Our journey begins with two extraordinary castles that will take you back to the times of knights and ladies of the court. The first stop is Czchow Castle, picturesquely located on a hill above the Dunajec River (32-860 Czchow). It is a place that impresses not only with its architecture, but also with the panorama of the area. The castle is open to the public all year round, and admission is free. The nearest train station is in Brzesko, from where it can be reached by bus or cab. There are special attractions for families with children, such as replicas of siege machines or the opportunity to climb the tower (note: the steep stairs can be a challenge for small children). It's worth planning about 2 hours for the tour and be sure to bring a camera to capture the beautiful views.

The next point on our route is Korzkiew Castle (32-088 Korzkiew), converted into a luxury vacation home. This is the perfect place for those who dream of staying overnight in a real castle. The property is available for hotel guests, but it is worth checking availability and prices on the official website: https://zamek.com.pl/. The castle is located about 13 km from the center of Krakow, making it easily accessible for tourists. There are many attractions for children in the area, including nature trails and playgrounds. Families are recommended to book at least one night to fully experience the atmosphere of the place.

Our journey back in time continues in Lanckorona (34-143 Lanckorona), whose market square is a true gem of wooden architecture. It's the perfect place for a leisurely stroll and discovering the charm of the small town. It is best explored on foot, savoring the atmosphere of narrow streets and historic houses. For children, there are handicraft workshops at local galleries. It's worth planning a full-day trip, combining sightseeing with a picnic on the surrounding hills. Remember to wear comfortable shoes - the cobblestone streets can be demanding for little feet!

These three places are the perfect introduction to a romantic journey through Malopolska. Each offers a unique experience and allows you to travel back in time, discovering the richness of the region's history and culture. Remember that when visiting castles and historic sites, it's a good idea to bring a warm coat with you - even in summer it can be chilly there!

After exploring historic castles and towns, it's time to get in touch with nature and art. Our next destination is the Brodziński Stones Nature Reserve (Lipnica Murowana). This is a place where nature creates amazing rock formations and history mixes with legend. The reserve is accessible all year round, admission is free. The best way to get here is by car, parking on provincial road No. 966 near the 'Pod Kamieniem' restaurant. The route is relatively easy, ideal for a family walk - plan about 2-3 hours for a leisurely tour. For children there is an educational path with information boards, which present the geology and nature of the reserve in an interesting way. Remember to wear appropriate hiking shoes and bring water - especially on warm days.

Move from nature to the world of art by visiting the Cloth Hall in Krakow (Rynek Główny 1/3, 31-042 Krakow). It's not only an architectural monument, but primarily the home of the Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and tickets can be purchased on site or online. Special tours and art workshops are available for families with children - check the current offer at https://mnk.pl/oddzial/galeria-sztuki-polskiej. The Cloth Hall is easily accessible - it is located in the heart of Krakow, which can be reached by train or bus from many cities in Lesser Poland. Plan about 2-3 hours for the tour, and be sure to take a break for ice cream or a traditional Krakow bagel in the Main Square after visiting the museum.

The next point on our trip is the Sącz Ethnographic Park in Nowy Sącz (ul. Generała Wieniawa Długoszowskiego 83B, 33-300 Nowy Sącz). This is an unusual place where you can move back in time and learn about the life of the old Małopolska village. The open-air museum is open all year round, but opening hours vary depending on the season - up-to-date information can be found at http://www.muzeum.sacz.pl/. Nowy Sacz is most easily reached by train or bus, and the open-air museum itself is located about 3 km from the city center - you can get there by public transportation or cab. There are plenty of attractions for families with children: craft workshops, folklore shows, and even the opportunity to stay overnight in a historic cottage. Plan a full day for this excursion - the open-air museum is vast and hides many fascinating discoveries.

These three sites show how nature and culture intertwine in Malopolska, creating a unique landscape. From wild rock formations to masterpieces of painting to a living village museum, each site offers a unique educational and aesthetic experience. Remember to adjust the pace of the tour to accommodate the youngest members of the family, and take regular breaks for rest and meals.

Our romantic journey through Malopolska ends in one of the most beautiful national parks in Poland - Ojców National Park (Ojców 9, 32-045 Sułoszowa). This is a place where nature creates fairy-tale landscapes, and history has left its traces in the form of picturesque castle ruins. The park is open all year round, but the best time to visit is from spring to autumn, when nature awakens to life. Admission tickets can be purchased at the park entrances or online at http://www.ojcowskiparknarodowy.pl/.

The easiest way to get to Ojcow is by car from Krakow (about a 40-minute drive) or by bus from the Krakow train station. There are plenty of attractions for families with children: educational trails, caves available to explore (note: the caves have a constant temperature of about 8°C, it's a good idea to bring warm clothes), as well as the possibility to rent bicycles. Plan at least one full day to explore the park, and if you have more time, consider staying overnight in one of the guesthouses in the Ojców area.

While visiting Ojcow National Park, you can't miss some key attractions:

1. Pieskowa Skala Castle - a Renaissance gem with a beautiful courtyard and museum.
2. Mace of Hercules - a distinctive rock formation, a symbol of the park.
3. Prądnik Valley - ideal for walks and family picnics.
4. Łokietek's Cave - the largest cave in the park, associated with the legend of King Władysław Łokietek.
5. Ojcow National Park Museum - where children can learn about the fauna and flora of the park through interactive exhibitions.

Remember to prepare properly for the trip: comfortable trekking shoes, a backpack with provisions and water, as well as UV sunscreen and insect repellent are essential. For families with small children, we recommend bringing a baby carrier - some trails can be difficult for strollers.

Ojcow National Park is the perfect place to end our romantic trip in Malopolska. Here, surrounded by majestic nature, we can sum up all the impressions of the trip. From medieval castles, charming towns and open-air museums to wild caves and gorges, each of the places we visited showed us a different face of Malopolska, but they all have one thing in common: an extraordinary atmosphere that makes you want to come back.

When planning a trip along the Romantic Route, remember to be flexible - every family has its own pace and preferences. Don't try to see everything at once - it's better to focus on a few selected places and really get a feel for them. Malopolska is a region that has a lot to offer at any time of the year, so consider returning here in different seasons to discover new facets of these magical places.

Finally, remember the 'Leave No Trace' rule - let's leave these beautiful places as we found them, so that future generations can enjoy their charm. Let this trip be not only a lesson in history and nature, but also in responsible travel and respect for the world around us.