User:(WT-en) Halibutt/Warsaw

Warsaw (Polish: Warszawa) is the capital of Poland and its largest city. It is located on the Vistula river roughly 350 km from both the Baltic coast and the Carpathian Mountains. Its population as of 2003 was estimated at 2,269,000. The city, also the capital of Masovian Voivodship, is home to many industries (manufacturing, steel, electrical engineering, automotive industry), higher learning institutons (Warsaw University, Warsaw University of Technology, Higher School of Business, Medical Academy, etc), a philharmonic orchestra, the National Theatre and Opera.

Understand
Warsaw is said to be like the myrthological phoenix - it has been destroyed several times in its history, yet it survived all storms and lives on. After the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 approximately 85% of the buildings were destroyed and all the inhabitants expelled. It was partially reconstructed in the fifties, but the majority of the buildings is not historic. That's why at first glance Warsaw might seem a little faceless, grey and uninteresting. However, both its history and its present climate make Warsaw an interesting place that is definitely worth to visit.

The reconstruction of the city was not radical and there are lots of places where Soviet architecture stands side by side with Baroque churches and Art-Deco houses. Huge blocks of flats overview the lovely Old Town area, and such contrasts are clearly visible in almost every part of the city.

Unlike Krakow, Warsaw is a city

''Give a deeper understanding of the city, such as its history, its culture, its mores, its politics, its relationship to other cities and the country it's in. Jokes and stereotypes about locals, etc.''

Get in
''Arrival details. Try to include as many options as you can think of -- land, air, sea. Also include getting to and from transportation centers (such as airports) to central areas or hotel/hostel districts.''

''Below are some sections for common ways to get to a city. Try to order the sections from the most common and convenient to the rarest and most inconvenient. If for some reason there's a common way to approach the city not listed below -- by llama, by snowmobile, by bush helicopter -- just add another section. And leave out sections that don't apply. ''

By plane
''Name the airport or airports that serve this city. Name the air carriers that serve the city, and rough schedules ("once a week, once a day") for getting to this city by air from other major nearby cities. Note transportation options for getting from the airport to the city center. If it's common to hire private planes to arrive in the city -- say, if it's in the bush in Alaska -- note the names of plane charter companies, and give contact info. If there's just no plane service to this city, leave this section out.''

By train
''Give names of other nearby cities and rough schedules ("once a day, on the hour") for getting to this city by train. Note the location of the train station or stations and give directions for getting to central areas or hotel/hostel districts. If there is no rail service to the city, just leave this section out.''

By car
''Driving details and directions for getting to this destination. Try to include the names of major highways, as well as directions from other nearby cities. If for some reason it would be exceptional to come to this city by car -- say, if it's on an island not served by bridges or ferries, or if it's in a country where personal travel by automobile is extremely rare -- just leave this section out.''

By bus
''Give names of other nearby cities and rough schedules ("once a day, on the hour") for getting to this city by bus. Contact info for bus companies is nice, too. Note the location of the bus terminal or terminals and give directions for getting to central areas or hotel/hostel districts. If there is no bus service to the city, leave this section out.''

By boat
''Name any ferries, passenger boats, or other floating vessels for getting to this destination. Give contact information for carriers, and the location of arrival points with relation to the city center, as well as transport options from the dock or terminal. If it's a common way to arrive, note the marinas where you can show up with a private vessel. If the city is landlocked or just not served by passenger boat traffic, just leave this section out.''

Get around
How to get around once you are there: bus, train, rickshaw, ferry, gondola, etc. How much does local transport cost, where/how to buy tickets, and good discounts (week or weekend passes, 1/2 price seniors or students, etc).

See
List attractions that people come to this city for, such as museums, palaces, churches, temples, historical buildings, squares, parks, monuments, statues, streets, zoos, etc. You can also note here general information about attractions, such as discount tourist admission passes, need for a guide, weather warnings, good walking routes, general areas to hang out in, etc.


 * Name of Attraction, Address (extra directions if necessary), phone number (email, fax, other contact if possible). Days and times open. One to five sentences about why this attraction is worth seeing, things to pay special attention to, warnings, notes, historical or other background information. $entryprice (extra price info). http://www.attraction.example.com/

Do
''This is for things that travellers will do themselves. More active participation is needed for Do things than for See things. For example, going to see a river goes under See; kayak trips down the river go under Do.''

Learn
If there are opportunities for travellers to study in this city -- from language to cooking classes up to full university courses -- add that here.

Work
''What possibilities are there for travellers to earn money in this city? Note that this is kind of long-range and probably won't be appropriate for most destinations.''

Buy
''The travellers' dirty secret: we like souvenirs. What would be good to buy in this city? Local crafts? How about general shopping -- clothes, travel equipment, other?''

Eat
''For restaurant listings and other food-related stuff. Mention any local specialties or oddities. Specific restaurant info, or general idea of good areas of the destination to try. Be sure to explain what the price ranges are ($2 for a meal can be a splurge in some cities). Some travellers like (or have) to make their own food -- include local food-shopping options if possible.''

Budget

 * Name of Restaurant, Address (extra directions if necessary), phone number (email, fax, other contact if possible). Days and times open. One to three sentences about the food, service, atmosphere, view, specialties, music, what have you. $lowprice-$highprice (extra price info). http://www.restaurant.example.com/

Drink
''For bars, clubs, and other nightlife. Yes, many people go out to clubs and don't drink; the name of the section is still Drink. Mention any local specialties or oddities, and give a general idea of good areas of the destination to try. Invent groupings/labels as needed (Gay friendly, student, hipster, fancy-pants, etc). Good things to mention: dress code, entrance fees, safety concerns, solo-woman friendly or pick-up bar, good/bad nights).''


 * Name of Bar or Club, Address (extra directions if necessary), phone number (email, fax, other contact if possible). Days and times open. One to three sentences about the food, service, atmosphere, view, specialties, music, what have you. $lowprice-$highprice (extra price info). http://www.bar-or-club.example.com/

Sleep
''This is for helping the traveller find a place to lay his/her weary head. Give a general idea of good areas of the destination to try to find lodging. Other good info to include is high/low season, the importance of reservation, things to request (quiet room, view, airport pick up, etc).'''

Budget

 * Name of Place, Address (extra directions if necessary), phone number (email, fax, other contact if possible). Days and times open. One to three sentences about the service, atmosphere, view, rooms, what have you. $lowprice-$highprice (extra price info). http://www.hotel.example.com/

Contact
''Information on communications -- phone, Internet, other. Give information on cellular phone coverage in the city, and telephone centers where travelers can make long-distance calls. This is also where you'd list Internet cafes or computer rental centers for staying in touch by email or on the Web. If there are free or paid wireless Internet hotspots in the city, name them here.''


 * Name of Internet Cafe, Address (extra directions if necessary), phone number (email, fax, other contact if possible). Days and times open. One to three sentences about the computers, connectivity, food or beverages available. $rate per hour (extra price info). http://www.internetcafe.example.com/

Stay safe
''This is a section for general safety tips. If there are health hazards or crime problems in the city, list them here.''

Cope
''This section is for all those little items that people need to know when they're in a city. Where can you do laundry? Go to a gym? Get computers repaired? Anything that has to do with the practicalities of daily life should go here.''

''Don't put something here when it could fit in one of the other sections. If there's nothing to put in this section, leave it out.''

Get out
''How to move on from the destination. Try and include as many options as you can think of -- land, air, sea. Other nearby destination suggestions or day-trip ideas should go here. Don't replicate information that's up in "Get in", though. If there's really no extra information, just leave this section out entirely.''