Kashubian Switzerland. A small fragment of Kashubia, known as the most beautiful part of the region. It is enough to look at the vast panorama, full of hills and clear lakes, to understand where this comparison comes from.
We are in the heart of this fairy-tale land, somewhere between Kartuzy, considered to be the prettiest Kashubian town, and Chmielno, popular among tourists. Everywhere is close, but we are on the sidelines and literally at the end of the road. When we say "everywhere", we mean lakes, the Kashubian Landscape Park, Kashubian trails and towns where you can learn more about the local culture. Our cottage can be a base, but we know that often the surrounding peace and beautiful nature makes it rather an asylum, which you do not want to leave. It is 100 metres to the lake without crowds. Next door, there is an agritourism farm which children love and a stud farm famous for its unique horses of Scandinavian origin. The closest neighbourhood is interesting, and we could tell you a lot about Kashubia itself... But it is best to come and see it for yourself. See you there!
In a new, brick and wood-clad house, located on the outskirts of the small village of Łapalice. In the neighborhood there are several houses, the aforementioned farm, forests and a stud farm.
Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms (with 2 double beds and 2 single beds) and a pull-out couch downstairs. We have a travel cot for a toddler. On the ground floor there is a living room with a kitchen and a comfortable terrace. There is also a small bathroom (toilet) (and the second, larger one with a shower is on the first floor). The things (sometimes) useful in the house include: hair dryer and iron. There is a fireplace in the living room, where we spend autumn and winter evenings. There is a large dining table in the dining area.
There is a spacious terrace in front of the house - a good place for a barbecue, and you can also see a play corner, so you can keep an eye on your children all the time. The parking lot will accommodate 2 cars - keep that in mind when arriving. There is a fireplace with two benches next to the building.
The kitchen is fully equipped, ranging from an oven and dishwasher, to a kettle, blender, baking tray and utensils. You will not be lacking anything for convenient cooking for a pack of friends or family. In the area you can also have a barbecue (there is equipment, even a cauldron!) Or an evening bonfire with sausages (there are skewers for frying sausages). In the nearest lake you can fish, which means that there is the freshest option for lunch.
For those who like to eat, but less like to stand by the proverbial pots, we have good news. Going out for lunch, you can have a little adventure: rent a pedalo and cross the lake. Calories burned, sightseeing trip completed, and most importantly, delicious food from Stanica Wodna in Chmielno is waiting for you. We highly recommend this place, but in Chmielno you will also find a few other good pubs. It is a tourist town, so there are many restaurants and fish shops from nearby lakes, just look around.
What is not. There is simply no such option, unless you really want to, then you can. Otherwise, we recommend you a whole package of our original entertainment that will appeal to young and old, beach lovers and fans of micro expeditions. Here they are:
- lake 100 meters from the cottage. On the territory of his brother-in-law and there are also pedal boats that can be borrowed from him. We do not want crowds and we make sure that "our" lake shore remains charming and a bit wild, so we only make our descent available to the guests of the house and the closest friends.
- horse stud and neighbor's brother-in-law's farm. It is a unique place with unusual tenants: the horses are of the Scandinavian fjord type - they are smaller and calmer than ordinary horses. They work well in hippotherapy and in contact with children. For horse riding, we advise you to contact the stud before your arrival, because it is very popular. Apart from horses, a happy herd lives there: 2 alpacas, a few goats, Balbina's sheep and rabbits. You can and even have to get acquainted with them.
- alpaca farm (20 km from Łapalice). You can pet it, you can watch it and you can take the alpaca for a walk (for a fee). A great option to relax, not only for children. Hardly anyone is immune to the charm of fluffy alpacas and it does not surprise us at all. They are trained therapists.
- electric bike rental, which (without additional charges) delivers bikes to the indicated place, within 25 km from their base, i.e. the village of Somonino. They deliver to Łapalice without any problems. This is a good way to get to know the area. There are many trails here, there are also beautiful lakes, there is plenty of land to explore.
- the neighborhood and its most interesting points: in our opinion, it is worth seeing the Museum of Kashubian Ceramics in Chmielno, the collegiate church in Kartuzy and take a look at the ruins of the palace in Łapalice, the construction of which has never been completed. Also, go to the Kashubian Miniature Park, especially if you have kids with you. Anyway, among micro-sized buildings from all over the world, everyone feels like children.
We also recommend you an unusual exit for a coffee - about 10 km from the cottage, in the village of Ręboszewo, there is Sobótki mountain, from which there is a beautiful view of the lake. There is a windmill at the top, and in the summer there is a modest cafe (serving drinks and homemade cake).
- It will probably surprise you a bit, but we have a ski slope nearby (in Wieżyca, about 18 km), which has a record length of operation as the longest operating slope in Poland in 2018. You can safely treat our cottage as a ski base ... in Kashubia! In Wieżyca, as befits its name, there is also an observation tower with a panorama of our Polish Switzerland.
- in autumn and winter we enjoy relaxing by the fireplace
- for those who want to be up to date with series, smartTV is available
Children can disappear for hours in a neighboring agritourism farm. There are also children there and they are happy to act as a local guide. Apart from sheep, alpacas and goats, there is hay play, and a neighbor can transport the gang on a tractor (fuel fee is included).
There are also many options for children in the cottage itself: there is a sandbox, a swing and a miniature house, and a fenced area perfect for outdoor games. Under the watchful eye of your parents, you can swim in a nearby lake and swim on a pedalo. We know from our own and others' experience that children are not bored here. Rather, there is a problem with bringing them to dinner.
