July 6, 2025 – Neple to Szuminka – 72 kms – Vila Nova

July 7, 2025 – Szuminka to Chełm – 76 kms – Hotel Kizak

July 8, 2025 – Chełm to Zamość – 62 kms – Hotel Sukcesor

July 9, 2025 – Hotel Sukcesor

July 10, 2025 – Hotel Sukcesor (oh yeah, a third session at the breakfast buffet trough)

Gordon:  I have a lot of trouble taking a rest day when I am on a walking or cycling trip.  However, when a vigorous multi-day storm system loomed, I had to concede that it was time to stay in one place for a few days, particularly as we had not taken a rest day in almost three weeks.  The most convenient place to stay during the rain was Zamość, a prospect which didn’t disappoint either of us.

As it turns out, the timing of our three night stay is very fortunate, as the 22nd Eurofolk Zamość was starting the day we arrived.  The Eurofolk is principally a folk dance festival featuring the large local folk dance troupe, but with groups invited from a number of countries, including India, Columbia, Serbia, Senegal, and the Basque Country.  Tonight we will be spending our third evening watching the dancing.  It really has been fun.  A particular shoutout to the troupe from the Basque Country: the athleticism and speed of the steps was a wonder to behold.  I doubt if they accept applications from dancers over 30.

Our time in Zamość has also allowed us to visit the local zoo during a long break in the rain.  I know that zoos are controversial these days, at least on the liberal side of the cultural divide, but I love them.  The collection at the Zamość zoo is actually quite impressive, and by arriving at opening time we had the entire large site almost to ourselves for a couple of hours.

Of course, as an increasingly scrawny cyclist, the best part of our stay in Zamość is the opportunity to have three sessions at the breakfast buffet.  It truly is a marvel.

Tomorrow we are off again.  Ruth has mapped out an arc that will take us through some attractions in the foothills of the Carpathians on our way back to Kraków.