Wrocław - Magic at Night

Whether for business or pleasure, I love visiting new places.  When I had the opportunity to visit Wrocław, Poland this past December for work, I jumped at the chance.  I took a stroll through the old town on the evening of my arrival.  I was impressed with the ambiance of Rynek (the main market square) and the Christmas Market that had sprung up around the town hall to celebrate the season.

A giant Christmas tree anchored one corner of the square.

Charming elves greeted those attending the market.

I stopped for a mug of grzaniec (hot mulled wine) and a kielbasa and steeped in the ambiance.

Santa's reindeer were also stationed on the square.

I met a happy Polish snowman on my walk.

I did a full loop around Rynek and discovered a large mural penetrating through the center of the square.

A police and military vehicle were on display.  The exhibit notes were all in Polish so I wasn't able to read more about what they symbolized.

Wrocław Rynek is one of the largest market squares in Europe.

I met with colleagues at Bernard on the square for drinks.

Here I was introduced to hot beer.  It seemed like a really strange concept to me but turned out to be really tasty.  The beer comes with copious amounts of fruit at the bottom of the glass (in this case plums).

I also tried a glass of hot wine with melon.

If you visit Poland and go out with locals, be prepared to sample vodka.  I tried one shot of Mad Dog (vodka with hot sauce).  After that, I strategically bowed out and went back to the hotel.  I'm glad I did because I learned the next day that my colleagues had been out all night.  I don't know where they get the energy!  I prefer to pace myself :-)