Poland: an insider’s perspective on our Best in Travel video

Poland stands out as one of Europe’s most budget-friendly destinations, showcasing an impressive array of quality travel experiences. While visitors flock to cities like Warsaw, don’t overlook Poland’s enchanting countryside. There’s a wealth of sights and activities to explore in Poland – and this video will guide you through it all.

Sonia Szczesna and Adam Nawrot from Sourland Studios contributed to this video. They also created a film titled Godspeed, Los Polacos!, which narrates Poland’s struggle for democracy through the lens of a whitewater kayaking expedition.

As first-generation Polish-Americans, Sonia and Adam found working on this project for Dinogo Planet particularly meaningful. We caught up with Sonia to discuss her experience filming this video.

How was your personal experience being part of the production for Best in Travel 2024?

My parents immigrated to the United States from Poland after the Soviet Union's collapse, and I was born in New Jersey. Most of my family remains in Olsztyn, so I spent my summers visiting, exploring various regions, and forging a deep connection with the land and its people.

Creating this segment for Best in Travel was an absolute joy! It’s rare to have your entire family suggesting places to explore and people to meet; I feel incredibly thankful for the chance to highlight a place I call my second home.

Can you share the locations you filmed at? Initially, we struggled to choose which regions to highlight in Poland due to the abundance of activities and geographical diversity! We decided to focus on three key cities – Gdansk, Warsaw, and Kraków – then broaden our exploration to nearby areas such as the Lakes District, the Tatra Mountains, the Dunajec Valley, and several charming villages along the way.

What was your favorite location during the shoot? What must-see place do you recommend for visitors to Poland? The City of Gdansk surprised me the most – it's a delightful port city by the Baltic Sea. Gdansk is renowned for its Shipyard, the birthplace of one of the largest social movements of the 21st Century – Poland’s Solidarity movement, which initiated the fall of the Eastern Bloc. Today, the Shipyard has been transformed into a vibrant arts and food hub called 100cznia, which is a must-visit while in the city. We were lucky to be there during St. Dominic’s Fair, adding a festive atmosphere; we encountered so many kind and welcoming locals. If you’re planning a visit to Poland, consider the seasons to guide your itinerary. For summer trips, don’t miss the Great Masurian Lakes; there’s an abundance of activities available on the water and in the surrounding forests – from sailing to biking and kayaking. In winter, head south to the mountains, making sure to stop in Kraków for some warm drinks and a tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which maintains a consistent temperature year-round.

Do you have any memorable stories from the filming process?

In Kraków, every hour on the hour, a bugler plays from four windows atop the tallest tower of St. Mary’s Basilica, located right in the city center. This call, known as Hejnał mariacki, is famously interrupted to honor a bugler who was shot in the throat by an arrow while alerting the city of invading forces in the 12th Century. Anyone can enjoy this spectacle from the main square, but while we were filming, we had the unique chance to witness the bugler’s performance from inside the tower! It was an extraordinary experience, even for the locals involved in our shoot. One of the highlights was racing up the stairs to arrive just before the top of the hour. The buglers endure 24-hour shifts, and I completely understand why they remain up there throughout.

What’s your top tip for someone visiting Poland? Don’t forget to save space for dessert!