Enchanting antique cottage in the Polish forest

Traditional wooden cottage with modern conveniences nestled in the enchanting southern Polish forest. Guests looking for complete privacy are invited to stay in this entire house where you can come and go at your leisure. Set at the end of a secluded village in the forest, the wooden cottage exudes old Poland country charm. The perfect artist's retreat. The ground floor has a spacious living room, dining room, bathroom with bath, kitchen and cloakroom. Upstairs are two closed bedrooms and one open-space bedroom. All three bedrooms have a double bed. Wake to the sound of a horse-drawn cart as woodsmen pass by on their way up into the forest, to the gentle bubbling stream across the road and woodpeckers tapping on trees. In winter it’s a snow-covered wonderland, in spring the landscape comes alive, in summer the forest is ripe with wild strawberries and blueberries, and in autumn the trees become a rich tapestry of reds and browns. Krakow is one-hour's drive from Ponikiew, and a 15-minute drive will take you to the nearest town of Wadowice - the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. Ski slopes in Rzyki and Zawoja are each 30-minutes' drive from the house. Closer to home, it is eight minutes to Lake Mucharz by car, and the house is just a stone's throw from the starting point of the two-hour hiking trail that takes you to the peak of Leskowiec - the highest point in Beskid Maly. The Wieliczka Salt Mines, Zakopane Highlands, Auschwitz-Birkenau and Slovakian Oravice hot springs are all day trips. Enjoy the opportunity to experience the rare, rustic seclusion of life in a Polish village where time stands still. The whole house and garden is available exclusively to guests. We are available to answer questions by email or phone, but have locally based friends and family to help with more immediate needs. There is a small shop 10-minutes' walk from the house and plenty of forest to explore. There is a bus stop up the road. Buses run throughout the day seven days a week to the nearest town of Wadowice which has tourist information, restaurants and bars, supermarkets, money changers, banks, a hospital and other medical and dental services, clothes stores, a daily market and other conveniences. Wadowice is 9km or 15-minutes’ drive from the property. Buses to other parts of Poland can be caught in Wadowice. There is parking space inside the Airbnb property. IMPORTANT Guests must know how to light a fire because all heating and hot water relies on energy generated from a fireplace. Firewood is provided and you will receive instructions on how to operate the heating system that should be followed carefully. The staircase is steep so please take extra care when using it. Please wear shoes with grip or bare feet to avoid slipping. The garden has a natural rock staircase so please be careful with your footing. Watch for cars when you cross the road outside the property. Please keep the gate locked.