We will not serve epithets as great with us. For everyone, rarity means something different. We will simply tell you what to expect, and you can judge if it is something for you. Certainly for us.
The house in the forest clearing belonged to my father - Baca Jasia, and now our little family took it over. We renovated it a bit, equipped it with recycled furniture, tested it on ourselves, and when we settle in, we give it to you. We like to come here. We pack wellington boots, clothes to drive, favorite tracksuits and some books into the suitcase. Our son Jasiek spends half the day knee-deep in the stream, the other half admires farm machinery or feeds Babas's horse grazing on the hill above the house with wild flowers. Sometimes the way to the hut will be blocked by a herd of sheep, sometimes the water pressure in the tap has its own whims. In winter, you have to add to the stove to keep it warm, in summer, remember to close the windows for the evening, because insects are at their best. In the morning we admire the deer by the stream, in the evening hedgehogs walk by the terrace. We have grasshopper concerts and a frog choir, and at home there is a squeaky floor and a loose board. It does not bother us at all, such a charm of a cottage near the forest. If you feel this way too, we invite you. The door of our Slow Chatka is open to you.
In a wooden cottage, which becomes a relaxation house as soon as you cross the threshold. You can take your slippers, a bathrobe, a comfortable tracksuit and your favorite tea. Here, in Istebna, in a forest clearing, everything is relaxed. Life goes on slowly, without observing the rush. We have equipped the cottage so that you feel completely comfortable and cozy here. The main building material is wood. Stone, wicker, jute, linen or raw cotton complete its interior. In addition, some new furniture, some old furniture dug up at online auctions, a little work and such refreshed ones end up in Slow Chatka to give it the right character.
The house is heated by a wood stove located in the kitchen and the duty of lighting and feeding the home fire is yours. Don't worry, it's not some black magic, basic skills in lighting a fireplace will be enough.
Slow Chatka can accommodate a maximum of 5 people. Common areas include:
- Kitchen equipped with oven, microwave, two-burner stove and if you wish, you can light the oven and cook on a live fire, we guarantee that everything from this oven tastes different.
- Large table for shared meals and games.
- Bathroom with toilet, sink and shower.
- There is also a sofa in the living area.
- The terrace is an extension of the house, so that you can fully enjoy the time of peace in a hammock, on a deckchair or Moroccan poufs.
Going up the stairs you will find:
- Smaller bedroom on the right with 3 single beds.
- Larger bedroom on the left, the so-called big hill with 1 double bed
We have neither TVs nor air conditioning here. But we have a creaking floor and "loose" boards. We also have steep stairs and capricious water pressure. It happens, quite often, that forest and field animals and insects drop in to visit. Foxes will certainly eat what is left on the terrace for the night. Field mice will take advantage of every opportunity to fill their bellies in front of the Guests.
On May and June nights we have the recitation of the corncrake, which has been living in our grass for a few seasons.
The sounds of the rut in autumn can be terrifying and freeze the blood in your veins, but the sight of a small spotted "Bambi" in the morning will soothe your nerves.
The cottage is located in a meadow, so we really assume that we are the guests in their space.
People who are afraid of insects, lizards or rodents will not find peace with us, that is more than certain.
Animals are welcome with us at no extra charge, but we set a few conditions.
We ask that dogs do not use upholstered furniture and beds. We are not able to wash them every time, and the smell of damp fur unfortunately requires it. Please bring blankets, rugs, beds if your pets use them every day. Above all, we value the fact that we can commune with nature. If your four-legged friend is a hunting breed, please do not let him out and leave him unattended. In addition to birds, there are also hare nests and their children in the grass, the hunting nature will certainly make itself known here. The area is not fenced.
There is a stove with a live fire, and a more modern two-burner stove. So you can throw in some wood and make scrambled eggs on the stove, or you can heat something up in the microwave or bake it in the oven. You are in charge in the kitchen, and you wash up yourself, because there is no dishwasher. There is glass in the cupboard between the kitchen and the stairs, which makes itself known as soon as you pass the display case. Here you will find cups, glasses, glasses, plates, etc. You can serve meals in the dining room, on the terrace or on the grass. You can also have breakfast in bed, but it would be best if someone brought it to you. Get creative ;)
In the evening, it is worth lighting the grill, putting local cheeses on it or throwing potatoes into the fire. We also provide you with a "smoked sausage" along with recipes for delicious cold cuts, fish and cheeses. However, these require prior preparation.
If you like walking, trekking, cycling, exploring the monuments and history of the region, reaching the peaks and exploring the valleys, you couldn't have come to a better place. If you don't want to move a single step from the yard, no problem. From the terrace, you can watch our uncle's horse Bobas, quietly admire the deer that regularly run into the meadow and our stream, listen to what's squeaking in the grass, and there's a lot going on. Sometimes, the shepherd, as part of a neighborly friendship, brings his sheep to us - natural mowers, then the silence turns into a bleating choir. Apart from that, nothing happens. Greenery, forest, hill, beautiful sunsets and a cottage with access to peace and quiet.
The hamlet of Leszczyna, on the outskirts of which our tiny estate is located, is a district of Istebna rich in regional folklore and culture. Many former and current members of the Istebna regional band live here, and they continue to cultivate their tradition to this day.
Musicing accompanies family celebrations and social gatherings. There is a good chance that the singing will reach you too. It is worth going out to the hill by the cottage and listening to regional folklore. The closer to the source, the more interesting the experience, so a walk is recommended.
Istebna, together with the villages of Jaworzynka and Koniaków, forms the Beskidzka Trivillage. You have probably already guessed that a trip to Koniaków and Jaworzynka is a must-see when visiting us.
There are quite a few peaks here, you can climb Kubalonka, Złoty Groń, Stecówka, or Ochodzita, from where you will admire beautiful, almost painterly panoramas of Mała Fatra and the Tatras. From Stecówka, you can reach the Shelter on Przysłop along the red trail. From there, less than 3 km separate you from the top of Barania Góra and the observation tower. Another route worth taking is the rarely used road to the sources of the Olza River. Even preschoolers can do it, because the route runs along an asphalt road the whole time, and you can go there with a stroller or on bikes. The bike route is 13 km long and runs like this: Tourist border crossing Istebna–Bukovec in the Olza Valley – Istebna Tartak – Istebna Zaolzie – slopes of Gańczorka – source of the Olza River. Before you reach your destination, on the way in Gańczorka you will find a picturesque retention reservoir on the Olza River with a waterfall. From there, it is only a few steps (about 30 minutes) to the sources of the Olza River. We recommend drinking water from the spring, it is clean, cold and tasty. There is even a booth with a number for Tourist Information, and inside there are metal cups for drinking water. If you are curious about what Istebna looked like in the 19th century, how the highlanders lived and what they created, we have a few places worth visiting:
- The Kawulok Cottage, built in 1863, has been entered on the Wooden Architecture Trail list. Jan Kawulok lived and created there - a creator of folk instruments, multi-instrumentalist and storyteller. The house is now a museum where you can see musical instruments and a range of equipment for their maintenance and care.
- The Jan Wałach Museum is a wooden cottage located in the forest. It was the studio of the painter, woodcut artist and graphic artist Jan Wałach. It is here that you can admire how the artist lived and created.
- The Jan Juroszek Forge, to which the owner himself invites you. Here you can see a presentation of the works of artistic blacksmithing he forges.
- The Konarzewski Family Studio is another art museum worth visiting in Istebna. Here you will learn about the fate of the aforementioned family, take part in art workshops, buy a painting and see objects belonging to the composer Stanisław Konarzewski, paintings and sculptures by Ludwik Konarzewski and paintings by Iwona and Antoni Konarzewski.
- Museum of the Istebnian Spruce in Jaworzynka.
- Museum of Koniaków Lace.
There is a lot to see.
If you like bike trips and more hardcore expeditions, be sure to take your two wheels. We have quite a few routes of varying difficulty here. Such for a dozen or a hundred or a dozen kilometres. Road, gravel or XC enthusiasts will find paradise here. Stages of the Tour de Pologne are led through the local area, precisely thanks to the diverse terrain.
Nearby Złoty Groń has built a bike park for those who need adrenaline at a higher level and like to fly on prepared routes.
We offer advice to DH and enduro enthusiasts. We have tested all bike parks in the vicinity of Wisła, Ustroń and Szczyrk.
What’s there for children?
Be sure to pack rubber boots. Believe me, they will definitely come in handy. The stream that flows through our meadow provides many experiences for little explorers. In addition to the pleasant coolness it provides, it is a center of adventure, learning and fun. Our son spends entire days there waiting for the movement of these "little creatures" attached to stones. You can follow frogs hiding in the grass. Let creativity speak. We make fishing rods from sticks, boats from bark, ports and tableware from stones. Just wading, sometimes up to the ankles and sometimes up to the knees, is also relaxing.
Our neighbor is a horse called Bobas, who loves to be fed. Collect long blades of grass in a basket and go to him on the hill in front of the house. You will see how delighted he will be with such delicacies. The hamlet of Leszczyna is a center of tractors and agricultural machinery. The boys will certainly appreciate it.
We encourage you to visit the Shepherding Centre in Koniaków, where you can spend time with small sheep and goats. In the Forest Ecological Education Centre in Istebna you will listen to fascinating stories of a talking tree, and you will also visit a badger's burrow. There are many playgrounds in the area, a water park, a rope park and a mini zoo. There will be no shortage of attractions for the youngest.
What’s there for employees?
We don't have desks, but we have a multifunctional, huge table. It will hold all notebooks, documents and necessary attributes. The views are not encouraging to work, but the silence will certainly allow you to concentrate. There was internet, but its questionable speed provoked us to cancel the service :)
