I'm an American who visited Poland for the first time. I was surprised by how affordable, beautiful, and walkable it was.

I had always imagined Poland as a stark, gray country with a sterile Cold War feel — perhaps because much of what I know about it is based on its roles throughout history.

Instead, I was astonished to find that its cities, like Kraków and Warsaw, which I visited, had a modern vibe, charming neighborhoods, and a fascinating mix of old and new that blended seamlessly.

Although the cities I visited in Poland have plenty of nondescript Cold War-era buildings, they are interspersed with a handful of ornate pre-World War II buildings, charming old towns, ultra-modern glass skyscrapers, and impressive Soviet-designed structures.

Although Poland is surrounded by land on three sides, it still has beaches and a beautiful range of landscapes.

I was particularly astonished by the beauty of Zakopane, a town at the base of the Tatra Mountains.

After taking a cable car up thousands of feet, I was greeted by incredible views of Zakopane's aqua-blue lakes and verdant valleys that impressed me more than the Swiss Alps.

When I visited in the summer, this mountain town seemed like a true haven for hikers and nature lovers.

I was especially impressed by the local public transportation systems in the two major cities I visited in Poland.

Warsaw's public transportation network includes buses, trams, and subways. I used an easy-to-use app to seamlessly navigate around the city throughout the trip.

In my opinion, the public transportation options in Warsaw were as good as those in my hometown of Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, where I grew up.

Kraków felt very walkable, but I also appreciated the city's robust bus and tram system. Trains connect Kraków to several popular nearby sites, including the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and museum.

Many stereotypes I'd heard painted Poland as a cold place, but I was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and numerous communal spaces I encountered in the country.

Places I visited, like Kraków, had many lively parks and town squares filled with restaurants, shops, and open spaces where people could gather.

I saw families playing and groups taking yoga classes in parks. One evening, I visited a vibrant open-air food market and enjoyed seeing many people lingering over drinks to chat and listen to live music.

Even smaller towns, like Zakopane, had main streets designed for pedestrians and promenades with seating areas that seemed perfect for gathering.

Before my trip, I wasn't super familiar with Polish cuisine beyond pierogi, the country's beloved dumplings that are often boiled and filled with mashed potatoes.

I ate plenty of them throughout my stay, and was delighted to find that most of the food I ate in Poland wasn't as beige or basic.

In reality, the country surprised me with its wide selection of diverse and modern cuisine.

I found many high-end restaurants, some serving Polish fusion cuisine and others serving classics like pasta and steak that I'd find back home. One Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant served me dishes that looked almost too pretty to eat.

Because Poland is a relatively affordable country compared to the US, I felt like I could eat like a queen here, even though I was traveling on a budget. It was awesome to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants that I would never have been able to afford in the United States.

For example, a five-course tasting meal in Kraków's Michelin-starred Bottiglieria 1881 starts at about 60 euros, or $68. A similar dining experience in the US can easily cost more than double that.

With the exception of one mediocre fast-food restaurant my kids insisted on trying, every meal I had in Poland was delicious.