1) DONKEYAND PONY RIDES AT THE BLUE BEETROOT Łaziska 50, 59-700 Bolesławiec Śląski If you hear an EEE-HAW sound in the morning don’t worry! It is Rudi our lovely donkey. He is very nice and friendly the same as his friend Amber our pony. You can see them eating grass in the fields behind the barn or being groomed outside their stables late afternoon or evening. You can always help with this if you want to. We organise trekking around the local woods. It is a great fun especially for children. If you want to arrange a ride please let us know so we could schedule it for you. A half hours ride costs 5 Euro. 2) ART GLASS BLOWING STUDIO BOROWSKI - Tomaszów Bolesławiecki Mr. Borowski sells his studio art glass creations in art galleries in Germany and to collectors in America. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the master craftsmen at work in their studio and have the opportunity to buy their wares at least a quarter of the price that it sells for in Germany. You can usually see them working and blowing the glass during normal working hours Parking, WC, Credit Cards accepted. Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, 0800–1600 hours Park outside the gates and ring the bell. 3) ANDY’S pottery We highly recommend Andy’s they have some really good hand painted designs at very reasonable prices. When looking for Andy’s in Tomaszów turn LEFT at the Church (do not get confused by the Andar Signs on the right, this is a different pottery). Andy’s pottery will give you 10% discount if you are guests of the Blue Beetroot. Paint your own mug!! At Andy’s there is an opportunity for children to paint their own small pottery piece (e.g. mug or small animal). Firing the pot takes three days to a week. But if you cannot collect they will happily send it to you if you leave them your address. They will only charge you for the postage. Please go to the pottery after 2 o’clock if your children would like to do this (1 piece per child only). Andy’s will open on a Sunday by arrangement with the Blue Beetroot (just let us know). Please ask us for a discount voucher to give to Andy when you are there. 4) MANUFACTURA – MODERN POTTERY AND STORE Vast assortments of colourful new patterns are produced here. This is the only modern pottery in the town that will show you around the factory and even let you decorate your own pot. Parking, WC, Credit Cards accepted, English spoken. Open Mon–Fri 0700–1600 hours Sat 0700-1400 hours 5) BŁOTNY DUDEK/KOWALCZYK – LIVING MUSEUM Bolesławiec has produced pots since the 12 C. There are natural seams of white clay and kaolin which stretch from Meissen- Dresden- Boleslawiec. Before electricity and gas the kilns were fired by coal. There are 4 remaining examples of these bee hive kilns which are still in use, most probably the last in Europe. The whole pottery takes you back to Victorian times. These two small potteries still use the wonderful old beehive kilns. You walk into the kiln through a tunnel through which the pots are brought to be stacked on top of each other inside. The tunnel is then bricked up and the kiln is coal fired by four furnaces around the base. The pottery is a square building on three floors with the kiln dominating most of the ground floor. The second floor is also very warm and the biscuit drying takes place around the chimney. The whole place takes you back to Dickensian times. I doubt if there are any other places in the world with such traditional manufacturing methods. The pottery they produce is mostly functional items and flower pots but they are starting to produce smaller commercial items as well as garden ornaments. Located in Parowa 30-40 minutes drive from Boleslawiec Open Mon-Fri 0700-1400 hours; Sat 0700-1100 hours (it’s best if you ask us to ring to confirm that they will be open before going) Parking, WC, German spoken but not English. 6) GRODZIEC CASTLE Fascinating, beautiful and secretive with an 850 year history. Perched on top of a volcanic outcrop commanding sensational views of the mountains and lowlands. This castle is a real treat – you drive up through the keeper’s gate and into the outer grounds. It looks deserted, you feel as if you have just discovered it and the portcullis lays open for you to enter the mysteries of the past. It’s easy to reach, 20 minutes from the Blue Beetroot, you drive along twisty road through villages and turn right at the brown tourist sign that says ‘ZAMEK GRODZIEC’ and keep bearing right up the hill. After exploring the central keep go round the side of the building up some stairs to a spiral staircase. This takes you up to the outer walls of the keep (the most exciting part of the castle) but feel free to wander anywhere. The shop sells snacks, tea & coffee, postcards etc. and you can even have a go at firing a bow & arrow – it’s a great place for children. In the summer you can borrow bicycles from us and cycle there (about a four hour outing there and back) you will see the beautiful countryside and villages on the way (and it’s hard to get lost). The keeper of the castle Mr Zennon is an avid re-creator of medieval life and battles, performances can be organised if you let us know in advanced. 7) CZOCHA CASTLE A gothic castle 800 years old with a minstrel’s gallery, towers and ramparts. This castle is one hour away from the Blue Beetroot but it is worth the drive. Despite the fact that part of this castle is a now a hotel it is still haunted by the past. You can climb the towers and you can go in the dungeon, around the ramparts and finish up in the restaurant for a cup of tea. 8) KSIĄŻ CASTLE One of the 3 biggest castles of Poland is located in the area. Książ Castle is located near Wałbrzych, it is around 100 km from the Blue Beetroot and it is around 1.5 hours drive. You will be impressed with the size of the castle and its marvellous architecture and the gardens around. It is possible to go for a tour around the castle with an English speaking guide. Next to the castle there are also stables with beautiful horses and old carriages. The stables organise horse riding and carriage rides. 9) LWÓWEK Lwówek is a 20 minute drive from Bolesławiec (follow the signs for Jelena Gora). It is well worth a visit because it has a beautiful renaissance Town Hall on the Market Square and well preserved remains of medieval town walls. There is also a 700+ year old church, built in the early gothic style combined with renaissance ornaments. The town and the surrounding areas are famous for Agates (unusual minerals, see chapter 16.) In the town there is also a Christian Mission called „Emil”. 10) SKIING IN SZKLARSKA POREBA OR KARPACZ Not far from Bolesławiec are 2 skiing resorts in the Sudeten Mountains – Szklarska Poreba and Karpacz. Szklarska Poreba has a good complex of hills for intermediate skiers and beginner slopes at the bottom. English speaking instructors can be hired by the hour or day or as guides. 11) MOUNTAIN WALKING- THE BEAUTY OF SUDETY MOUNTAINS Summer outings into the mountains to walk and admire the views in the National Park of the waterfalls, streams and woods are a real joy. In Karpacz and Szklarska Poreba (1 hour from Bolesławiec) there is also a chair lift that takes you up to one of the peaks from where you can walk along the border between Poland and the Czech Republic (stunning views) (always take a coat as it can be very cold at the top!). Karpacz has a Toy Museum, a wooden Church called Wang, and an all year toboggan ride. In Szklarska Poreba there is a Museum of Minerals. These two mountain resorts have many other attractions and activities to offer! 12) MUSHROOMING – LATE SUMMER & AUTUMN (DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS) We can organise mushrooming trips in the late Summer & Autumn– we will teach you which mushrooms are edible and which are not. Boleslawiec is surrounded by forests and we have our own fairytale wood behind the Blue Beetroot but there are many other magical woods to explore for mushrooms locally. Hopefully you will return to the Blue Beetroot with baskets full of mushrooms and we can help you sort, cook and prepare the mushrooms for drying, so that you can take them home for future use. 13) FISHING – STARA OLESZNA (fishing – also 29) page 26) 20 minutes from Bolesławiec there is a complex of lakes that are exceptional for their peace, solitude and that feeling that you have got away from it all. Several lakes nestle amongst wooded sand dunes and have special piers positioned around the lakes for fishing. It costs 15 zloty per day (about 4 euro) for this you are allowed to keep either 2 Pike or 2 kilo of fish that you catch (over this and you pay by the kilo). There are Carp, Eels, Pike and many other fish that we can’t translate – the Polish names are: Liny, Okonie, Karasie and Płocie. There is a car parking facility and pagoda under which you can put your picnic table. A wonderful way to spend the day. P.S. It’s best to bring your own fishing tackle. You can also go fishing in Warta Bolesławiecka , on “Łowisko Pstrągów” where you will catch beautiful trout. Fishing there is free, you pay only for the fish you catch according to its weight. You can also organise fishing for parties of up to 50 people. Tel. 0048 075 738 9547 Address Warta Bolesławiecka 109 14)WALKING ( also see 19) 15) CYCLING There are plenty of beautiful routs for cykling in the area. You can choose the easy ones iside the Town or go further. For example : A trip to “Cukiernia Nowa” Café for tasy cakes. For keen cyclists there are longer routes: To Grodziec Castle To Kliczków Castle To the Devils Trough 16) WILD LIFE In Łaziska, behind The Blue Beetroot for example is a beautiful little wood with sandstone outcrops (which can be climbed). This wood is a haven of wildlife and serenity. There are deer (with fawns in the spring), woodpeckers and even badgers (only seen at night). But locally there are reserves where you can see beavers (early morning), deer, foxes, hedgehogs, red squirrels, wild boars and numerous birds. White eagles, beautiful red crested woodpeckers, hawfinches, nuthatches and storks catching frogs in the fields are a reasonably common sight. Many rare migrating birds can be seen in the autumn. There are also many rare and protected plant species in the area. About 150 km from here, in Milicz, there are ponds where you can go „bird watching” on specially prepared platforms. The area is part of a program calls „Living Lakes”. But remember if you are in this area, you can walk only along specially marked tourist trails. 17) AGATES AND MINERALS 20 minutes from Bolesławiec is a town called Lwówek (famous for its 12 C Brewery although sadly this is no longer functioning at present). The surrounding area is famous for its minerals, Agates, even gold and silver can be found, but predominately Agates. A great day out for boys especially is searching for those treasures. We have several secret locations where you can dig for agates or pan for silver and gold. We then take the raw stones back to a workshop run by Robert Zawadzki who will cut and polish the stones for us. In Szklarska Poręba (1 hour from Bolesławiec in the mountains) there is a museum and shop where you can purchase all sorts of minerals and precious stones including cultured pearls. 18) HORSE RIDING 15 minutes from Bolesławiec there is riding stable (English style) where you can have a lesson. Go for a hack (out into the woods) or we can organise a day out with a bonfire and picnic by a lake in the woods. There is also an American ranch in Karpacz (1 hour from The Blue Beetroot) where you can ride American style. 19) BOLESLAWIEC TOWN Bolesławiec has a long and fascinating history it is more than 750 years old. Take a walk around the town starting at the town square. In one corner of the square in front of the 13C church there is an archway that is baroque and was built in 18th C. Behind you is the Ratusz (Town Hall). Continue on to the archway on your right hand side you will reach the remains of the old town walls. The town suffered during the Second World War but the arch and walls remained. In the 19th Century the town walls became irrelevant as a fortification so most of them were demolished and turned into parks which now encircle the town. Another good walk is through these parks (in Polish called „Planty Miejskie”) (approx. 1 hour), perhaps with a stop at the Ceramics Museum or Town History Museum on the way. On the trail you can see the most interesting historic buildings of Bolesławiec. 20) MUSEUMS There are two museums in the town: The Ceramics Museum (open Tu – Sat , 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, Sun 11.00 am- 4.00 pm) History of the Town Museum (open Sun 11.00 am- 4.00 pm, We, Th, Fr 10.00 am- 3.00 pm) Both are well worth a visit especially if you would like to know a bit more about the history of the town and the pottery. 21) ANTIQUES Stan (a local character) has a small shop with quite a varied assortment of curios. There are a few shops locally if anyone wishes to buy furniture. Every third Sunday of the month there is an antiques market in the Town Square – get up early to get the bargains! but every Sunday there is a market in one of the surrounding towns. We also have a super flea market (the Manhatan) where the odd gem can be found-– also early start (6 days a week – closed Sundays) 22) CARRAIGE AND SLEIGH RIDES (KLICZKÓW CASTLE) We can arrange carriage and sleigh rides for our guests at Kliczków castle (about half an hour’s drive from us) 23) CLIMBING (SZKLARSKA PORĘBA AND KARPACZ) In these two mountain villages, at “Quasar” mountain centres you can climb, walk along the bridge which hangs between 40 meters high hills, you can also bungee jump, try “zorbing” and many other extreme sports. Experienced, English speaking instructors will take care of your safety. Special offers for groups. 24) HUNTING You can contact by Blue Beetroot with a professional hunting agency , so we can help you organise a trip. In the surrounding woods you can hunt for deer, wild boar, rabbits, foxes and various birds. If you have your own gun with two documents : a) gun permit , b) a hunting permit , then we can organise a trip for you. It is better if you come for more than two days as the chances of your catching something increases. One day hunting costs approx. 150 EU, which includes insurance, transport from the hunting lodge and the area fee. This is a basic price for one days hunting per person, excluding food. We can also organise visits to other attractions and places of interest in the area for a small additional cost. If you shoot any animals, you can take them with you after paying a shooting fee (according to weight). We can also arrange group hunts for more than just one day. Cost depends on numbers – contact us with details of your group for a price. The Blue Beetroot’s guide will go with you on the hunting trip and will also be your translator for the day. 25) CROSS COUNTRY SKIING 1 hour from Bolesławiec (50 km) is one of the biggest and most popular cross country skiing centres in Europe – Jakuszyce. There are numerous well marked trails that run through fairytale mountain scenery. On the trail there is a shelter, where you can stop for a drink or a snack. Equipment can be rented at Jakuszyce, we can help you with this. Just let us know your height, weight and shoe size and the appropriate equipment will be waiting for you. The use of the trails is free and you will be equipped with a map. We can check snow conditions in advance. Photo from http://www.ave.net.pl/narty/index.htm 26) FLY FISHING AND SPIN CASTING For 40 zlotys (around 10 Euros) per person per day or 150 zl (around 38 Euros) per whole week, you can fish the length of the two local rivers, Bóbr and Kwisa. The trout fishing season starts on 31 of January and closes on 1 September. Where lipień (perch) and głowacica (bream) can be fished from 31st May to 1st March. The source of both rivers is in the Sudeten Mountains and the crystal clear waters run through scenic forests and down on to the plains. There are many picturesque and tranquil stretches to fish. In places the river cuts through high volcanic outcrops of rock. We can provide you with a guide. Things to be aware of: All fish must be more than 30 cm, but głowacica must be more than 70 cm. Also make sure you fish more than 50 meters away from dams or weirs and not off of bridges. And also stay 50 meters away from fishing nets. You must leave the fishes heads intact until you get home. Your catch must be held in nets until you leave the river and not for more than 24 hours. All fish that are not of the required length or species must be carefully returned to the water. If you catch small crayfish don’t return them to the water, these are very tasty to eat! And you are asked to keep approximately 30 meters from any other fishermen on the shore and 50 meters in the river. . N.B. the prices quoted are for fishing permits only, we can provide a guide if you would us to, ask us for details and cost. 27) EVENTS (in the town and the area) 1.1- 3 May (unofficial start of summer tourist season) - Medieval Feasts at the local castles. Reinactments, knights fighting- one on one, three on three (so called mêlées)- no rules or set fights, points awarded to winners, army against army, jousting, medieval food, souvenirs: Grodziec Castle – all above plus live concerts, local cuisine, fire show. Dress up like a real knight! Kliczków Castle- all above combined with horse riding tournament (show jumping - not medieval) 2.Flower Festival in Łaziska village (BB village) - 2nd or 3rd weekend of May – live music, dances, local food and beer. A lot of flowers. Great fun till early morning. 3.Great battles reanactments: Napoleonic Wars Battle reinactment- in the area one of the most important battles of the last campaign of The Napoleonic Wars took place. It was The Battle at Kaczawa River. Museum in Dunino. Battle near Lutynia – a re-enactment of the battle between Austrian and Prussian armies, which took place on 5th December 1757. Annual event in September. Medieval Battle near Legnickie Pole – between Mongolian and Polish knights. Annual event in May. 4.April/ May – National Ploughing Competition in Ocice village. Unique event! 5.May/ June- Days of Bolesałwiec- 2 days event, live music, delicious food, fairs, contests and tournaments (Strong Man competition) 6.1st weekend of July- Roast Pork Feast in Osieczów village. If you like fresh roast pork you just can’t miss this feast! There are also many other delicious dishes to taste. Anyone can volunteer for interesting and unusual competitions like throwing the pig’s tail, driving nails into a peg, climbing an 8 meters high wooden pillar. Great fun. 7.3rd weekend of July- Agate Summer in Lwówek Śląski (near Bolesławiec). 3 days festival, full of Agates and other precious minerals. Displaying Agates- pick up your own rock and have it cut for you and be the first person for over 30,000 years who will see its beautiful hidden treasure inside. Agate hunting trips- go out onto the fields to dig for rocks, find a treasure on your own! You will be taught how to recognize Agates by a professional mineral hunter. In the town there is also a stage with live music and a lot of stalls with delicious Polish food, Polish cheese and you can also buy honey and a liqueur made from liquid honey. 8.Last but one weekend of August- Ceramics Fair in Bolesałwiec Town- the biggest and most important festival in our town and region. Pottery is our local cultural heritage and there is no better way of getting to know it than visiting the fair. Clay modelling, throw your own pot on a potter’s wheel, pot painting, and this year there will be something completely new – a clay people parade! You can also take part in this if you want! Cover your body with liquid clay, participate in the parade and get a chance of winning a 1000 zł prize (about 250 euro). Besides this live music, delicious food (as everywhere) and beer. A raffle with pottery for prizes, hundreds of pots to buy (very attractive prices). You just have to be at the fair!. 28) UNESCO OBJECTS IN THE AREA Not far from The Blue Beetroot, there are several historic buildings that are mentioned in the UNESCO list (United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization). 29) MILIŃSKI AND SZUTTER (SHOOTER) – TWO RENOUNED POLISH ARTISTS IN THE AREA. We are very fortunate to have two of Poland’s most famous artists living in this area. Dariusz Miliński has a coffee house/ art gallery in Pławna outside Lwówek. His village commune, from workshop complex is further down the road. He paints from the Polish characters he has around him. A fascinating if somewhat eccentric person, really interesting to meet. Edward Szutter (Shooter). A very different artist- exceptional still-lifes- if art interests you a visit to his studio will prove fascinating. Address: Lubków 15, 59-721 Iwiny (10 km from the BB), tel.: +48 / (75) 738 94 95, mobile: 513 057 290 email: szutter@szutter.info, website: www.szutter.info 30) GOLD MINE “Aurelia” In Złotoryja (approx. 30 km from Bolesławiec) there is an old gold mine. It’s open during summer season (from May 1st until September 30th) on Weds, Thurs, Fri and Sat from 9 am until 4 pm and on Sun from 10 am until 3 pm. The guide will take you for a walk along the underground corridor and show you the place where the miners were digging for gold in the Middle Ages. 31) POW MUSEUM IN ŻAGAŃ - the place where the film „The Great Escape” was made If you are interested in WW2 stories you should visit the POWs museum in Żagan. Żagań is about 60 km from the Bolesławiec. There is no fee for entering on the area, but if you would like to see a movie about the camp and go around it with an English speaking guide they charge 30 zł per one hour for a group (needs arrangement 2 weeks in advance). 32) KULIG – GREAT FUN IN WINTER At wintertime (if there is snow) we can organise a “Kulig” for you! We make a ‘train’ of small sledges and tie them to the back of a tractor. The tractor will take you to the local woods with beautiful sandstone outcrops where there is a bonfire with food and hot drinks waiting for you and you can roast ‘kielbasa’ (Polish sausages) over the fire. Then it’s back on the sledge train to the Blue Beetroot! 33) CANDLE SHOP “RADE” If you would like to buy some nice candles there is a small candle factory in Tomaszów Boleslawiecki (the same village where Andy’s is). They make various beautiful patterns with floral ornaments. Ask us how to get there. 34) HELICOPTER TRIPS If you want a bird’s eye view of Bolesławiec and the surrounding area we can rent a helicopter which can take 3 people on board and take you for a trip. You can take beautiful pictures from the sky. The pilot can fly along the Bóbr river and show you the most beautiful landscapes in the area. 35) SPORTS Do you like sport? If so we can take you or show you where are the places where you can play soccer, basketball, volleyball, or swim or just play in a playground with your children.* * The Blue Beetroot cannot take responsibility for any injuries that may happen during doing these activities! 36) ENTERTAIMENT If you would like to go for a party or a disco, there are couple of clubs in the town. An entrance fee is between 5 and 30 zł (depends on the day of the week and the club). Parties start in the evenings – 9 pm and least even up till 6 am. 37) ANIMAL FARM Approx 10 km from Bolesławiec there is an Animal Farm in Suszki (15 min drive). Their main attraction is ostriches. You can even buy an ostrich egg. Apart from the big birds they also keep lambs, pigs and sheep. Ticket costs only 2 zł (approx. 0,50 Euro) and they are open every day from morning until evening. 38) GO CARTS AT TESCO If you would like to try your skills in go-carts you can do it at Tesco supermarket. The track is open every day from 10 am until 9 pm. 10 minutes ride costs 20 zł (approx 5 Euro). 39) RAFTING ON BOBR OR KWISA RIVER If you would like to experience an adventurous activity you will like the rafting on one of the two most beautiful Polish rivers of the area (Bóbr or Kwisa). Higher parts of the rivers are like mountain rivers where the current is fast and strong. This activity is for groups of between 4 and 12 people, we can help in arranging this for you. Additionally they can organise a barbeque. Cost of the trip is 50 zł (around 13 Euro) per person and it takes around 5,5 hours. 40) SWIMMING POOL AT KLICZKOW CASTLE At Kliczków castle there is a very nice swimming pool. Before the castle became a hotel and conference centre there used to be a covered horse riding school. The swimming pool is not very deep and big so it is perfect for families with children. At the same place there is also a sauna and a gym. Additionally they also have SPA centre. The swimming pool is open from 8 am till 10 pm. One hour swimming for one adult costs 25zl (around 6, 5 Euro). ** all prices included in „Things to do in the area” are correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change due to fluctuations in the Euro exchange, general inflation and price rises etc.