Gdynia

Opened in May, 2015, this is a fascinating look at how, why and to where millions of Poles have emigrated over the centuries. With Poland thought to have the sixth largest diaspora in the world (the group is known as the Polonia and is thought to number over 20 million), the museum does an excellent job of explaining the various situations, political and economic, which have made people consistently leave Poland, to places like the USA, Australia and even Brazil. The building which is the museum’s home is also particularly noteworthy. Located on the French Quay in Gdynia Port, the beautifully renovated Dworzec Morski (Marine Station) dates from the 1930s and is a wonderful example of the architecture that was in fashion as Gdynia expanded rapidly after WWI. The building became the main gateway to the world for Polish emigrants in the inter-war years.   The exhibition is set on the first floor of the building and despite starting rather disappointingly (we have no idea what the displays in the silver thing outside the exhibition entrance are trying to achieve), it gets much, much better very quickly. You enter the exhibition to the music of the Polish national anthem with its line ‘Poland has not yet perished. As long as we still live’, which wonderfully sums up both the battered history of this country and the spirit which has kept it alive as a nation. Skip past the first displays and their practically illegible descriptions and then take your time to wander through the exhibition which includes some wonderful personal memories and stories. The exhibition is larger than it appears at first, so give yourself 2-3 hours to enjoy it without rushing. Highly recommended, particularly if you are one of the Polonia which is something you can check as the museum is one of very places which has free access to Ancestry.com records for its visitors to do family searches on. The museum have created an audio guide app (10zł) that you can download and listen to with your own headphones. Available in Polish, English, German, French, Spanish, Swedish, Russian and Ukrainian. Polish Sign Language audio guide is available from the Museum's mobile app (also 10zł). To get to the museum take bus number 119 (Mon-Fri) or 133 (check that the destination is Dworzec Morski - Emigration Museum) from the main train station (bus stop is actually on ul. Jana z Kolna). Alternatively a taxi will cost about 20zł or you can walk there in 20 minutes from the city centre. For food and drink, the Mondo Di Vinegre on the top floor of the museum is highly-recommended as a lunch option. Equally-reliable is the Café Bistro Mondo on the ground floor, owned by the same operation and are more-than-competent with their barista skills as they are with their menu.

The Maghreb is a region encompassing the land of north-western Africa around Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania. These countries share a similar culture in food, which combines the staple diet of couscous with influences of the Mediterranean, due to the region’s historical connection with France, Italy and Spain. For that reason, you’ll find vegetables, meat and fish, cooked in a unique blend of spices and some added fruits. The menu at Malika in Gdynia has been created by a local woman, who has spent a lot of her life in the region and runs from soups, salads, couscous and hummus up to a delicious choice of mains, which included various meat and/or veg combinations cooked in a tajine, all of which a huge hits. If you feel spoilt for choice but have no idea what to pick, we find it's best to ask the waiter for a recommendation! During Coronavirus gastro restrictions, Malika made the decision to roll back its operations and focus on returning better and more confident than ever before. They have recently switched locations from the main drag to 'just around the corner' at a way cooler location ul. Armii Krajowej. Just across from the Gdynia Film Centre and its surrounding Plac Grunwaldski, this is now the perfect complement to a day or evening out at a nearby cultural event or even the perfect end to a romantic stroll on the waterfront! The new location has also allowed for their fantastic restaurant to be augmented with a fully-fledged bar, complete with an impressive cocktail menu, meaning that you're covered for any occasion. Malika serves breakfast during the week until 12:30 (weekends until 12) and is largely inspired by their very popular sourdough bread from their own bakery. You will also find various meat and veg combinations toast, as well as sweet breakfasts and classics.