In 2015, we traveled extensively across our beautiful country. Forests, castles, beaches, mountains, meadows, bridges, airports… There was truly a lot to see. A few places have left a special mark on our memories. We've prepared a list of the best event locations for you, based on what we saw last year.
We considered not only the quality of service, communication, and customer satisfaction, but also the unique character, atmosphere, and location of each venue. Don't pay attention to the order—it's random. Here are our subjective top 3.
Scottish Ranch
Central Poland. Just outside Płońsk, 70 km from Warsaw (an hour's drive). Surrounded by fields, in an unassuming village, we found a unique property! Entering the Scottish Ranch, we felt as if we'd been transported to a remote prairie.
From the very beginning of our stay at this extraordinary place, the attention to detail was striking. A charming pond, a well-kept orchard (delicious apples!), wagons and sleighs… Those who pay attention will discover much, much more… including… Alcatraz! The surroundings alone testify to the high standard of the facility. The interior also leaves no doubt in this regard – we're at a ranch, and we can expect everything you've seen in the movies :).
We hold a special place in our hearts for SUPER HAIRY CATTLE … I mean, Highland Cattle. The Ranch is home to HAIRY COWS ! And they really are that great, with long hair, huge horns, and bangs! You have to see them!
Source: http://www.szkockieranczo.pl/
The horses deserve a special mention. We discussed this with the staff (who were incredibly kind and helpful). We learned what a reining stable is (check it out for yourself!) and what Western riding is like.
The food also contributes to the unique atmosphere of the place… and it's delicious! It has something to do with the aforementioned cows, but we didn't investigate exactly what – our innate sensitivity prevents us from delving into the matter. Interestingly, at the Ranch, you can order meals cooked by chefs right before your eyes :). Such luxury comes at a price, but it's certainly worth the price.
What most captivated us was the passion with which the facility is run. Who would undertake such a daring undertaking these days? Only those who believe in it and for whom running a ranch is more than just a job. It was this passionate approach that earned the Scottish Ranch a spot on our list.
Bialowieza
We love events in far-flung locations. Most of our team has known each other for years, and we understand each other without words. The more time we spend together, the better; the further we travel to an event, the more laughter and excitement. And that was no exception with our trip to the Białowieża Forest!
In Białowieża, we organized a team-building event for a Warsaw-based company. The scenario for such events requires careful consideration. We never know who we'll encounter, how well the participants know each other, how well they get along, or even if they're friends outside of work. On the one hand, we have to provide them with unconventional entertainment, but on the other, we can't create discomfort. Some people aren't keen on getting scared, others on getting dirty or running around, but everyone expects great excitement and fun. In the end, we often go overboard, trying not to kill anyone (except Roman).
When entering Białowieża after dark, prepare to be greeted by… the Border Guard :). We drove in two cars a few hours apart – both checked by the same patrol. It's clear that every stranger here immediately catches your eye. We, on the other hand, were fascinated by the sheer number of accommodations – almost every building has a sign about available (or not) rooms.
Białowieża captivated us with its... tranquility. Everything there moves at a slower pace, at its own pace, often in sync with cycling. Fantastic bike paths wind through the surrounding forests (we explored some). Wherever we went, there was forest, fields, and forest, or a river, marshes, fields, and forest.
Once there, we organized a field game – a treasure hunt for the forest. After driving around the entire area, taking notes and photos, preparing puzzles, patting a bison, and admiring the beautiful golden autumn, we returned to the lodge, where 80 small honey pots were waiting to be packed. You can find some truly excellent honey in Białowieża.
Two things decided we're including Białowieża in this list. The first – the prosaic one – is nature. Here, you truly feel like you're in the heart of a primeval forest. During our game, a badger crossed our path (we'd never seen such an animal in person before). Admittedly, it didn't seem to mind our presence much. The second thing, not mentioned yet because unfortunately, it wasn't used in the game (the game took place largely after dark), is the handcars . You can ride handcars around Białowieża! There are several possible routes, and the vehicles come in various sizes – it truly looks fantastic when one suddenly crosses your path. We have many ideas for how to incorporate this attraction into our games – we're sure we'll be able to implement them.
The charm of this wonderful place is spoiled only by… the access. It's truly far. 535 kilometers from us, to be precise. The good road ends a few dozen kilometers outside Warsaw. Then you have to take provincial roads – most of them quite good. At some point, you get the feeling you've taken a wrong turn. It's narrow, with trucks coming from the opposite direction, the road surface is like Swiss cheese (with all due respect to the cheese), and there's a shoulder… well, maybe there is one. It's true that you only drive on this road for a dozen or so kilometers, but it's noticeable.
Despite this, we highly recommend Białowieża. If you want to rest, relax, and unwind, this is the place to be.
The stronghold of the Pszczyna Knights
There's no denying that working at the Miracle Works involves discovering picturesque, unusual places, and those surprisingly close or surprisingly far away. This time, it was surprisingly close… Pszczyna, because this memory is associated with it, intrigued us more than once. This time, it was thanks to the Pszczyna Knights' Fortress, which we visited at the end of June last year.
Can a medieval-style fortress still surprise anyone? It turns out it can! A visit before one of the events dispelled our doubts…
The imagination of all our team members was captured by the countless nooks and crannies, some cozy, others dark. The excellent props and stylistic nods to the medieval era (including the interior design and staff in medieval costume!) demonstrated meticulous attention to detail. Some were surprised by the sliding floor, or rather the ceiling (it all depends on your perspective) in the main hall. Others noticed—you won't believe it!—the throne-shaped toilets (yes, we've been where the king walks). Still others were fascinated by the playground with its many tunnels and the fortifications with turrets, which offered a wide range of crawling and climbing opportunities (in pants or a dress—it was worth the climb).
In the competition for the place where you can do the most crazy things, the Battlefield won. What could be so special about a 1-hectare meadow? It's that it has a whole hectare that can be used for the strangest competitions, puzzles, games, or simply for a small battle, a sword duel, or an archery tournament... oh, and maybe even for relaxing and lazing around.
At the Miracle Worker, we prefer an alternative approach to sightseeing, exploring places we wouldn't normally go, looking at things others wouldn't even notice, or inventing new functions for old objects. We have to admit that the Stronghold offers a lot of scope for creativity in these areas (a real space for imagination ;-)).
Children will especially enjoy this facility. In castles and museums, we're not allowed to climb walls; everything is locked, we encounter barriers, and security guards watch us from every corner. Here, it's quite the opposite – we're strongly encouraged to explore the facility and venture into its various nooks and crannies.
Regardless of whether you are thinking about a pleasant afternoon spent with family, a meeting with friends or a team-building event, one thing is certain – the Pszczyna Knights' Fortress will welcome you with open doors: :).
Here are our subjective top 3. We saw many places last year, but these are the ones that stand out in our memories. We're confident that the new season will bring even more adventures and we'll see even more stunning locations. If you've had positive experiences from various trips (whether corporate or private), let us know! We'd love to expand our horizons!
See you later!
The Miracle Workers Team 🙂
