Ireland or Poland?

[dep0515]

So...I am beginning to plan my next adventure. And although I will be going back to Paris someday, there are so many other places I'd like to go as well!

I know that many of you are very well traveled and thought that I would ask your opinion on my next destination.

My family is Polish, and my mom would really like to go there (I would too). However, I've had Ireland on my list for a while as well.

What are your thoughts? Anyone been to both? Which did you like better? What are your recommendations?

I'd love to hear what you guys and gals think. Thanks!

[rssilverandlight]

Hi dep,

I have not been to Poland yet but I have fond memories and many images from a trip to Ireland.
Landed in Shannon and drove south enjoying the Rings of Kerry,
Kilarney, The Dingle Peninsula, Lisdoonvarna, the Connemara and
the beautiful green everywhere. The Irish people and the music was wonderful. It's on my list to go back.

[dep0515]

Thanks for your response, Randy. I'm really leaning toward Ireland, but don't know much about where to begin! With places like France and Italy, it was kind of obvious what "big" things I wanted to see....but Ireland is not as clear cut.

I will definitely take a look at the places you mentioned. Thanks again!

[sandy]

Hi dep

I dont´know Poland nor Ireland, but I just wanted to say we should start a Polish club on this forum, being the active members: Willow, Shoesy, Geordy, you and me (and I think there was someone else).

Willow´s family emigrated from Poland to USA, so maybe she can give you some advice about Poland. As far as I know Ireland is a beautiful country.

[geordy]

Yes being of Polish and Irish decent, I have been to Ireland but not yet Poland.

My sister and I went to Ireland back in 1989. Spent quite a bit of time in Dublin, with side trips to Wicklow Mountains, and some other spots.

Then took a train to Cork City where my Grandmother allegedly came from(been told hers was a Kerry name..as the counties are right next store and Cork a port city.....). From there did Blarney castle and Fota Island a lovely island with parks, a manor house, and a cheetah preserve(!) and a zoo with free roaming kangaroos!...I had always thought I would have to travel down under to see those!

Then we bussed it to Bunratty for the last night and did the folk village and medieval banquet. Flew home from Shannon.

We will get to Poland one of there years!!!

[dep0515]

Wow, Geordy! Your description makes me want to go there even more!

I must say the whole language thing has me a bit nervous about Poland as well...I can say a few curses in Polish, but that's about it. And I have a feeling that wouldn't get me very far.

Sandy - I think a Polish club would be great! And I'm sure Willow has a wealth of knowledge for me to learn from. I'll have to PM her.

[greyghost1]

Never had a desire to go to Poland...my mom is british so have been to GB many times.

We did go to Ireland a few years ago. Landed at Shannon. fyi, Shannon has US Customs right before you board the plane and you don't do it again when you land in the US. Does that tell you have many americans visit there?

It was an enjoyable weeks trip. We rented a car and and even tho it rained much of the time, the country side is very green and lovely. We started in Ennis, stopping at Quin Abbey along the way. Drove to the Burren...a moon-esque landscape-very otherly world, saw The Clifts of Moher-eh, but the countryside is gorgeous. At Ballyvaugn we had the best seafood platter at "Monks." The Rock of Cashel is lovely.

We then drove down to Ballymaloe and stayed there. A terrific meal-both dinner and breakfast. Again georgous countryside. From there we hugged the coast and drove all the way thru Kenmare and the lovely forest, and into Dingle. Dingle was awesome. And such a lovely town. But then we drove to Adare and were gobsmacked with how lovely it is. Joe played a round of golf (he rented clubs) at the Adare Manor golf course. And I just wandered. Except for all the rain-which is why it is so green- we had a lovely time. Would return but London and Paris call to me more loudly.

[Truffaut]

I think you'll find it difficult to find somebody's who has been to both Ireland and Poland. I've been to Poland, but not to Ireland. I enjoyed it very much. We were Wroclaw (Breslau) and Krakovie (Cracow). The mid-sized cities such as these are very picturesque and everyone was very friendly. There are quite a lot of surviving medieval and Baroque buildings in the area. I've heard nothing good about Warsaw, so I think I'd skip that.

[sistereurope]

Well, Dep, I haven't been to either one! But of course I'll add my 2 cents anyway...

One of my VERY best friends lived in Ireland and visits there frequently (she is as obsessed with Ireland we we are with Paris!)
Her favorite part is Dingle and the surrounding area, as GreyGhost mentioned. To hear her talk it's one of the most beautiful places on earth. And yes, there is no language barrier.

But then one of my husband's ex-coworkers is Polish. He's back in Warsaw now, and he keeps begging us to visit. He actually loves Warsaw - and he says that there are many incredible and beautiful places to visit in Poland (like Krakow, as T mentioned).
I have to admit that I never really thought of it that way. He says that prices are reasonable there, and it certainly is less touristed.

So I guess it boils down to when you'd go, and what kind of things you're interested in (pretty villages? New experiences? Finding your roots? City experiences or countryside? ). I like to think that any place adds to my life experience. I've been to several foreign destinations where I've thought "I don't think I'll want to come back", but I can't think of anyplace where I've said "oh, I'm sorry that I ever went THERE!". You can always choose one now and save one for later!

[dep0515]

Thank you all for your input!

I have heard from many people that Poland is "unexpectedly" beautiful, and I truly would like to find my roots. But, as you said SE, it all depends on when I when I want to go, what I want to see, etc.

Hmmmm...this is going to be a tough decision!

Thanks again, everyone.

[willow]

Poland is Beautiful!

I can't comment on Ireland as I have never been there, but being native to Poland, I can tell you that it is a country full of little treasures.

Krakow is wonderful city, one of my favorites in Poland. The Market Square and Basilica are amazing. Going to the Basilica, you know the place is sacred and the tourists are very respectful of it. Another part of Krakow I like is the Wawel Castle. It is alot of fun to visit, and has a definite Medeival vibe. There are also vendors and sometimes musicians near the castle that make it a fun outing. But like in Paris, there are some gypsies here as well so be aware.

If you are looking for a different experiance, Zakopany is gorgeous. It is a mountain town, filled with Highlanders and beautiful handmade crafts. I always get sheep skin slippers here, but there are so many things to look. Not to mention the mountains!! You can go up on a lift and see some of the best spots, or there are trails offered. It's been awhile since I've been here, so I am not sure how open it is for non-Polish tourists.

There are so many other places in Poland that are must-sees! I know I still have to go back and see some of them. From big cities to little towns and the country side. I like the cities, but for me home was in the country with farmland bordered by well maintained forests.

Aww...I'm homesick now.

If you have any specific questions let me know, I'd love to tell you more!

~Anna

[joan1]

Another person who hasn't been to either but has opinions here, LOL.
I would go to Poland. My sons friend goes to Poland every summer to visit relatives, and brings back incredible photos .. it is actually alot nicer then I thought it would be.
I have also seen some travel shows , and again, I am struck by how pretty and interesting it would be.
I am too part Polish, my grandmother was Polish and a excellant cook with a heart as big as the world, she was representative of the Polish people that is enough to make me want to go and visit. I must say what held me back was what I THOUGHT Poland was like, as my grandmother emmigrated so many years ago ( 20-30's) that her memories seemed to be comprised of a lot of poverty and hardship, which at that time of course was an issue.

Ireland looks very pretty, and very GREEN, and I know what very GREEN means, and since i actually live some where very GREEN , well, I am sick of GREEN , which just equals RAIN to me! LOL I have heard the people are incredibily friendly there though, must be all that sitting inside pubs and sharing an ale while it pours outside, LOL

[willow]

Joan,

For the most part you don't see the hardship in Poland anymore unless you find yourself in some tiny village waaay off the beaten path. Before we emigrated from Poland in the 1990, we were the first ones with a telephone in our village and we had gotten it a few months before we left. The roads still weren't paved between our houses, and some farmers still used horses and oxen instead of machinery. But we were truly in the country.

At the same time, the cities were developing, a sure sign of it was the McD's in Tarnow (the closest big town to us).

Now, it is alot more developed. The 90s showed a huge boom in commerce and development. The end of communism sparked growth like never before. New homes were being built, old churches and cathedrals renovated, and roads built. Poland become more accessible to outsiders, and people were peeking in to see what was going on. The tourism industry has really picked and people are seeing the gem that Poland is.

[willow]

Here is a short list of places that I would visit:
Krakow
Malbork (Castle town, beautiful,
Zakopane (Mountain town)
Sopot (Coastal town, entertaintainment city aka Las Vegas of Poland)
Czestochowa (Catholic pilgrimage site, home of the Black Madonna)
Lublin (Beautiful old town, university, castle, museums)
Bialowieza Forest
Wroclaw (known for variety of architecture)

[dep0515]

Joan and Willow - thank you for your input.

Willow - I sent you a PM and I'm sure I will be seeking your help! Thanks for offering!

[joan1]

Willow thanks for the list of suggested places, I am sure Poland will become more and more popular with tourists as time goes by.