The most attractive rural tourism destination I have ever visited : Lawendowa Osada

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This is Lawendowa Osada, which I would translate into English as the lavender settlement. This wonderful location has been started by a young couple, Barbara and Bartek Idzczak. They have a fascination for lavender and they have created an agri tourism destination, set in the Kashubian upland region to the west of Gdańsk.
On a personal note from me, at the very beginning. I once ran a tourist company, I now live in a motorhome and so have travelled around a lot. I take an interest in this business, I attend professional trade events, so I think I have a bit of knowledge about it. My conclusion on Lawendowa Osada is that this is the best agri tourism location I have ever been to.
This historical region is one of lakes and rolling hills and thus makes a fascinating backdrop. It is located to the west of Gdańsk in Poland, in the inter war period this was part of the Free City of Gdańsk.
The hotel part of the settlement is in Kashubian style houses which you can see here. There are currently forty beds available, they also offer the possibility of tent camping. I arrived in my motorhome of course but that is not part of the standard offer!
The theme is completely around lavender. At present there are very few lavender planatations in Poland. My visit was in August which is not the best time to see it as it had been harvested, however we can get a good idea of the size of the fields.
My interest in lavender came about as a way of keeping mosquitos out of my motorhome. However in time I grew to appreciate its smell. Lavender is reputed to have a calming effect both in fragrance form and also as consumed in a tea. As such it has been long used in aromatherapy and herbal medicine. It is a component of many spices and various fragrance sets. Lavender flowers have antiseptic, bactericidal, antispasmodic, anesthetic and anti-rheumatic properties. They appear to improve immune function. The whole strength of this plant centers around the oil it contains - hence lavender oil is used in creams, lotions, massage oils and more. In folk medicine, lavender oil is used as an ointment rubbed into aching muscles and joints, as well as places affected by paralysis, bruises and sprains.
Lavender, in aromatherapy, is used to treat depression, burns, acne, rashes, arthritis, athlete's foot, psoriasis, insomnia, pain, palpitations, anxiety and nervousness. It relaxes muscles and relieves tension.

Lawendowa Osada also offers spa treatments with a trained masseuse using mixtures of herbs for aromatherapy - mainly with home grown lavender in the form of salts, oils and soaps based on lavender, as well as in the form of fresh and dried bouquets.

Another part of this spa is the salt grotto where one can sit and relax and breathe in the clean, salt infused air! The salt grotto has a unique microclimate, characterised by exceptional bacteriological purity, humidity and temperature. This is likely to be beneficial for those with respiratory diseases, hypothyroidism, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, neurosis and depression, various types of allergies and a weakened immune system. The lighting inside is designed for relaxation and gentle music is an option.

The word spa comes from the Latin "sanitas per aquam" and Lavendowa Osada uses water as a fundamental part of its treatments. The spa ffers hydrotherapy, chromotherapy, aromatherapy, music therapy and halotherapy/ It has a wood burning hot tub, jacuzzi and cold tub. There is also a wood fired Russian sauna, sometimes referred to by its Russian term ‘banya’. Banyas have been in existence for at least 2,000 years in both eastern European and Chinese and Japanese cultures and are particularly effective for cold weather treatments. They can improve resistance to getting colds and the flu, possibly also
lower blood pressure, reduce joint pain, help with respiratory ailmnets, strengthen insomnia therapy and of course offer a great way of socialising with family and friends – as the Romans did there 2,000 years ago.. Lavendowa Osada further to all this offers aromatherapy mainly from herbs and oils which they have produced, including of course their own lavender.

Another curious feature is the astronomical observatory! The main telescope is a Schmidt-Cassegrain with a mirror diameter of 280mm and a focal length of 2800mm which will magnify up to 419 times. There are also smaller telescopes too!

This was for me a wonderful place to stop and visit. The food was fantastic, the company was great and the location marvellous! What more can I say!

If you want to know more, there is a link below to their website!

https://lawendowaosada.pl/en/