Fritz im Glück

"The small town of Rietberg in the eastern Westphalian district of Gütersloh is also known as the "town of beautiful gables. There is little hustle and bustle in the cozy town center of the town of just under 30,000 inhabitants, but more than 60 historic houses, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Since 2009, the small town has also borne the seal of quality "state-recognized resort". So if you're looking for a nice place to switch off, stroll and cycle away from the tourist hustle and bustle, you should consider heading for Rietberg. Here Marina Wieneke has had a pretty, two-story half-timbered house (dating from the 18th century) renovated very centrally in Rathausstraße, in which there are two vacation apartments, one of which is "Fritz im Glück" on the first floor, the other "Annis Apartment" on the first and second floors. In both apartments, wooden flooring and visible half-timbering meet white walls and white furniture. This has a nice simple effect and provides a quiet atmosphere. The apartments are comfortably furnished and offer space for two to four guests (Fritz im Glück) or up to six guests (Annis Apartment). Very nice is the not visible terrace in "Fritz im Glück", where you can eat, read, or just doze in peace. "Anni's Apartment" is 110 square meters and has three bedrooms. Families with children are especially welcome here, there are baby cribs, stair gates and high chairs, as well as a small play corner with a children's kitchen. The house fits great to travel with a larger group. Then you simply combine both apartments and can travel with up to ten people. The granddaughter can then quickly scurry over to grandma or the girlfriends still chat at the kitchen table when the children are already in bed. And still you have some privacy if you need it. And the next day, you set off together - or each for themselves - for a secluded walk in the woods or a leisurely bike ride. Since the landscape is mostly flat, everyone can do it. A good place for relaxed vacations in a small or larger group.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• “Fritz im Glück” and “Anni’s Apartment” are housed in a cute little half-timbered building with two roofs and a small front porch.
• The two pretty, dove-blue painted gable fronts of the two roofs including the curled trim 
• The contemporary, minimalist design 
• The lovingly selected details such as the lamps and vases
• The beautiful terrace in Anni’s apartment
• Great for larger groups, as both apartments can be connected
• Rietberg is a place to slow down, but has a good infrastructure.
• The great location in the center of the village with its many historic gabled houses, inn and stores just around the corner
• The numerous options for excursions into nature in the surrounding area; the village is surrounded by over 500 hectares of nature reserve.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Children are welcome and highchairs are available.
• Rietberg is home to the “Heimathaus” with its ornithological collection, the “Kunsthaus Rietberg-Museum Wilfried Koch” as well as the “Klostergarten-Skulpturenpark Wilfried Koch”, the historical town hall and ramparts.
• Since the “Landesgartenschau” (State Garden Show) in 2008 the “Gartenschaupark Rietberg” has several attractions: Classical gardens, extensive walking paths, adventure and water playgrounds, a slide tower with jungle bridge and the “Klimapark”.
• The “cultura” theater, a modern replica of the Globe Theater built on the Thames in 1599, hosts music and theater performances as well as conventions and conferences.
• Everyday life in biblical times can be experienced in the Bible Village owned by the Protestant church community.
• Rietberg is located on the Emsradweg (Ems cycle path) and is perfect for (flat!) bike tours. For example, around the 36-hectare biotope Steinhorster Becken, into the Lippeaue nature reserve, onto the idyllic forest path at the Lutterstarang, along the bike path at the Boker-Heide canal and the rewilded part of the Drake river.
• In summer, a visit to the lido at Alberssee is a must. Here you can lie on the sandy beach and rent kayaks, sailing boats or pedal boats if you feel the urge to move. Beach volleyball players will also find a playing area here.