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 an oasis of peace the moment you step inside. You can bring your slippers, bathrobe, comfortable tracksuit, and your favorite tea. Here, in Istebna, nestled in a forest clearing, everything is relaxed. Life moves slowly, without rushing. We've furnished the cottage to provide you with complete comfort and coziness. Wood is the main building material. Stone, wicker, jute, linen, and raw cotton complement the interior. Add some new furniture, some old pieces found at online auctions. A little work, and these newly renovated pieces end up at Slow Chatka to give it the right character.
The house is heated by a wood stove located in the kitchen, and the responsibility of lighting and feeding the fire is yours. But don't worry, it's not difficult; basic fireplace skills are more than enough. Just remember to take care of your safety and don't leave the ash pan open when you leave the cottage.
Slow Cottage can accommodate a maximum of 5 people. Shared areas include:
- A kitchen equipped with an oven, microwave, and two-burner stove. If you wish, you can also light the oven and cook over a live fire; we guarantee that everything cooked in this oven tastes different.
- A large table for communal meals and games.
- A bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower.
- There is also a sofa in the living area.
- The terrace extends to the house, allowing you to fully enjoy your time in a hammock, lounger, or Moroccan poufs.
As you climb the stairs, you'll find:
- A smaller bedroom on the right with 3 single beds.
- A larger bedroom on the left, the so-called "large mound," with 1 double bed.
There are no televisions or air conditioning. Instead, there are creaky floors and "loose" furniture. We also have steep stairs and unpredictable water pressure. It happens, quite often, that forest and field animals, as well as insects, drop in to visit. Foxes will certainly eat what's left on the terrace overnight. Field mice will take advantage of any opportunity to fill their bellies in front of our guests.
On May and June nights, we hear the song of the corncrake, which has been living in our grass for several seasons.
The sounds of the rut in autumn can be terrifying and chilling, but the sight of a small, spotted "Bambi" in the morning will soothe frayed nerves.
The cottage is located in a meadow, so we truly assume that we are guests in their space.
Those who are afraid of insects, lizards, or rodents will not find peace here, that's for sure.
Pets are welcome at no extra charge, but we do have a few conditions.
We ask that dogs not use the upholstered furniture or beds. We are unable to wash them every time, and the smell of damp fur unfortunately requires it. Please bring blankets, rugs, and beds if your pets use them regularly.
Above all, we value our ability to connect with nature. If your four-legged friend is a hunting breed, please do not let them loose or leave them unattended. Besides birds, there are also rabbit nests and their offspring in the grass, so the hunters' nature will certainly make its presence felt here. The area is not fenced.
There's a wood-burning stove, and a more modern two-burner stove. So you can add wood and scramble eggs on the stovetop. You can also heat something up in the microwave or bake it in the oven. You're in charge of the kitchen, and you wash up yourself, as there's no dishwasher. In the cupboard between the kitchen and the stairs, there's a glass cabinet that makes its presence known as soon as you pass the display case. Here you'll find mugs, glasses, plates, and more. Meals can be served in the dining room, on the terrace, or on the grass. You can also have breakfast in bed, but it's best if someone brings it to you. Get creative ;)
In the evening, it's worth lighting a fire, putting local cheeses on the grill, or tossing potatoes in the embers. We also provide a "smoked sausage" along with recipes for delicious cold cuts, fish, and cheeses. However, these require some advance 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.
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.
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 :)
