TRIED & TESTED
Co-working space in a former electricity tower
5 November 2018
Autumn is my favorite season. Nature is at its best when the sky is blue, the leaves on the trees turn yellow, orange and red and nothing can beat a walk in the woods when you breathe in the fresh air mixed with the smell of the leaves. If you live in a city, you can always go to a beautiful city park like Central Park in New York or the Retiro Park in Madrid, but if you really want to immerse yourself in the fall, you’ll have to head out of the city. To one of these ideal autumn getaways: a mix of places I’ve been to already and those who are high on my wish list. All of them have three key ingredients: they are situated in nature, they are black (except the one in Japan) and they have a beautiful design.
The most romantic getaway in a forest on a lake in Sweden. The autumn colors are intense, just like the sky when the sun rises or sets. It’s only 45m2 and sleeps 2. The kitchen has a central role so take some delicious food and wine with you and the bed is a little love nest facing the sky full of stars. Bucket list material for design- and nature travelers! Read the whole review here.
A creative retreat in Friesland inspired by Scandinavian houses. The house is located next to Staatsbosbeheer Gaasterland in Friesland, a forest where you can walk for hours and it has a lake with so many dragonflies they call it ‘The first dragonfly reserve in The Netherlands’. You can also spot roes, rabbits and other animals. The house is 95m2 and sleeps 2. The kitchen has a central role and there are an open fire and a very comfortable couch. Read the whole review here.
Escape to the countryside of Belgium
This one is very high on my wishlist because it looks absolutely fantastic. These cabins are located on secret spots throughout Belgium, always in pristine nature. Imagine waking up in your cabin seeing nothing more than the early morning dew. They promote slow living as an escape from our busy city lives so I can imagine finally finishing that book I bought months ago, taking a walk in nature and warm yourself afterward at the campfire. Yes, please! (They have cabins for 2 persons, and also for families, dogs are not welcome). See more here.
Fly to Helsinki, rent a car and drive in 2.5 hours to Mokki Santara, a Finnish holiday home in the forest, facing lake Santara. You can stay here with 4 people and you have enough space to eat, sleep and relax. From the living room, you look out over the beautiful lake. And since we’re in Finland you can try out the sauna with a panoramic view – and cool down in the lake if you’re brave. See: cgertz.jimdo.com
This wooden house was an idea of Airbnb.com co-founder Joe Gebbia, Japanese architect Go Hasegawa, and the local community. You don’t have the house for yourself as they have two rooms – The Sunrise (3 people) and The Sunset (4 people) – and you share the communal facilities. The area is beautiful – especially known for the cherry blossom season in Spring, but autumn is also pretty amazing. See: yoshinocedarhouse.com
Two beautiful holiday houses on the Baltic Sea, just 3,5 hours from Berlin by car. You can combine the best of both worlds: there’s a pine forest close by and the sea is even closer. The houses are very spacious and fit 8 people. You can also combine two if you’re with a big group. The interior is stylish, there’s a sauna and the bathroom has a bath. Kids-friendly. See more here.
Getaway House in Upstate New York
Oh yes! My dream is to travel from New York upstate and stay at this Getaway House. A small house, in the middle of the forest, to combine with a trip to Dia:Beacon and the most beautiful autumn walks in the world. Can I go now? They also have escapes from Washington DC, Boston and soon to be opened Los Angeles. They have cabins for two and for four and dogs are welcome too. See: getaway.house
Another dream destination is this hotel in Sweden. The owners asked several award-winning architects to design treehouses. Apart from the design which is outstanding, this is one of the few places in the world where you can actually sleep in a tree. This list is all about black framed houses, but I personally prefer the red one, called the Blue Cone, in this setting. See more here.
The Isle of Skye is beautiful in all seasons and in The Black Shed you can experience it to the fullest. The self-catered house has a panoramic view over nature and is the perfect starting point to explore Scotland. Although the house itself has a lot of facilities to slow down. Books, a wood burning stove and apple tv in case you want to look at something else than the view. See: blackshed.co.uk
Do you have a big family or do you want to escape the city with a group of friends? Then you’ll love La Micheline in Belgium, a holiday home with a beautiful design and space for 10 – 12 persons. There’s a big kitchen with a long communal table, a spacious living with an open fire and lots of games to play. And nature is more than beautiful. See: lamicheline.be
Gouverneur Holvoetlaan 28, 2100 Antwerpen, Belgium
