Warsaw Walking Tour
As we gain more and more experience traveling, one thing we have begun to appreciate is the value of a free walking tour. Not only do you get a three hour overview of a city, but you also get recommendations on great places to eat and hang out, tips on museums and events, and other great ways to save money (as this is typically what people on a “free tour” would be after!).
So it was of little surprise then that we checked around to see if there was a good free walking tour in Warsaw. We ended up joining the Orange Umbrella Free Tour, and we had a fantastic time.
Our guide, Michal, was awesome. Knowledgeable, well-spoken, and funny – he spent three hours trudging around the old town of Warsaw while simultaneously telling us stories of people, urban legends, and enough awesome history to keep Travis happy for a long time. We were amazed at the way he was able to handle all the questions fired at him on a breadth of topics with such ease.
Our guide Michal with his Orange Umbrella
Our tour led us from the Royal Castle to the Old Town Market Square to the house of Marie Curie (chalk off another awesome Scientist for Travis) and everywhere in between. We learned about the traditional milk bars and how to drink vodka like a Polish person. We learned about kings and invasions and people buying bears they thought were dogs…and it was all free (well, except for a well-earned tip)!
Since we had such a beautiful sunny day (a rarity for the time of year we were told), we thought it would be fitting to let Calli’s excellent photos do the talking and leave the rest of the tour’s secrets for when you get around to taking it!
Looking up at Warsaw Castle
Warsaw’s restored old town
Looking out towards Praga
Bet you can’t guess who lived here!
Sigismund’s Column – the meeting place for the tour
Warsaw’s Barbican along its city walls
Some more of Warsaw’s beautifully reconstructed buildings
The first rule of drinking vodka in Poland is “you never say no to vodka”