….not to mention delicious food, live music, dancing and fine Polish vodka drinking!

On July 24, 2010 I’ve attended my cousin’s Lukasz (Luke) and his beautiful bride Anna wedding in Wroclaw, Lower Silesia region of Poland and wanted to share the whole experience with you. Mostly through pictures, because as they say: ” A picture is worth a thousand words”. It was a lovely wedding and reception! If you ever visit Poland and someone invites you to join them at a traditional Polish wedding don’t hesitate to accept. You’ll have a great time guaranteed, as weddings in Poland last from one to three days, get to try excellent cuisine, drink the best of Polish vodkas, sing and dance with fun loving and hospitable crowd. 

Marriage is an important rite of passage in all cultures around the world and is celebrated in unique ways in Poland depending on which region you visit.  For example, every year in June, in Wegrow, in the Mazovia region of Poland, a festival is held celebrating marriage traditions. The Festival of Wedding Rituals is a fabulous event with contests for best regional wedding ceremony, foods and music.  If you enjoy weddings, you will for sure enjoy this festival!

Priest greets and blesses couple before the Roman Catholic wedding ceremony.

Over 200 people attended Anna’s and Lukasz wedding. Four generations of family members and friends of the bride, groom and their parents.  On Saturday, in the early afternoon groom’s parents and grandparents traveled to the bride’s family home for a special blessing before the church ceremony.  At 4 pm the wedding ceremony started and lasted about an hour.  During a traditional Catholic Mass the couple exchanged vows and everyone enjoyed soloist singing “Ave Maria”.

Anna & Lukasz at the altar during the wedding ceremony.

Olivia - one of the beautiful flower girls.

Here Come the Newlyweds! - greeting guests and accepting gifts on church doorsteps.

The parents welcome newlyweds with bread and salt in front of the reception hall.

Traditional wedding bread.

Ania & Lukasz in the reception hall. The sign above them states: " God Bless the Newlyweds"

The reception was a culinary heaven! The variety and quality of food was amazing. It was simply impossible for one person to try everything. The tables were “bending” from all the foods and drink. We all started our culinary adventure with the main course which included traditional clear broth soup with noodles – “rosol” then potatoes, Silesian dumplings, eight kinds of hot meats to choose from and various vegetable salads.  Everything was so delicious!

"Rosol" - chicken broth with noodles. A must dish at Polish weddings.

Various potatoes and Silesian dumplings for main course.

Various meats for main course.

Various vegetable salads for main course.

More salads for main course - "buraczki" - beet root salad.

After eating main course, Ania & Lukasz did their first dance with wedding guests surrounding them.

Wedding Vodka card encouraged all friends to drink up for the health of the newlyweds and have a great time!

Various wedding desserts.

Various cold hor'dourves.

Various home-made cold meats.

More of home-made cold meats.

Pig roast and sausage.

"Bigos" - Hunter's Stew.

Besides all the wonderful cuisine and drink, wedding guests joined together in dancing and singing.  Each table received a booklet with traditional wedding songs.

Wedding song-book for guests.

Groom's grandfather (in middle) and other family.

Wedding guests/family.

Wedding guests/family.

Wedding guests/family singing and having fun with mother of the groom (in pink dress).

Wedding cake.

Anna & Lukasz sharing their wedding cake.

Ania & Lukasz getting ready for unvailing - "odczepiny".

Transfer of the vail.

On Sunday many guests gathered for a follow-up party called - ”poprawiny”.  It was a great party again, with wonderful music, food and lots of dancing and outside grilling.  Some out-of-town guests stayed until Monday to visit and party with the newlyweds and their parents. 

The table is set at the follow-up party - "poprawiny".

Home-made cold meats platter at the follow-up party.

Fish & seafood platter.

A beautiful vegetable salad.

Deviled eggs platter.

Home-made pate platter.

Home-made ham and pickled vegetables platter.

"Salceson" - a type of head cheese, smalec - "lard with onions" and pickled vegetables.

Veal stuffed with spinach.

Grilling and beer drinking outside.

...and some more outside grilling.

Anna & Lukasz

CONGRATULATIONS

TO

ANNA & LUKASZ

July 24, 2010

ON THEIR MARRIAGE!!!

May your life be filled with happines and joy forever!

(and BIG THANKS for your hospitality!)

 Join POLAND CULINARY VACATIONS on 

  “A Taste of Poland in Mazovia & Warsaw” 

culinary tour

 September 12 - September 18, 2010
(Click on date to view day-by-day itinerary & details)


Only $1475 per person, double occupancy*

• Small groups: 12 people maximum
  
• Outstanding regional cuisine
  
• Hands-on & demo-style cooking lessons in Polish villages & cities
  
• Beautiful countryside  
  
• Sightseeing with experienced, bi-cultural guides
  
• Best value in cooking tours to Europe
  

 Call us Toll Free: 888 703 -8130 or International: 406 579-6435 
Email: info@polandculinary.com
Book online at www.PolandCulinaryVacations.com TODAY!

WE ACCEPT VISA, MASTER CARD & DISCOVER 

* Lodging in two and three star hotels. Thursday dinner in the city on your own. No specials or discounts apply.

Polish cooking classes at the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

Cooking and having fun with chef Marcin.

Are you planning on traveling to Poland and spending a few days in and around Cracow this summer? 

If yes, we would like you to join us at the one-day polish cooking classes offered through The Culinary Institute in Cracow (CIC).  Plenty of quality culinary instruction by top Cracow chefs is offered during the class and of course fabulous food!  Recently, two families from the USA joined chefs Marek and Marcin at the Institute and here’s what they had to say about their polish cooking experience:

“We had a wonderful time in Poland. Loved Krakow and Warsaw (where we had friends to take us around) and the CIC was one of the highlights of our trip! We had Marek and Marcin to ourselves. They made 8 recipes, in several of which we were able to directly participate. Food and drink was abundant, along with sampling of all of the delicacies! It was inspiring–I have already attempted the bigos myself at home, though it was not nearly as robust as theirs……We would highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to get “up close and personal” in learning about polish cooking!”

Making pierogi at the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

Perfect bigos!

Golabki - stuffed cabbage rolls.

The pastry chefs at The Culinary Institute in Cracow make amazing desserts. Here’s a photo of a few of their creations.

Yummy desserts from the Culinary Institute in Cracow.

Read more and register for the classes on our website: http://www.polandculinaryvacations.com/day_classes.php

Highlander selling oscypki cheese at summer festival.

If you’re heading to Krakow, Warsaw or Wroclaw, Poland this summer and fall, plan to attend culinary, cultural and harvest festivals in those three cities and surrounding areas. You’ll taste great regional cuisine and get to sing and dance with the locals. What a treat!

JUNE – AUGUST 2010

KRAKOW

Oscypek and All Cheeses Festival- A celebration of all cheeses  - 7 & 8 August 2010 in Zakopane, Lesser Poland region

Pierogi Festival- Polish stuffed dumplings festival – 13, 14, 15 August 2010 – location: Maly Rynek square in Krakow, Lesser Poland region

XLIV Sabalowe Bajania- Annual festival of the local folklore -11 – 15 August 2010 in Bukowina Tatrzanska, Lesser Poland region

The International Highland Folk Festival- Highlanders from all over the world descend on Zakopane – 22 – 29 August, 2010 – Zakopane, Lesser Poland region

Fair of Folk Art – Buy and learn how to make handicrafts, folk bands performances – 22 – 29 August, 2010 – Main Square, Krakow in Lesser Poland region

Malopolska Taste Festival– Grand Finale – 27 & 29 August 2010 – location: Plac Wolnica, Kazimierz district, Krakow in Lesser Poland region

WARSAW

XIV Biesiada Weselna – Celebrating Polish Wedding Traditions  – 25 – 26 June, 2010, Wegrow, Mazovia region

VI International Folk Festival “Warsfolk” – Folk ensambles from all over the world perform in Warsaw - 19 – 22, August, 2010, Warsaw, Poland

XXXIII Kurpie Bee-Keepers Festival – Honey, regional food and bread festival  - 29 August, 2010 – Myszyniec, Mazovia region

 WROCLAW

Ceramics Festival in Boleslawiec- Boleslawiec Polish pottery festival – 20 – 22 August 2010 – Boleslawiec, Lower Silesia region

VIII Lower Silesia Soup Festival – 22 August 2010 – Jedlina Zdroj, Lower Silesia region

XIV International Bread Fair- Polish Baker of the Year competition and more – 27 -29 August, 2010 – Jawor, Lower Silesia region

Flour Fest – Breads and sweets on display – 29 August 2010 – Botanical Garden in Wroclaw, Lower Silesia region

Polish-Czech Harvest Festival- 29 August 2010 – Lawica village, Klodzko Commune in Lower Silesia region

Harvest Festival in Klodzko, Lower Silesia region of Poland.

 SEPTEMBER 2010

KRAKOW

Krakow Honey Harvest – XVII Bee-keepers Festival– 3 – 5 September 2010 – Plac Wolnica, Kazimierz district, Krakow in Lesser Poland region

X Bean Day Celebration- 11 & 12 September, 2010 – Zakliczyn, Lesser Poland region

WARSAW

Mazovian Bread Festival – Annual best Mazovian breads and harvest festival  - 19 September, 2010 – in Wegrow, Mazovia region

IV Ecology Fair in Ostroleka – 26 September, 2010 - Ostroleka, Mazovia region

WROCLAW

Jelenia Gora Fair– 4 & 5 September, 2010 – Jelenia Gora, Lower Silesia region

X International Bee-Keepers Fair– 4 & 5 September, 2010 – Jelenia Gora, Lower Silesia region

Potato Day Celebration- 18 September, 2010 – Pstrazna, Lower Silesia region

Wine Day Celebration in the Treasure City- 11 & 12 September, 2010 – Sroda Slaska, Lower Silesia region

Cooking Your Way From Krakow to Zakopane - Poland cooking tour.

Happy 2010 Year! We are looking forward to an exciting year of wonderful cooking and sightseeing in Poland this summer and fall.

For those of you busy planning your 2010 vacations to Europe, we recommend one of our three exciting and “delicious” cooking and sightseeing tours to Poland. We offer the best value in 2010 Poland tours, offering not only great sightseeing but also, off-the-beaten- path, hands-on and demonstration-style cooking classes in Polish villages and cities all at affordable rates.

When you book our August 15, 2010 “Cooking Your Way From Krakow to Zakopane” tour, you’ll be joining us at one of Krakow’s best culinary festivals – The Pierogi Festival. We highly recommend this particular tour, especially if you love, pierogi, like we do! 

Cooking Your Way From Krakow to Zakopane - Poland cooking tour.

“A Taste of Poland in Mazovia and Warsaw” tour is a perfect way to experience the Mazovian regional cuisine and traditions in depth. And since it’s Frederic Chopin’s 200th birthday anniversary, we’ll attend musical concerts devoted to this beloved Polish pianist. Warsaw’s fine dining and cooking classes with some of Poland’s most talented chefs will for sure make this tour one to remember for a lifetime.

If you want to explore the best-kept secret in Poland travel – the Lower Silesia region in southwestern Poland, join us on “The Flavors of Lower Silesia” tour. Lower Silesia’s capital, Wroclaw, offers beautiful sightseeing and dining.

The Flavors of Lower Silesia - Poland cooking tour.

Our one-day Polish cooking classes offered in collaboration with The Culinary Institute in Cracow are for those who don’t have time for our week-long tours. Learn to cook your favorite Polish dished with Chef Marek Widomski and other Krakow’s famous chefs!

Please give us a call today and learn more about our authentic Polish vacation offers! Let us help you make your Poland vacation plans, we’ll be happy to answer any questions and provide best recommendations. Our goal is to ensure that you have a fantastic time in Poland and want to come back!

Szczesliwej Podrozy i Smacznego!

(Happy Travels & Bon Appetit!)

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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.

 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!