Barbara Rolek’s Itinerary for Trip to Wielkopolskie (Greater Poland) and Mazowsze (Mazovia) Provinces of Poland
Sept. 8-10
Arrive at
Frederic Chopin Airport in Warsaw. Travel by car to
Turek, Poland. Visit with maternal Durski relatives.
Sept. 11
Return to
Warsaw. Spend the night at
Lazienkowski Hotel in the vicinity of the Royal Baths, and the palace garden complex dating to the 17th century.
Sept. 12
My
Poland Culinary Vacation to Mazovia begins with a concert in
Royal Lazienki Park to hear Chopin's music performed near his monument followed by a Sunday brunch at the famous
Belvedere restaurant with a great
menu and a gondola ride afterward. Later in the afternoon, we travel by motor coach to the
Lochow Palace and Park, which will be our home for the next four days. The complex dates to the 19th century and has been owned by several aristocratic Polish families. In addition to its interesting history and beautiful location, the palace offers elegant guest rooms, dining rooms, ballrooms, a spa, and warm hospitality. After settling in, there will be a welcome dinner in the palace dining room where we will meet the executive chef.
Sept. 13
After breakfast at the hotel, we attend our first cooking class in an 18th-century wooden manor in Paplin village. We'll cook delicious regional recipes on an old wood-burning stove in the manor, and then enjoy the results for lunch. This afternoon we travel to the historic Krzesk Vodka Distillery, founded in 1896. Krzesk produces the world-famous
Chopin vodka, which we will sample. For the rest of the afternoon we’ll explore the cultural trail of
Liwiec Valley. We may visit a 17th-century Palace in Stara Wies, the
Kruszewski Brothers Bell Foundry, the Museum of Folk Weaving, and other regional attractions. To celebrate our second day in beautiful Mazovia, we feast on delicious traditional Polish food and drink at
Kameralna restaurant in downtown Wegrow.
Sept. 14
Today our cooking class will be with Lochow Palace executive chef Halina Piedziak in the palace kitchen. Chef Halina will prepare a few of her favorite Polish and regional recipes for us like:
kulebiak,
pierogi sojki, chicken roulades,
racuchy and show us her unique techniques in the kitchen. In the afternoon, we travel to
Kurpie open-air ethnographic museum in the village of Kadzidlo. While there, we get acquainted with Kurpie folklore, regional cuisine, and the art of paper cutting. We also hear live music and watch dance performances. This evening we’ll attend a dress-up party at Gospoda Pod Debem Inn (the Inn Under the Oak Tree) near Wyszkow, which offers excellent traditional Polish cuisine.
Sept. 15
Today, we travel to nearby
Gwizdaly to cook with village women. On the menu is one of the undisputed Polish favorites,
bigos (hunter’s stew), and a few other regional dishes like
pyzucha-gwizducha (potato pancakes with carrots or onions), cold soups and herb teas. This afternoon, we travel to Mazovian Venice or
Pultusk, a historic town on an island with the longest marketplace in Europe. After visiting the Old Town in Pultusk, we’ll spend the afternoon at
Polonia House located in the former bishop’s castle. Polonia House is noted for its great entertainment, exceptional Polish cuisine, and gondola rides over the Narew River. Tonight, for our final meal in the Mazovian countryside, we dine on delicious Old Polish cuisine in the Tavern restaurant in Polonia House. In a rustic atmosphere, we can watch chefs prepare delicious food as we enjoy a beautiful view of the Narew River.
Sept. 16
After an early breakfast, we travel back to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. We check into the luxurious, 5-star
Le Regina Hotel, located near Warsaw’s historical Old Town district. Here we stay for the next two days. After check-in we take a guided, walking tour of the city, to the Old Town,
Barbican, Palace Square, and the Royal Castle. We also get a panoramic view of Warsaw from atop the Palace of Culture and Science. There is also an option to visit the
Frederic Chopin Museum in Ostrogskich Castle. During a short break from our sightseeing we stop at one of
Wedel’s Chocolate Lounges. Wedel is Poland’s oldest chocolate brand and was created in Warsaw. Tonight we dine on traditional Polish cuisine at
Polka restaurant, located in Warsaw’s Old Town. The restaurant is famous for welcoming its clients with legendary Polish hospitality and using top-quality ingredients in all recipes.
Sept. 17
After breakfast, we head out to our last cooking class, where we learn how to prepare a typical Polish meal with
Chef Karol Okrasa, a Polish celebrity and TV cooking chef. After our cooking class, we explore Warsaw on our own. Later, we tour the famous 17th-century
Wilanow Palace Museum and Park, the former residence of Kings Jan III Sobieski and August II and the most distinguished aristocratic families of Poland. The Park covers 106 acres and surrounds the palace with various styles of artistic gardening: Baroque, English, English-Chinese, and Neo-Renaissance. After visiting Wilanow Palace, we'll have time for some shopping at
Cepelia store, which has a great selection of Polish folk handicrafts. We may also visit
Hala Mirowska, a historic, fresh-food shopping center which, until 1944, was the largest shopping center in all of Warsaw. The last dinner of the trip is at 2009 Michelin Guide recommended
Fukier restaurant, located in Warsaw’s Old Town.
Sept. 18-20
My Poland Culinary Vacation ends but I continue my exploration of Warsaw and its environs for three more days, soaking in the people, cuisine and customs.
Sept. 21
Departure for home.
