OK, we did go there when it was raining non stop, so I have to admit I’m probably influenced by the weather. There are some nice things to see in Warsaw (the Jewish graveyard is gorgeous) and the place has a fascinating if somewhat dreadful history. But as a city… It’s hollow. It was blown to smithereens in WWII and then rebuilt. It’s a business city now. But it has no heart. Barely any Poles live in the rebuilt old center, which is only a nice facade for tourist. It reminded me a lot of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Rotterdam was bombed in WWII and was completely rebuilt as well. Though it is now a very interesting place with museums and good nightlife, it also lacks that old city feel.

If you want to go to Warsaw, visit the fantastic Bistro 44. Saved us from quite a few rainclouds.