The caterpillars in Zakopane are like ants. So in order to distinguish one Peter from the other, nicknames began to be given. About 150 of them were created by the Gąsienica family. There are Jonki, because my father was called Jan, and there are Ciaptaks, because they were quite good. We were Gładczany - from Glade Gładka located on the slope of Gubałówka, which we have been inhabiting for over 400 years. We were, because everything changed when great-great-great-grandmother Regina Gąsienica-Giewont brought a flock (herd) of 100 sheep from Hungary. The roles of the highlanders are clearly delineated by tradition, so the woman juhas was something unheard of. The news of a strong and enterprising woman spread around Podhale. And since a Hungarian sheep is a Birka, it has been said from mouth to mouth that Regina is Byrka and her husband is Byrcyn. This is how we became the Gąsienicami-Byrcynami and we proudly bear this name, still cultivating pastoral traditions.

We still live at the top of Gubałówka and this is where we invite you. We built 3 houses on a large clearing with access to the most beautiful panorama of the Tatra Mountains. Of course, respecting tradition, with highlander art and crafts made by members of our family. Around there is a flower meadow or snow up to the armpits, in the neighborhood there are cottages from 1832 and 1863, and our sheep graze in the back. Come see Zakopane through our glasses. With a filter of tradition, stories and love for this region.

On the slope of Gubałówka, on Gładki, in a large (3000 m) clearing overlooking the Tatra Mountains. In a real highland cottage. Which moves, works, creaks. Our houses were built by highlanders using ancient methods. And although they are quite new, they are full of tradition. So there are amphibians, cotton wool, mountain pebbles, the smell of wood.

There are three houses, but for now we are giving you two. We are just finishing the last one.

We put a lot of heart into it because we don't like to take shortcuts. Each house will represent different specialties of our family. Cottage 1 (Władek's cottage) is artistic. There are works by my mother - Bożena Gąsienica - Byrcyn - hanging on the walls, and beautiful wooden chests and chairs were made by my father-in-law - sculptor Władysław Hyc. Cottage 2 (Staszek's cottage) is dedicated to my great-grandfather - Stanisław Gąsienica - Byrcyn and there are references to skiing and TOPR memorabilia in it.

Each house is designed for 6 people. They have their own terraces, barbecues and balconies upstairs.
On the ground floor there is:
- vestibule,
- living room connected to the kitchenette,
- bathroom with shower.

On the floor:
- bathroom with shower and bathtub,
- bedroom with double bed,
- bedroom with a double bed and a fold-out sofa.

Zakopane has so much beauty to offer that it is a pity to stay at home. We usually stay away from the crowds. We immerse ourselves in nature, walk outside the main routes, enter the forest. We are the closest to the forests on the Gubałówka slope and that is where we are most often. It is enough to skip the line on Gubałówka, and there are paths, streams, peace and quiet. In summer, when the heat is pouring down from the sky, we spend the most time by the streams. Our kids had been wading barefoot in the water from an early age, playing with the stones by the shore, cooling down in the streams. Somehow, we naturally avoid water parks (although there are several of them in the vicinity), we prefer to spend time in nature.

We also like to go to places marked by the history of our family, where our families once had their lands. For example, in the area of Kasprowy Wierch. Even when you are in Austria, France or Italy, the view from Kasprowy is impossible to imitate. The most beautiful. Then it is worth going down from the top on your own - the crowds seem smaller, and the nature is wonderful.

When autumn comes, we love the whole family to go cycling to the Chochołowska Valley. Or in the evening to the deer rut in the Mała Łąki Valley.

There are so many trails to go around that it's hard to put together in a few soldier words. Therefore, I will leave you a few quick recommendations here, and you can count on more recommendations on the spot.

Routes with children:
- Dolina za Bramką, the route of which ends with a delightful spilled stream, and Dolina ku Dziura, on the trail of which there is a small cave. Short half-hour routes, perfect to keep children entertained with nature, adventure and mountains, and little people!
- The Strążyska Valley - cool, diverse - we go there with our family to have fun. With a beautiful view of the Giewont and a waterfall.
- For bikes for older children - Ścieżka pod Reglami
- Olczyska Valley - we like to go there in the fall.
- Polana Rusinowa - with a typical Tatra view - a beautiful panorama of the Tatra Mountains, sheep and a shepherd's hut with very good oscypek. I can recommend them with a pure heart, because as a teenager I spent 2 months in this shepherd's hut, working as a honielnik, i.e. helping juhas in the hut. The route to Polana is quite short, but varied.

Routes without children:
- The beautiful crossing Morskie Oko - Świstówka - Pięć Stawów
- Ascent to Zawrat, descent to Gąsienicowa Valley and Kuźnice
- Rusinowa Polana - Gęsia Szyja and Hala Gąsienicowa

If you want to avoid the biggest traffic on the trail, I recommend going to the Tatra Mountains in the afternoon, e.g. around 4:00 PM. Of course, I'm not talking about high mountains, but I recommend that you start your afternoon walks on shorter routes later. Usually, all tourists set off on the trails early in the morning and the crowds are inevitable then.

Every year, we spend 3 months of our lives with skis on our feet. We run the HSKI ski school with headquarters in Harenda and it is the slopes where our lives are transferred. Our children do not go to kindergarten then, because they run. Fortunately, they took the bug from us and are riding with us. So if you want to train, infect your kids with winter sports or check if snowboarding is for you - we invite you.

Culturally (but not in a standard way) there is also a lot going on in Zakopane:
- a cool competition for Najśwarniejsom Góralecke, i.e. the Miss Podhale region - the girls have to prove themselves in the tasks of a typical carnation and not only are chosen to be pretty, but also for dancing and rosary.
- Przednówek in Polany - an event taking place in March and intended to show the former pastoral customs of highlanders. I highly recommend this celebration of local folklore and tradition.
- Mountain Region Folklore Festival - an international festival lasting up to 7 days, during which highlanders from all over the world present their cultural heritage.
- Złote Kierpce is a children's festival of music bands.

Show the children the quiet side of Zakopane. In the section above you will find my recommendations on the directions for walks with toddlers, as well as cultural events that will bring you closer to the traditions of our region.

Besides, we have a very large area around - 3000 meters. There is a beautiful clearing with a view of the Tatra Mountains from the east to the west, a playground with a trampoline and a place for picnics. We also have a sheep farm, because we are farmers ourselves and have our own animals. Sheep graze right next to the house from May to the end of October.

In winter, you can sled down practically on the plot. And next to us, on the slope of Gubałówka (towards the cable car), there are wild toboggan runs that will be fun for the whole family.