Parts of Italy, Kosovo, Nth Macedonia, Greece, Albania, Poland and Germany.

[OZDUCK]

This was the list of suggestions. The schnitzel place we went to was Dominikanska, the 2nd one

• Pyra Bar Pyra Bar · Garbary 6/7, 80-827 Gdańsk, Poland
• Restauracja Dominikańska Restauracja Dominikańska · Garbary 2/4, 80-827 Gdańsk, Poland
• Pierogarnia Stary Młyn Pierogarnia Stary Młyn · Świętego Ducha 64, 80-834 Gdańsk, Poland
• Bar Turystyczny Bar Turystyczny · Szeroka 8/10, 80-835 Gdańsk, Poland

An interesting place to head for a drink also is Wiśniewski Gdańsk Wiśniewski Gdańsk · Piwna 22, 80-831 Gdańsk, Poland , which specialises in cherry liquer drinks of all sorts.

Thanks very much This gives me a good range of choices.

 

[RB]

Gdansk to Torun

Back on the train for a 2 stage ride. Both legs ran on time. We enjoyed a meal & drinks on the 1st leg - a different menu for the morning! Some overlap of the land we had observed on the way to Gdansk (including the massive Malbork Castle) and again, 1,000s of hectares of cropping on flat & gently undulating land that we have also seen in Germany & the Czech Republic. A few dairy cows, some solar & wind turbines & it all looks like a quiet & slow paced lifestyle. We met our 1st Aussie of the trip who was travelling alone and was keen for a chat - he was full of praise for the time he had spent in the Canary Islands. Our stop, Torun Townhall left us with a 20 minute walk along the Vistula River to our apartment in the Old Town - no hurry as we had no early access.

Malbork Castle-apparently the largest brick complex in Europe
Malbork Castle - Wikipedia





















Ended up in the wrong carriage on the 2nd train & it was too far to walk through the train while travelling. The staff apologised later for originally sending us to the wrong end of the train. Plenty of room up top for bags

 

[RB]

Merlot & Silver Apartments Torun

Merlot & Silver Apartments, Toruń (updated prices 2025)

A bit underwhelmed by this 2 night stay. Communication was poor, very poor external stairs off the street, the response to the missing air conditioner remote, lack of tea towel/bins etc just grated on us. The photos on the above link must have been heavily staged. We struggled with the front door code until a neighbour arrived, there were plenty of crumbling, narrow stairs & dark corridors & it was just an uninviting experience. Enough space in a studio setup to be comfortable and in a great central location were redeeming factors. I think there might be better options for the money.









Not comfortable enough to cuddle/snuggle on for long!




View looking away from river


Glimpse of the river the other way

 

[bPeteb]

Loving every post of you tr RB. I'll have to get bAlt to read it. Great detailed info for future travels.

 

[RB]

Loving every post of you tr RB. I'll have to get bAlt to read it. Great detailed info for furture travels.

Cheers, from reading your trip reports I reckon you would enjoy yourselves at any of the places we visited on this trip- no dud spots

 

[RB]

Around Torun

Toruń - Wikipedia

The symbol of medieval Torun is an angel holding a key and a gate with 3 towers - the gate is half open to guests and half closed to enemies. This weekend, I think the guests have pushed it all the way and the place is packed and party central. A few on bucks trips, many more Polish families (a weekend away), tour groups and some river cruises. Heaps of young families with strollers that were maybe sticking to the main streets where cobblestones mingled with wide stretches of paving.

Torun is the birthplace of Copernicus and it's stumbled it's way past Teutonic Wars , sieges, the wealth of the Hanseatic League and 20th Century wars. It escaped damage during WW2 which makes it a very special city full of historic buildings and another oversupply of churches. Now it’s also renowned for it's gingerbread and quirky statues and fountains. The compact Old Town (which is in 2 parts) is surrounded by an ancient wall and city gates that open to the river - full of historic buildings with a story to tell. We noticed a sign at one site that photography is forbidden - not noticeably policed but it was the old jail & apparently still operates as a detention centre.

Outdoor dining is abundant & the effects of dining & celebrating in the sun on a Saturday lunchtime was on display on Saturday night - didn’t see any problems but a pretty “loose” environment with it normal to walk around carting your own grog & having a gulp as you walked - minimal police seen but it worked. Mrs RB a little underwhelmed by the lack of wine available to buy at shops & supermarkets - beer & spirits reign & a waiter explained there are 3 classes of booze licence (wine is 2nd most expensive & there is no local wine culture). The river plays host to some small passenger ferries, a few floating restaurants, plenty of seating on the banks (with a beach) & a nice atmosphere. Plenty of spoilt pooches of various breeds on leads, no cats to be seen, spotlessly clean streets and mostly good weather make for an interesting 2 night stay.
Underground bars similar to what we had seen in Krackow many years ago were in use. There were vapers aplenty and it seems you can still get a packet of smokes as cheap as $4 or so. Again plenty of food delivery drivers of all types - pushbikes, motorbikes and electric scooters being very noticeable.
We were less than a minute walk to the river & the great pathways-plus time to get down the apartment stairs!






There were floating bars & restaurants for lunch & dinner


This is where the original bridge was located




Laid in 1972 to commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1922 establishment of a Naval Officers School


Water level measurement sation-I believe the correct term is limnograph



Church of St John the Baptist- saw the congregation emerge once, a single group of 3 talking to the priest. Others did take advantage of the grounds as a sly car park


Seemed to be a footsal style game

Baj Pomorski Puppet Theatre Baj Pomorski Theatre, Torun, Poland - Reviews, Ratings, Tips and Why You Should Go – Wanderlog


Some beautiful streets


Another lunch in my quest for "plain/simple" food-excellent version. beer was also excellent

 

[RB]

More of Torun
I thought this was excellent


1824 Holy Trinity Church


Medieval Town Hall


Regional Museum


A nod to the gingerbread






I believe this collection only included old trading partners





Old jail now apparently a detention centre


Copernicus Museum -born in Torun in 1473 to a rich merchant family


Part of the old defensive wall- Toruń - town defensive walls - Ancient and medieval architecture



The leaning tower Leaning Tower of Toruń - Wikipedia

 

[RB]

Last of Torun

Monastery/Cloister Gate


Sailors Gate


Restored granery-old crane wheel between the trees





Bridge Gate


I think the baby seat in the front means the rules have changed


Another view of St Catherine



Not usually ribs people but these were excellent. Waiter said it was because it was special Polish pork