Today I’m sharing some photos I took on a recent three-day trip to Poland. I went with some friends and we visited Boleslawiec, known for its beautiful Polish pottery.
We drove from Stuttgart to Boleslawiec on our first day; we hit some traffic so it took about seven hours. We changed and grabbed dinner in their beautiful Old Town. Boleslawiec is about 750 years old, if you can believe it.
The next morning, we loaded up in our wonderful tour guide’s van and he took us on the rounds of the different potteries. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend Jarek Fink at More 4U Tours; you can DM him through his website | Instagram | Facebook. He was incredibly friendly, highly professional, and worth every zloty. I plan to go back with my husband at some point because Jarek can also conduct tours of World War II sites in addition to taking you to all of the pottery skleps.
Yes, you could manage without him, but his fee is very reasonable, most stores give you a discount for working with him and/or paying cash, and he is very knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to buying pottery. If you can’t get there in person, he’ll even Facetime you and ship your purchases to you.
I honestly lost count, but I think we went to at least 14 shops. Each company has their own distinctive patterns and there was something for everyone, even someone like me who really favors blue and white with a twist of chinoiserie.
Boleslawiec is a lovely city and the Polish people that we met were equally wonderful–very friendly and warm. The exchange rate was working in our favor; for example, one of our dinners came to 65€ for eight people, and that was with plenty of adult beverages.
I somehow managed to order a bright green drink at our first dinner (language barrier!), but it was good despite the shocking color:
Back to our shopping day, here’s the beautiful restaurant we stopped at for lunch:
We enjoyed a traditional Polish lunch at the Opalkowa Chata–that thatched roof is so neat, isn’t it?
This was the back of the van at the end of the day…stacked to the roof!
One of the things I found in addition to my pottery purchases was this antique demijohn…it made our ride home a bit cramped but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
A few of us also stopped at a grocery store in Boleslawiec to buy some beverages–this is my stash:
Side note: beer is always a good “souvenir” for husbands who didn’t get to go on the trip.
Below are a few photos of my pottery purchases. I didn’t get a ton of stuff (compared to others at least), but what I’m keeping for myself definitely fits in my color palette. I also have some great gifts socked away in my “present closet” to give to my favorite friends.
Let me know if you have any questions, and be sure to put Boleslawiec on your list if you head to Poland.
Thanks for stopping by–Christy
Sounds like such a fun trip and so many fabulous pottery pieces to see and buy.
My husband is 100% percent polish and I am 50% polish, and 50% swedidh. When I was a child my Gramma and Grampa had a picture of the polish pope and the catholic president (JFK) on their coffee table. We follow all the polish customs and even make our own kielbasa and pierogies. My Mom and Gramma took a trip to Poland to see the polish pope. I was 18 at the time and they brought back a cross blessed by the polish pope. I have never taken my cross off except for when I had surgery. My husband had a safteyclip added to the chain necklace. I am 65 now and I am still wearing that necklace. Some day we will get to poland but for now thank you for this post.
Kim
What a fun trip. Somebody likes vodka! Lol You are BRAVE to drink that electric green drink. I tend to stick with ordering beer & wine on trips. haha. I love Polish pottery & have some random pieces I found over the years at…TJ Maxx! and Marshalls, believe it or not. You’ll spot it now going forward when you’re back in the States if you have yet seen it or much known what you were looking at (tho not much passes by either Amy or you). Looks like you’ve made some good choices that will integrate nicely with your tableware & decor. Enjoy. And, thanks for sharing.
Cheers!
Susan
Loved this post! One night in when we lived in Hanau, the kids looked out the window at one of our neighbors’ car pack fill with boxes held in by bungie cords. Are they moving Mom? (we were in our 3rd set of quarters in 3 places). No Honey, they just got back from the Czech Republicshopping! Buying crystal. We arrived the summer after the Wall fell. Eastern Europe was eager to sell their wonderful goods. Smiling at how fun shopping is still taking place.
Wonderful treasures purchased on a fun ladies outing! Love them all!
Thank you for sharing all your adventures as I travel vicariously through you. Blessings.