Think carefully: is it worth traveling to the middle of nowhere and sitting there motionless for a week? Many will say yes. And that's what a city-weary tourist needs. But we have something better: we have boos on the edge of civilization. Nine kilometers from Przemyśl—just enough to send the loser of a bet for pizza at a critical moment—lies our vast land. It's surrounded by forest, the terrace overlooks an old orchard, and behind the house, bubbles bubble in a tub where you can sit until your fingers are tender. And the only company you'll encounter here are ten pairs of curious eyes: our alpacas, goats, and dog.
If you were to arrive here by train, you'd get off at the historic Przemyśl station, which won the "Station of the Year" award in 2020. The 1860 building was one of the most impressive on the Kraków-Lviv route. Franz Joseph II visited it, and it still inspires admiration for its architectural richness. If you'd like, I can even pick you up and drop you off at the station. However, if you have four wheels, it's probably not worth giving them up. We're located on the edge of the Przemyśl Foothills, and this is a region worth exploring during your breaks from the bubble bath. Explore the rarely visited Suchy Obycz massif, admire the view from Połoninki Arłamowskie, and admire the sgraffito of Krasiczyn Castle. And after returning from your trip, pet an alpaca's nose and stretch out on the sofa with the owner of a beloved human nose.
Surrounded by 15 hectares of land, it features a spruce forest, meadows, an old orchard, and a farmstead where our fluffy pets live. Right next to the pasture where the alpacas graze is our new cottage: small, modern, yet cozy, perfect for a cozy weekend getaway for two or a trip to the countryside with the kids.
What's inside:
- a double bed on the mezzanine,
- additional sleeping space on a fold-out sofa downstairs,
- a living area with a sofa, a goat, a TV, and an armchair,
- a well-equipped kitchen,
- a bathroom with a shower,
- a terrace with loungers, a table, and chairs,
- a hot tub and a sauna behind the house.
We're in the Przemyśl Foothills, so if you've always wanted to explore this part of the Podkarpacie region, this is a very pleasant base. If you didn't know you wanted to, that's an even better idea. Krasiczyn and Przemyśl are just a short drive away, so you can explore the culture and history of the region, and while staying at the cottage, simply enjoy the peace and quiet and closeness to nature.
Right next door is a farmstead where our herd of alpacas live. They'll be delighted if you feed them carrots and pet their ears. We also have two dogs who love all our guests and happily take them for walks. They're the best guides in the area.
We live in Przemyśl and come here regularly to feed the animals and occasionally work on the farm. You can do this yourself during your stay – unless you prefer not to.
Here you will have to cook for yourself: but in a cozy home kitchen. We suggest that whatever you cook in it, it tastes best on the terrace, overlooking the orchard below. In the fruit season, make the most of it: why don't you eat granola with fruit for breakfast or make a colorful smoothie? We also have a gas grill, so on warm afternoons and evenings we recommend grilling.
However, we inform those who do not cook that it is close to civilization. A 10-minute car trip and you're in Przemyśl: enjoy a good pizza in La Costa or eat a bowl of hummus in the cozy interiors of the Cuda Wianki restaurant.
When someone asks us about the biggest attractions in this place, we say peace and quiet. We bought this land as a family over 20 years ago and for a long time we came here simply to camp: walk in the forest, soak our feet in the stream (it trickles lazily 700 meters from the cottage). We suspect that you may have similar needs. So if you need a detox from the city, come. Here you can enjoy:
- walks around the area, among the greenery,
- petting and feeding our alpacas,
- playing with our dog, who will also be happy to show you around the surrounding areas,
- unlimited relaxation in bubbles in a hot tub,
- reading a book in a hammock or deckchair (you can also use our library: we have various titles - from biographies to politics),
- catching up on TV series on Netflix in the evenings.
However, the whole charm of our location is that relaxation does not have to end with sitting in the forest. You will find yourself in the Przemyśl Foothills, which we strongly encourage you to discover. Here we have historic cities, picturesque villages, wooden Orthodox churches, we have the San River in the north and the Sanocko-Turczańskie Mountains in the south. And much more.
Przemyśl
You will be really close to Przemyśl: 9 km. If you were traveling by train, we would recommend that you get off at the historic train station from 1860, considered one of the most beautiful in Poland: in 2020 it even received the title of "Train Station of the Year". Whichever means of transport you choose, it is worth seeing. Just like the Market Square and the Old Town, the Przemyśl Museum of Bells and Pipes, the Lubomirski Palace or the Kazimierzowski Castle, from which there is a panorama of the entire city. Another important attraction is the Przemyśl Fortress. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was one of the largest fortresses in modern Europe. Today, the impressive forts are left with mysterious ruins, which can be explored on foot, by bike or on horseback.
Krasiczyn
In Krasiczyn, on the other hand, there is a castle that attracts not only young wizards (at one time, themed colonies were organized there and the sight of children in robes and wands did not surprise anyone). The Renaissance-Mannerist building delights with 4 towers reflecting the hierarchy of the world approved by its founders, sgraffito-type wall decorations and a magnificent park (200 species of trees and shrubs from different parts of the world!).
Kalwaria Pacławska
The village with the Basilica of the Finding of the Holy Cross attracts pilgrims, but it is also worth visiting for non-religious purposes. In the Baroque basilica, you will see noteworthy 18th-century altars in the style of Lviv Rococo sculpture. And an interesting fact: Kalwaria was founded by a Baroque politician, philosopher and writer, Andrzej Maksymilian Fredro, known as the Polish Tacitus. Aleksander Fredro considered himself his descendant.
Suchy Obycz and Połoninki Arłamowskie
The highest peak of the Przemyskie Foothills towers over the town of Arłamów. You can reach the mountain, for example, from Przełęcz pod Suchym Obyczem along the blue trail. The massif is not known to a wider group of tourists, but it is a very picturesque part of the Sanocko-Turczańskie Mountains. The borders of two landscape parks run in the immediate vicinity: the Słonne Mountains and the Przemyskie Foothills - this is a very valuable natural region, where, for example, bird protection areas are located. On the połoninki, from where there are wonderful views, you can feel freedom and catch a deep breath. They are also visited by few.
Wiar Valley
The region stretching along the right tributary of the San is shrouded in mysterious stories. It lies right next to the Polish-Ukrainian border. The Wiar, one of the cleanest rivers in Poland, is 70 km long, of which almost 60 are on the Polish side. You can go to the source of the river itself, located on the northern slopes of Brańcowa Mountain – just watch out for the marshy areas.
Here are some other places in our region worth visiting:
- Bolestraszyce Arboretum,
- Krępak Nature Reserve,
- wooden Orthodox churches of the Przemyśl Foothills,
- Salis Soglio Fort in Siedliska.
If you are planning on longer hiking trips, check out the hiking trails:
- Red Przemyśl-Sanocki Trail,
- Rybotycki Trail,
- Arłamowski Trail.
Another important piece of information is that we are located right next to the Green Velo route. If you want to cycle through this region of Podkarpacie, it would be hard to find a better base for trips. In addition, there are many good cycling routes in the area – ask for details and I will direct you. In Przemyśl, by the ski slope, there is also the Fort Trails bike park. You will find both family trails and much more demanding ones there.
A herd of alpacas, three kittens, and one curious dog – that's enough to make the children visiting us feel like it's Christmas. You can pet and feed the animals living in the enclosure (just remember not to tire them out), and take our dog (he's very gentle and loves visitors) for long walks. There's a chance you'll be asked if you'll get one yourself when you return – you can always say no, but you'll come back to us. :)
The allotment in Zalesie was the adventurous land of our youth, so we know a thing or two about how much fun it is – especially for city kids. In the summer, you can pick cherries in the orchard, and in the fall, you can wander through the forest searching for the most magnificent mushrooms. There's plenty of space to play: a meadow for picking flowers, and at the end of summer, bales of hay to climb on.
The internet here is not the highest possible flight, but it is not the worst either. Our experience shows that it works. If you were hoping for this, you will have to work from the couch, armchair or terrace - because we do not have a special desk for work.