Poland > Via Torun to Gdansk

On the ground floor of the hotel, an extensive breakfast buffet is ready. A perfect start to the day. After breakfast, we retrieve our car from the nearby parking garage and drive out of Poznan. We follow the highway northwards. After about thirty kilometers, we turn right towards Torun, a route through several villages.

Poland - The city wall and castle of Torun

Just before entering Torun, there is a police checkpoint. We have to pull over. Our driver’s license and car papers are checked. In broken English, the officer explains that sometimes Polish drivers use cars with Dutch license plates, which is not allowed. Everything is fine with us, and we are allowed to continue. On the opposite side of the Vistula River, we park the car. When we ask at the ticket office how payment works, the man has already recorded our license plate on a ticket. We can pay afterwards for the hours we have parked. Torun’s Old Town lies within the old city walls. We follow the city walk from the guidebook along the walls. Torun was founded in the 11th century by the Teutonic Order. The old town survived the severe destruction of World War II, as in many other Polish cities. As we wander, we enjoy the beautiful city. It is no coincidence that this old town is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. At the end of the route, we arrive at the central Rynek market square. The Town Hall attracts attention. In front of the Town Hall stands a statue of Copernicus, as Torun is his birthplace. Arthur’s Court and the façade of the "House under the Golden Star" are also very beautiful. For lunch, we buy a sandwich from a local bakery. Then we continue our journey to Gdansk. The route goes via the A1 highway, a wide toll road toward the port city. Our hotel for today is located right on the edge of the Old Town.

Poland - One of the historic streets in the old center of Gdansk

At the end of the afternoon, we walk into the center. It is already dusk. Along the Motlawa River, there are numerous restaurants. Gdansk is clearly more touristy than Poznan. Through the Green Gate, we walk onto the Long Market, the central square of Gdansk. Gdansk was heavily damaged during World War II. The city center has been fully restored in its old style. This means that many of the pastel-colored houses are less than fifty years old. However, the old atmosphere has been preserved for the city. On the square, we order a beer while watching the people strolling by. Through the square, we walk along the Royal Route—a characteristic section of Gdansk between the Green Gate and the Golden Gate. From here, we wander through the streets back to the Motlawa River. In a fish restaurant, the place looks cozy, and it turns out to be an excellent choice. The food tastes superb.