Historic, heroic Gdansk
Imagine the bravery of these Poles. The protestors huddled behind the shipyard's main gate for 18 days, refusing to leave until they had won unprecedented concessions from the communists -- including the right to strike. Their action sparked a wave of strikes and sit-ins that spread along the industrialized north coast of Poland.
Today, the outstanding museum inside the shipyard's European Solidarity Center tells the exciting story of how these Polish shipbuilders risked their lives for freedom. I'm confident that Gdansk will never forget its history, or its heroes. The next time I'm here, I have a fantasy that I'll bump into old Lech Walesa (who became the president of Poland) still wandering the time-passed streets. Imagine -- when he flies around the world to give talks, he leaves via Gdansk's "Lech Walesa Airport."
After a lifetime exploring in Europe, I love to discover new places and affirm my deep-seated belief that you can never exhaust what the continent has to offer travelers. And Gdansk, with its salty maritime charm, gleaming Hanseatic quarter, and thought-provoking shipyard, is no exception.
IF YOU VISIT...
SLEEPING: Willa Litarion's 13 small rooms are artsy, mod, and affordable (moderate, www.litarion.pl). Hotel Wolne Miasto offers 68 elegant rooms on the edge of the old town (splurge, www.hotelwm.pl).
EATING: Barylka serves reasonably priced Polish cuisine in an elegant dining room overlooking the river (Dlugie Pobrzeze 24, www.barylka.pl). The handy Bar Mleczny Neptun offers hearty meals and scenic outdoor seating (Ulica Dluga 33, www.barneptun.pl).
GETTING AROUND: The historic core is easily walkable. Gdansk's trams and buses use the same tickets, but most travelers won't need public transportation on a short visit.
TOURIST INFORMATION: www.gdansk4u.pl.
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Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)
(c)2015 RICK STEVES DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
