Why Poland Should Be On Your Midlife Travel List

Dunajec River George

Poland may not be the first place people think of when planning a European getaway… but it should be.

If you’ve followed along here, you know part of the reason I started this blog was because of my daughter’s boyfriend, Krzys. He was 23, an international student from Poland, and very much a part of our family. In fact, one of my favorite memories is this little video of Krzys and Camryn walking down the street in Poland before flying back to the States. Camryn asked him what he wanted to do first when he got back to America. She said, “Chick-fil-A.” Without hesitation, he said, “I am going over to your house to eat dinner with Ms. Angela Schmidt that is going to make for us." That one still makes me smile.

One of my favorite moments with Krzys and Camryn in Poland. His words still warm my heart.

In the summer of 2024, after both Krzys and Camryn graduated from Georgetown College, his parents came to stay with us in Kentucky for a month. We instantly saw why Krzys was such a special person—his mom and dad are kind, loving, and, like me, both educators. That summer, we made a plan with them to visit Poland the following year. Krzys was so excited for us to see his country.

But in November 2024, just months later, tragedy struck. Krzys passed away in his sleep at our home while the kids were home from college for Thanksgiving break. Losing him was devastating—not only for Camryn, but for all of us.

Even so, we kept our promise. In the summer of 2025, we traveled to Poland. Krzys wasn’t with us physically, but he was in our hearts every moment we walked through his hometown and his country. His parents opened their home to us, and his aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and brother’s family surrounded us with warmth and love. They were so proud to share their country with us—and with good reason.

Poland has endured so much throughout history, yet it remains full of beauty, resilience, and soul. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for Krzys, I might never have gone to Poland. And that would have been a mistake. I’ve traveled to many countries in Europe, but Poland surprised me with its history, food, and heart.

I’m so thankful we went.

And this is just the beginning. In my next post, I’ll share what to see, where to stay, and why I believe Poland deserves a spot on your travel list.