A Real Pain

Travelzoo have partnered with Searchlight Pictures to shine a light on Member-favourite destination Poland. The film "A Real Pain" sees mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite following their grandmother's death. The pair join a small-group heritage tour of Poland that takes them to Warsaw, Lublin, and the Polish countryside. The adventure takes a turn when the odd couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Writer-director-star Jesse Eisenberg is joined by Kieran Culkin in a "melancholic yet funny exploration of Jewish loss and belonging" (The New York Times). "A Real Pain" is exclusively in cinemas 8 January.

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Warsaw

Krakow

A bittersweet comedy

David and Benji’s tour begins in the Polish capital of Warsaw—a city that has emerged as an inspiring symbol of regeneration.

Given its history, most of Poland's cities have been through major reinvention—none more significant than Warsaw. Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, carefully rebuilt to match its original design. Visit the reconstructed red-brick Royal Castle that houses authentic artwork and period furniture. In the film, the group visits the Warsaw Uprising Monument that commemorates the 1944 uprising against Nazi occupation. You'll also spot the award-winning POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews that showcases 1000 years of Jewish history.

A phoenix from the ashes

Warsaw's streets are lined with buildings in a gamut of architectural styles, ranging from Baroque, Gothic, Neoclassical, and Renaissance to post-war. The Fryderyk Chopin museum, in the magnificent Ostrogski Palace, commemorates the acclaimed composer's life and work. The Art Deco-style Palace of Culture & Science was originally a gift from Stalin. It is a creative hub with cinemas, theatres, museums, a university, and a 30th-floor terrace with panoramic views. Warsaw's Neon Museum has a unique collection of restored neon signs from the Cold War era, along with other electro-graphic artefacts.

culture & design

The Old Town is the historic heart of Lublin with many tourist attractions in and around it. Filming took place near Grodzka Gate that marks the spot where the Jewish Quarter once stood. The Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva used to be the largest rabbinical school in the world. It's now been converted into a hotel and museum. On the last day of the tour, the group visits the infamous Majdanek concentration camp outside the city. It is a free-to-access museum and education centre with historic buildings, exhibitions of archival photographs, and artistic installations. A mausoleum behind the camp contains the ashes of the victims.

thought-provoking historic sites

A lesser-known spot in Poland, Lublin is a vibrant university town with a youthful energy. Its cobbled streets feature quirky street art and murals. The town offers a year-round roster of events, ranging from music and dance, to arts and alternative culture, and nightlife and food. As one of two cities chosen to be the European Capital of Culture 2029, Lublin will see a boost in redevelopment projects and increased visitor numbers.

festivals & events

The tour takes the pair to Lublin, named the European Capital of Culture for 2029.

Lublin

Be in with the chance to get away to Warsaw for three nights, including accommodation, flights, and a private walking tour of the Old Town. Click here to enter

Plan your trip

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Fancy retracing David and Benji’s steps? Travelzoo has partnered with Super Escapes to offer one lucky Travelzoo Member a trip for two to Warsaw.

In addition to the film locations, Lonely Planet recommends Krakow for its "heady blend of history and harmonious architecture".

There's more to Polish cuisine than pierogis and golabkis. The Poles have long been enjoying fresh, seasonal produce, and pickling and fermenting anything they can get their hands on. Sample doughnuts filled with wild rosehips, cherry-infused vodka, artisan raspberry honey, and hand-foraged mushrooms. Dine like the locals at a Polish milk bar. These no-frills Soviet-style diners are an integral part of the nation's culinary heritage. Street carts, selling traditional bagels and sausages, abound. Lost bars are Krakow's take on speakeasies, and a great way to experience the city's nightlife.

bring your appetite

Poland's erstwhile royal capital, Krakow boasts an impressive castle and cathedral atop Wawel Hill. The 16th-century Renaissance castle contains rich tapestries, grand state rooms, royal apartments, and crown jewels. Many kings and queens rest in elaborate tombs in the Gothic cathedral nearby. The historic centre of Krakow is UNESCO-listed. It has Europe's largest market square with historic merchants' houses, numerous churches and monasteries, and aristocratic palaces.

castles & cathedrals

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