What to drink in Poland?

In Poland people drink more or less the same global fizzy drinks like Coke, Pepsi, Fanta and so on. You can buy them in any store.
There’s wide range of fruit juices as well.
Polish people like vodka, not all of them but quite many. You should learn some basics about it.
Don’t mix it with any other alcohol, eat a lot of fatty Polish cuisine, move a lot (dancing advisable) and you should be more or less fine next day. If your body is not ready for such strong alcohol, never try to compete with locals. Just let them show off.
If you prefer drinks, choose Żubrówka with apple juice. It tastes good.
Beer is quite good quality and you can drink local beer as well.
Poland has no good wines so you have no choice but buy imported (similarly with other alcoholic beverages like whisky or gin).
People who like tea should be careful because in Poland they serve you made of small tea bags –you have to ask for real tea.
Coffee quality isn’t astonishing but always use the same trick. Find the place where locals drink it.
In general drinking in Poland except for vodka and tea is nothing strange so don’t be afraid.

When to come to Poland

Poland offers both the sea and the mountains. However, the water in the Baltic Sea never gets really warm and if you want to enjoy some swimming the best idea is to come in August and the warmest water is in Zatoka Gdańska. Sometimes it’s not very clean. The seaside offers really beautiful beaches and you should see them yourself.
The mountains are not as high as the Alps but you’ll find them nice. Zakopane is the most popular place so you shouldn’t go there during high season (December-February) if you don’t like crowds of tourists.
People who enjoy real nature must go either to Puszcza Białowieska or to Bieszczady Mountains. I think the best time is spring (April-May).
In general Poland looks very nice in spring and the temperatures range from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius. Nights tend to be quite cold (frost possible).
So if you want to enjoy your stay the best time is spring. If you like historic places, go to Kraków and Auschwitz.
Poland is really attractive and the prices are still not very high. You won’t be disappointed but do come in spring.

Arriving in Poland

When you arrive in Poland, the very first thing you need is local money - zloty.
I guess most of you come to Warsaw by plane.

I tell you, change only 20 dollars or euros there because you’ll get much less than in other places. Now the exchange rate is about 3,30 for the dollar and 4,40 for euro but financial markets got crazy and it could be quite different at the moment you arrive.

So now you’ve got 60-80 zloty and what next?

If you are tired, you would take a taxi, right? And now there’s a trick. There are many guys in at the exit offering you their car.

Always ask about the price. Currently there are three legal taxi companies operating in Okęcie airport. They are called MPT, Sawa Taxi and Merc Taxi. However, most passengers don’t even get to them because of soliciting guys.
Remember, the price of your ride to the city center should be about 10 dollars or 30-35 zlotys.

If they tell you something different just take another car.

If you want to save money and don’t feel tired you can take a bus 175 to the center or at night it’s N32. One way ticket costs less than dollar.

When you arrive at your hotel and leave your luggage or/and take some rest the very first thing you should do is change more money. Do you think you should go to the bank? Wrong.

The best place to get a good exchange rate is called “KANTOR”. It’s a legal place, don’t be afraid. They always put their ask and bid prices on the board. Don’t forget to ask them for a receipt.

Of course some of you arrive in different cities in Poland or just come by train or car. The procedure is similar. Never change money on the border or at the airport and always ask for the price when you talk to taxi drivers and you’ll be fine.

Good luck and enjoy your stay in Poland!