Did you know that 20 minutes in the forest is enough to lower your cortisol levels? However, we recommend devoting a little more time to it, even adding swimming in the river, saunas, and walking barefoot on the grass. We know that children don't need convincing to enjoy the freedom of nature, but adults sometimes need a helping hand—and that's exactly what we do. We feed them healthy plant-based meals, encourage them to live in harmony with their natural rhythms, and organize and invite all kinds of workshops in keeping with our love of nature. Plus, it always smells of fresh bread, something Ania's grandparents, the millers, would be proud of.
Our guesthouse and mill are located in Masuria, but just a few steps and a river crossing are enough to take you to Warmia. When we first arrived, we were immediately sure that Tomaryna Mill was waiting for us. And now it's also waiting for your stories.
Dobry Zaczyn is a settlement located in both Warmia and Masuria. The part where the guesthouse and mill stand is Masuria, but just a few steps and a river crossing are enough to find yourself in Warmia! The picturesque Pasłęka River, in whose valley our settlement lies, encircles it with a blue ribbon, creating a beautiful, idyllic place immersed in nature, where you can relax and forget about the world around you. We are convinced that being close to nature promotes not only relaxation but also a return to balance and healing.
We have five rooms for 2, 3, and 4 people, and two apartments. All our rooms have private bathrooms, windows overlooking the forest, and are cozily decorated with wood and natural materials. Rooms 4 and 5 have access to a small terrace. Children prefer to stay in the rooms with mezzanines (3 and 4).
We offer a vegetarian and, at times, vegan kitchen, in the spirit of slow and zero waste. This approach to food stems from our life philosophy – to not harm anyone while simultaneously caring for health and well-being. That's why we often feature produce and herbs from our own garden, and we often shop at the Olsztyn organic market and from local suppliers. We order coffee from the Olsztyn roasteries Kofikada and Bless Coffee Roasters.
You can sample our cuisine, not only local but also diverse. We love serving guests new dishes, combining tradition with experimentation, and we often participate in culinary workshops to hone our skills and stay up-to-date. We love cookbooks, and you can find a wealth of them here. Renowned chefs, like Ewa Pe, often cook for us, and we organize cooking workshops ourselves. You can learn the basics of vegan cooking and baking sourdough bread with organic flour. We make sure no one leaves the table hungry, and we're especially delighted by meat-eaters, who admit that they can forget about meat here and never miss it.
Our breakfasts are truly hearty – there's always something hot, savory, and sweet, along with our signature sourdough bread or foccacia. You can expect our shakshuka, baked omelets with vegetables, Turkish eggs in yogurt sauce, savory waffles with eggs, hummus and vegetable spreads, seasonal salads, pancakes, crepes, and jams. Guests love our slow-cooked oatmeal, which features dried fruit and seasonal fruits.
Our dinners won't let you lose weight either, as they consist of three courses and are a great opportunity to enjoy the afternoon and enjoy leisurely conversations with other guests. In addition to soup or appetizers, you'll enjoy chili sin carne, a tart with seasonal vegetables and herbs from our meadow, pasta with oyster mushrooms topped with a creamy blanket, vegetable burgers with fries, or a miller's bowl, a miller's version of the Buddha bowl. Dessert is always the cherry on the cake – we bake our own cakes, including the now-famous challah, beetroot or banana brownies, white chocolate cheesecake, and lemon tart. Our specialties also include ground elder pesto, renowned for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, and herbal teas from our garden.
Besides taste and ingredients, the aesthetic aspect of food is equally important, so we decorate our dishes with edible flowers and see how daisies, forget-me-nots, and pansies delight our taste buds. Furthermore, unhurried eating in beautiful natural surroundings also has a wonderful effect on our well-being and digestion. We love feasts, celebrations, and conversations about life around the table late into the night. That's why we often host coffee shops on weekends, and you can also drop in for breakfast on the grass, accompanied by birdsong. You don't have to eat traditionally at the dining table. We'd be happy to oblige if you'd like to dine under the trees in the garden, on the terrace, or on the bridge.
If you rent an apartment with us, you have access to a kitchen and don't need to purchase breakfast. If you rent a room, purchasing breakfast is mandatory.
In summer, you can swim in our river bathing area and forest spa, hike in the beautiful Pasłęka Valley, kayak down the Marózka River, pick mushrooms, cycle around the area, sunbathe, read, practice yoga or jogging, play badminton, walk the Tomaryni homeless people, lie belly up in a hammock and do nothing. You can also visit the wild beach at Lake Sarąg (a 2.5km walk) or the large beach where you can rent water sports equipment at Lake Szęląg Wielki (12km). You can also book a massage surrounded by nature at our massage hut. The peace, quiet, and closeness to nature make it perfect for sleeping and working, whether remotely or helping with farm work.
Numerous cycling and walking trails in the nearby forests surround the estate. In Tomaryni, there are former German bunkers and towers. There are several lakes and beaches within a few kilometers. In Mycyny and Biesal, there are stud farms where you can try horseback riding. In spring and summer, we recommend kayaking down Poland's most beautiful river, the Marózka, a feast for the eyes and ears. On a rainy day, it's worth visiting Warmia Park (aquapark) in Pluski (about 20 km away) or in Olsztyn. Olsztyn also boasts a wonderful astronomical observatory, a castle, and a beautiful old town. Olsztyn has a beautiful open-air museum.
In winter, you can soak in the sauna, go winter swimming, walk barefoot in the snow, cross-country ski, sled or ride downhill on tires, go sleigh riding, practice yoga, warm up with wine by the fireplace, organize family gatherings, curl up under a blanket with a book, or play board games. You can also participate in culinary, yoga, or psychology workshops.
Children are free and surrounded by nature. Under their parents' supervision, they can swim in the river, kayak, go mushroom picking, ride bikes, play badminton, or nap in hammocks. We recommend trips to the nearby lakes or to the stables for horseback riding lessons. Nearby are water parks, an astronomical observatory, and an open-air museum. In winter, we invite you to enjoy sledding and sleigh rides.
Note: Children under 4 years of age sleep with their parents free of charge. We also offer discounts on children's breakfasts.
There is Wi-Fi, it is quiet, there are even desks in the rooms.