Vacation planning against the winter blues: six charming vacation accommodations in the north

Guckelsby Farm in Thumby on the Schlei

On their small country estate in Thumby an der Schlei, Karen and Alexander von Bargen have converted the former stables into two vacation apartments - and not just with a lot of love, but above all with an eye for beautiful things, generosity and sustainability. The apartment "Kuhstall" offers enough space for up to 10 people on approx. 330 m² - the five bedrooms, three bathrooms (one with sauna) and the cozy living/dining area with fireplace and view to the Schlei leave nothing to be desired. The outdoor area with fenced garden, terrace, garden furniture and barbecue facilities is also perfect for younger visitors and four-legged friends - everyone is welcome at Hof Guckelsby.

The "Hühnerstall" apartment is ideal for smaller groups: three bedrooms, a spacious bathroom and an equally great view of the surrounding ponds and the Schlei await you here on approx. 130 m² of living space. The apartment also has a fenced-in garden, perfect for playing in the countryside, sunbathing on the terrace and cozy barbecue evenings.

Address: Guckelsby Farm, 24351 Thumby
More information: https://www.guckelsby.de/
Price: from €150 per night

THE BETTERHEIM in Kittlitz near Lake Schaalsee

In the old school and former school hostel in Kittlitz, interior designer Frederike Bettermann and her husband have created four fantastic apartments for guests with an affinity for design. The thatched brick house focuses on one thing above all: sustainable country living. The couple have implemented this by, for example, furnishing all four vacation apartments predominantly plastic-free and with environmentally conscious interiors.
Thanks to the extensive refurbishment with ecological building materials, THE BETTERHEIM is also an extremely energy-efficient accommodation. Each of the four high-quality apartments offers space for four guests and has a terrace with access to the insect-friendly garden. The entire house can also be booked for joint projects such as coaching sessions, incentives or photo shoots. Workshops and retreats on the topics of sustainability, mindfulness and creativity are also offered here, such as the "Yoga & Relax Day" or the "Sustainable Interior Design" workshop. A special extra: if you fall in love with the beautiful interior and eco-friendly accessories during your stay at THE BETTERHEIM, you can easily buy many of the items in the online store.

Address: THE BETTERHEIM, 23911 Kittliitz
Phone: +49 1718391685
More information: https://thebetterheim.de/
Price: from 192€ per night

Friesensteern in Tetenbüll

The old farmhouse "Friesensteern" is located on a terp in the middle of the beautiful Eiderstedt landscape. If you spend your vacation here, you will experience incomparable peace and idyll. In a secluded location, surrounded only by pastureland, old lime trees and apple trees, this special accommodation offers 250 m² of living space for up to eleven guests. The house, which dates back to 1779, has been lovingly renovated in keeping with its listed status and is the perfect mix of old and new. Historic, lavishly decorated alcoves, exposed wooden beams and old Dutch tiles are skillfully combined with designer furniture, modern furnishings and comfortable extras such as a sauna and underfloor heating.
There is also another 100 m² vacation home with space for four people on the 8,000 m² property: The old schoolhouse - a thatched cottage where the teacher once lived and taught the children of the neighborhood - impresses with a harmonious color concept, a cool loft atmosphere and, of course, the incomparable view from the terrace over the wide fields.

Address: Friesensteern/Old schoolhouse, 25882 Tetenbüll
Telephone: +49 177 7941731
More information: https://www.friesensteern.de/ or https://www.altesschulhaus.de/
Price: from €1,400 per week

Hilligenbohl farm in the North Frisian marshes

At the thatched "Hilligenbohl" farm (Hof der Heiligen), situated on an old terp a few kilometers from the sea, guests can experience genuine North Sea culture - inside and out: Ute Kirchner and her family have lovingly designed the three vacation apartments on the farm, which was rebuilt in the original Frisian style after a fire in 1979, with a special eye for North Frisian culture. The tasteful interior design with panels, old Dutch brick floors, beamed ceilings, lattice windows and old farmhouse cupboards give the thatched property, which was rebuilt using old building materials, its special charm.

Surrounded by fields, the outdoor areas also promise relaxation, idyll and pure North Frisia: there is an old orchard, a pond with frogs, meadows with sheep, beautiful old trees, a large outdoor sauna and small separate garden areas to retreat to. The place is also ideal for children with plenty of places to play, swings and ball games. Dogs are also very welcome.

Address: Hilligenbohl Farm, 25899 Kleiseerkoog
Telephone: +49 4661-2848
More information: https://hilligenbohl.de/
Price: from 70€ per night

Harmschool in Langenhorn in North Friesland

After the former village school "Harmschool" - named after the teacher Friedrich Harm who worked there from 1896 to 1923 - fell into disrepair after a long, turbulent history and was publicly auctioned off in 1981, the house ended up in the possession of an architecture student. A basic renovation was carried out and an extension was added, which was built together with the owner of the adjacent "Lüttschool" and functions as a connecting building between the two schools.
Today, the "Harmschool" is a modern yet historic 165 m² vacation home with sleeping accommodation for up to eight people. The listed building with its studio character and the special incidence of light thanks to the high windows is divided into a 50 m² living hall with a ceiling height of up to seven meters, galleries on different levels, a large living room with fireplace, three bathrooms, a new sauna, a spacious open kitchen and several sleeping areas. Particularly charming are the original elements such as the two-meter-high lattice windows, the Art Nouveau doors with original fittings, gymnastic rings and, of course, the teacher's desk. The 1,100 m² natural plot next to the forest is a paradise for children and the North Sea coast is only a few kilometers away.

Address: Harmschool, 25842 Langenhorn
Phone: +49 40 60950043
More information: https://www.harmschool.de/
Price: from €1,500 per week

The Villas Fehmarn

"A place to switch off, to put your feet up, with family and friends. Maybe even on an island, as close to the sea as possible, surrounded by nature..." What began as a dream among friends became reality in 2018 and the Villas Fehmarn welcomed their first guests. Awarded the German Architecture Prize 2019, the eight beach villas in Scandinavian design offer a vacation away from mass tourism and yet in a prime location right by the sea.
All of the bright and friendly villas have been planned and built to a high standard with great attention to detail. They have floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, (roof) terraces or verandas, some have fireplace courtyards, underfloor heating and are modern and fully equipped. The outdoor sauna can be used by all guests.

Address: The Villas Fehmarn, Fehmarnsund 34, 23769 Fehmarn
Telephone: + 49 4371 88 54 999
More information: https://thevillas.de/
Price: from 103€ per night