Unexpected emotional depth in Poland

I thought I was going to Poland for beaches, food, and Wieliczka Salt Mine. I got all of those things. What I didn't expect was how emotionally affecting the trip would be. The history — particularly around Gdańsk — hit in ways that good travel sometimes does.

remarkably affordable was the moment that crystallised it. Standing there, eating bigos I'd bought from a street vendor, something clicked about why travel matters. 20 days and I came home genuinely changed. Some places do that to you.