House of the Willows (Alternatively through Poland)
The Bug is an unusual river. It starts its run in Ukraine and ends in Poland by flowing into Narew, and still flowing through Belarus along the way. For a long time, it aroused little economic interest, therefore it became an unregulated river, with numerous oxbow lakes, vast stretches untouched by the man and coastal riparian forests, where it was swarmed with wild birds and other animal species.
The Bug is one of the last wild rivers in Europe and due to its unusual natural and landscape values, its middle and lower part embedded in Poland have been included in Nature 2000 protected areas.
Not all parts of the Bug river are equally isolated. The closer to the Narew estuary, the denser the buildings around them. Right next to the Lower Section of the river lies, among others, Jackowo Dolne, a small village in the heart of which is an unusual eco-agritourism: a house built of century-old logs, directly adjacent to the oxbow lake of the Bug.
After winter thaws, water can reach even its fence, and almost a decade ago it once happened that it crossed the plot border. However, there is nothing to worry about, because the buildings are located at a safe distance, separated by a space developed with an idea and respect for the surrounding nature.
JACKOWO DOLNE - WHERE IS IT?
The inhabitants of the capital will enjoy this place the most, because Jackowo Dolne is located 79 kilometers from the center of Warsaw, driving through Wyszków and at this moment, due to road works, it is the fastest route leading to Dom nad Wierzbami. Białystok residents are also quite close here. However, from Poznań and most other cities the road takes several hours. The best airport to reach is the Warsaw-Modlin, because it's the closest one to House over Willows. The exact location of the agritourism is presented in the map below.
House of the Willows
Mrs. Basia (Basia actually, because in this house everyone speaks by name), the owner has been running agritourism for twelve years. Currently, she lives in the house alone, but she cannot complain about the lack of company on a daily basis. To help with eager guests coming here she has three delightful ladies, each of whom specializes in a different type of tasks. Nevertheless, every work and cooperation is appreciated here, which is why there is kind of a family atmosphere between women. The house is usually filled with the smell of regional dishes being prepared by them. The food is a very important element of House of the Willows. Here, forgotten recipes are still cultivated, local and seasonal products are used, also the ones made by the neighbors. The benefits of nature are not lacking either on plates or around the house. The spacious garden is mainly an open space, full of greenery, but also with intimate places hidden behind trees and bushes: for those seeking total peace.
You don't have to worry about that in Jackowo Dolne. Roosters and cows are the loudest here, and crickets during summer nights. The wooden interiors of the house, however, never remains absolutely quiet. The creaking of the floor or the crackling sparks in the fireplace are just some of the most pleasant sounds. The house offers three two-bed and two three-bed rooms with two shared bathrooms. The rooms are on the first floor and each has a balcony. Downstairs there is a common area with a kitchen and a large dining table, as well as a place to relax and TV for the desperate ones. The entrance to the house is covered by an overgrown veranda, where you can spend time at a wooden table when it is warm outside. In the jungle of thickets forming a natural wall, you can find a swing. It was one of the more charming places in the house. Just turn towards the river and admire its beauty happily swinging on the swing. At such a moment, everyone will recall their childhood!
Next to the main house there is the Gray House. It is a building made entirely available to guests, in which there are two bedrooms with bathrooms, a large hall with mirrors for organizing all types of workshops, a fully equipped kitchen and living room. You can therefore book the whole Gray House for a larger group of people, but the rooms are also rented separately.
What to do at House of the Willows?
The house and its surroundings are conducive to getting away from the hustle and bustle, rush and constant race. It is wonderful to rest here, among the seasonally changing nature, among the sounds and smells of nature. This doesn't mean, however, that you have to lie in the meadow all day and look at the grass. Walks along the river bank are highly recommended. And this is just the beginning. Those who are more active can organize canoeing trips, explore the area on bicycles or cross-country skiing in the winter. By the river, you must see the phenomenal sunrises and sunsets, and in the evening lit a bonfire or warm up by the fireplace in the living room.
From this year you can also use the newly built sauna, wood-fired, which is located next to the fence, on the border with the Bug river. Warming inside, you can enjoy the view from behind a large window, straight onto the river and the surrounding landscape. It makes an amazing impression especially during sunset. Next to the sauna there is a bathtub, where Basia prepares aromatic herbal baths. Of course, without any chemistry, all the essences come out of the herbs freshly picked from the garden. The water in the bathtub is heated from the bottom, so relaxing sessions can be really long.
The area also offers many attractions. This area belongs to the Lower Bug Valley and is included in the Nature 2000 program. It is covered, among others, by alluvial forests forming the Bug River landscape, where birds can be observed. Not far from the house grow beautiful forests: popowski and somiankowski, ideal for walks and autumn mushroom picking. Along the way, you drive through the 18th-century village of Barcice with a valuable monument of Mazovia: a wooden baroque church.
How to book House of the Willows?
You can contact directly:
Email: nadwierzbami@gmail.com
tel .: +48 607 633 380
More information can be found on the official website of the object HERE.
Or through Slowhop: HERE.
SUMMARY
Communing with nature cleanses the body and the mind. House of the Willows is a real haven for people looking for respite, even at the weekend. You don't have to plan anything, take a break, take a pair of comfortable shoes and act spontaneously. You will see that boredom will not catch you for a moment. The idea of slow-living will turn out to be quite pleasant and not so sluggish. Who knows, maybe you shall even lengthen your relaxation for another couple of days?