For paradise, it is best to go to the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. This would certainly be recommended by Konopnicka herself, who wrote in a letter from Pętkowice in 1889: “I like it here very much. The area is beautiful and has very diverse views, including a river that flows windingly between the bushes and mountains covered with forest. We believe that you will like it here too. The vast lands and waters of the Land of Poraj, which consists of as many as 8 ponds in the valley of the Kamienna River, will give you the idyllic atmosphere of the Świętokrzyskie village. We have a sleepy historic church, flower meadows vibrating with all the colors of summer and boats for each of the houses so that you can cast a fishing rod in the middle of the pond. There are three houses, and one of them, the red one, is located directly on the water. On the edge of Poraj Land, we have created Czesiowa Zagroda, where apart from Shetland ponies and Quessant sheep, representatives of the smallest breed of sheep in the world, there are screw-horned racks with fabulously curled horns. If you want to see them live, racka advises: take the kids or come together to spend blissful moments in the carefree Land of Poraj.
In the village of Pętkowice-Kolonia, near the ponds in the Kamienna River valley, three intimate houses surrounded by nature are waiting for you. There is an idyllic atmosphere of a Świętokrzyskie village. The surroundings of forests and flower meadows as well as the historical atmosphere of this place make it possible to forget about the whole rushing world.
House on the water (red):
– in Scandinavian style,
– has a fishing set,
– it is surrounded by a terrace with a table and benches.
Houses by the pond (blue) – they are the same, only slightly differently located:
Cottage no. 2
– it is separated from the pond, which it overlooks, by a narrow road, and it has a private wooden pier with a boat. This is the house with the church behind it. Masses are held in the church on Sundays, but our guests have never complained about the noise.
Cottage no. 3
– directly by the pond, from the living room there is a small pier. His barbecue area is in the meadow.
The cottages are small, but equipped with everything you need for a rest. They consist of a living room with a kitchenette, a bedroom with a double bed and a bathroom with a shower. Perfect for a couple or a family with up to 2 children. The sofa in the living room is foldable,
Each cottage has its own garden furniture, barbecue set and fireplace. The barbecue and relaxation area of house no. 3 is located under a shelter in the meadow nearby, while the other two houses have a table with benches and a barbecue directly next to it.
Approx. 300 m separate each house and each is located next to a different pond. Our ponds are not suitable for swimming: they are stocked with fish and there is no water flow in them.
The kitchenettes of our cottages allow you to prepare simple meals - they have an induction hob with 1 burner and a microwave. On warm days you can eat on the terrace/at the outside table. Feel free to use the grill and the place for a bonfire.
In Bałtowski Zapiecek, not far from here, you will eat tasty and nicely served Polish cuisine, but also, for example, a good burger or pasta. Guests say it's the best restaurant in the area - so it's worth making a reservation in high season, because it can get crowded.
The Świętokrzyska Farm in Boria is a family organic farm, where you can buy vegetables and fruits grown without chemicals, but also organic food products of your own production, e.g. jam, lentil pâté, pickles or gluten-free bread.
Every day you will wake up with a view of the sparkling water surface, and this view alone will put you in a positive mood for the rest of the day. The Poraj Land is a paradise for those who want to spend time surrounded by nature, enjoy the peace of the idyllic surroundings and indulge in leisurely entertainment. You can plan your holiday in one of our cottages completely lazily or a bit more actively.
By the water
The Poraj Land is 8 ponds with a total area of 8 hectares, and the houses to which we invite you are located above one of them. There is a rowing boat moored next to each house, which you can feel free to use. On the largest pond there is also an electric boat that can take 6 people on board.
You can go kayaking along the riverbed of the nearby Kamienna River. The water route of the lower course of the river that has its mouth in the Vistula was described already in the interwar period!
Fishing
The pond over which Kraina Poraj is located is available for your exclusive use, and in one of the houses there is a well-completed fishing set. We have prepared recreational places for fishing along the coastline. Among the fish inhabiting the pond you will find carp, bream, pike, perch and zander.
Cycle paths
We have a paradise here not only for anglers, but also for cyclists. And those with different preferences. The gravel roads running through the picturesque Kamienna Valley and the vast plateau of the Iłżec Foreland with views of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains are ideal for trekking. Cross-country skiers will test their strength on the forest hills, while gravel enthusiasts may enjoy the valley's steeply sloping slopes cut by ravines. On the website krzemiennyszlak.pl, which collects routes from 10 communes in the northern part of the province. Świętokrzyskie, you will find 1,000 km of marked trails in the region and you can create your own routes for trips.
Bikes (a wide selection of types) are available for rent at the Bałtów Tourist Complex 5 km from here.
Remember that Kraina Poraj is also a great base for trips or a nice station if you are planning a sightseeing trip and want to rest somewhere along the way. Nearby or further afield you will visit:
- Kazimierz Dolny,
– Nałęczów,
– Kraśnik,
– Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski,
– Sandomierz,
- Kielce,
– Sieradowicki Landscape Park.
On the edge of Poraj Land, we have created a pen with animals, which we call Czesiowa Zagroda. It is inhabited by Shetland ponies, St. Jakub, bighorn racks (i.e. magical sheep with fancifully twisted horns) and Quessant sheep, one of the smallest sheep in the world.
In addition, we have here flowery meadows where you can run carefree, ponds where you can teach kids to fish and paths for the first bicycle trips.
The Internet works fast in every house and you can too: get off work as quickly as possible and after finishing it, soak your feet on the pier or ride a bike. There is a small desk in each bedroom, you can also sit at the kitchen table. When you open the door wide, you will be closer to nature, and your duties will be made more pleasant by the view of the calm waters of the pond.
