Poland this Christmas - travel advice

Hello, I'm traveling to Poland this year from Dec. 18 to 28. I'm planning to split my visit between Krakow and Warsaw with the possibility of other side trips if time allows. If you can offer any input to the following questions, I'd appreciate it!

1. Is there enough to do to keep me busy in the two cities alone? I realize this can't easily be answered, since you don't know my interests, but generally speaking...?

2. How busy will it be? Will I need to book my accommodations in advance?

3. Will there be anything for me to do on Christmas Eve and Day, or will everything be closed? Is either city more accommodating over the holidays?

4. The round trip train price for Krakow - Warsaw is about $100.00 (CDN or US). Correct? and I will not need a seat reservation, right?

Any other general tips are welcomed! I'm interested in getting away to relax and explore a bit. I don't need to fill my day with touristy attractions.

I hope you like church services because that'sa all you'll find going on in Poland over christmas. They have some lovely Xmas carols -my favourite is gdy sliczna panna.

Poland is still quite a traditional and religious country, so don't expect to find tourist attractions open over the holiday period. A few shops might open in Warsaw.

Probably better to base yourself in the countryside where at least you can go hiking, although there's a strong chance of cold and wet weather.

I would wait to purchase tickets in Poland. I think you will have options that are cheaper than $100.

I haven't been to Poland over Christmas, but I have been to other European cities. As Andrew noted in #1, many things will be shut down. I think you'll have better luck in Warsaw on Christmas, because it is larger and is a capital city (meaning more expatriates, perhaps more things like Asian restaurants that will tend to be open over the holidays). But that's just a hunch.

Dave

Thanks for the comments. I read a stat about Poland being 75% Catholic, so I figured it'd be pretty quiet around the holidays. I'm sure I'll be able to figure something out when I'm there!

Event and sightseeing guide:
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event.map&mode=advanced&start_date=20101218&end_date=2011018&search=&locsearch=warsaw&cat_id=&display_start_date=18%2F12%2F2010&display_end_date=8%2F01%2F2011&x=66&y=17
Above set for Warsaw. Reset for other cities.

1. Definitely yes. Krakow is more interesting because there are more interesting places to visit nearby on day tours.
   2 .It is not that bad, but always better to book in advance
2. The only which everything is really closed is 25th. Other days are almost normal.
3. There are cheaper trains called TLK - with seat booking but same speed as EX or EIC. If you take TLK it takes 3 hours one way and price is 40 PLN one way - 80 PLN return so it is around 30$ both ways

I am Polish, live in Krakow, you can contact me if you want I can help you with more tips, no problem polsol@wp.pl

I am an American and have lived in Poland for 2 years. Everything will pretty much be closed on Christmas Eve and Day, but other than that, you should be able to find things to do. The source I use the most is In Your Pocket - Warsaw - http://www.inyourpocket.com/poland/warsaw. There are lots of museums, you just have to dig for them and find what interests you. (The Warsaw Uprising Museum is especially interesting). Most entries in In Your Pocket have links to museum websites, but many will only be in Polish. (Google translate helps!) Also, Warsaw and Krakow have very nice Christmas markets in their central town squares. If the weather isn't too cold, it's nice to wander around the squares and look at the architecture. Restaurants are reasonably priced and excellent. Also, enjoy the hot spiced wine, beer, mead or a decadent hot chocolate at Wedel!

1. 10 days is more than enough. Let's say - 2 days for Warsaw, 4 for Krakow, side trips - Auschwitz, Wieliczka salt mine, maybe Zakopane or Torun (by train from Warsaw). It depends on your interests, but I think you won't get bored.

2. You'd better book in advance, especially in Krakow - during Christmas hotels / hostels are usually empty, but after that they could be packed with tourists. Of course you will find something without reservation, but booking will save your time and nerves.

3. Christmas Eve is like a normal day until around 4pm when everything closes. On December 25th everything is closed - nothing for you to do, but on the other hand perfect day for a walk and photos - silence and empty streets. On 26th most cafes, restaurants and museums are open.

4. You have 3 options: IC - fastest and most expensive, AFAIR 80 USD for round trip, IR (InterRegio) - also fast and cheaper and TLK - very cheap, but very slow. If you plan to travel between 23th and 26th of December you'd better buy ticket at least one day before your trip and avoid TLK - trains will be very crowded aroud Christmas.