Poznan 2016

     I did not post anything while I was actually in Poznan so here it is in a nutshell.  I stayed at Brovaria.  A great hotel right on the main square.  They only have about 30 rooms so it is small.  My room, number 33, was on the top floor.  A large, lovely room.  It does have air conditioning. However,  there is no elevator so I had to climb 6 flights of stairs every time I went to my room.  I had to have an employee take my luggage up there when I arrived.  I am a fit middle-aged man and it was a little much.  If you can not climb a lot, and I mean a lot, of stairs make sure you are definite about where your room is.  The service was great and the breakfast was fine.  They have a bar/restaurant which is very popular.  The price is absolutely right!!
   Poznan has sights but mostly churches.  I did take a riding tour but for the price it was not worth it.  The guy drove me around and the audio guide spoke to me in English but for 220 zloty, or $55 it was a waste.  However, it was a Monday and everything is closed on Monday.
    On Tuesday I went to the National Museum and to the City Museum.  Both worth a visit.  The National Museum is an art museum.  If you have never seen Polish art, and I have not,  this is the place.  I was there over 2 hours and enjoyed it.  The city museum is in the town hall in the middle of the square.  It is only 5 zloty, $1.25, but not a lot there if you do not read Polish.
    The food in Poznan is great and very, very cheap.  I ate a lot and drank a lot and it did not cost anything.  I went to a great French restaurant , Bistro la cocotte on ul. Murna.  It is only about 2 blocks from the main square.  I had pate de foie gras, beef bourguignon, 3 glasses of good red wine and 2 waters for less than $30!   I also ate at a restaurant called BeeJays. Very good.  I ordered sirloin with rice and broccoli and cauliflower.  I got that with chicken.  I told the waiter that "sirlion" was not the meat on the plate but beef.  I don't think he believed me.  But that dish with 2 whiskey sours and a glass of red wine and a piece of apple pie with cream and ice cream and a coffee cost me less than $30.
     I liked traveling in Poland.  But there was not much difference between Wroclaw and Poznan.  I would not recommend going to both of them.  Either one is great but that is all you need.  I took the train to Berlin and here I am.  In the Eurostars for the second summer in a row.  A wonderful hotel.  You should come to Berlin as often as possible and stay here.