Ah, Finland! A land that dances between the charm of endless summer days and the mystical allure of winter’s Northern Lights. If you’re planning a trip to this Nordic haven, you’re in for an adventure that’s as rich in culture as it is in natural beauty. But before you pack your bags and set off to explore the Finnish landscapes, let’s dive into some fascinating facts about this unique country. Traveling to Finland? 5 Fascinating Facts About The Land of a Thousand Lakes 1. Glow-In-The-Dark Reindeer Finnish innovation is giving Rudolph a run for his money with a new reflective spray paint tec ..read more

Piątkowe Picie: Wiśniewski, The Gdańsk Bar That Sells Only ONE Product “Cherries are the team for me” – AFC Bournemouth fans. Piątkowe Picie: Wiśniewski, The Gdańsk Bar That Sells Only ONE Product This is nuts. Actually, it’s not nuts, it’s Cherries. There is a bar in Gdańsk that sells only ONE product. And I’ve walked past it about 100 times. This month, for some weird reason, I decided to go inside. Despite living in the seaside city for 6 months and visiting. Just after Cherries secured a Desmond with Aston Villa in December 2023, I headed in here! By complete coincidence, THREE crazy thi ..read more

Warsaw is where history meets hip and every street corner has an interesting story to share. We’ve crafted a laid-back itinerary that’s more of a friendly nudge than a rigid schedule. So, lace up your trusty walking shoes and get ready for a casual, charming exploration of this Polish gem. Wandering in Warsaw: A Casual Explorer’s Guide Getting Started First things first, let’s get acquainted with this vibrant city. Warsaw, the beating heart of Poland, boasts a rich history, resilient spirit, and a dash of modern cool. It’s a destination where medieval castles stand tall alongside trendy coff ..read more

“Heaven kicked you out. You wouldn’t wear a tie” – Andy Cairns. Dziwaczne Odkrycia: Northern Irish Band Therapy? Absolutely Rock Warszawa Therapy? then. Therapy? live in Warszawa. Therapy? This was to be the wow. Therapy? It was my second time since emigrating to Poland that I had the pleasure of watching a Northern Irish rock band live! The first one was Ash, when they played on Praga side of Warszawa at Hydrogazka just before the first COVID lockdown in March 2020. In fact, Ash live was my last night out before that all happened! Before we were “mask loyal”. Just as a prelude then… Remin ..read more

Iceland, with its otherworldly landscapes and captivating natural wonders, has earned its place as a dream destination for travellers seeking both adventure and tranquillity. While exploring the island’s breathtaking waterfalls, geothermal springs, and volcanoes is a must, your choice of accommodation can elevate your Icelandic experience from remarkable to truly unforgettable. In this ultimate guide, we unveil the top 7 cosiest retreats in Iceland, offering a unique blend of comfort and immersion in the country’s unparalleled beauty. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, embarking on a ..read more

My new life without alcohol and late nights doesn’t mean no football and this weekend, I was in little Nasielsk to watch “The Wild Cats” play “The Airport Boys”! This match was between MLKS Żbik Nasielsk and RKS Okęcie Warszawa and it was my first time to visit this town, Nasielsk. It’s very reachable on a direct train from Warszawa Gdanska and it is the latest in my ongoing wacaday football series, Śmieszne Historie o Piłce Nożnej w Polsce. #footballgeek #groundhopper #Nasielsk #okecie #warszawa Śmieszne Historie o Piłce Nożnej w Polsce: “The Wild Cats” Żbik Nasielsk play “The Airport Boys ..read more

As you know, if you follow this blog and my more active Facebook Page (Northern Irishman in Poland), I base myself in Poland most of the year but I also travel a lot. As a blogger, this means I need to get online, even when I’m on the move. Travelling To Poland: Tips On Using an eSIM For Travel Data Of course, my base here, Poland, is a diverse country with numerous cities worth exploring. So whether you are coming here to tour, or going abroad from Poland, buying a pre-paid eSIM is a great advantage for you. Here are a few examples and reasons why using an eSIM from a company such as aloSIM ..read more

What a birthday surprise this was! On Thursday March 30th 2023, I headed by train from Warszawa to Szczecin by train for a three day trip. The plan was to visit the little town of Police! While Police in Northern Ireland means “peelers”, in Poland it is pronounced “Pollitzay” and is a small town not far from Szczecin. My reason for going was because I heard Northern Ireland were playing Poland here, at under 16 level. Śmieszne Historie o Piłce Nożnej w Polsce: Poland 3-0 Northern Ireland in Police! Men’s Under 16 Match! Arrival in Police The match was a 10.30 a.m. kick off and Police is abou ..read more

“Something changed” – Pulp. This post rings some bells, doesn’t it? Well a few years ago, I backpacked all the way to Krakow, then Tarnow, then Zabno, then Zalipie then the tiny village of Nieciecza in Poland! Nieciecza was once the village that has hosted Europe’s smallest ever top flight football club. That post was here and covers Bruk Bet Termalika Nieciecza: Śmieszne Historie o Piłce Nożnej w Polsce: Introducing Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza, Europe’s Smallest Ever Top Flight Football Club . I went there to write that quirky story and enjoy a top flight match there in the Polish Ekstraklas ..read more

“In Dublin’s Fair city where the girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone” – James Yorkston. And she wheeled her wheelbarrow… For Saint Patrick’s Day parties in Poland, this year’s was my favourite yet and that’s my FIFTH time to celebrate it here. On 17th March 2023, I decided to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Klubokawiarnia Kicia Kocia in Grochow in Warszawa. This is a great bar, on the Praga side of the Wisla river. First up though here are some interesting articles about Saint Patrick as well as some Northern Irish and Polish links… All about Saint Patrick Poli ..read more