PolishOrigins

05/09/2025

Christmas in Poland is a truly special time - full of traditions that have been alive and practiced for generations.

In Kraków, Christmas carols echo through historic churches, while the Old Town streets glow with the lights of festive markets. In smaller towns, the season takes on a more intimate character, with local customs and gatherings that still bring entire communities together.

During this unique time in Poland, some traditions hold a special meaning:

- Christmas Eve (Wigilia) with traditional dishes and an empty seat at the table for an unexpected guest,
- Sharing the opłatek wafer, a symbol of reconciliation and unity,
- Midnight Mass (Pasterka), attended by entire families,
- Living tradition of carol singing, when groups of singers visit homes to bring joy and warm wishes.

In Poland, Christmas blends the atmosphere of great historic cities with the intimate, family-oriented character of smaller communities. For anyone who experiences it here, it becomes clear that this season is more than decorations and gifts - it is a time of true togetherness and traditions that have endured for centuries.

22/08/2025

Final Call - Join the Special edition of the Galicia Tour!

Our Galicia Tour, prepared in collaboration with the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State, is just two months away. While it was created with PGSNYS members in mind, it’s open to anyone interested.

This is the last chance to register. Registration is open until August 31, 2025 - after that, the participant list will be closed.

From October 29 to November 4, 2025, we will set off with an intimate group of travelers on a 7-day tour filled with history, culture, and unforgettable experiences:

- Visit the Sanok Ethnographic Park and feel the atmosphere of daily life in our ancestors’ times,
- Discover the Łańcut Palace and other landmarks of Galician noble culture,
- Take part in a folklore evening with traditional dances,
- Experience the unique atmosphere of All Saints’ Day at the historic Rakowicki Cemetery in Kraków,
- Explore Wawel Castle, the Underground Market in Kraków, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
- and more

More details and registration in comment

01/08/2025

The special Galicia Tour organized by PolishOrigins and PGSNYS is getting closer!

On October 29, 2025, we’ll embark on a unique, small-group 7-day journey (for 8-15 participants) through southeastern Poland - the historic land of Galicia!

This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to:
- Visit the Sanok Ethnographic Park and explore the everyday life of our ancestors
- Discover the magnificent Łańcut Palace and charming Galician towns
- Enjoy an unforgettable evening with traditional folk dancing
- Experience the magic of All Saints' Day at Kraków’s Rakowicki Cemetery
- Explore Wawel Castle, the Underground Market Museum, and Auschwitz-Birkenau

We’ll travel in a comfortable minibus and stay at carefully selected 3- and 4-star hotels in Krosno and Kraków.

Daily breakfasts and 6 two-course dinners are included!
Cost: 11,800 PLN per person (approx. $3,200)
Registration is open until August 31, 2025, or until all spots are filled.

You’ll find the registration form and details in the link in the comments. Don’t miss this time-travel journey through history, culture, and family roots!

09/07/2025

One of the most popular attractions in Galicia is the Łańcut Castle - one of the most magnificent aristocratic residences in Poland, once home to the powerful Lubomirski and Potocki families. As you walk through its halls, you can almost see the flickering lights of grand balls and feel the atmosphere of an era long gone, yet still leaving behind an unforgettable trace.

This fall - from October 29 to November 4, 2025 - we invite you to join us on a unique journey through time. PolishOrigins, in collaboration with PGSNYS, has prepared an intimate group tour following the footsteps of Galicia’s past.

In Łańcut, we will not only tour the castle but also try to understand what life was like in the shadow of great historical events. We will also visit Sanok with its open-air museum, Kraków’s Rakowicki Cemetery glowing with thousands of candles on All Saints’ Day, and Auschwitz-Birkenau - a place for reflection and remembrance.

The tour will be led by an experienced guide and accompanied by an English-speaking group coordinator. Each day will end with a shared dinner and an overnight stay in carefully selected hotels in Krosno and Kraków.

The group is already confirmed, but a few spots are still available.
If you feel this is the journey you’ve been waiting for – join us.

06/07/2025

Do you remember the scent of gingerbread and the sound of carols from your childhood?
In December, Poland transforms into a living story – one of hope, togetherness, and traditions that unite generations.

Now, you have a unique opportunity to relive those emotions – in the heart of Polish December.

We warmly invite you to join another confirmed group journey following our Galicia Tour – the PolishOrigins Christmas Tour, taking place December 6–14, 2025.

This is a truly special small-group experience (3–7 participants), during which you won’t just observe Poland preparing for Christmas – you’ll become part of it.

The tour begins in Warsaw, aglow with thousands of lights, filled with traditional Christmas markets and nativity scenes. We’ll visit museums and places of worship from different cultures, stroll through Wilanów Park by night, and taste classic holiday treats.

In Kraków, our morning will begin with Roraty – a traditional Advent mass by candlelight in a medieval church. We’ll visit Wawel Castle, the Main Market Square, and the famous Kraków Nativity Scene exhibition. You’ll even learn how to make pierogi – because no Polish Christmas Eve is complete without them.

We’ll also explore Wrocław – a city with deep Silesian roots and a magical holiday atmosphere. And to end the journey: a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner in a local home – complete with opłatek, hay under the tablecloth, and flavors you’ll never forget.

This tour is for those who want to experience Polish Christmas in its most authentic form – with heart, history, and deep personal meaning.

The group is already confirmed, but space is very limited.

We invite you to join us – and experience the beauty of Polish tradition like never before.

04/07/2025

Galicia – a place that, for many of us, feels more like a story than a spot on the map.

This fall – from October 29 to November 4, 2025 – we invite you to join a very special journey in the footsteps of our ancestors, prepared in partnership by PolishOrigins and PGSNYS. This is an intimate, confirmed group tour that will allow you not only to see but truly feel what Galicia once was.

Over the course of a week, we will explore places marked by both grand historical events and deeply personal stories. In Sanok, we’ll visit the open-air ethnographic museum to better understand the everyday lives of the people who lived here a century ago. We’ll step inside the magnificent Łańcut Palace, once home to Polish nobility, and stroll through Kraków’s Rakowicki Cemetery, where thousands of flickering candles on All Saints’ Day create an atmosphere that’s almost mystical.

We will also visit solemn but essential places, including Auschwitz-Birkenau, to honor the victims and reflect in silence on the history of the 20th century.

Each day, you’ll be guided by an experienced tour leader and accompanied by an English-speaking group coordinator. Evenings will be spent in carefully selected hotels in Krosno and Kraków, and each day will end with a shared dinner – time to unwind, connect, and reflect.

The group is already confirmed, but a few spots remain available.
If you feel this is a journey you’ve been waiting for – we invite you to join us.

03/06/2025

The Remarkable Rise of Poland

See the latest newsletter sent out to our subscribers:

(This is the content from our latest newsletter, which was sent to the PolishOrigins Newsletter subscribers last week.) Let me …

26/05/2025

For the first time, we are organizing a special edition of the Galicia Tour in collaboration with the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State, scheduled for late fall this year.

Dates: October 29 – November 4, 2025

Region: Western Galicia (the part in present-day Poland)

The tour offers a unique opportunity to visit your ancestral homeland during All Saints’ Day, one of the most meaningful and important family times in Poland.

This special edition is dedicated to PGSNYS members, who receive an exclusive discount of 400 Polish zlotys (approx. $107 at the current exchange rate). However, we decided with PGSNYS open to everyone, including non-members.

You can find the full tour description and register through the PGSNYS website here:

PGSNYS Galicia Tour with PolishOrigins View Itinerary and Pricing You must register before June 30, 2025. Special discount of 800 PLN (about $212) for those who register by May 11! This tour is limited to 15 people! Genealogy tours are PolishOrigins‘ specialty! You can add on days before or after ...

14/05/2025

Another group tour we offer is the Galicia Tour - a journey designed for travelers looking for unique experiences and something beyond the well-known sights of Warsaw or Gdańsk.

This tour follows the traces of Galicia, one of Poland’s historic regions, located in the south of the country. With us, you’ll discover its rich history, diverse culture, and hidden beauty.

Highlights include the open-air museum in Sanok, which shows how people once lived in this region; the picturesque Niedzica Castle, set above a stunning mountain lake; and a traditional raft ride down the Dunajec River through breathtaking scenery. The journey ends in Kraków, the royal city and a gem of Polish heritage.

Want to learn more? Visit our website for details. We’d love to have you with us!

08/05/2025

As many of you know, we specialize in organizing private genealogical tours across Poland. But what you might not know is that we also offer group tours.

One of them is the North-South Poland Tour - a journey created for those who want to travel to Europe, discover Poland, and experience its rich culture and history, even if they’re not exactly sure what to expect or where to begin.

This tour is a great opportunity to explore the country with others who share your interests, while gaining a deeper understanding of Poland’s diverse heritage.

During the trip, you will visit Warsaw, the capital of Poland; Malbork, home to the largest castle in Europe; Westerplatte, where the Second World War began; Toruń, the city of Nicolaus Copernicus; Częstochowa, the spiritual heart of the country; and finally, Kraków, Poland’s historic royal capital.

If this journey interests you, visit our website to learn more. We warmly invite you to join us.

25/04/2025

Did you know that a 19th-century Warmian peasant could stand up to a Prussian official - without fear?

Yes, it’s not a legend. Warmians were known for their pride and courage. Even though they lived at the crossroads of cultures and under the shadow of Prussian administration, they knew how to defend their name, their honor, and their dignity.

"You won’t be shouting at me, Mr. Commissioner!" - those weren’t just words from old stories. For a Warmian, respect mattered more than an official title.

Where did that strength come from?
Their identity wasn’t defined just by nationality. What mattered most were: the land, the faith, and the community. That’s what gave them a strong sense of worth - even if their lives were humble.

19th-century Warmia was a true ethnic mosaic.
Poles, Germans, Scots, Jews, Roma, Dutch... Different languages, clothing, and customs - yet one shared space for everyday life.

Warmians knew how to be different - together.

Today, there’s a lot we can learn from them.
Because no matter the time or place - dignity, openness, and mutual respect always matter.

And you? Had you heard this side of Warmia’s story before?
Let us know in the comments or share this post if you think it’s worth spreading!

Are you fascinated by stories like this one? Join our North-South Poland Tour and discover the rich, multi-layered history of places like Warmia - where culture, identity, and resilience shaped everyday life in extraordinary ways. It’s a journey into the heart of Poland’s untold stories. You can find details here: https://polishorigins.com/north-south-poland-tour/

19/04/2025

Wesołych Świąt Wielkiej Nocy!

Happy Family Easter from the country of your ancestors!