European Trip Help

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  • caterpus

    Planning a 7-9 day trip from NYC to either Warsaw or Amsterdam. I'm dead set on traveling to Berlin where I'm planning to head back to NYC from.

    My mom's side of the family is Polish and I've always dreamed of visiting, hitting the historic WWII tourist spots and eating constantly. The kicker is my Polish is at a 3 year-old's level. Family there is extremely distant so most likely won't contact them, also considering my grandparents from there have all passed.

    Anyone have experience traveling to Warsaw as a non-Polish speaking tourist?

    But- I'm considering to just party in Amsterdam a couple days then travel to Berlin, seeing more of Germany on the way.

    Based on my research, it's much cheaper to fly into Amsterdam but more expensive to get to Berlin- so either way it seems travel cost will even out whether it's Poland or Amsterdam.

    What sounds better and more cost effective? Hanging in Amsterdam, doing pretty much what I can do any day in NYC while avoiding a language barrier? Or Seeing more culture in a strange sad land where 50% of my blood hails from?

    Also, any other multi-country european trips that involve Berlin suggestions?

  • oey0

    Well, I live in Germany and also live 7 years in Amsterdam previously plus I've been in Poland, Krakow, 4 times.

    In Amsterdam you can really party, so can you in Berlin.
    It's not the same, just talking about the Party perspective.

    The opportunity to go to Poland is roots wise interesting and maybe it would need a bit more time but still you got the breathe the air there and see how you feel to be there.

    Amsterdam is pretty crazy, I miss lots of things but has certainly more tourists than Warsaw where you can certainly also party.

    If you really want to rock and roll until you fall then Berlin and Amsterdam.

    If you prefer to party and chill then Berlin Warsaw.

    You can also chill in Amsterdam by the way.

    Berlin Prague maybe?

    https://www.google.de/maps/dir/B…

    • ooo yeah i was thinking Prague! nice link, thanks!caterpus
    • you'd suggest Krakow over Warsaw?caterpus
    • @ caterpus: for two reasons, first I was never in Warsaw so I can not give any insight and second because of the route.oey
    • thx much!caterpus
  • autoflavour0

    big question is what time of year are you thinking?

    • I'd like to do late March but late summer is much keeper...caterpus
    • Late March can be chilly and with signs of the end-of winter depression on everyone's faces. May-Sep is the best time to enjoy it weather-wise.raf
    • yes, go in summer. never been to Poland, but worked with quite a few beauties from there...SimonFFM
  • autoflavour0

    either way, plan to be in Berlin from Thursday to Monday.. gives you the weekend to party.

  • raf0

    You will have no problem getting by only speaking English in Poland these days, especially in a touristy place like Warsaw.

    This guy did a nice series on his Poland travels and there's plenty of other vlogs that will give you the idea...