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 hut, which becomes a relaxation house after crossing the threshold. You can take your slippers, bathrobe, comfortable tracksuit and your favorite tea here. Here, in Istebna, in a forest clearing, everything is relaxed. Life goes on slowly, without observing the rush, but with watching the deer from the balcony on the first floor. We have equipped the house so that you are completely comfortable and cozy here. The main building materials are wood and stone, and wicker, jute, linen or pig iron complete the interior. In addition, some shop furniture, a bit dug up at online auctions, a bit of work and already refreshed, go to Slow Chatka to give it the right character.
The house is heated with a wood-burning stove in the kitchen and it is your responsibility to light it up and add it to the fire. But don't worry, it's not some black magic, the basic skills of burning in the fireplace are enough.
Slow Chatka can accommodate up to 6 people. Common parts are:
- The kitchen is equipped with an oven, microwave, two-burner stove and if someone has a wish, you can light it in the oven and cook on a live fire, we guarantee that everything from this oven tastes different.
- A large table for shared meals and games.
- Bathroom with toilet, sink and shower.
- There is also a couch in the living area.
- The terrace is an extension of the house, so that you can fully celebrate the time of peace on a hammock, on a deckchair, on Moroccan pouffes.
Going up the stairs you will find:
- A smaller bedroom on the right with 3 single beds.
- A larger bedroom to the left, the so-called big hill with 1 double bed and 1 single bed.
We have neither televisions nor air conditioning. But we have a squeaky floor and a "loose" board. When walking on it, the entire cupboard with dishes rises a few millimeters, as a result of which its contents vibrate, making a concert. We also have steep stairs and capricious water pressure. It happens, even quite often, that wild game, field game and insects come to visit. Foxes will surely eat whatever is left on the terrace overnight. Field mice will take advantage of every possible situation to fill their bellies with their guests.
On May and June nights, we have a corncrake recital, which has been living in our grasses for several seasons.
The sounds of the rutting can frighten and freeze the blood in the veins, but the sight of a small spotted "Bambi" in the morning will soothe your shattered nerves.
The hut 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's for sure.
Pets are welcome with us free of charge, but we set a few conditions.
Above all, we value the fact that we can commune with nature. If your four-legged friend is of a hunting race, please don't be let down and left unattended. Apart from birds, there are also nests of hares and their children in the grass, the hunting nature will certainly let us know. We also ask you to clean up the dirt and we ask that the dogs do not use upholstered furniture and beds.
There are five with live fire, and there is also a more modern two-burner stove. So you can add some wood and make scrambled eggs, you can also heat something up in the microwave or bake it in the oven. You rule yourselves in the kitchen, and you also do the washing yourself, because there is no dishwasher. There is glass in the sideboard between the kitchen and the stairs that makes itself felt as soon as you walk past the shop window. There are mugs, glasses, plates, etc. You can serve your meals in the dining room, on the terrace or on the grass. You can also eat breakfast in bed, but it's best if someone reports it to you. Combine.
In the evening, it is worth lighting a barbecue, putting highlander cheese on it or tossing potatoes into the fire. We also provide you with "smokes" with recipes for delicious meats, fish and cheese.
If you like walking, trekking, swinging in a hammock, riding a bike, exploring the monuments and history of the region, reaching the mountains and exploring the valleys, you couldn't have come to a better place. If you don't want to leave the yard, no problem. From the terrace you can watch Bobasa's horse, which belongs to our uncle, silently admire the deer that regularly enter the meadow and our stream, listen to what's squeaking in the grass, and there's a lot going on. It sometimes happens that a shepherd, as part of a neighborly banquet, brings his sheep - natural lawnmowers - to us, and 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 sidelines 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 band live here and continue their tradition to this day.
Music is played here during family celebrations and social gatherings. There's a good chance that singing will reach you too. It is worth going out to the hillside next to the cottage and listening to regional folklore. The closer to the source, the more interesting the experience, so a walk will be advisable.
Istebna, together with the villages of Jaworzynka and Koniaków, forms Trójwieś Beskidzka. You probably already guess that a trip to Koniaków and Jaworzynka is a must when visiting us.
If you come to us in winter, be sure to take your sled, because you can practice downhill skiing in front of the house. For all kinds of skiers and snowboarders there is:
- Zagroń Complex.
- Złoty Groń ski resort.
- Kubalonka Pass, close to which there are cross-country trails and biathlon shooting ranges. As well as numerous tourist trails, including the Main Beskid Trail.
In the summer, you can walk to Kubalonka, Złoty Groń, Stecówka or Ochodzita, from where you will admire beautiful, picturesque panoramas of the Mała Fatra and the Tatra Mountains. From Stecówka, you can follow the red trail to the Przysłopie Shelter. From there it's less than 3 km. they separate you from the peak of Barania Góra and the observation tower. Another route worth taking is the little-used road to the sources of the Olza River. Even preschoolers will be able to do it, because the route is always on an asphalt road, so you can go there with a stroller or on a bicycle. The bicycle route is 13 km long and runs like this: Tourist border crossing Istebna-Bukovec in the Olza valley - Istebna Sawmill - Istebna Zaolzie - slopes of Gańczorka - source of the Olza. Before you reach your destination, along the way, in Gańczorka, you will see a picturesque retention reservoir on the Olza River with a waterfall. From there it is only a few steps (approx. 30 minutes) to the sources of the Olza River. We recommend drinking the water from the spring, it is clean, cold and tasty. There is even a booth next to the spring with a tourist information number, 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:
- Kawulok Cottage, built in 1863, was included in the Wooden Architecture Trail. Jan Kawulok - a creator of folk instruments, a multi-instrumentalist and a storyteller - lived and created there. The house is now a museum where you can see musical instruments and a number of equipment for their maintenance and care.
- The Jan Wałach Museum is a wooden cottage located in the forest. It was the workshop of the painter, woodcut artist and graphic artist Jan Wałach. It is here that you can admire how the artist lived and created.
- Jan Juroszek's Forge, to which the owner himself invites you. You can see here a presentation of the works of artistic blacksmithing that you forge.
- The Konarzewski Family Studio is another art museum worth visiting in Istebna. Here you will learn about the fate of the mentioned family, take part in artistic 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.
- Istebnian Spruce Museum in Jaworzynka.
- Koniaków Lace Museum.
If you like bicycle trips and more hardcore trips, be sure to take your two wheels. We have quite a lot of routes of various degrees of difficulty here. Such as a dozen or a hundred kilometers. Road enthusiasts will find paradise here, which is why you will meet so many cyclists on the way to us. The stages of the Tour de Pologne run through the local surroundings, thanks to the diverse terrain.
In nearby Ustroń, on Palenica, you will find a bike park for those who need a higher level of adrenaline and like to fly on prepared routes.
We offer advice to DH and enduro enthusiasts, Wojtek has tested all bike parks in the area.
What’s there for children?
Be sure to take wellington boots with your suitcase. Believe me, they will be useful for sure. The stream that flows through our meadow provides many experiences for little explorers. In addition to the pleasant coolness it gives, it is a center of adventure, learning and fun. Our son spends whole days there waiting for the movement of these "creatures" attached to the stones. You can follow the frogs hiding in the grass on the shore, make fishing rods, boats, harbors or just wade up to the knees, sometimes up to the ankles. It all depends on the season and the amount of rainfall.
Our neighbor is the Babas horse, who likes to be fed very much. Collect long blades of grass in the basket and go to it up the hill in front of the house. You will see how he will be delighted with such rarities. The hamlet of Leszczyna is a region of tractors and agricultural machinery. The boys will surely appreciate it.
We encourage you to visit the Pastoral Center in Koniaków, where you can commune with small sheep and goats. At the Forest Ecological Education Center in Istebna, you will listen to the fascinating stories of the talking tree, as well as visit the badger's den. There are many playgrounds in the area, a water park, a rope park and a mini zoo. There will be plenty of attractions for the youngest.
