There was a rumor in the village that an American had bought a habitat in the forest. And that he'll probably do some Ranch here. But disappointment has replaced excitement. Not an American, but a Polish woman who traveled around the world for a while. And a local one too. And no ranches will be created. He will restore what is already there and share it with others. Because the forest is alive!
So, by the force of her momentum, she refreshed two huts. In one of them she found her place on earth, and she made the other one available to those seeking peace. But beware: Podlasie is not Las Vegas - in winter you have to light yourself in the stove and fireplace, and for the range you have to go out and look for it in the garden for a while. The following are available immediately: Podlasie nature, forest microclimate and the cultural richness of the region. The interior is steeped in folklore of the Bug River land. The silence of the forest. In winter, knee-deep snow. A bit further, the beaches on the Bug, blue churches and local farmers from whom you can buy local goods. There are rumors that this is enough to have a good rest and like the exoticism of Podlasie. Dare to check it out.
The forester's lodge is located in the Bug Valley Protected Landscape Area, and it is approximately 1.7 km from the river itself. The forest covers an area of approximately 70 ha. This means you can successfully observe forest life and become a part of it for a while.
The house was built in 1930. You will be able to see for yourself that the cottage has a long history, because we have left the double windows, original doors, crooked brick walls and old stoves. You can rest assured about the temperatures - we have insulated the cottage from the outside. We made sure that the furnishings matched the atmosphere of the house: we added old furniture and decorated the interior with works of folk art. Inside there was a fireplace, a bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. We renovated the attic, which now houses one of the bedrooms (with a double and single bed). The other two bedrooms can be found on the ground floor - one has a double bed and a fireplace, the other - in the enfilade - has two single beds. There is also a kitchen, a dining room and a small bathroom with a shower. In the garden there is a garden swing and (in summer) a trampoline. There is also a place for a bonfire.
Guests can use the house's garden and private forest. The garden is completely natural: there is no evenly mown grass, in autumn there are leaves that naturally feed the soil, and in winter there is snow up to our knees.
If you love traditional folk culture, you've come to the right place. If you ask, we will be happy to tell you about our traditions, tell you where cool events are currently taking place and tell you what is worth seeing and who to visit in the area :)
We don't cook, but we will provide you with a package of tips and addresses where you will experience a real Podlasie culinary adventure. We will also share a list of places where you can buy local products to take the taste of Podlasie home.
There is a kitchen in the cottage, where you can easily prepare a proper breakfast and coffee from a coffee pot sweetened with forest. There is an induction cooker with two heating fields, a microwave oven, a kitchenette and, for connoisseurs, a wood-fired coal stove.
The forest is alive here! There is a lot of time and a lot of space to walk along forest paths, pick mushrooms and wild strawberries, observe wild animals and stay in silence. You can make your own fire and howl to the moon scout songs from years ago. You can take a nap in a hammock professionally. Or go on exploring the area a little further than a few steps, to which we encourage you just as much. Below you will find a long list of interesting places in the neighborhood, to which we add a few more ideas for active spending of time and getting closer to Podlasie:
- in Siemiatycze there is a city beach (by the lagoon), where you can also rent water equipment and bicycles. The latter is a pretty good idea, because the Green Velo Eastern Trail runs through here. On the Trail's website you will find shorter and longer routes - both competitors and families with young children can choose something suitable for themselves.
- take a walk on the Bug (from the habitat you can get there by road through forests and fields in less than half an hour, or you can drive to the beach in Drohiczyn, for example), watch the sunset and try to spot some protected species of birds. The Bug is a mainstay of wild life and the only such large, unregulated river in Poland.
- visit Drohiczyn, climb Mount Zamkowa and visit the Museum of the Historical and Cultural Park "Bug - borderland of cultures and religions"
- in winter there is also a lot to do: you can rent cross-country skis or treat yourself to a snowmobile ride. We also have a group of sea lovers in the area that you can join if you like low temperatures and body hardening.
- do a road trip around the surrounding churches, drop by Góra Grabarka to learn about its history.
What’s there for children?
It can't be boring near the forest in Podlasie. Adventure number one is learning about forest life: looking out for animals and tracking traces (in the hut you will find guides for the youngest)
Apparently there is no inappropriate weather (only inappropriate clothing), but in the event of a storm or snowstorm, there will also be something to do: in the huts you will find a library with books, board games and toys.
And once the children enjoy what is available on site, you can take them to the beach in Drohiczyn or Siemiatycze, or on a trip to Alpakowo or Ziołowe Zakątek - below we leave some inspirations collected from the area.
