The Ludwigsstift is surrounded by vineyards in the village Burrweiler. After its conversion five apartments have been created in the former church property. The transformation was carried out with attention to detail and preservation of historic elements. The modern interior is combined with antique furniture. The old chapel has now found a new purpose as a luxurious bathroom. The apartments under the roof have an open attic construction from the year 1911/1912, which is an architectural delight. And the view from the windows shows the scenic beauty of the Rhine valley.

Country/Region: DE-Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate – Burrweiler/South-Palatinate
Name: Ludwigsstift
Scenery: on a hillside among vineyards
Type of accommodation: apartment
Architecture: old&new
Completion: 1911/1912
Architect: Thomas Paul Biersch
Press/Publication: ./.
Awards: ./.
Homepage: www.ludwigsstift.de
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The Goms in the Swiss Valais is the uppermost valley of the Rhone. Surrounded by mountains between 3,000 and 4,000 meters lies the village of Geschinen. It’s a small village with old wooden houses. The Leerschir is one of these houses. Built in 1897 as a cow barn, the building was converted in 2011 in a house with three apartments. The apartments are bright and modern designed and offer contemporary comfort. Between the new white walls the old larch wood is still visible. A heat pump, on Swiss “Erdsondenheizung”, supplies the floor heating in all rooms. The Leerschir is in all seasons a good starting point for exploring the upper valley and to enjoy the surrounding mountains.

Country/Region: CH-Switzerland, Valais, Goms, Geschinen
Name: Leerschir
Scenery: Alps, high Rhone valley, close to Aletsch Glacier
Type of accommodation: apartment
Architecture: old&new
Completion: 2011
Architect: Weger AG, www.wegerag.ch
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Awards: ./.
Homepage: www.feriengoms.ch
Special Features: some of the apartments can be combined

The building where you find Freiraum Zentral, is a former print shop. Now it is converted into a townhouse with loft apartments. Each loft has a different size and an individual style, but all follow a straight and clear architectural and interior design. An important facet are the colors: Mostly you find black, white and different kinds of brown – and as a contrast loud and bright colors for accents.

Country/Region: DE-Germany, Bavaria, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Name: Freiraum Zentral
Scenery: middle of the village, alpine panoramas, with Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze
Type of accommodation: apartment
Architecture: old&new
Completion: 2011
Architect: Planlust Architekten, Munich
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Awards: ./.
Homepage: www.freiraum-zentral.com
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Pictures: Marc Gilsdorf

The two things that catch your eyes when you arrive at the Naturresidence Dahoam: the exceptional view over the valley of Meran and the modern architecture of the house. The building is situated on a hillside above the village Schenna. It´s oriented towards southwest – not only to bring a lot of sun to the large balconies, this is also part of the ecological concept. Completed in summer 2010, the house is built according to the sustainable PassivHaus standard: Solar energy, use of rainwater and local woods are some of these aspects.
The house has four different apartments for 2 to 6 people. All apartments have a modern interior, large windows so you can see the surrounding peaks and access to the garden with the swimming pool. And finally, if you like to ask questions about the architecture of Naturresidence Dahoam, you can find your hosts close by: the family lives on the top floor of the house.

Country/Region: IT-Italia, South Tyrol, Schenna
Name: Naturresidence Dahoam
Scenery: fantastic views of mountain scenery
Type of accommodation: apartment
Architecture: modern
Completion: july 2010
Architect: Manuel Benedikter, IT-Bozen
Press/Publication: u.a. Schöner Wohnen, Casa naturale, Turrisbabel, Maxime, Abenteuer und Reisen
Awards: ./.
homepage: www.dahoam.it
Special Features: KlimaHaus (climate house) Gold certificate, semi-natural swimming pond with panoramic views.

Have you ever slept with sheep under one roof? Middenmank is the place where you can try it. The word “middenmank” comes from the Low German dialect and means something like “in the middle of it”. That´s where you find this resort: in the middle of a pretty village in the north-eastern part of Germany. The small village with its rural buildings is called Glaisin and was awarded as one of Germany’s most beautiful villages. On Middenmank you live in a typical farmhouse. The buildings were completely renovated until 2011. While the historical construction and materials are still visible, the interior is bright and spacious and offers modern day comfort. And a special feature: the sheep have their stable under the same roof as the six apartments. So you and your kids can watch them when ever you like to.

Country/Region: DE-Germany, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Ludwigslust, Glaisin
Name: Middenmank
Scenery: unspoilt village with traditional three-sided farms
Type of accommodation: apartment
Architecture: old&new
Completion: 2011
Architect: André Schuldt
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Awards: ./.
Homepage: middenmank.de
Special Features: Sheep live on the site, a canoe is available for guests

Pictures: Matthias Friel

Originally, the Gutshaus Landsdorf was the heart of a 600-acre farm. After drastic changes to the buildings during in the years of the German division, the Schäfer family bought the estate 2002 and started to carefully renovate the main building, annexes and the park. The two wings of the main building, which were constructed between 1862-1905 in a neoclassical style, today house the rooms of the owners, an spacious banquet hall and four apartments for guests. The apartments are in a modern style with contemporary furniture and art objects.
Gutshaus Landsdorf is a good choice as a destination for families whose children want to explore the more than 7 acres of parkland, or for travelers who are looking for something “off the tourist routes” in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Country/Region: DE-Germany, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Landsdorf
Name: Gutshaus Landsdorf
Scenery: in a large park in the interior, 30-45 minutes drive to the Baltic Sea
Type of accommodation: apartment
Architecture: old&new
Completion: 2011
Architect: DCS-ID, David Caspar Schäfer
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Awards: ./.
Homepage: www.gutshaus-landsdorf.de
Special Features: To the manor belongs a large, private park. Several times a year, events such as readings and theatrical performances take place in the estate.

Pictures: Thomas von der Heiden

Remote in the Lingurian mountains lies the Che Bella Vista, a house in typical regional shape, with two apartments. The house was built on an old vineyard away from larger settlements to offer peace and seclusion to the guests. The lean and clear design of the house and its bright colors form a soothing contrast to the topography and vegetation of the surrounding. Che Bella Vista is an ideal base for cycling tours and hikes, for a visit to the stone mountain villages or a swimming trip to the sea.
The name of the house, Che Bella Vista, was a good choice: located at around 440 meters above sea level the place gives a wide view over the valley of Diano. In this way you can feel the wildness of the landscape, while in distance is shimmering the blue of the Lingurian sea.

Country/Region: IT-Italy, Liguria, Diano San Pietro, close to Imperia
Name: Che Bella Vista
Scenery: Located on the Diano Valley, 25 minutes by car to the sea, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
Type of accommodation: house, 2 apartments
Architecture: old&new
Completion: 2011
Architect: Martin Focks, Steinach, www.focks-architekten.de
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Awards: ./.
Homepage: www.che-bella-vista.de
Special Features: Martin Focks, architect and owner of the Che Bella Vista is building holiday homes with a passion. His other houses Schwedenrot and Alte Scheune Loddin, both on the baltic island of Usedom.

Something unusual started in the late 1950s outside of Bern, Switzerland: In the middle of the woods, above the river Aare, five young architects inspired by the concepts of Le Corbusier wanted to build an entire settlement. At that time halen was discussed controversially, today it is a listed site and all units are occupied. If you nevertheless want to feel the spirit of this idea, you can come to the B&B Halen, which provides a place to stay for up to three guests. So you can enjoy halen and Bern is also easy to reach by bus or bicycle.

Country/Region: CH-Switzerland, Bern, Herrenschwanden
Name: B&B Halen
Scenery: In a forest glade above the Aare-river, in the center of the settlement Halen
Type of accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Architecture: modern
Completion: 1962
Architect: Atelier 5, Bern, Switzerland
Press/Publication: various, e.g. Bau und Architektur 1/06, Schöner Wohnen Schweiz 4/06, betonprisma online
Awards: ./.
Homepage: www.bnb-halen.ch
Special Features: use of swimming pool in summer, bicycle rental

Country/Region: ES-Spain, Costa Brava, Girona
Name: Alemanys 5
Scenery: historical quarter in a small charming city
Lodging: 2 apartments (“El Badiu” (the Veranda) & “El Jardí” (the Garden))
Architecture: old&new
Completion: 2010
Architect: Anna Noguera, Barcelona
Press/Publication: dezeen.com and other blogs and online magazines
Awards: ./.
Homepage: alemanys5.com
Special Features: “El Badiu” (The Veranda) is a 180 m2 duplex in the upper two floors equipped with a master suite and two children suites, kitchen-dining room, great living room with fireplace and a spectacular veranda terrace facing south with exclusive views over the old quarter.
“El Jardí” (The Garden) is a 100 m2 apartment equipped with two double bedrooms, a spacious bathroom, a large living room with kitchenette and a nice private garden.
The house can also be rented as a whole unit, with 5 bedrooms sleeping 10 – 12 people.

Country/Region: DE-Brandenburg, Uckermark, Kraatz
Name: Gutsspeicher Kraatz
Scenery: at the park
Lodging: house
Architecture: old&new
Completion: 2010
Architect: Florian Profitlich, Kraatz/Berlin
Press/Publication: Zeitmagazin 3.2011
Awards: ./.
Homepage: gutsspeicher.de
Special Features: In addition to the house you can rent the studio (3rd picture)