Programs: AC Aeroplan/MX Frecuenta/Hyatt Platinum/Starwood Gold/Hilton Honors/Delta Sky Miles
Posts: 2,584
Admittedly - Airplane Geek (787)
As if flying around the friendly skies doesn't give me enough of a fix, just burned some points to fly on LOT's Inaug 787 flight in J/C from YYZ in February.
Will be fit to be tied if they pull a swap with a 763 - keep my fingers crossed.
(Is there a time deadline when an AP reward can be cancelled and points restored to the account??)
Any tips on what to do for 48 hours on a blustery weekend in Poland in February??
My first trip to Warsaw was also in February, a very cold and snowy couple of days. Depends where you're staying. In the Old City area, there are quaint restaurants and the Chopin Museum is worth a visit. In the area around the Palace of Culture/RR station, there are a couple of museums but a cold walk to the best, the new Polish history one. Also huge shopping mall and a clone of the Liebskind SONY Centre "L" condo being build in Toronto. Since I was used to Edmonton winters, it was pretty much the same...cold but sunny.
Having flown the 787 on the SMD4 earlier this month, it should be an interesting experience. Ours were short hops so can't fully comment on the relaxing features like lower air pressure, higher humidity, etc. However can say that 3-3-3 in coach is a mistake. And without E+, not all that comfortable.
Programs: AC Aeroplan/MX Frecuenta/Hyatt Platinum/Starwood Gold/Hilton Honors/Delta Sky Miles
Posts: 2,584
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shareholder
My first trip to Warsaw was also in February, a very cold and snowy couple of days. Depends where you're staying. In the Old City area, there are quaint restaurants and the Chopin Museum is worth a visit. In the area around the Palace of Culture/RR station, there are a couple of museums but a cold walk to the best, the new Polish history one. Also huge shopping mall and a clone of the Liebskind SONY Centre "L" condo being build in Toronto. Since I was used to Edmonton winters, it was pretty much the same...cold but sunny.
Having flown the 787 on the SMD4 earlier this month, it should be an interesting experience. Ours were short hops so can't fully comment on the relaxing features like lower air pressure, higher humidity, etc. However can say that 3-3-3 in coach is a mistake. And without E+, not all that comfortable.
Looking forward to it. Looks like LO has vastly improved their in-fight offerings and amenities and surprisingly they've installed an E+ Cabin. Frankly on such short notice was amazed given the first Dreamliner flight was able to get a J seat -- but...it is Poland in February. Thanks for the tips.
I'm severely tempted, and seriously considering the reverse trip in March/April, especially since I've got a 20% off discount code with LO for that same timeframe... might have to figure out if that one expires...
Quote:
Originally Posted by ACYYZ/SD
Any tips on what to do for 48 hours on a blustery weekend in Poland in February??
In Warsaw? I can't help. But if you decide to make a quick hop to Krakow, then we're talking. LO runs flights every few hours for reasonable rates (45 minute flight on an ATR) or you could take the train (3 hours or so), but if you're coming in on LO then just fly on to KRK. It's easy and the new lounge in WAW is good. Did I mention that WAW is overbuilt for the traffic it gets and always seems really easy to get around?
Also: If last winter is anything to go by it's not going to be too cold (by Canadian standards) in Feb.
Things I'd recommend KRK-side:
Underground Museum - best recommendation for a short trip, it's directly under the market square and takes about 2 or so hours. Very well done.
Mariacki Cathedral - I've only ever seen the actual church part, but if the tour is even half as nice it's worth it. Plus, it's right next to the underground museum.
Kazimierz - Old Jewish district, now the place to be in the evening, particularly for locals. Try: Zapiekanki - sort of like a baguette pizza sold out of the big round building in Plac Nowy. They're apparently the best there.
Waweł Castle - Even in the winter, this is a nice spot to visit and (but don't quote me on this) I'd suspect that in the winter it may be easier to get tickets to see the indoor things.
There's also an art gallery just north of the main square, but the only time I tried to go it was closed for renovation. On the plus side, I hear it's been recently renovated.
Obvioiusly there's more, but for things within walking distance of the city centre to stay warm in February, that may keep you busy for around 48 hours less travel time.
Additional things to try which should help with the warmth:
Grzaniec - Sort of like a hot wine, similar to Glühwein but not entirely. There's also a beer version which is equally good.
Miód Pitny - Mead, in other words.
Osczypek - Difficult-to-pronounce name for a particular kind of fried, smoked cheese. Available at most good restaurants, but not much outside Małopolska.
3-3-3 is what I had on ANA. Plus the pitch was for Japanese people. One of my more disappointing flights. This plane calls for 2-4-2. I hope AC listens or it will be a disaster.
And Y+ is what I left AC for now. Upgrades became too hard to get. J was too expensive. The compromise is Y+ on the ST and OW carriers.
Programs: AC Aeroplan/MX Frecuenta/Hyatt Platinum/Starwood Gold/Hilton Honors/Delta Sky Miles
Posts: 2,584
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ Bitterbarn
I'm severely tempted, and seriously considering the reverse trip in March/April, especially since I've got a 20% off discount code with LO for that same timeframe... might have to figure out if that one expires...
In Warsaw? I can't help. But if you decide to make a quick hop to Krakow, then we're talking. LO runs flights every few hours for reasonable rates (45 minute flight on an ATR) or you could take the train (3 hours or so), but if you're coming in on LO then just fly on to KRK. It's easy and the new lounge in WAW is good. Did I mention that WAW is overbuilt for the traffic it gets and always seems really easy to get around?
Also: If last winter is anything to go by it's not going to be too cold (by Canadian standards) in Feb.
Things I'd recommend KRK-side:
Underground Museum - best recommendation for a short trip, it's directly under the market square and takes about 2 or so hours. Very well done.
Mariacki Cathedral - I've only ever seen the actual church part, but if the tour is even half as nice it's worth it. Plus, it's right next to the underground museum.
Kazimierz - Old Jewish district, now the place to be in the evening, particularly for locals. Try: Zapiekanki - sort of like a baguette pizza sold out of the big round building in Plac Nowy. They're apparently the best there.
Waweł Castle - Even in the winter, this is a nice spot to visit and (but don't quote me on this) I'd suspect that in the winter it may be easier to get tickets to see the indoor things.
There's also an art gallery just north of the main square, but the only time I tried to go it was closed for renovation. On the plus side, I hear it's been recently renovated.
Obvioiusly there's more, but for things within walking distance of the city centre to stay warm in February, that may keep you busy for around 48 hours less travel time.
Additional things to try which should help with the warmth:
Grzaniec - Sort of like a hot wine, similar to Glühwein but not entirely. There's also a beer version which is equally good.
Miód Pitny - Mead, in other words.
Osczypek - Difficult-to-pronounce name for a particular kind of fried, smoked cheese. Available at most good restaurants, but not much outside Małopolska.
Thanks for the great advice. KRK has always been on high on the list but given time constraints and only 48 hours in Poland, didn't want to squander the time on yet an extra connection. (Flying home WAW/ZRH/YUL/YYZ - LX/AC). Will file your info for a future visit. Dziekuje!
Programs: AC Aeroplan/MX Frecuenta/Hyatt Platinum/Starwood Gold/Hilton Honors/Delta Sky Miles
Posts: 2,584
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozmo456
3-3-3 is what I had on ANA. Plus the pitch was for Japanese people. One of my more disappointing flights. This plane calls for 2-4-2. I hope AC listens or it will be a disaster.
And Y+ is what I left AC for now. Upgrades became too hard to get. J was too expensive. The compromise is Y+ on the ST and OW carriers.
IIRC, Y+ was so close to finalization on the 777's, but lets see if market and competitive conditions have changed for the 787's and what the future holds. It's all very hush hush. As is usually the case, you guys (the FT crowd) will probably know before we do.
Thanks for the great advice. KRK has always been on high on the list but given time constraints and only 48 hours in Poland, didn't want to squander the time on yet an extra connection. (Flying home WAW/ZRH/YUL/YYZ - LX/AC). Will file your info for a future visit. Dziekuje!
No problem, I'm clearly biased for KRK over WAW (and it is pretty close) but 48 hours IS pretty short. One other suggestion comes from a recent DO here where a few of the participants spent some time in WAW. A map was made. If you select "WAW Airport" and then pan around from there, there's quite a few locations listed that may be of interest.
I flew LO once two years ago YYZ / WAW in the winter and spent two days there for business. Unfortunately most of the city was rebuilt by the Soviets and is very drab and dreary but I enjoyed the restored old city and the Holocaust Museum was very powerful. That part of the town was certainly worth it for me to visit during my time off.
Unfortunately the return trip was marred by the LO 767 going mechanical and a plane swap after three (!!) taxi and return to the gate attempts, which resulted in a landing at YYZ at about 02:30 and me having to sleep in a chair in YYZ before catching my connection to YOW. Their 767s are also still pretty much in their 1980s interior configuration. I am sure the 787 will be nicer and more reliable
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: AC E but reluctantly migrating to UA
Posts: 4,012
I too consider KRK a more interesting place than WAW. That said, from WAW it is possible to do a day trip north to Ketrzyn (pronounced roughly Ken-chin). Back in the early 1940s this place had a different name - Rastenburg. A guy named Adolf spent a lot of time hanging out here in his bunker complex which was known as Wolfschanze. This is where Claus von Stauffenberg tried his bomb plot but sadly missed the target. Note though - it's only worth making the trek up to Ketrzyn if you're a history buff (like moi). The whole place was blown up by the SS as they retreated so in a sense, you go there to look at blown up concrete. Still, I personally found the place to be quite fascinating.
In WAW itself I stayed at the Westin which was a perfectly adequate hotel and everything one would expect a Westin to be. It's also one of the cheapest Westins out there which is nice. The Westin is just a couple of blocks from the main train station and a rather interesting (architecture) shopping mall. If I did it again though I'd probably stay at the Bristol (also an SPG property) which is much closer to the old town and just up the street from Holy Cross Church where Chopin's heart lies in one of the pillars.
Enjoy the food, enjoy the sites and most importantly enjoy the flight! Please post a TR so we may live vicariously through you!
I was in a middle seat starboard side. I don't fill my seat, so did not find it too narrow. I found the seat quite comfortable and would be happy to fly longer distances in E+.
Loved the ability to darken the windows and still be able to see outside.
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The biggest problem with AC is they don't have a loyalty program.
Thanks for the tips.
