A Week in Poland: Elblag and Malbork

Not far from Gdansk is Elblag, the town in which my father grew up. Ash and I had visited more than 15 years ago during our backpacking trip through Europe. At that time, we were able to visit with my grandparents. On this visit, they are no longer with us but visiting their gravesite is one of the more special memories we bring with us from this trip. Nearby Malbork Castle, the largest brick castle in the world, is certainly another highlight from this trip through Poland.

A Week in Poland: The Baltic Coast North of Gdansk

After our token "big city" experience for this vacation in Gdansk we needed to get back to where we are most comfortable: out in the countryside, near the forest and the sea. The Baltic coast north of Gdansk is one long beach backed by pine forest, much like the coast of Latvia. Staying here reminded us just how happy we are to live in Latvia where this is the norm and not something that needs to be sought.