Shoot, i don’t want to fall in love , but the minute i’ve seen you, holy hell, i blew it Gdansk !!

When I landed at the airport, I couldn’t help but think, Is that all? I was a bit disappointed, to be honest. It felt like just another airport, kind of like Eindhoven, my hometown, with its modern feel and those tall, boring skyscraper buildings. Damn, I thought, I don’t want to experience that NYC feeling. The hustle, the noise, the overwhelming cityscape… it just wasn’t what I had in mind for this trip. I was hoping for something more, something that would spark excitement, but at that moment, it all just felt a bit... underwhelming."

Grumpily, I hopped on the bus and made my way to the hotel, right in the middle of the old town. The ride from the airport felt like it lasted a decade – seriously, all I could see were McDonald’s and KFCs along the way. Am I making a big mistake coming here? The excitement I’d felt earlier seemed to vanish, and all I could think was that I might’ve picked the wrong place for this trip

As the bus slowly approached the old town, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Mamma mia... It was like I’d stepped right into a Fantastic Beasts movie! The atmosphere was so surreal, I almost couldn’t believe it. The station looked like it belonged in a film, with that old-world charm and magical vibe. I got goosebumps just standing there, completely captivated by the sudden change in scenery. Everything felt so different from what I’d expected – and in the best way possible

I walked really fast toward my accommodation, eager to settle in after that unexpected turn of events. And yes, when you’ve got that Hilton Diamond membership, you get the privilege of checking in early, automatically upgraded to a superior room, and a bunch of other perks—complimentary bottles of water, a welcome wine, free Wi-Fi, chocolates, and more! Thank you, Hilton! ❤️ It felt like the universe was finally giving me the VIP treatment I didn’t know I needed

The view from my room? To die for. Seriously, it was like something out of a dream. And the complimentary wine? Absolutely delicious. I could definitely get used to this kind of service. Heck, I can already tell—I might just get addicted to this level of comfort and care. It’s hard not to feel like royalty when everything is taken care of so perfectly.

I walked along the water, heading toward Gdansk’s quaintest street: Mariacka. To enter, you pass under the medieval St. Mary’s Gate, and at the end of the street stands the magnificent St. Mary’s Church.

Every single house along St. Mary’s Street is absolutely gorgeous. The entrances are narrow but terraced, and the richly decorated facades are a clear testament to the wealth of their former owners. It’s no wonder this street has inspired so many painters over the years. Honestly, I could stand here for hours, just soaking in the beauty of it all

I crossed the gate and walked toward the Neptune Fountain on the Long Market, right in front of the Artus Court, a place that has become the symbol of Gdansk.

As I stood there, I couldn’t help but think of the legend surrounding the fountain. It says that Neptune himself created Gdansk’s famous herbal liquor, Goldwasser. Apparently, the super-rich citizens of Gdansk, who were so wealthy that 10% of the population were billionaires during the city's golden age, kept tossing golden coins into the fountain.

Well, Neptune didn’t take kindly to that. With his trident, he stirred the water so fiercely that all the gold broke into pieces, creating the golden flakes that are now the hallmark of Goldwasser. It’s such a cool story, and it’s easy to see why the fountain holds such a special place in the city's heart.

The Green Gate is yet another stunning piece of evidence of the Flemish and Dutch heritage and legacy in this Polish town. It’s incredible how those cultural influences have shaped the architecture and vibe of Gdansk. And now, the tables have turned, with many Polish people calling the Lowlands and Belgium home. The way history weaves through time like this is a beautiful reminder of the shared pasts and connections that bring us all together.

As the temperature started to drop, I decided to take a moment for myself and do a prayer. I made my way to the most beautiful church I’ve ever been to—simple yet stunning, full of quiet humility. It wasn’t just the beauty of the place that struck me, but the calm, the peaceful energy that seemed to wrap around you the moment you stepped inside. It felt like the perfect place to pause and reflect, a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful things are the ones that are humble and serene.

I think I’m in love. I’ve always wanted to visit Gdansk for years, but for one reason or another, I always cancelled at the last minute. But today? Today I’m completely in love with this place. I walked for hours, discovering one beautiful, amazing spot after another. It felt like home, especially with all the Dutch-style buildings scattered around. I was totally overwhelmed by it all.

At some point, I realized I hadn’t eaten since the morning, and I was exhausted. My body was craving something spicy, so I popped into a tiny Thai restaurant for a hearty tofu curry. I’m going to save the Polish food for tomorrow, but tonight, I’m going to enjoy this and call it a day. Gdansk, you have my heart."

To be continued

Gdansk old town Oct 16th