📓 New Year's Eve in Warsaw 📖 📸

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Evaluation of Warsaw

I was in Warsaw at the end of December to celebrate New Year's Eve and I can honestly say that it was the perfect choice. On December 31st, the city truly comes alive: people start going out in the afternoon, the square fill up, and the celebrations begin well before midnight. That's what makes it so special: you really feel like you are part of something. I chose to experience New Year's Eve in the square without any big expectations (just the desire to be among people, raise a glass, talk to strangers and welcome 2018 together) .

The first thing that struck me was, without a doubt, the intense northern cold: it even snowed! But the air was so dry that, with the right clothing you could really enjoy the city without suffering too much from the low temperatures.

At this time of year Warsaw turns into a magical place: Christmas markets light up every corner of the city center with colorful lights, scents of typical sweets and a level of participation far beyond what I was used to in Italy. Everyone seems involved, young and old, families and groups of friends: there is a genuine desire to be together and to share the moment, which makes everything feel authentic and special.

Warsaw is divided into two souls; the modern part full of clubs, shopping centers, skyscrapers, lively and dynamic; and the old city that is exactly the opposite, quiet, full of restaurants, narrow streets, historic buildings and that Eastern European atmosphere that slowly wins you over.

During my stay I met several local guys and they all seemed open, kind and helpful, nothing to do with the common idea that Poles are cold and detached. Their warm welcome truly impressed me.

Warsaw is also a safe city, you can easily get around both on foot and by public transport at any hour, a quality that isn' always guaranteed in a capital city, especially if you enjoy nightlife.

Speaking of nightlife, the discos are all located in the center, with an entire street dedicated to dance venues. Entry is often free or just a small fee ,no complicated guests lists, no pre sales, just a pure desire to have fun.

The most exciting moment of the whole experience was, of course, New Year's Eve itself . At midnight  the streets of Warsaw were literally flooded with a partying crowd. We all counted down all together and for a moment I had the feeling that the barriers had vanished and that everyone was friends, even if only for that night.

People joked, laughed, exchanged greetings and strangers even offered me a drink in a spirit of sharing that you rarely find elsewhere.

After the fireworks and street celebrations I was invited home by people I had just met and, subsequently, we continued to celebrate in the city's clubs, many of which stayed open until the early hours.

It was an alternative New Year, with a lot of humanity, and unlike the usual Christmas holidays I really felt part of something bigger, of what they call "the Christmas spirit".

If you are fascinated by the idea of a different kind of New Year, in a city where you feel the cold on your hands but warmth in your heart, where you can live the night lightly and feel part of something even if you are away from home, then Warsaw is the perfect choice for you. For me, that's one of its greatest charms.

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