RIght outside of the Warsaw city limits is another palace and park named Pulawy.  The house is beautiful but you wouldn't miss much if you chose not to tour it. Pulawy is most known for its classicist park and follies (structures) scattered throughout the parkland. The two main ones being the Gothic House and the Sybil's Temple. The Gothic House is used as an art museum and has some beautiful stained glass. The Sybil's Temple is modeled on Vesta's Temple in Rome and became part of the first Polish National Museum. After the hike across the park woke us up we headed to the picturesque little town of Kazimierz Dolny. 

 Kazimierz Dolny has several fun attractions. It is definitely a family friendly stop. 

Note: You must park at the bottom of the hill and hike up the path to the town situated above the Vistula River. The path is not paved and therefore not stroller friendly.

There is a 13th century castle (zamek) tower ruin at the very top of the hill overlooking the town square that would be great for older children. It has a great view of the river and the town.  The parish church lies on the side of the hill also perched just above the town square. It was constructed in the renaissance style and finished in the early 1600's. The town square also has several impressive pieces of architecture. There are several tenant house built in the 17th centuries by a pair of brothers. The elevations are identical and are decorated with figures of St. Nicholas and Christopher, reflecting the names of the owners. The town square also has lots of small shops with souvenirs and just behind the square lies some small restaurants that are great for lunch breaks. 

After lunch we headed towards Zamosc with a stop in Lublin first. The town of Lublin

is known for two things, the oval-shaped Old Market Square just below its castle and the concentration camp Majdanek that lies just outside the city in a village called Swidnik. I have been to several concentration camps and all have affected me, but none so much as the one outside of Lublin. It was a forced labor camp within the sight distance of the city itself. Look for the massive stone monument the marks the entrance to the camp. Well, worth the trip there. The city is also fun to wander around. Make sure you check out the city gate. For those who might be tired of sightseeing, there are some nice modern shops with great shopping just outside the city gate. 

On we go towards Zamosc, one of the most perfect examples of Renaissance urban planning from the 16th century. The own is surrounded by seven bastions (star-shaped fortifications) that were built for military purposes. The Stare Miasto is also very easy to navigate because of the grid pattern the streets are laid out in. The tourist center is tucked in on the side of the town hall. There is also an internet cafe adjacent to the town hall in case you need to catch up on your correspondence. The brightly colored houses next to the Town Hall are known as the Armenian houses, nicknamed so for the ethnic identity of their initial owners. As you head out from the town Square make sure you take time to see the Arsenal and its impressive armor, weaponry and models. On your way, swing by the synagogue that has been turned into a library documenting the history of the Jewish population. If you need a break from the heat or to warm up from the cold, stop by the Cathedral and see the pure white baroque interiors.