Farm stay in Poland

Villages in Poland are characterized by authenticity - families have lived there for many generations, cultivating role and growing animals, what is rare in many other European countries nowadays. People from the Carpathian villages joined daily activities together with hosting visitors - coming to their place you can take part in tradition, culture or simply a rural life.

If you are searching for authenticity and want to get off the beaten tracks, a rural holidays in the mountains suit you perfectly. In a farmhouse you find hospitality of a highlander family and see how the everyday life the countryside looks like. You can participate in local traditions and even help with a farm work like feeding animals, picking fruits and vegetables, riding horses, learning about herbs or how a farm functions. It is an amazing experience for both children and adults. Very interesting may be also spending a night in a barn, bee yard or on a rancho.

During the farm stay you can taste local food and buy local products. Many of them like milk, breadstuff, vegetables or fruits come from farms own crops and animal husbandries. It is an interesting suggestion if you are leading a healthy lifestyle in harmony with nature. Dreams about a real rest in peaceful surroundings, simplicity, no hurry and closeness of the nature come true on countryside holidays.

Handicraft is still practiced in Carpathian Mountains. Visit local artists’ workshops – it is an occasion to see violin maker’s, blacksmith’s or regional outfit maker’s workshop. You can also take part in artistic workshops, experience a sleigh ride and bonfire or listen to a regional band.

  

Together with Andrzej we have visited many farm stays in southern Poland. In Polish they are called “agroturystyka”. At each farm we were welcomed warmly and people were very eager to show their places. During our visits we have a chance to meet great and people.

WARNING: Unfortunatelly many lodgings that you find in the internet calling themselves “farm stays” lack atmosphere, are situated in noisy area or have nothing to do with farming. The problem is also that very often the best places do not have websites in other languages but Polish what makes difficult for foreign visitors to find them.

Regional outfit – women's jewelery

Highland women in Podhale region, like many women in the world, like to attire themselves. The most beautiful and most wanted jewelery were bead necklaces made of true red coral. Having them indicated the high financial and social status of the family as well as unique resourcefulness and diligence of the owner. This precious decoration was an essential part of the wedding dowry. 

Typical coral beads necklace consists of several strings called wojki linked together with a metal ring. They were tied with ribbons the same color as the tapes lacing highland women’s bodice. The number of strings (3-5) also proved the wealth. One necklace could weight up to 400 grams. In the middle of the string some necklaces had a religious symbol  – a cross or a holy medal. It could also be a silver coin with the image of Empress Maria Theresa - a gift from godmother.

Women could buy coral beads necklaces at the local marketplace or in Cracow. Tradesmen also used to sell them by distributing in private houses. Women who couldn’t afford the natural corals over time started to substitute them with artificial ones.

Among highland women other types of jewelery have gained popularity too. Those are earrings, bracelets and rings. The most typical are those with natural red coral but highland fashion changes all the time and some new accents are added. Girls like to experiment :)

Where to buy highland woman’s jewelery? You will find it in shops with traditional highland outfit e.g. in Poronin village. It is also sold in jewelery stores in Zakopane.