City where the Earth was moved

Few days ago I've visited Toruń. And I was truly amazed by it: because of its history, because of its architecture, because even if it's not very big, you can still feel that in past times this city was very powerful...

It's easy to reach Toruń by Polski Bus or by train (travelling time: 3-3,5 hours; tickets: 30-50 pln) from Warsaw or any other bigger city. It's a perfect place to spend a weekend (or few days more). I have checked-in at Green Hostel, located in the Old Town area (Małe Garbary street no.10). It's worth recommending mostly because of the view from the rooms on the upper floors.

I was going to spend a weekend in Toruń so I hadn't got much time to explore the city. But it turned out that 2-3 days is surely enough to sightsee Toruń with no rush and, what's the most important, feel the ambient of the city. What to begin from? From the Old Town, of course. But actually, whole Toruń is one big Old town.... It was founded in the 13th century and the oldest, sightseeing part of the city is on the right side of Vistula River. What you should expect is that you will certainly overdose gothic style and architecture. Toruń was once a great and rich city: you'll meet enormous gothic churches, towers, tenement houses (mostly gothic, yes) and monuments. Everything put together makes wonderful urban jungle made of red bricks. Below, you'll find a "Things to do list" for you to make your travel plans easier. In other posts I'll write some more details about each place of interest.

• the New Town Square (in the XIII century it was the centre of the independent city called New Town Toruń) with an old lady who is a little clumsy
• the Old Town Square where you can feel the (almost ancient) power of the city. And you can actually see it from the top of the 40 m high tower
• meet Nicolas Copernicus at the Old Town Square and pay him a visit in his house
• visit the Artus Court and make sure that you have seen the most beautiful tenement house in Toruń
• have a ride on a donkey and make your wish come true by touching the golden frog
• feel like in Piza and check how is the tower in Toruń crooked
• visit Planetarium
• bake your own gingerbread in the Museum of Gingerbread
• enjoy gothic architecture at so many churches as you can handle
• see one of the most breathtaking panoramas in Poland
• eat unique "pierogi" in "Pierogarnia Stary Młyn" (the best I have ever tried!!!), especially those filled with gingerbread

Scrunch up this city!

I was walking around Toruń and entered the bookstore located beside the Centre of the Contemporary Art. Apart from loads of books about art & design you can find original souvenirs like bags, traditional recipes for Toruń's famous gingerbread etc. And you can also buy a funny map that is made of soft material, that you can crumple, that won't get damaged, that is 100% waterproof and very useful. There is a small bag sold together with a map to keep the map crumpled inside. It costs around 40 pln (you can buy it here or on the website) and from Polish cities you can choose Warsaw, Cracow and Tricity. I can totally recommend this gadget, cause the maps are clear and they include helpful notes about the most interesting points in the city you sightsee.

Most romantic places in Poland

Many people say about Poland that it is a "heart-shaped country" and if you take a good look on a map you'll see it's true. Although in Poland we don't show our feelings in public very often, at least not like in Italy, where you can see kissing couples everywhere, we can be very romantic :) On Valentine's Day there is no other subject than LOVE so it is a perfect occasion to show you the most romantic places in Poland.

The Little Market in Kazimierz Dolny
This pearl of Polish rennesaince and very old little town is one of the most beautiful places in Poland known from exceptional atmosphere, picturesque views and great monuments. It's located in the centre of Poland and is one of the favourite 'places to runaway' for people from Warsaw. The Little Market and the panorama from the Mountain of Three Crosses will take your breath away!

Mariacka Street in Gdańsk
Mariacka Gate through which you can enter Mariacka street is one of the things that Gdansk is very pride of. The street itself is believed to be one of the most enchanting streets in Europe. It seems to be taken out from some fairy taile, with all the sculptures and decorated tenement houses. In the past, all rich habitants of Gdansk lived there. Also it's a place where you can buy high quality amber stones.

The monument of lovers in Grudziądz
The Polish soldier and his lady are hugging in front of the Grudziądz City Hall. Grudziądz itself is a city in the northern part of Poland with many places to sightsee: old city wall, St Mary's Church, St Nicholas Church and many parks where you can hide from the city crowd.

Chełmno - the city St Valentine
Chełmno is the city of love. It's a place where the relicts of St Valentine are kept in the old medieval Fara Church. You will find many old churches there and a beautiful town hall.