EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A new agritourism facility appeared in the Vitebsk region in the village of Gorodnyany. There would have been nothing unusual in this if the hosts had not sent our correspondent... to the bathhouse. But first things first.
Horodnyany is located just ten kilometers from the regional center. The owners of the farmstead, spouses Vladimir and Darina Spiridonov, said that at first a house was built here. They stressed that the support of the state, which it provides to those who want to live in the village, came in handy. The construction of housing in the outback is financed on preferential terms. The Spiridonovs live in a large cozy house with two children - 12-year-old Sofia and 5-year-old Ivan. And what is a solid rural house without a bathhouse, where you can take a steam bath with the whole family and invite your relatives there to improve their health? The Spiridonovs put their soul into creating this place for relaxation.
"At first, we did not plan to invite outsiders to take a bath, we were far from organizing tourism. I teach children to play the piano at the Novkinsky School of Arts, my husband used to work at a sawmill. When he began to build a bathhouse, he was carried away by everything related to this topic. I gave my husband the opportunity to take the "Family Bath Attendant" training course. He was happy. Then Volodya was still studying and received a certificate of a professional bath attendant. The first visitors to our bathhouse - friends and acquaintances - were delighted with the fact that everything was thought out to the smallest detail in order to get real pleasure from a healthy procedure," says the hostess of the farmstead.
Professional skills and attractive taxation for those wishing to engage in agritourism left no doubt: you need to start your own "bathing business". More and more people who want to experience a real bathhouse come to Gorodnyany, mainly residents of Vitebsk and the region. Vladimir is sincerely glad that his guests after visiting the steam room admit that they have understood that the bath ceremony is an art.
"It is doubly pleasant to hear words of gratitude from those who used to, let's say, visit the bathhouse for company, but reluctantly. Or from the wives of the spouses, who admitted that they did not want to go to Horodnyany at all, because during and after steaming, they used to be, to put it mildly, uncomfortable, and now, as if they have discovered a new world for themselves," says Vladimir.
The secret of such a "gentle mode" is that the bath attendant does not steam at high temperatures, asks in advance about temperature preferences. People are doubly comfortable in a hot room thanks to the second wind system - fresh air is periodically supplied to the steam room, and this allows you to prolong your stay in the steam room and feel light.
"There is also a bath vat in our farmstead. We offer various programs: for families in love in the "romantic" style, we organize bath bachelorette parties, collective steaming. Those who wish can simply rent a bathhouse," continues Vladimir.
After steaming, many people really like to lie in a room where there is hay on the floor, and fragrant herbs are hung from the ceiling. Darina offers all vacationers delicious herbal teas from mint, St. John's wort, garden oregano, which she grows in her backyard. She loves petunia, so during the season the entire bath complex is fragrant with beautiful flowers.
In the warm season, guests can celebrate birthdays and other holidays on the large terrace, make a barbecue. Tourists are delighted with the opportunity to participate in the celebration of Kupala, to get acquainted with folk rituals. On Shrove Week, everyone is treated to pancakes here. These are free bonuses for those who come to Horodnyany.