The Polish Patriot is new a book about courage, hope, adaptation and surviving against all odds. The book illustrates in a very tangible way the occurrence of the second world war, and allows you to understand that giving up was not an option, there was always light at the end of the tunnel, even when it seems impossible.

The life story of a young man who lost his whole family in occupied Poland, his country had betrayed him, and yet he did not lose hope.

The book was written in 2014, by his son Uri JerzyNachimson, 9 years after his death at the age of 93.

While writing the story of my father’s life, I could hear his voice dictating to me, chapter after chapter. Although my father had died nine years before I began writing the book, nonetheless, I was able to put down accurately on paper everything he had told me that had occurred during his life. He was a Polish patriot who renounced his country, which had betrayed him and his people.

Jews had lived in Poland for nearly one thousand years and helped shape its culture and industry. Observant Jews lived in villages and towns alongside Jews who were distanced from religion along with Christians who did not consider the Jews any different from themselves. Among the Polish Jews were industrialists, doctors, lawyers, bankers, intellectuals and artists. My father’s family was well endowed with professionals. His father, my grandfather, was a distinguished lawyer who worked for the Ministry of Finance. His aunt was an enthusiastic communist who moved to Russia and never returned. His uncle, his father’s brother, was a general in the Narodnyj Komissariat Vnutriennich Diel (NKVD)[1]. His uncles were dentists in Warsaw and his great-grandfather was the well-known author Abraham Shalom Friedberg. His grandmother’s brother, Juliusz Wolfsohn, was a famous composer and musician, while his aunt Isabella Grinevskaia was a playwright. His uncle Moshe Wolowelski was a wealthy real-estate mogul, his cousin was a surgeon, and my father was a dentist.

The war destroyed his world, interrupted his dreams and forced him to deal with new realities.

His loyalty and love for the old Poland that he knew so well slowly began to fade when he discovered that his nationalism was based on misconceptions about his Polish “brethren.” The Nazi occupation gave his Polish neighbors a golden opportunity to get rid of the “Dirty Jew” and enabled them to take their property. Many willingly collaborated with the Nazis during the war, and there were even those who killed many survivors after the war.

Although he unwillingly renounced his old homeland, nevertheless, he loved its culture and lived as a Pole in his new country until his death at age ninety-three.

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[1] Stalin’s secret service

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Just the other day I was asked what my ultimate vacation would be.  I didn’t have to think too hard to come up with the answer. 

My dream vacation would be spent in the beautiful country of Italy.  Specifically, I would love to spend a couple of weeks in the Tuscany region.  Not only is it conveniently located, but the region boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in Italy. 

I have always loved the old Tuscan farmhouses with their rustic charm and serenity.  I can imagine staying in such a farmhouse that has been beautifully renovated with all the comforts of home including large screen TV, WIFI internet, its own furnished kitchen, and private bathroom and shower.  It would be like having my own Tuscan apartment.  Surely a place like this doesn’t exist other than in my mind.

I can dream of strolling through the plazas of such quaint towns as Cortona which sits nestled on a hillside overlooking miles of the Tuscan landscape.  I can sit outside the café sipping coffee.  Or explore the little shops while enjoying a gelato.  Oh, and the pizza!  Of course I will taste the wonderful homemade pizza. 

After a time in Cortona, I could return to my lovely farmhouse  apartment and enjoy a relaxing swim in the pool while enjoying a taste of the wine made famous in the region.  Maybe take a bike ride down the winding roads enjoying the fresh breezes.  Then return for a view of the sunset over the hilltops while relaxing with my neighbors on the veranda.

A visit to the region wouldn’t be complete without exploring.  I would enjoy hiking in the many trails to afford amazing views of the nearby region.  And I would enjoy the pristine waters at Lake Trasimeno with the castles on the islands.  Perhaps enjoy a fish dinner freshly caught earlier in the day.  And there would be plenty of little towns nearby for more shopping, coffee, and gelato, of course.

I will want to make Tuscany my home base to explore all of Italy because of the central location.  The train station is just a few minutes from my Tuscan suite and, in just a couple of hours, I can be in any of the major cities in Italy. 

So, you see, in my dream vacation the Tuscany region of Italy has so many wonderful things to offer.  Charming towns and villages are common throughout the region.  Each one with their own unique appeal and personality.  The weather is usually quite mild in the region which makes for a comfortable day of activities.  And the beautiful villas and farmhouses that dot the landscape are so charming.  In fact, many people are familiar with the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” in which a woman from the US wants to remodel and renovate an old Tuscan villa.  Well, that villa is in Cortona and can easily be visited to this day.

But is there such a Tuscan farmhouse to stay at in the region that affords such amenities?  Of course.  And its name is La Mucchia Casa Vacanza.  Located in a valley just outside the quaint hillside town of Cortona, this beautiful Tuscan Farmhouse Villa was made to impress with all the modern amenities while maintaining its dedication to the original structure.  There are nine suites on the property which allows it to maintain a quiet, peaceful feel.  Each suite is beautifully decorated with fine linens, a fully stocked kitchen, living area with hand crafted furniture, a large screen TV, WIFI internet.  Suites have a private bedroom and bathroom with shower.  You truly have all the comforts of home in your own Tuscan apartment.  The major highway of the area runs nearby and will quickly take you to see the sites of the Tuscan region, including pristine Lake Trasimeno.  And for your ventures farther into Italy, the train stop is also just a few minutes away to take you to places like Florence, Rome, or Naples each in under a couple of short hours of enjoying the beautiful scenery on the way.

So on your next dream vacation, reserve your suite at La Mucchia Casa Vacanza.  Make those dreams a reality.