Tourism
The Warsaw Convention Bureau (http://www.warsawtour.pl) is the official tourist information agency in Warsaw and can provide visitors with information regarding hotels, attractions, and events. They also have maps for travelers. Unfortunately, the bureau's website isn't well designed and doesn't provide all that great of information, though, it can be helpful. They operate three locations in Warsaw.
There are a few other organizations that are useful when planning or looking for information about a trip to Warsaw. The City of Warsaw (http://e-warsaw.pl/2/index.php) has a lot of useful information on its website and would be a good place to get some information. Destination Warsaw (http://www.destinationwar...) has some useful information, but seems to trump up its members' products, restaurants, and services over others. Its main goal is the promotion of Warsaw as a destination abroad. The best source of practical tips, contacts, and current event information is the Warsaw Insider (http://www.warsawinsider.pl/), available at every concierge, tourits information and larger newsagents'; the Warsaw Voice (http://www.warsawvoice.pl), an English language weekly newspaper, also maintains a good calendar of events (http://www.warsawvoice.pl...) on its website.
A wise investment may be the Warsaw Tourist Card (http://www.warsawcard.com...), which can either be purchased for a 24 hour period or three days. The card will get you into museums for free or for a discount. It also doubles as a ticket for public transportation in Warsaw. You may also be able to get discounts at galleries, sports facilities, shops, restaurants, and discounted tours, car rentals, or accommodation. The card can be purchased at the tourist agency's offices around the city, some hotels, and a few other locations.
History
The medieval capital of Poland was the southern city of Krakow, but Warsaw has been the capital of the country since 1596, and has grown to become Poland's largest city and the nation's urban and commercial center. Completely destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, the city managed to lift itself from the ashes. Today, almost every building in Warsaw dates to the postwar era - with what little remains of the old structures being confined largely to the restored districts of Stare Miasto the 'old city' and Nowe Miasto 'new city', as well as selected monuments and cemeteries.
Orientation
As is the case with most major cities, Warsaw is situated on a river. The river's name is Vistula Polish: WisÅa and it crosses the city on a north-south axis, dividing it into two parts, usually referred to as the left bank Polish: lewy brzeg adj. lewobrzeżna Warszawa and the right bank Polish: prawy brzeg adj. prawobrzeżna Warszawa.