july | august 2017 79PHOTOS (PAGES 76-79): BAUMHAUS LODGE SCHREMS
A CONTRAST TO NATURE
To make his dream a reality, he hired a professional:
German architect and treehouse specialist Andreas
Wenning. In only three weeks, the concept was fin-
ished; construction went equally swiftly, with houses
sprouting from the ground in one or two days like
mushrooms, thanks to prefabricated elements. The
brushed metal facades change color according to the
angle you view them, giving them an otherworldly
feel. While their sharp contours make them stand out,
when observed from a distance, they almost seam-
lessly blend into the surroundings.
The interior reconnects with the forest: Beneath
the aluminum panels rests a mix of delicate wooden
textures, the furnishings contributing to a greater,
harmonious whole. Through the huge glass windows,
you can see pines, oaks and spruce dancing in the soft
breeze. The entire house smells of pinewood, making
it refreshing and cozy.CREATURE COMFORTS
There are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.
Renting a bike for exploration or crossing the Czech
border are both popular. Golf lovers will be satisfied to
hear there are several courses nearby. There is also the
Unterwasserreich (Underwater Kingdom) naturepark, which offers intriguing insights into the pecu-
liarities of Waldviertel ponds and wetlands. A relaxing
stroll around the woods will lead curious tourists to
the Himmelsleiter (Heaven’s Ladder), a wooden obser-
vation platform with a wondrous view of the moors.
By the time we climbed up to the Tower House, our
home for the night, we were thoroughly steeped in the
spirit of the woods.
Nestled high above the ground, we fell asleep as the
sun went down, assuring we would wake before sun-
rise. Conveniently, that was just when the local baker
hung freshly baked bagels and croissants on our door-
knob. With coffee beans already in the machine and a
fridge filled with cheese, tomatoes, prosciutto, wine
and local beer, we felt supremely spoiled, immediately
forgetting our resolution to go on a dawn hike in favor
of breakfast in bed.
Lying back in perfect bliss, we looked out of our pan-
oramic window into the forest, the early morning mist
slowly giving way to a glorious sunrise. Baumhaus
Lodge had surpassed all our expectations. Unsurpris-
ingly, it is very popular for honeymoons and is fully
booked throughout the year, with some regulars re-
turning four times or more. To us, it was no surprise.
As we sipped sparkling wine amidst the trees, it hit us- childhood dreams do come true.
TRAVEL