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(This post is also available in German/ auf Deutsch hier)
When I think back to my favorite vacations, they were always at locations where we could treat ourselves to a few relaxing days in the middle of nature. These were either glamping accommodations right by the river, or an old shepherds hut, a vacation home by the lake, or a tiny house right on the edge of the forest. I associate these places with pure relaxation, time with loved ones, and lots of fun in the fresh air.
I can still clearly remember how in 2019 we opened all the windows in an old circus wagon early in the morning after a restful sleep in the middle of nature, heard the cows in the distance, as well as the chirping of the birds and the rustling of the leaves. It seemed magical, even though everything was so simple. The circus car was small but cozy, around us were just meadows, fields and forest. It was a 15-minute walk to the nearest restaurant. And that’s were I could relax best, enjoy breakfast outside and then go, full of energy, on a hike in the surrounding countryside. In the evening we made an improvised supper with delicacies from the local market, enjoyed a glass of wine and as entertainment watched a spectacular sunset.
How does that sound? Like a dream, right?
At the moment, the situation is not so easy when it comes to planning vacations. But there are still options to travel while staying away from the crowds, and staying regional. Germany and Europe have so much to offer, especially when it comes to vacations paired with forest bathing, relaxation at the lake or a trip to the mountains.
Therefore, I am very happy that I can introduce you to Nature.House today. On the site you will find over 17,000 cottages, away from the big crowds and the noise of everyday life. Thanks to the detailed search function, you can freely arrange your stay: Would you prefer a vacation at the sea? At the lake? In the mountains? In an authentic bungalow or rather in a sustainable Tiny House? Do you want something right in your back yard or do you prefer something a little further away? Do you want something with plenty of space for the kids or exciting hiking trails with the dog? On Nature.House you will find exactly that.
There are so many different types of accommodations:
And you can easily filter by preferences:
- Contactless Stay
- Family trip
- Nature reserves
- In the forest
- Last minute
- Mini trip
- Romantic getaways
- Summer holidays
- Weekend trip
- With dog
- With pool
- With sauna
My favorite cottages
I have picked out a few of my favorites that I would love to spend a few nights in. There are thousands more options on the site, and something for every budget and preferences.
Germany
Old cottage in Hipstedt, Niedersachsen
Sea containers converted into cozy mountain huts in Schöneck, Sachsen
Tiny tiny tiny House from pine wood in Bavaria
Austria
Traditional alpine hut in Kärnten
The Netherlands
France
Sheperds hut at a private lake
Denmark
Vacation home in the middle of the dunes
You don’t always have to go to a tropical or exotic destination to experience a special vacation. Europe has so much to offer and in Germany alone we have a huge variety of destinations right on our doorstep thanks to the diverse mountain regions, forests, lakes and sea. Traveling locally or regionally is also always a very sustainable option.
On Nature.House you can also click on the category “Sustainability” to search narrow down your search to vacation homes, mountain cabins, tiny houses & Co. that offer special environmentally friendly projects. This cottage in Germany, for example, offers a sustainable stay with electricity from solar panels, use of biodegradable cleaning products and herbs and fruit from their own garden.
In addition, the platform donates €1 for each booking to local nature projects. The first of these projects was started in the Netherlands and Nature.House has partnered with “Buitenfonds”, the national forest administration (Staatsbosbeheer) and bird protection (Vogelbescherming Nederland) on it. Further projects are planned in Germany and other countries.
These nature projects have different thematic focuses and include, among others, the design of recreational facilities, the improvement of the habitat of certain wildlife species or the reforestation of a forest area to promote biodiversity and climate adaptation. More info on all nature projects can be found here.
I hope with this nature cottage tip I was able to help you out with this year’s vacation planning if you are looking for a tranquil getaway in nature. I could have dozens of places from the site that I would love to stay in. I found so many accommodations that look just gorgeous.
Once again I would like to emphasize that the situation is not very easy at the moment. All questions about the current situation are also answered here on the site. With regards to the current situation, I can only speak for myself, but personally I have nothing against planning a contactless vacation on the countryside, far away from the crowds and the hustle and bustle of the big city. As long as people are responsible, get tested, and keep their contacts to a minimum, I see no problem in planning some local travel now.
We will definitely only take regional vacations this year and hopefully plan one or two trips for family visits.
What’s your take on this? Are you planning your annual vacation right now? Are you perhaps already on holiday? Do you prefer to stay at home? What does vacation look like for you this year?