Poland Travel Diary: Family, Food & Memories in Ostrołęka, Warsaw & Kraków

This post is Part 2 in my Poland series. If you missed Part 1, you can read why Poland ended up on my midlife travel list here → Why Poland Should Be On Your Midlife Travel List. And if you’d like the quick version with travel tips, don’t miss Part 3: Top 10 Highlights from Our Trip to Poland coming soon!

When we first made plans to visit Poland, it was because of a promise. A promise made with Krzys and his parents during the summer of 2024. We didn’t know then that by the time we boarded a plane in 2025, Krzys wouldn’t be with us. Yet, he was with us in every step, every bite, and every memory we made.

This trip wasn’t just about travel. It was about connection, healing, and experiencing the country Krzys was so proud to call home.

Looking up in the Polish forest — nature’s quiet reminder to breathe.

Ostrołęka: Family, Bees, and Bicycles in Our Poland Travel Diary

Our journey began in Ostrołęka, where we stayed with Krzys’ parents. I can’t even begin to describe their hospitality. They welcomed us like family, filling the table with homemade meals and creating experiences we’ll never forget.

This table was always full: breads, fruits, pastries, and the kind of hospitality Poland is known for.

We visited both of their schools—his dad is the director of an elementary school, and his mom leads a preschool. As a teacher myself, I loved walking through the classrooms. His dad even showed me the English classroom, where students practiced with headphones. What really surprised me was how many teachers still used chalkboards, even though whiteboards were available. He said most teachers actually preferred chalkboards!

The elementary school where Krzys’ dad is Director — and the same school Krzys once attended as a child.

His dad also happens to be a beekeeper. He took Tony and the girls right into the hives to learn about honey production. (I stayed back and took the pictures—I’ll admit, bees terrify me!)

Learning the art of Polish honey-making with Krzys’ dad.

And then there were the bikes. In Poland, biking is just part of daily life. We pedaled to the grocery store, Biedronka, and laughed at ourselves trying to balance our purchases on the way back. One day, while the girls went shopping, Tony and Krzys’ dad biked around the city for hours. It was such a simple thing, but it gave us a glimpse of everyday life in Poland.

Just another ride to the grocery store — daily life in Ostrołęka.

We also visited his mom’s preschool, where she serves as Director. Walking the halls felt like stepping back in time—the classrooms still used rotary phones to call the office and other classrooms. Even more impressive was the kitchen, where fresh meals were prepared every single day for the children. In fact, that’s standard across schools in Poland.

Answering calls the old-fashioned way — yes, that’s a real rotary phone still in use at the preschool.

Unlike in the U.S., you won’t find processed foods on the menu. European health regulations ban many processed meats and even certain flours we commonly use here. Fun fact: that’s one reason people with gluten sensitivities or inflammation often find it easier to eat in Europe. Everything is fresh, simple, and nourishing—and it was inspiring to see that approach built into everyday school life.

Inside the preschool kitchen — every meal is cooked fresh daily for the children.

A Stop for Blueberries & Salt Air in Poland

On our way to Warsaw, Krzys’ dad told us about forest blueberries—tiny, flavorful, and beloved in Polish cooking. We had already eaten them in several of his mom’s dishes. So when we spotted some along the roadside, we pulled over and picked a handful. It was such a small, spontaneous moment, but one I’ll always treasure.

A spontaneous stop for Poland’s famous forest blueberries.

We also visited the salt wall in Rzekuń, where people go to breathe cleaner, mineral-rich air for their health. Krzys’ dad explained that these walls are found throughout Poland, and some people are even starting to build smaller versions at their homes for regular use. While the rest of us were standing there taking deep breaths, Emree was busy making friends with a cat and paying no attention at all—ironically, she’s the one in our family with asthma and probably needed it the most!

Breathing wellness the Polish way: salt walls like this are found throughout the country.

Salt air for the lungs… or cat therapy for the soul. Emree chose the latter.

Warsaw Travel Diary: History, Heart, and Hot Dogs from Żabka

In Warsaw, Krzys’ brother became our guide. For two days, we walked the city from one end to the other:

• Strolling through Old Town with its pastel-colored buildings and the mermaid statue in the square.

  
  

• Visiting Łazienki Park, where the famous Chopin statue watches over gardens that feel like something out of a painting.

  
  

• Touring the Vodka Museum (yes, it’s a real thing!). For a tour, you can book here.

  
  

• Grabbing quick bites along the way—a hot dog from Żabka, pierogi at local restaurants, and yes, a McDonald’s Coke without ice (that part I didn’t love!).

  
  

Warsaw is a city of resilience—rebuilt from near destruction after World War II—and walking its streets was both humbling and inspiring.

Monument of resilience in Warsaw — a city rebuilt from the ashes of World War II.

Kraków Travel Diary: Castles, Carriages, and Cozy Apartments

Next stop: Kraków, where we stayed in the cutest Airbnb. From the street, it looked like just another old door—but inside, it opened into a cozy little apartment only minutes from Old Town. If you’re visiting Kraków, you can browse similar stays here.

Kraków quickly became one of my favorite cities. We:

• Explored Wawel Castle, rang the great bell for good luck, and watched the dragon statue breathe fire. For a guided tour of Kraków’s cathedrals and historic sites, you can book one here.

  
  

• Wandered Rynek Główny, where on the hour a trumpeter plays from St. Mary’s Basilica, cutting the song short in honor of an old legend.

  
  

• Watched horse-drawn carriages, visited countless churches, and strolled through the Jewish quarter, Kazimierz.

  
  

• Took a day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, marveling at chapels and chandeliers carved entirely from salt. You can book the Salt Mine tour here.

  
  

For a lighter moment, Emree and I stumbled across a KFC while I was wearing my Kentucky shirt. We couldn’t resist taking a picture—it was too perfect.

Only in Poland: matching my Kentucky shirt with a KFC stop!

Auschwitz-Birkenau: A Poland Travel Diary Moment Without Words

From Kraków, we took the train to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. It’s hard to write about because there truly are no words for the weight of walking through that place. It was heartbreaking, sobering, and necessary. Visiting reminded me that remembering is not optional—it’s a responsibility. If you plan to visit, I recommend booking your guided Auschwitz tour in advance here.

Walking the path where so many lives were lost — sobering, heartbreaking, and necessary.

Honoring Krzys at His Memorial in Poland

One of the most meaningful parts of our trip wasn’t a tourist site at all. It was visiting Krzys’ memorial. In Poland, cemeteries are places of honor and beauty. Families bring flowers, lanterns, and candles, lighting them in memory of their loved ones. Rows of glowing lanterns flicker with love and remembrance.

In Poland, cemeteries glow with lanterns of love and remembrance. Visiting Krzys’ resting place was one of the most meaningful parts of our journey.

We stood there together—Camryn, Emree, Tony, Krzys’ parents, and me. We cried. We remembered. We cried some more. And then we talked about how Krzys would not want us standing there in tears. He would want us laughing, traveling, eating, and living.

That moment was heavy, but it was also healing. Poland gave us not only the chance to see his country but also the chance to honor him in the way he deserved—surrounded by love and light.

Final Reflections from My Poland Travel Diary

Poland surprised me. It wasn’t just the castles, the salt mines, or the pierogi (though all of those were amazing). It was the hospitality of Krzys’ family, the resilience of its cities, and the simple beauty of everyday life—like riding bikes to the grocery store or pulling over to pick blueberries.

This trip was about more than checking places off a list. It was about family, healing, and carrying forward the memory of someone we loved so deeply.

And I can honestly say: Poland will forever hold a piece of my heart.

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