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An elegant park commissioned in the late 18th century by King Stanisław August Poniatowski, Łazienki is one of the most charming areas of Warsaw. The focal point of the park is the magnificent Palace on the Island (also called the Palace on the Water), which is modeled on Villa Borghese and served as the royal summer residence. Around it, swans glide gracefully on the lake, peacocks spread their dazzling tail feathers, and red squirrels are more than happy to take nuts directly from the palm of your hand. When visiting, be sure to check out the park’s famous statue, the Chopin Memorial, which shows the composer seated under a willow tree with the wind in his hair. To further pay your respects, stop by in summer, when the park regularly hosts outdoor Chopin concerts.

One of the most historical streets in Warsaw surrounded by historic palaces, churches and manor-houses. After a complete rebuilding, the street was changed into a wide promenade. During summer weekends, the street is closed to drivers and together with Nowy Świat Street, Krakowskie Przedmieście becomes the most famous promenade in the city. All along this street are shops, cafes, churches, and many other things to see.

Chopin concerts are a summer tradition at Royal Lazienki Park in Warsaw. Great pianists have performed beneath the Polish composer’s monument every year since 1953 (Christina Biørkøe is featured in the photo). The performances run from May through September and are held every Sunday at noon and 4 p.m.

While POLIN is Warsaw’s youngest museum, it’s an important one—and very much worth including in your itinerary. In the museum’s English name, the Hebrew word polin roughly translates to “land where thou shalt rest,” and refers to a beautiful legend about the arrival of the first Jews to Poland. The museum opens with a poetic visualization of that story, then continues through 1,000 years of history—you’ll need at least three hours (or more) to fully experience the exhibits.

The 130 scientists who curated the museum aimed to focus on real evidence from real people, allowing them to tell their stories in their own words. Designed by Finnish architect Rainer Mahlamäki, the building itself is equally meaningful, symbolically connecting the past and the future with a bridge. The lobby resembles a canyon of beautiful sandstone, which widens toward huge windows that invite the outside world in to explore. In addition to both permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum features a play-education area for children, a kosher cafeteria, a well-stocked bookshop, an information center (a great resource when searching for your family roots), and a large auditorium, used for concerts, movie screenings, and other events, including the annual Made in POLIN festival.

Built in 1857 to house what was then one of the most luxurious hotels in the Russian Empire, this neo-Renaissance palace has seen a lot of action—including its near total destruction in World War II. Following a lengthy renovation and restoration that paid close attention to the building’s heritage, the Europejski relaunched in 2018 as a five-star Raffles, making it the brand’s third hotel in Europe. The 106 rooms and suites feel like chic residences, with vintage-inspired design, eye-catching modern Polish artwork, plush textiles, and bespoke products from French perfumer Blaise Mautin. All rooms also have a library with a curated book selection, and service from the famous Raffles butlers.

Soak up more of the hotel’s history in the dramatic Lobby Lounge or the clubby Humidor bar, indulge in signature sweets at the Lourse Warszawa patisserie, and savor modern Polish and international cuisine at the Europejski Grill, which overlooks Piłsudski Square and the eternal flame of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. (The hotel also boasts an outpost of Long Bar, the signature watering hole from the Raffles Singapore.) A 1960s-era, wall-size mosaic by artist Krystyna Kozłowska provides a striking backdrop for the sophisticated six-room spa, where the treatments incorporate products from Sisley and Aromatherapy Associates.

Copernicus is a state-of-the-art interactive museum. It is a unique place: it arouses your curiosity, lets you understand the world around you through play, and proves that everyone is a discoverer all life long. You will love it as well as your children. You can spend a whole day there. Copernicus Science Centre covers 20,000 m2 and houses six expositions, a planetarium, a Robotic Theatre, a Discovery Park and four laboratories Opening Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9.00 - 18.00 Saturday - Sunday 10.00 - 19.00

A Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, Daniel Pawelak’s Butchery & Wine is one of Warsaw’s best restaurants, especially from a carnivore’s perspective. The philosophy here is “honest cooking,” which translates to fresh ingredients from trusted suppliers and a welcoming atmosphere that makes guests feel at home. High-quality meat is the main ingredient on the menu, featured in dishes like beef tartare and a great selection of steaks prepared on a special wood-and-charcoal stove. For the perfect pairing, choose a bottle from the restaurant’s long and impressive wine list. Butchery & Wine remains extremely popular, so reservations are highly recommended.

Located in an old, 18th century building, this cafe has a long tradition. It served its customers already as early as the 19th century. You may drop in here to have an ice cream or an iced coffee after exploring the rest of the Lazienki Park.

Frédéric Chopin was born in 1810 in a small 19th-century manor house in the town of Żelazowa Wola. While his family moved to Warsaw soon after his birth, he often returned to Żelazowa Wola for holidays, and his home—not to mention the sights and sounds of the surrounding Mazovian countryside—are said to have influenced his early music. Today, his house functions as a museum, and is surrounded by a serene, beautifully landscaped park. As you wander the home, imagine the concerts Chopin used to give as a young man on a grand piano that he placed under the linden trees in the garden. Reportedly, farmers from the area would join his family and friends to listen to him play. If you can, time your visit to coincide with one of the Chopin concerts, which are held every summer weekend on the terrace at noon and 3 p.m.

The Museum of the History of Odesa Jews, opened in 2002 by the city’s active Jewish community, uses photographs, newspapers, books and religious garments to document the history and culture of Odesa’s Jews, once the world’s third-largest Jewish community (after New York and Warsaw). Exhibits cover the tragic pogrom of 1905, the Holocaust and the Jewish resistance during Soviet rule in the 1960s. Visits are by special appointment only. A 15-minute walk from the museum, in Prokhorovsky Square, the Holocaust Memorial is dedicated to the estimated 273,000 Jews from Odesa killed during the Nazi occupation of the city from 1941 to 1944.

Deep in Berlin‘s Grunewald Forest, Teufelsberg (literally, Devil’s Mountain; the name comes from the nearby Teufelssee, or Devil’s Lake) was once the site of a Nazi technology college. After the war, it was decided that the school would be buried beneath rubble and debris left in the city after the war, and the resulting man-made hill rose to more than 300 feet; during the cold war, American troops built a base on top from which to spy on East Germany. Since the wall fell, the base’s radar domes have become graffiti-spattered ruins and a haunting pilgrimage for urban explorers, street-art fans, and those seeking great views over the Grunewald and the Havel River. The hill is also used as a ski slope and sled run in winter; paragliding aficionados and picnickers enjoy it in summer. The website has official tour options.

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, four AFAR editors—all parents—share their tips on traveling with kids, from how to deal with jet lag to one brilliant packing hack.

Like the art collections of Italy, the gilded palaces of Vienna are perhaps too popular for their own good. The stately rooms where the Hapsburg and Austrian nobility listened to performances by Mozart are now crowded with hundreds of guests. The Luxury Gold itinerary Harmony in Central Europe, however, allows travelers after-hours access to the famous Palais Augsburg. Claire says that, “Guests will be treated like royalty with an evening that begins with a champagne reception before they are shown to their front-row seats in a stunning palace. This is a chance to experience a classical performance as it would have taken place in Mozart’s days, in a small chamber offering an intimate setting.” Fans of Chopin can attend a similar concert in one of several palaces in Warsaw.