Here in Dobro, it's hilly and green. And there are endless meadows, adored by dogs and people alike. I'm one of those people. Like many, I dreamed of my own piece of land in Masuria, and soon I was lucky enough to stumble upon a homestead in Dobroszewo. In a 100-year-old house, where Masurians lived for centuries before the war, with the help of my cat, Bronka, and my cat, Edek, I care for my well-being and yours. Herbs grow here, which I'm still learning about and using to prepare infusions. If you'd like, we can go to the meadow and pick them together. There's a vegetable patch I've never had, and there are flowers I love. I'm still learning which ones are edible. Perhaps you'll have the opportunity to sample their petals with the breakfast I'll serve you this morning. It will be vegetarian or vegan, local, and fragrant with freshly baked bread and pastries. At DobroDomek, small but full of pleasure, I can host a maximum of four of you. In practice, however, all the good things you'll experience here are best shared between two. You can go for walks together, swim in the lake, or borrow my bikes and ride between the hills.
I invite you to the DobroDomek. Dobro offers 50 m² of space, where you can relax for up to four people: two of you will find a double bed in the upstairs bedroom, and two more, such as children, will find a sofa bed downstairs. The cottage also has a living room with a stove, a kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, and a terrace overlooking the meadows.
In autumn and winter, the Dobro Little House is heated by a stove – a small stove that not only provides plenty of heat but also creates a unique atmosphere. Guests can light it themselves – it's quick and easy (we explain everything on site), and the crackling wood and the smell of fire make evenings truly magical. A blanket, tea, a flame in the stove, and the silence of the Masurian fields – this is the best recipe for relaxation.
I encourage you to use the entire grounds of the homestead. I'm happy to share the goodness of my vegetable garden; you'll find a fireplace for yourself, and your child will find a playground and a swing.
I have three pets living here with me: Mięcia, a dog, Edek, a cat, and Bronka, a kitten. Yours are welcome too, but it's best if they know how to get along with other animals. My property, located near meadows and a forest, isn't fenced.
My last guests asked me if I was a professional cook, and someone else mentioned that the breakfast baskets exceeded his expectations. I am not a cook, but I really love to cook. I will prepare seasonal breakfasts in baskets for you and every day you will find something different in them. Fragrant buns, an omelette with freshly picked butter mushrooms, vege pastes, homemade bread, hummus, vegetables from my garden... I cook vegan and vegetarian.
At the cottage, you will find mixtures of herbs that I have collected, e.g. mint or nettle. I will be happy to share my knowledge about herbs with you. I will tell you which ones are good for whom and which species can be collected in the meadows around.
It all depends on how tired you are. I've noticed that some people come here just to spend time here and don't need much. They sit on the terrace, listen to the cranes, look out for deer... If you see yourself as such a slow-paced guest (because, for example, you're coming without a car and will be limited to the immediate area), I'll suggest that you can:
- go for walks along the surrounding field and forest paths,
- practice yoga on the terrace,
- take a walk to the lake a few minutes away (you can swim in it),
- read a book on a deckchair,
- swing in a hammock among the trees,
- have a barbecue,
- ride bikes around the area,
- climb on the climbing wall.
If you're interested in flowers and herbs, get in touch. I love talking about them. There's nothing stopping us from going to the meadow together and picking herbs for your own blends or arranging a bouquet together. I can organize a very intimate workshop for you. However, it all depends on the season. Most herbs bloom in May.
Mrągowo is home to wonderful people. Among them are my friends who can make your time at Dobro even more enjoyable. One will lead a yoga class and offer massages, such as hot stone massages, while another can offer a Hawaiian lomi lomi nui massage. And yet another will give you a truly relaxing face and neck massage. These pleasures are available for an additional fee.
If you're looking to get moving and explore the area, you'll also enjoy this place.
"There are beautiful, hilly bike trails in the area. Some people take their bikes and disappear for the whole day. I have two bikes for you to rent."
This small lake, which is within walking distance, is perfect for a very intimate getaway (surfing it on a stand-up paddleboard takes half an hour at most), but if you're looking for more water, you can head to Karw (2 km), Kujno (7 km), or Piłakno (10 km). Kujno is on the Krutynia River, so if you're up for a kayaking trip, it couldn't be easier. You can rent a kayak, for example, in Sorkwity. Piłakno, on the other hand, is a very clean lake, pleasant for swimming and diving.
For those who don't have their own stand-up paddleboards, there are two available for rent.
The communities of Masuria and Warmia love to share their goods. What I find charming here is that during the season, some settlements host markets selling local products and crafts. You can always find something tasty then. You might be interested in the Eco Market in the market square in Jeziorany, held on Saturdays from May to the end of September, or the Siedliskowy Wypas Traveling Market, which takes place near Jeziorany.
Taking advantage of the proximity of Mrągowo, it's worth exploring this charming town: stroll the streets leading down to Czos, admire the historic tenement houses, and visit the cafes with a good atmosphere.
Besides, it's impossible to be bored in Masuria. Just take a look at these more or less mandatory spots and decide for yourself what you're in the mood for:
– castles: Reszel, the Teutonic castle-church in Bezławki, Kętrzyn, Ryn,
– "Hindenburg Line" – fortifications from World War I and World War II,
– the Dajna River Trail, which isn't as popular as the Krutynia River Trail, which means fewer crowds in the summer; This doesn't mean it differs in beauty from its rivals – the kayaking route is 36 km long and begins in Piecki, and can take you all the way to the Marian Sanctuary in Święta Lipka.
– Krutyń – Natural History Museum, also a great starting point for a kayaking trip, for example, to Ukta.
– Near the village of Krutyń – the Zakręt Nature Reserve – worth visiting, if only to see the floating islands with your own eyes; strain your eyes and look for the insectivorous sundew among the grass! – The Polish Gorge near Polska Wieś – located amidst cultivated fields, traversing the tall grain fields in summer can be challenging. It's best to plan a trip to the gorge in spring or early autumn.
– The Mantis Peninsula and Bay on Lake Tałty.
– and a classic: the Wild Animal Park in Kadzidłowo with the iconic Oberża pod Psem (Plum Dumplings), pierogi with groats and cottage cheese, beautiful greenery, animals, and that interior! In summer, it's crowded with families with children, so it's best to visit Kadzidłowo during the off-season.
A small person may like a nice playground with a climbing wall, a swing on a tree and hills to run on them as much as you can.
For working people there is a flashing internet and a desk in the bedroom with a chair to work. Calla can be dialed even from a hammock, because the network also picks up on the terrace.