1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

There were many memorable parts of our holiday at this accommodation. We could begin with the fabulous food that they prepare, including the breakfasts and suppers featuring locally grown or raised foods (from their garden or another local family producer) and their willingness to indulge and elaborate on our "academic inquiry" into the local history and family networks. We would be remiss if we didn't mention their warm hospitality and fondness for great conversation. Nic and Dasa arranged for skiing equipment and provided personalized lessons with patience and humour. Beginning from "how do I put these things on" to "wow, that's a steep hill... how do I avoid a real faceplant?"

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Travelling the Czech Republic in winter, especially outside of Praha, can be challenging as websites do not always explain seasonal hours and other restrictions (such as how many people are required for a tour). Yet, Nic and Dasa were persistent in ensuring our stay was comfortable and memorable. They suggested an itinerary that matched our interests and even toted us around and translated for us at multiple points of interest.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes. Everything we discussed with Nic and Dasa or read on their web site matched what we observed during our stay. Their history of working with local communities and commitment to the "local economy" and people, of which they see themselves a part, and the environment was integrated into everything we saw. They have worked to mobilize the local community to organize around water quality and stream habitat as well as forest restoration. They even use environmentally sustainable bathing and cleaning products (and provide them for guests).

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

My two young adult children and I still are talking about our visit with Nick, Dasa and little Joe! NIck and Dasa were so welcoming and helped us make activity arrangements for biking and horse back riding during our visit. Each could have been the "most" memorable. We took a long bike trip over the country side, over hill and vale. Touring through villages and farm land, past old cemeteries, WW II bunkers and ancient churches made for a fabulous day! We would have missed the sights, sounds and sweet smells of spring had we zipped through this area in our rented Peugeot! Although we didn't speak Czech and the shop keeper spoke no English, the fact that Nick had already contacted her made this easy (with a little help from our handy travel dictionary).

Our horseback riding adventure was also arranged through Nick and Dasa (we never would have found this opportunity on our own!) We found ourselves on the backs of beautiful horses, guided by a delightful woman through forests and meadows overlooking villages below in the valley. Again, all arrangements were made in advance by Dasa so that we were expected when we arrived! Our guide’s young teenage son was thrilled to practice his English and served as an able and enthusiastic translator. Invited after our ride to stay for coffee, we sat on the porch outside the barn, and worked our way through a long "visit" with our guide and her family...young translator, dictionary and many hand motions helped us cover many topics!

An unexpected delight was the time that we spent with NIck, Dasa and little Joe. We lingered over Nick's gourmet breakfasts and dinners talking long after the meal was over (and thoroughly enjoyed... Nick is such an outstanding chef that we decided to have all our breakfast and dinners at their home!) We met his local friends (who treated us to a French horn concert in their verdant yard overlooking a stunningly beautiful valley), raised some pints together at the village pub over the hill and hung out with the goat and cat while talking about seemingly endless topics of interest to us all.

Nick and Dasa have created an extraordinary living space for their traveling guests. Cozy and yet ample space was decorated in the most inviting and pleasing ways and the wood stove was always glowing with cheery, warm light! Hanging out in the kitchen while Nick and Dasa prepared meals or afternoon (or evening) tea was our favorite place to visit... it spoke of all things good for you...the smells and sight of wonderful food being carefully prepared, refreshing water (and mustn't forget the great coffees and teas!) and best of all, easy camaraderie.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Book more days with Nick and Dasa than you had planned on! Once you have done that, make sure that you have a good travel dictionary and map so that you feel comfortable exploring the villages and towns in the area. Don't be shy, there is much to enjoy!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Nick and Dasa have made dozens of living accommodations that honor the natural world of their village of Pisarov and minimize the impact of their farm and living on the environment. Nick and Dasa are clearly an important part of their local community with Nick teaching English to a wide variety of local folk interested in improving their language skills for work, school and living more fully as citizens of the world. They are clearly looked upon as well respected "leaders" in their village. We enjoyed learning about the multitude of ways that they have renovated this smuggler's cottage of old, making eco-friendly changes so to leave a very small footprint on the hill overlooking acres of bright yellow flowering fields.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

I would give it 10 stars! "I am reborn!" This was simply the best holiday I have ever been on! Truly, it has changed the way I will travel for ever more!

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It is difficult to know where to start. Our holiday with Nick and Dasa was fantastic - they are the most helpful and warm people I have ever met. It is very rare to meet people like them. Nick and Dasa are fantastic hosts and made us feel completely at home. They are fantastic cooks - we have never eaten so well. My daughter loved helping look after the chickens with Nick and going on long walks with Dasa - she is still talking about them both! It’s a great place for families. The cottage is beautiful and accommodation excellent. My husband has also learnt the important life skill of lighting fires (and keeping them alight!)

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Hiring a car is probably a good idea, especially if you’re travelling with children. There are lots of things to do nearby, so it makes getting about that much easier. Nic and Dasa helped us book all our activities in advance so we could get the most out of our weeks stay, so just give Nic a few ideas of your interests. Nick and Dasa are great cooks - be sure not to miss out.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Absolutely. The food is either grown by themselves or is locally sourced and is organic. Nick and Dasa are very passionate about the food and knowing were it has come from. They use all eco friendly cleaning product and they have their own water treatment plant for waste water.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Loved travelling to the Czech Republic by public transport - bus/boat/ train. The public transport in the Czech republic is also great - cheap and coordinated. Nick and Dasa organised for us to hire a car locally and came to the station to meet us and translate with the guy. The car was fine and we were happier for our money to go locally. You don't strictly need a car due to good public transport but it meant we could get to some different places.

Nick and Dasa also made several suggestions for walks and outings in the area - all of which were good and saved a lot of hunting around trying to find out what was going on. There were plenty of maps and tourist guides at the Lodge. We had some great walks in the quiet countryside, culminating in climbing the highest mountain in the area (not difficult but takes time) and gazing down into Poland. We ate Dasa's courgette and chocolate cake on the top! Nick is a fantastic cook - best food we've ever had, and managed to produce lovely vegetarian, low-cholesterol dishes every night - quite a feat. Lots of the food was produced locally and organic wherever possible. Enjoyed our discussions about green issues and Nick's anecdotes from his punk and Africa days. Little boy Joe is a real charmer and a delight to have around.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Lose weight before you go because you won't while you're there. Don't bother to take too many books as they have a great selection of reading matter. You may not need a car depending where you want to go. Try travelling there without flying - we went from Newcastle to Amsterdam by boat then on the sleeper to Prague. A lovely journey. There are other routes - Google "man in seat61" for info. Learn a little bit of Czech if you can as not many people speak any English. (German is also used by some people).

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

As far as possible. The heating is from renewable wood, the waste water recycling is excellent and there is a thorough recycling system. Produce was obtained locally mostly and we hired the car locally, thanks to Nick's contacts. Unfortunately due to a number of circumstances Dasa and Nick have not been able to cultivate their full veggie garden this year (but they do have Joe as compensation!) so only a few things were home-grown. We were disappointed about this as we are keen home gardeners but all the veg was fresh and either local or organic.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Very good - some lovely walks and just interesting to be in such a different place. Good to meet different people - we're usually fairly self-contained on holiday so it did us good to be in a more sociable environment.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

This question is not really suitable for the weekend short break we had at Pisarov. All I can say is that it was truly excellent. The accommodation was fantastic, with so many, many thoughtful touches to make sure the guests are treated and looked after from arrival to departure. The hosts Dasa and Nick, (and baby Joe and "the sheep"), are fantastic company; the setting and location of the lodge is stunning and we cannot wait to go back again.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Don't eat for 24 hours before going there! The food is out of this world and lot and lots of it!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Absolutely, Nick and Dasa have not only created a sustainable building but way of life also. With home grown produce, local delicacies and swapping various commodities/items with the neighbouring locals.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Beyond expectations in every aspect. Definitely first class. On the scoring system you have used and the descriptions of the star ratings I have to record a 4 star as a weekend cannot be "the best holiday I have ever been on". But without any fear of misleading others, this was a 5 star weekend.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The best part of our holiday in the Czech Republic was staying in Nick and Dasha's lovely farmhouse in the middle of the countryside. They were amazing hosts, cooked lovely food, were very welcoming and sent us off every day with tips and advice on where to go. Their cooking was especially good and they had no problem rustling up lovely vegetarian dishes for us, which made life a lot easier than in most Czech restaurants. They even invited us out to a local ice hockey game and for a beer in the local pub!

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

You need to hire a car to make the most of the area. It takes a good 3.5 hours to get from the airport in Prague to their farmhouse (longer if the road is shut as it was for us !!). If you visit in summer the lake is great for a swim. Oloumouc is a pretty city (like Prague without the tourists as all the guide books tell you). If you are combining the trip with a visit to Prague we'd recommend only a day or two there before the tourist hordes become too much!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Nick and Dasha cooked local food from their veggie patch and fruit orchard, if they didn’t have stuff it was purchased from the village or surroundings. The property had its own water supply, environmentally friendly waste water treatment, eco products in the room and the renovation sounds as though it was very environmentally sensitive.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Fantastic - it was more like staying with friends in another country rather than an anonymous hotel or lodge. They are incredibly welcoming hosts- thanks for a lovely holiday.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

We were very pleasantly surprised by the number of beautiful towns and cities in the local area, but our two boys probably enjoyed tobogganing and karting best!

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

1) Probably hire a car as the cottage is a bit off the beaten track. 2) Take advantage of Nick & Dasa's very kind willingness to look into local events and helping with bookings /planning itineraries. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for them and using their local knowledge greatly enhanced our holiday experience! 3) Make sure your car hire from Prague airport is available after 8pm, we arrived at the office at 8.10pm (flight delayed 25 mins) to find Sixt office had simply closed and gone home -no way we could pick up our car until the next day.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

We had a wonderful time, it was a very relaxing environment and safe for 2 small children (age 2 &4). Nick's cooking was great and the room very comfortably and tastefully furnished. Nick and Dasa very kindly babysat for us one evening so we could go out - and even cooked for us despite feeling very ill when we had to return unexpectedly early - our restaurant being completely inaccessible due to a raging storm and trees falling on the roads - very much above and beyond the call of duty! We had a chance to rest and re-charge and felt thoroughly looked after - thank you!