We’ve met amazing people on our cooking vacations in Poland and they’ve shared with us some wonderful memories and thoughts inspired by their Poland Culinary Vacations. Here are some of our favorites:

“I can’t speak highly enough about my tour to Krakow and Zakopane with Poland Culinary Vacations. It was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken! Malgorzata ‘Sarna’ Rose runs a first-class operation. I am not a fan of large tour groups so this tour with its small number of participants and its flexibility really appealed to me. Our time was divided between cooking, sightseeing and, of course, lots of good eating. Because I’m of Polish descent the tour took me back to my “roots”. The hotels and restaurants chosen for us were excellent. My fondest memories are of the cooking sessions with village women in their kitchens. They were so welcoming and eager to share their recipes with us. After enjoying the lunch we had prepared together we were treated to singing by the women.” – Nancy J., Springfield, VA

“Want to say it has been a wonderful trip! I especially enjoyed the countryside, towns and shopping was good, too.” – Kris A., Great Falls, MT

“If I had to pick a highlight I couldn’t, I’d pick three. The three mornings we spent cooking with the country housewives were great. From the food to the nalewki it was great. There was plenty of wonderful food – especially borscht and croquettes. But, the highlight was being in those kitchens, working as a group, then sitting down to a great lunch you had a hand in making. If you’re lucky there will be singing – and you will probably be lucky.” - Jim B., Minneapolis, MN

“I recently spent a wonderful week in Lower Silesia, Poland, participating in a culinary tour. Our accommodations were great staying part of the time in a 16th century castle! How often can you say that, lol. It was a beautiful place to stay in the countryside of Poland. We spent part of our time in the country visiting some of the villages and participating in the hands on cooking with the village ladies. These wonderful women cooked and sang for us sharing their cooking knowledge. We made pierogi, golabki, and red beetroot borscht among the many dishes they shared with us. Our week was busy with touring as well as cooking. We got to experience the Polish culture and history of the area. We ate in fine restaurants, eating the tasty Polish cuisine. Being third generation Polish I found it a very emotional trip. My Grandmother had grown up near the area I was touring and I felt a part of the country. My thanks goes out to all who accommodated us, especially Sarna, the President of the Poland Culinary Vacations, Inc.” - Barbara M., Great Falls, MT

A few fun pictures from our 2009 cooking vacations to Poland.

Thanks to all who traveled with us to Poland in 2009 on our fun-filled and “delicious” culinary vacations! Hope to see you again soon and don’t forget to tell your family and friends about joining us in 2010!

Enjoying Welcome Dinner at Villa Marilor Palace/Hotel in Zakopane, Poland.

Cooking in Rogoznik village, Lesser Poland region.

Making pierogi in Lopuszna village with Maria.

With our hosts in Lopuszna village, Lesser Poland region.

Cooking in Gronkow village, Lesser Poland region.

Enjoying dessert in Gronkow village, Lesser Poland region.

After Polish cooking class at the Culinary Institute in Cracow, Lesser Poland region.

At Harvest Festival in Klodzko, Lower Silesia region of Poland.

Making golabki - stuffed cabbage rolls - in Oldrzychowice village, Lower Silesia region.

Busy making pierogi in Jaszkowa Gorna village in Lower Silesia region.

Enjoying an outdoor dinner at Castle on the Rock Hotel in Trzebieszowice, Lower Silesia region.

Posing with our hosts in Krosnowice village in Lower Silesia region.

Making Bronia's yeast dough pierogi in Harklowa village in Lesser Poland region.

Shopping at an outdoor market in Zakopane, Lesser Poland region.

Busy cooking and having fun in Nowa Biala village, Lesser Poland region.

Making golabki - stuffed cabbage rolls - in Nowa Biala village, Lesser Poland region.

Posing with our hosts in Nowa Biala village, Lesser Poland region.

Pictures from our September 2008 cooking vacation to Lower Silesia region of Poland.

Thanks to those of you who traveled with us to Poland in 2008 on our fun-filled and “delicious” culinary vacation! Hope to see you again soon and don’t forget to tell your family and friends about joining us in 2009!

Making mushroom filled croquettes in Krosnowice village, Lower Silesia region of Poland.

Making pierogi in Jaszkowa Gorna village, Lower Silesia region of Poland.

Busy cooking in Jaszkowa Gorna village, Lower Silesia region of Poland.

Poland Culinary Vacations participated at EAT!Vancouver – The Everything Food + Cooking Festival in May 2008

Thanks to all who stopped by our booth at EAT! Vancouver www.eat-vancouver.com and plan to join us on our exciting cooking adventures in Poland! We look forward to cooking and traveling with you in Poland!

With 'BBQ' Naz Cavallaro, Grilling Expert/Spokesperson Weber-Stephen Products Co. in Vancouver, Canada.

At EAT!Vancouver Festival promoting Poland Culinary Vacations.

With Charlie at EAT!Vancouver Festival promoting Poland Culinary Vacations.

 Day Six – Friday

We started off our last day of culinary adventure in Lesser Poland region with a cooking class at The Culinary Institute in Cracow, located in a small village on the outskirts of Krakow www.culinary.com.pl with Chefs Marek Widomski and Rafal Targosz.  The Culinary Institute in Cracow is a specious facility offering modern, state of the art kitchen appliances and equipment. Anyone visiting Krakow can sign up for a one-day Polish cooking class at The Culinary Institute in Cracow (CIC) and give yourself a break from all the wonderful sightseeing the area offers and an opportunity to learn how to make those famous Polish dishes like: pierogi, bigos – Hunter’s stew, cabbage rolls, borscht etc. Follow this link http://www.polandculinaryvacations.com/day_classes.php or simply click on One-Day Classes tab above on this blog page Smacznego and Happy Polish Cooking!

Cooking class at the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

Chef Marek Widomski at the Culinary Institute in Cracow, Lesser Poland region.

Chef Rafal Targosz at the Culinary Institute in Cracow, Lesser Poland region.

Polish recipes from the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

Making golabki - stuffed cabbage rolls - at the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

Baking golabki - stuffed cabbage rolls - at the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

Making mushroom filled uszka for beet borscht.

Cooking beet borscht at the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

Tasting delicious smoked meats at the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

Pierogi cooked and served at the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

The Culinary Institute in Cracow Polish cooking graduates!

 After our official “Polish cooking graduation” we left very satisfied for Wieliczka Salt Mine tour  www.kopalnia.pl  A virtual underground city, with galleries, lakes, chapels and murals – all carved from salt – Wieliczka Salt Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.  A must place to visit on a trip to Krakow and Lesser Poland region!

Wieliczka Salt Mine - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.

After two hour tour of Wieliczka Salt Mine we headed back to Krakow to finish our sightseeing and shopping.  We had our farewell dinner at Wesele restaurant  www.weselerestauracja.pl Wesele restaurant offers old Polish and Krakow delicacies and specialties and is conveniently located in the heart of Krakow’s Market Square.  If you like simple potato pancakes you must try them at Wesele restaurant. Delicious!

Wesele restaurant - Krakow, Poland.

Delicious potato pancakes at Wesele restaurant in Krakow, Poland.

After dinner we reluctantly said our goodbyes!  On Saturday, some people were leaving for their home country and others extended their stay in Krakow. One could easily stay another week or even two to explore beautiful Krakow and Lesser Poland region.  We invite you to join us in 2010 in Lesser Poland on “Cooking Your Way From Krakow To Zakopane” cooking vacation. Do Widzenia i Smacznego! – See You and Bon Appetit!