The Truth About Warsaw Tours

By Kate | August 6, 2019

Ugly facts come to life after visiting Warsaw. All I can say is, throughout the centuries, a lot of ugly things happened in Warsaw, Poland. As a solo traveler, tourist, a traveler 50 plus, or for that matter, a millennial going to Warsaw, Poland on vacation faces challenges that unnerve a person. What unnerves a visitor is what you learn on the Warsaw tours. The ugly truth is Warsaw tours and the sightseeing spots tell the truth about Warsaw, the Jewish Ghetto, Polish history of repression, destruction during WWII, and eventually, the Polish resistance.

Ugly Truth About Warsaw Tours

Warsaw tours present a tough subject matter for the vacation traveler. I chose to go to Auschwitz, but I knew what I was in for, and I didn’t spend the night there.

In Warsaw, to see where and learn how Nazi’s lined up Polish people on the street, killed them on the spot, and did it over and over again, is an ugly truth. It exposes a raw nerve in all of us.

Warsaw Jewish Ghetto

It’s tough to see how Jews were forced to live in the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto. Next, it’s hard to comprehend how the Polish government allied with the Nazi’s. How could they? In hindsight, I think they believed it was the only way they could survive. Then, the communists came to Poland and further repressed the Polish people.

It is just the ugly truth that you learn while visiting Warsaw.

Vienna, Austria in Comparison

When I went to Vienna, Austria, I learned how the Habsburgs helped all the people they governed. I learned how the Royal Family learned of their subjects. The Habsburgs spent their great wealth making every part of their kingdom better. Sovereigns with a heart, they loved the people and took care of them.

Vienna is inspiring and uplifting. And then add a dash of classical music, which is everywhere in Vienna, and it is heavenly. Warsaw, Poland is depressing in comparison. The subject covered on all the Warsaw tours is the depressing, ugly truth. It inspired hope, love, and gratitude for all of humanity. It had its share of WWII and cruelty to the Jews, but it had other aspects that offset the ugly parts of the Vienna tours.

Watch this video and see how Vienna endured Nazi’s horrific austerities. How did Nazi Austria come to be involved in WWII?  There is a Jewish Ghetto in Vienna. There are also Memorials to the Holocaust in Vienna, Austria. The Vienna walking tours are worth taking. Here is a Map of the top Jewish sights and walking tours in Vienna. My Vienna Itinerary can help if you travel there.

I am not saying don’t go, but consider how long to stay in Warsaw.

Ugly Truth

Let me show you some of the things that were ugly to me and why I felt depressed after visiting and taking Warsaw Tours.

It started by seeing the barricades along the street in front of my hotel. It was a horrible hotel. Entering, seeing obstacles, and roadblocks didn’t make the experience any better.

Warsaw Zoo

Taking a little time away from tours, I went to the Warsaw Zoo. Now – the Nazi’s were there too. They confiscated the Zoo for their purposes. But it is one of the oldest, continuously run Zoos in the world.

But that turned out to be sad too. It was depressing to see the cages and the animals’ condition.

It looked like the Zoo hadn’t been updated in a long time. For me, it seemed mean to the animals. But how people treat animals, children, and women teaches a lot about the cultural and social norms.

I can’t tell you why the zoo had such an effect on me, and it doesn’t make me happy to share my sadness after going to a Zoo. Honestly, I felt miserable.

Warsaw

I am not putting Warsaw down. There is an excellent number of reasons for going to Warsaw and taking the tours. I think I overstayed my welcome! Sometimes travel teaches me how blessed I am and how unfortunate others are.

By the way, I took every walking tour I could take. I took the Communist Tour, the original Old Town Tour that explained the original UNESCO city. I took the Jewish Ghetto Tour and learned a tremendous amount about WWII history and how the Jews came to Poland. By the time I went to Polin, the best historical museum I have been to, I was and still am overwhelmed by what Poland has gone through.  It wasn’t all bad; I wish I could see some good news, hope, and a positive future.

With the deepest gratitude, I am thankful I went and experienced Warsaw.

Travel Advice: I believe 4-5 days is too long to stay there.

Perfect 2 Day Holiday in Vienna Austria