Common Blunder Among Tourists in Poland, As Even Rick Steves Has Fallen Prey
In the heart of the European continent, the vibrant city of Kraków has been chosen as the best destination in Poland by veteran traveler Rick Steves. However, for many years, Poland has been grouped under "Eastern Europe" in travel guidebooks, a categorisation that is now being reconsidered.
During the Cold War, Europe was commonly perceived as divided into two halves: Capitalist democracies to the west and Soviet-controlled territories to the east, including Poland. But geographically, Poland is at the very centre of the European continent, making it a natural fit for the Central European region. This view is shared by many Polish people, who see the west-east divide as outdated and affirm that, geographically and culturally, Poland belongs in Central Europe.
Rick Steves, who previously grouped Poland under "Eastern Europe" in his guidebooks, has now joined this consensus. In a 2023 Facebook post, his co-author Cameron Hewitt explained that the term "Eastern Europe" was used for marketing reasons to avoid confusion. Hewitt, who has written extensively about travel in Europe, also pointed out that any country to the east, like Ukraine and Belarus, can be classified as Eastern Europe.
Poland's location in Europe is not just a matter of geography. The country is a decades-long member of NATO and the European Union, and is firmly aligned with more Western institutions. Warsaw, the largest city in Poland, was recommended by Rick Steves as the best destination city in 2023.
Grouping Poland with Eastern European countries and with Russia may paint an unfair picture in potential visitors' minds. Poland is a safe country where Americans can vacation visa-free. In fact, Europe's greatest still-undiscovered destination, according to Steves, can be found in Poland.
It's time to update our understanding of Poland's location in Europe. Hewitt believes that the real dividing line is now along the eastern edge of the EU. As more people discover the charm and beauty of Poland, the country's rightful place in Central Europe will become increasingly apparent.
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