Behind the hills, trees and meadows lies Nowica. A patch for urban abrasions, noise-dampening headphones, an elixir against stress and everyday tensions. Asylum for city fugitives and a place where you can look at the world from a distance (and from above). When I came to Poland after the pandemic, fate directed me to the pasture where the house is located. Moved here from Nowy Sącz in the 1990s. Far from the country road, neighbors, he looks at the Grybowskie Mountains from a height. Although there is nothing here, there is everything: endless meadows, undisturbed silence, sunsets that make hearts beat faster, crackling bonfires in the evening and starry sky at night. There is all the time in the world, which can be divided into hiking along the Beskid trails, visiting museums and churches, tasting cuisine inspired by Lemko, Pogórze and French traditions. Getting to know the horses, learning to ski, feeding the goats, working on the farm and petting the dogs. I invite big and small ones to the house in Połonina, where I live alone, and for you I have a whole floor for a group of 7 people. I will do my best to make you feel good here.
The house on the pasture is located in Nowica, in the Low Beskids. I live downstairs, the whole mountain is at your disposal. The first floor of the house consists of 3 rooms, a bathroom with a shower and a bright hall with a kitchenette. It is rented in its entirety as one apartment with 7 sleeping places.
Room layout:
– a room with a triangular window facing west and a panorama of the Grybowskie Mountains has 2 single beds,
– a triangular room with a platform and a window overlooking pastures with horses and goats and Magura Małastowska – there can be one double mattress or two single ones on the platform,
– the largest of the rooms with a double bed and two single beds and a table with chairs.
Families and groups of friends will find the best place with us.
On the ground floor there is a dining room where meals are served and a sideboard with a coffee corner and a fireplace. The house has a porch and a terrace overlooking the Grybowskie Mountains.
There are rumors that you can eat tasty food at Dom na Połoninie, and I openly admit that I really care about seasonal, local and tasty cuisine. I prepare meals from what I grow myself and what I get from my neighbors. My dairy products are mainly goat products (unscented from Anglo-Nubian goats), as well as yoghurts, butter and cheeses. I bake the rye bread myself, and the eggs are only home-made.
After a short interview, I prepare a menu for you, partly based on recipes from the local Lemko or Pogórze cuisine (you will have the opportunity to try, among others, proziaki, fuczki or dishes made from kolczaki with mushrooms, from which I make cutlets or tripe). On request, the menu can be vegetarian or typically meat-based. It may also be inspired by traditional French cuisine, which I am used to while living in the French mountains.
In the miniature kitchenette in the hall you will find: an electric stove, a microwave, a fridge, a kettle, a dishwasher, a set of basic dishes and a worktop.
You can come here for the view of the Grybowskie Mountains. You can look at it from the terrace – an ideal place to admire sunsets in all shades of gold. This postcard is good to look at in the company of the crackling of the campfire. From the porch, in good weather, you can see the Tatras. You can come here for the herd of animals – eager to pet dogs, horses and goats. For the trails and the wildness of the Low Beskids. And finally, or maybe above all, to look at the world from a distance. Sometimes it is difficult to get here, because the village road is a bit far away, and in winter you may need chains. And once you get there, you don't want to leave the village valley.
You can practice slow rest here, enjoy the undisturbed silence and find your own refuge. You can choose the active option – then we will sit down together after breakfast with a map to draw out plans for trips – hiking, cycling, running. They will guide you to places in villages that no longer exist, I will point out historic churches and charming museums. Together we can go to the rutting ground.
The house in Połonina is friendly towards people and animals. I also get along well with the neighbors, thanks to which (and if you feel like it), you will be able to experience gardening and agricultural work here. Through binoculars you will be able to look at the herd of wild Kabardian horses that live on the other side of the valley.
Mountains
Mountain trails start right next door. The house is located at the intersection of hiking trails (green and yellow), from which you can set off on hiking trips in many directions. I have suggestions for trips of varying difficulty for you. We can also go for a walk together, for example to the valley of the displaced village of Regietów Wyżny, on whose meadows herds of Hucul horses graze in the summer.
Bikes
We have four old, recycled mountain bikes on site, regularly serviced and suitable for trips near and far (we throw change into the service box). There are also rental places in the area where you can find classic MTBs and electric bikes. It is best to book before arrival.
Horses
The horses are raised in the spirit of natural horsemanship. We want contact with people to be pleasant for them, so the possibility of riding in the saddle is available rather for longer stays due to the need to get to know our friends and depends to a large extent on the riders' level of advancement. For children, guided tours and work from the ground (playing with the horse) are possible if the weather allows.
Cross-country skiing
In winter, a cross-country skiing trail is marked out on the mountain pasture (the loop is from 6 to 12 km long, depending on the amount of snow). The start is right on the doorstep, and there is quite a lot of equipment in the garage, all you need is a desire! There are many marked trails in the area. Near the house, in Krzywa, there is a popular cross-country skiing center.
Ski slopes and skiing lessons
The house in Połoninie is located practically on the slopes of the Magura Małastowska massif, where the Magura Skipark is located. It is a 1.5 km long red trail with a chairlift. For experienced skiers, it is a great place to ski on a well-prepared trail with an even slope, and most importantly, without queues. Even in the peak season, you only have to wait a few minutes to get on the lift.
There is also the Malastów Ski Resort and several other smaller lifts nearby. As a skiing instructor, I offer guests individual lessons and group classes for children.
Klimowski Reservoir
You can get there on foot (approx. 2.5 hours' walk) or by car (the journey will take you 15 minutes). Lake Klimkowskie is a very clean body of water located between the surrounding mountains. There is a beach where you can spread out with a blanket, and you can rent kayaks, rowboats and a windsurfing school.
At the turn of August and September, Nowica hosts the Innowica festival – these are theatre meetings organised by the Friends of Nowica Association. Musicians live in the cottage at Nowica 9 and concerts and other cultural events are often held there.
What’s there for children?
Keywords: farm (there is something for everyone here) and animals. This means a lot of attractions at any time of the year and regardless of the weather. The workshop on the farm is open, and since there is always something to do, children (especially older ones) can learn to tinker. I live here with two friendly goats who love company - Artur and Stefan, two dogs - Łukasz and Kira, and two half-breed Hutsuls - Mała and Iskierka. Children can take part in gardening and agricultural activities, learn about the life of animals, and learn where the food on the table comes from. Together we can build kites and shoot bows.
Children can try their hand at horse riding and skiing here when it snows. I have experience teaching children, including those with special needs. My approach is very individual and I take into account the emotions of the youngest. If there is an opportunity, I like to take the kids on trips to nearby farms (there is a goat farm nearby) and permaculture farms. At home there are: games, a large collection of puzzles and a box full of crayons and markers.
The horses are raised in the spirit of natural horsemanship. We want contact with people to be pleasant for them, so the opportunity to learn is available for longer stays due to the need to get to know our friends. For children, guided tours and work from the ground (playing with horses) are possible if the weather permits.
