A land of crafts
poland is a country of many traditions, with a strong tradition of craftsmanship. It's a good idea to bring back a piece of Polish handicraft from your trip, as there's such a wide choice depending on the region you visit.
With its precision, delicate ornamentation, quality and functionality, Polish pottery remains one of the best in the world. There are three main regions renowned for the production of pottery and ceramics. In Lower Silesia, for example, you'll find the pottery of Bolesławiec. This small town, easily accessible from Wrocław, is home to the Zakłady Ceramiczne Bolesławiec earthenware factory. Active since the Middle Ages, the pottery is handmade, giving it a prestigious dimension. You don't have to go all the way to Bolesławiec to buy one of these pieces, as they are on sale in various stores across the country. In the Holy Cross region, between Kielce and Lublin, the town of Ćmielów is no exception with its traditional ceramics. Today, it adorns prestigious tables all over the world, starting with that of the Polish president. Other aristocratic tables, such as that of the Vatican, have also adopted it. The town of Włocławek, in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region, has also been a focal point for ceramic production since the 17th century. Historically, traditional tableware was produced here. Certain earthenware models, adorned with hand-painted flowers, stood out, so much so that the name Włocławki was attributed to them. In the 1970s, their popularity reached its peak. We could also mention Bolesławie ceramics, Silesian porcelain or the hand-produced glassware at the Krosno Glass Heritage Center, as all beautiful items to bring back from one's trip.
Many hand-carved wooden figurines are sold in traditional Polish stores. These objects, rooted in the country's culture, are often given to children at Christmas. They can also be used as attractive decorative gadgets. Speaking of decorative objects, there's one that won't leave you indifferent: Polish folk Easter eggs. The practice of painting eggs dates back to the 10th century, and although it was originally part of a religious tradition, this is no longer the case. Indeed, it's common to find these eggs on display all year round across the country. In some souvenir stores, you can even personalize them to your own taste. The motifs painted on them vary from region to region, and it's best to buy them in wood, so that they survive the journey as well as the wear and tear of time.
A land of delicacies
Like its craftsmanship, Poland's gastronomy is deeply authentic, with a few specialties that are easy to take home. The first, of course, is Polish vodka. There are several types, each with its own distinctive taste and flavor. The most famous worldwide remains Żubrówka, flavored thanks to a specific herb, picked in the primary forest of Białowieża. In "Bison grass", you'll find a sprig of this herb right in the bottle. It is believed to have medicinal properties. In fact, the brand's emblem, a black-coated bison, refers to this wild species that lives on the prairies, on the edge of the majestic primary forest. At the time, it was believed that this grass gave strength and vigor to the bison who ate it. Nalewkiare traditional flavored vodkas. They can be found in specialized stores and are made mainly from fruit, sugar, honey, herbs and spices. Their recipes are often carefully guarded and handed down from generation to generation. Soplica, easily found in supermarkets, is another vodka flavored mainly with fruit. It's also available in a mignonette, making it easy to carry around. It's ideal for discovering different flavors and experimenting with cocktail recipes. Soplica hazelnut, for example, is often diluted with a little milk before serving, to attenuate its sweet taste. Please note that European regulations apply to the transport of alcohol from other countries, so make sure you know in advance how to comply.
Since we've been talking about hazelnuts in the previous lines, let's stick to sweet discoveries by adding some Toruń gingerbread to your suitcases. With its traditional baking dating back over seven hundred years, you'll be surprised by its taste, different from our gingerbread. You'll find these toruńskie in supermarkets, local produce stores and airports. With their original shapes, sometimes as fairy-tale characters, famous personalities or animals, you won't be able to miss them! Still on a sweet note, you'll be won over by krowki, a word that literally translates as "little cows". These semi-sweet milk caramel sweets are very common in Poland. Their crunchy exterior and runny center (when homemade) are their trademark. You could easily compare them to dulce de leche sweets. There are a multitude of flavors to try, before you find your favorite! They're easy to buy in supermarkets or stores, and come well-packaged for easy transport.
Last but not least, Prince Polos, the famous chocolate wafers, are another must-try sweet to bring back from your trip. There are several varieties: all-chocolate, hazelnut, caramel, coconut/white chocolate, or the classic dark or milk chocolate version. You'll find them in local grocery stores, supermarkets or at the airport.
It would be a big mistake to talk about indulgence in Poland without mentioning its tasty cheeses! Indeed, the country boasts a fine array of cheeses.Oscypek, a smoked sheep's milk cheese, is typical for its shape. But make no mistake, this is a real cheese, with a protected designation of origin issued by the European Union. It's at the foot of the Tatras that you'll most likely find this specialty, which is best enjoyed grilled and accompanied by cherry jam. Other mountain cheeses include bundz and bryndza.
A land of treasures
One of the must-have souvenirs to bring back from Poland, especially if you're staying near Gdańsk, is a piece of jewelry or an object made from amber. Nicknamed the gold of the Baltic, amber is very present in towns along the Baltic coast. Gdańsk is brimming with a multitude of small boutiques and artisan workshops where extremely fine jewelry is produced. There's also a museum dedicated to amber. If you're not passing through this beautiful Baltic city, don't worry: you'll find amber jewelry stalls in all the country's major cities. In Warsaw, you'll find them in the central square of the Old Town.
For lovers of unusual souvenirs, Polish postcards are just the thing. With their vintage and retro look, they are often produced from post-war or Soviet-era photographs. In Krakow's Jewish district of Kazimierz, you'll find numerous stalls where you can buy artworks and postcards of this kind. Even the more traditional tourist maps can serve as souvenirs to pack in your suitcase.
Textile accessories, whether linen or wool, are also beautiful objects to consider in your quest for souvenirs. Polish handmade linen is now one of the highest quality in the world. In fact, there are two markets in Poland: handmade linen for Poles, mainly found in the countryside, and handmade linen for tourists. As a result, depending on the region visited, it is possible to find disparities in the quality of draperies purchased. Last but not least, crochet lace is also a tradition that's still very much alive in the country, especially in the Silesian region, more specifically in Koniaków. You'll be able to pick up some lovely pieces to take home at the end of your stay.
