BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS

Gdansk, one of Poland’s lesser-known gems, lies on the Baltic coast of the country. The colorful port city has maintained the richness and charm of its original architecture over the years, but not without some hardship. During World War II, the city was caught in a tug of war between Poland and Germany, resulting in the area becoming a flashpoint and sustaining massive damage to beautiful areas like this — the Old Town of the city. The Old Town was later restored, and today, the quaint harbor, lined with restaurants, bars, and cafes, is a favorite of patrons and visitors alike. Many of us have traveled to cities like this; we find them beautiful and enchanting. But Gdansk, like many others, offers us the chance to take a step back and understand that even some of the most charming places have arisen from the hardest of times. Where have you encountered a destination like this in your own travels? (