Warsaw's buildings may have an old style about them, but don't be fooled. A horrifying 85 per cent of the city was destroyed in World War II and with it went much of Warsaw's precious arts collections and its original baroque charm.
Although re-modelled on a grand scale, the capital of Warsaw is still well worth visiting on your Poland tour. Extending over the Vistula River, explore the mix of wonderful Royal Castle Square with its pastel coloured architecture and parks, of which Ogrod Saski is the oldest. Theatres crop up fairly frequently and are a nod to Poland's strong theatrical and musical traditions.
An obvious highlight is Lazienki Park with is neo-classical Palace on the Water, which narrowly escaped being blown up in the war (although it was still set fire to). The park also has an openair theatre, Chopin monument and orangeries and provides the perfect atmosphere for a pensive stroll.
- To see side by side contrast of old Warsaw and modern, pay a brief trip to the Central Praga region where half-demolished houses stand next to apartment blocks and shopping centres.