[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] visiting Poland advise

[Michael & Maureen McHenry]

Hi

We were to Poland in early November. We book it through Orbis the polish
travel agency. The hotel selection was excellent. I have traveled
extensively in Europe and was pleasantly surprised. We speak neither polish
nor German and had no problem getting around. Most hotel staff spoke at
least a little English others very good English. I do recommend a pocket
phrase book. We had a car rental and didn't use public transport. We found
that more rural areas less English was spoken. Also the younger the person
the more likely they spoke English. Interestingly in Torun many people spoke
German as a second language. It must be a popular destination for Germans. I
qualify all this by saying that we were only in the area from Warsaw to
Torun along the Vistula River.


                                        Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: ger-poland-volhynia-bounces at eclipse.sggee.org
[mailto:ger-poland-volhynia-bounces at eclipse.sggee.org] On Behalf Of Dorothy
McGee
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 9:09 AM
To: mom
Subject: [Ger-Poland-Volhynia] visiting Poland advise

Hello all and Merry Christmas,

My husband and I are going to visit Poland in May 2006. 
My mother was born in Borki. We are going to visit the village and hopefully
find the graveyard where my ancestors are buried.

We have never been to Poland and do not speak Polish. I do speak German, but
not very well.

I would appreciate any travel tips, accommodation/food recommendations from
anyone who has recently been in Poland.  
Is the bus/train a reliable means of transportation?

Do taxi drivers, hotel staff usually speak some English?  
I do plan to learn Polish for travellers this winter, if I can find a
teacher. 

Thanks
Dorothy McGee
dtmcgee at rogers.com


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