[volkman10]

Beginning of 2012, was informed of a trip to Poland as part of a business meet.

Since this was a country with so much of history and my first visit was excited about the trip, but was also apprehensive as have heard about the extreme winters there! Temperatures as gauged from last year were expected to be around -10 to -15 deg C.

Planned the trip with LH being the preferred carrier (other option was Air France)
BNG-->Frankfurt-->Wro-->Munich-->Stockholm-->Frankfurt-->BLR

Wroclaw ((pronounced Vrots-waf),the polish city lies to the SW corner of Poland, sharing its borders with Germany and Czech.

LH counters @ BIAL


Frankfurt wet and @ 5 deg c




Displayed at FRA airport

[volkman10]

Wroclaw (pronounced Vrots-waf),the polish city lies to the SW corner of Poland, sharing its borders with Germany and Czech. The city was part of Germany during the world war and can see still the German influence!

The Wroclaw’s Copernicus airport is small as it has only one runway, one domestic and one international terminal. Expected temperatures were minus 10 deg c but what was 4 deg. a mild winter, and was a relief to me.

Airport

Terminal






Suzuki Alto!


Highway(airport to city) - 12km from city


Drive to the hotel, Radisson Blu, was 30 minutes passing through numerous canals.Typical as seen as in any European cities- the roads, but with addition of many churches and trams.

City center


Radisson Blu





Room - at 56 Euro ( incl b/fast) was the cheapest deal in EU so far as I have seen.




Predominant cars are from the VW group and quite a few of Volvo's too.



With a marvellously restored market square and Old Town laid out over a maze of bridges, islands and church spires. the hotel not so impressive from the outside but once inside was different with a great ambiance. At 56 Euros the cheapest so far in comparison to other EU countries.

Could manage a weekend and managed to cover a portion of the city centre.

Wroclow's impressive market square, or Rynek in Polish, is ringed by colourful buildings, all from different architectural periods . Many of them are faithful reconstructions as the city was partially destroyed in WW II.

The red-brick town hall, or Ratusz, is an eye-catcher. It is a mix of styles and has interesting details such as the jumble of Gothic turrets, spires, gargoyles and an astronomical clock.


The square adjacent to this, much smaller but equally colourful. Flower sellers have their stalls here all through the week.


The GNOMES are tiny bronze sculptures wearing funny hats and funny faces. They are approximately 50 cm tall and hide in unexpected places all over the old town. They are the work of Tomasz Moczek, a local artist.
The gnomes sculptures appeared in 2005. Gnomes have been connected with Wroclaw since the 1980s when the Orange Alternative Movement started. Their main purpose was peaceful protest against the communist regime.



PANORAMA OF RACLOWICE is a circular painting of 15 X 114 metres depicting Poland's victory over the Russians in 1794. Tadeusz Kosciuszko led the Polish peasant army but victory was short-lived as the rebellion was put down and Poland was wiped off the map. Its territory was divided into three part that went to Russia, Austria and Prussia.


The painting shows peasants, a multitude of soldiers, Polish carabineers firing single shots, Russians charging the Polish cavalry, a group of prisoners-of-war being led away from the battlefield, a group civilians lost in prayer under a roadside cross and much more. A 'must to see' tourist attraction. the guided tour is done 6 times a day.




Panoramas are life-size circular paintings. The viewer has the illusion of being part of the historical event, it is like a painting without borders.
You can't see the real world, the painted world becomes the real world. That's why a panorama is so 'real'.




Coming out after the tour of the Panorama, was caught in a mild snow storm. This is the first in January. Was well equipped in the winter gear which was a great relief. Radisson is just a stone throw away from the Panorama

[volkman10]

Breakfast is the typical as seen in other Eu countries, a wide spread and an hour's time at the table.





Outside temperatures have dropped(1.5 deg c) after the snow fall and a white blanket seen outside the hotel.






City center at night!





Shopping complex



An Indian restaurant in the prime center, but never visit during my trips abroad since most would be a rip off price!


Temperatures seem to drop as days pass, fortunately for me this is the last day here before proceeding to Sweden!


In the market square - celebration of the "Polonez dla Fredry" - Future graduates have this tradition carried on for several years.
The students from schools danced around the Town Square. The whole procession led President , dancing in the first pair with a student dressed in aristocratic attire. Youth dance orchestra playing police.
Orchestra


Students in procession




Well a very pleasant trip and always there is an additional element of surprise of visiting a place for the first time.

The next was Sweden but could not do as much as I liked to taking off from work was not possible. Being winter with days being so short was a handicap and could not cover any detail

Before signing off a few pics inside Munich airport and Sweden!

Audi A7 sportback TDI Quattro and the BMW M5 on display @ Munich airport






Arlanda terminal

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Travelogues Section. Thanks for sharing!

[kiran]

Just read the travelogue on Wrocklaw. I am very happy to hear about this place after a 11yrs. It's thrilling to see (in one of your picture) Bank Zachodni which was my working place for few months. Thanks to remind me with the beautiful pictures.