Great times in Warsaw

At 10 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, twenty colleagues gathered at Zurich Airport. Fortunately, the day brought little bad luck—apart from a one-hour flight delay. A few hours later, we eagerly reached our destination: Warsaw.

Tracing the footsteps of Chopin and Marie Curie through the Old Town
After a short bus ride and a quick snack, we dove into the city’s rich history. Under radiant sunshine, we strolled leisurely through the Old Town, enchanted by the charm of bygone eras. Our walk took us from the Basilica of the Holy Cross—final resting place of Chopin’s heart—to the birthplace of the famous scientist Maria Skłodowska-Curie. Along the way, we encountered many fascinating stories and impressions that brought Warsaw’s eventful past vividly to life. A special highlight was a Polish dance performance, which we dared to join under expert guidance—a unique kind of team building!

Showcasing our culinary skills by making pierogi
But that was not all: in the evening, we switched from creating software to crafting culinary delights. With great enthusiasm and high spirits, we got to work and created—true to Polish tradition—our own pierogi. We filled the dumplings with potatoes, vegetables, meat, and other treats, lovingly designing, developing, and, of course, thoroughly taste-testing them. A delicious experience that perfectly rounded off the day. For the younger ones (and the young at heart), the evening offered a chance to explore Warsaw’s vibrant nightlife.

Traveling back to communist times aboard the “Cucumber” bus
Our second day began with a special surprise: an authentic omnibus from the communist era—affectionately called “Ogórek” (cucumber)—became our stylish mode of transport. The moment we stepped aboard, we felt transported to another era: creaky seats, the distinctive hum of the engine—pure nostalgia. The city tour took us through traces of Warsaw’s more recent history, crowned by a visit to the Museum of Communism. Surrounded by old photos, vehicles, toys, and furnishings, we immersed ourselves in everyday life during the communist period and experienced history up close.

Vodka – an inseparable part of Polish culture
After a hearty lunch and a quick round of volleyball, we continued on foot to the Polish Vodka Museum, where we delved even deeper into Poland’s history and culture. Among copper stills, bottle labels, and a hint of melancholy, we learned all about the origin, meaning, and production of Poland’s national drink. Of course, a tasting was not to be missed—though opinions in our group varied on both the flavor and our sommelier skills.

Brunch and Retro Warsaw
On our third and final day, we rounded off the trip with a relaxed brunch and even had time for a visit to the art museum, where we explored the “Retro Warsaw” exhibition. One last time, we were able to dive into the past of this beautiful, fascinating city—this time through digitally reconstructed archive photos capturing the hectic daily life of the 1920s and ’30s.

Then it was time to say goodbye. We look back on a beautiful, varied weekend full of unforgettable impressions and shared experiences.

—

Have you become curious?

• Would you like to get to know our team? Click here to go to the team page.
• You want to become part of our team? Visit our job page.
• Transparency is a top priority at bmpi. Would you like to know how we live it and how it influences our work? Read more about it in our blog article Transparency in the company, a model for success?