Effi & Luise

Spring fling, summer fun, fall retreat, or winter wonderland–it’s so hard to decide! This holiday home, situated in the middle of the Mark Brandenburg less than fifty minutes' drive from Berlin, is well worth a visit all year round. Springtime sets the orchard behind the house a-humming and a-buzzing. In the summer the hammock in the shade under the cherry trees is a real favorite, as are the cherries straight from the tree. Autumn brings freshly squeezed grape juice from the vines in the garden, cozy fires, and hand-picked walnuts, apples, plums, and pears. And winter offers snow-covered fields and meadows and magnificent ice formations on the trees and bushes. This listed former farmhouse with two spacious holiday flats was built in the 1880s and is located not far from Neuruppin, the birthplace of Theodor Fontane–and is named after his famous characters in the novel Effi Briest. Before reunification it housed the local ‘Konsum,’ a retail chain in the GDR, and was the office of the mayor of Lentzke. It was completely renovated after reunification, and opened as a guesthouse in 2020/21. Bathrooms designed with natural stone and dark-coloured concrete and modern kitchens meet vintage pieces and Wilhelminian classicism. Exposed ceiling beams, brushed bog oak flooring, plastered walls and natural materials create a warm atmosphere. The colour scheme of grey and blue tones is taken from the original tiled floor in the hallway and runs through the entire house. And it remains beautiful all year round.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• That both flats have a fireplace (there are baskets of wood in the barn at cost price!)–wonderful to cozy up by the crackling fire with tea or a glass of wine after long walks
• The kitchen in the Luise holiday flat, which forms the heart of the apartment. With its large kitchen island and long dining table for up to 15 people, it is ideal for an evening of cooking and fun
• The antique oven in Effi’s kitchen, also known as the ‘cooking machine’ and framed by old, colourfully patterned tiles
• How on the upper floor you can look through the skylights at the stars, or through the knee-high gable windows to the village street and the garden
• The naming of the bedrooms: Tuch und Locke and Geschwisterliebe in the Effi flat; Unterm Birnbaum, Vor dem Sturm and Unwiederbringlich in Luise–all titles of stories written by Fontane
• Finally a garden with enough space to play table tennis, badminton, or squash without having to collect the ball from the neighbor’s garden every thirty seconds. There's also everything you need for basketball or boules.
• If you feel like getting your hands dirty, you'll find gardening tools in the barn.
• Fancy some grilled … well, anything? Absolutely! There is a fire pit in the garden, as well as a Weber barbecue and fire baskets.
• Shady spots under the old trees. Loungers and garden chairs, tables, and a hammock can be used in the entire area. The beach chair may even be free ...
• It's great to have found a place here where you can get together with good friends and family and have a great time.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The house can be rented as a whole ¬ or in the two separate living areas ‘Effi’ and ‘Luise’, 14 people fit in any case, for more guests ¬ big or small ¬ please enquire directly.
• The flat ‘Effi’ has 2 double rooms on the upper floor and a sofa that can be converted into a double bed, thus accommodating up to 6 people. It has two bathrooms – one with a bathtub, one with a shower.
• The flat ‘Luise’ is suitable for up to 8 people. There are three double bedrooms on the upper floor, two of which each have an en suite bathroom, while the third has a separate bathroom that can also be used by guests staying on the gallery or in the loft.
• Six children’s cots (aged 1-6) and a baby bed are available on request, but you can also bring your own ¬ it’s best to discuss this directly with us.
• Both kitchens are equipped with all modern conveniences: induction stove, oven, fridge with freezer, dishwasher, Nespresso coffee machine, French press coffee pot, toaster oven, kettle, hand mixer, blender, and juicer.
• The old half-timbered walls have been refilled and plastered with clay bricks, the roof surfaces are clad with natural clay plaster and wood fibre insulation materials, creating a pleasant indoor atmosphere.
• Is that special touch still missing from your home-cooked meal? There is a bed of herbs in front of the house.
• And what are we doing today? Perhaps a walk through the Zootzen forest? A cycle tour to Neuruppin, the crane village of Linum, the Ribbeck pear tree or the three-lake town of Lindow? A paddle or canoe trip on the Rhin? Parachuting at Fehrbellin sports airport ... How long whould you like to stay?
• No car necessary – you can reach Effi & Luise by train to Neuruppin and from there by bus

Fotos: Klaus Romberg