour after you order for yours to arrive" to an American.

Don't go here for quick service, but if you are frustrated with the language barrier at 'local' restaurants, or just homesick for some good pizza, it's the perfect remedy.

The perfect pub to frequent if you are staying in the immediate vicinity of the Palace of Culture, Kicz Pub has a great atmosphere and a reasonably priced drink menu.

Take the bartender's suggestion to try a "wsciekty pies," a name I've been trying to translate ever since. The drink is a shot, with raspberry liqueur on the bottom, then topped off with vodka and a splash of Tabasco sauce, I have yet to find it in any other establishment but it was particularly good. Perhaps it is a house special!

Especially for travellers staying in the Hotel Novotel Centrum (right across the street), the pub is a convenient and wonderful place to start your Polish nightlife adventure.

While on our tour, I was fortunate to perform in this magnificent theater. Musicals are the most frequently performed genre, and this theater attracts the world tours of American Broadway Shows. Judging by the posters lining the backstage area, the Roma Theater has witnessed virtually all of the last century's best musicals.

I can't comment on the ticket price of shows, as I appeared onstage myself. However, the concert I performed was free and open to the public, so be on the lookout for touring ensembles, playing just one concert in the city.

The theater itself was very interesting as the seats were set in a half circle, with several balconies directly on top of each other at the back. The acoustics are wonderful and I would have enjoyed having the opportunity to view a show in such a large and inspiring theater.

This beautiful park is the former country home of the king Stanislaw August in the XVIII century, who was the last king to rule Poland before it was divided among Russia, Prussia, and Austria. The Palace on the Water is an architectural gem, and can't be missed.

Among the myriad other lovely settings to discover in the large grounds, are the ruins of an amphitheater with a moat separating the stage from the seating area. All over the grounds, you may spot peacocks, especially on the stage of the amphitheater. Other buildings include a greenhouse where the King grew orange trees.

Probably the most famous and well loved area of the park (especially by the locals) is the Chopin Monument. Fredyryk Chopin, was a great Romantic era pianist and composer, his music remains some of the most loved by citizens of all nationalities, so it is easy to see how proud Poland is to call him its son. (the Warsaw airport is actually the Fredyryk Chopin International Airport) The monument, is surrounded by benches and a sea of roses. On summer evenings you may sit or stroll about, listening to a live performance of Chopin's magnificent piano music.

Overall, the park is not to be missed. Take the 'tourist' bus line 180 to get there and enjoy the ride!