A lakeside townhouse with a small garden surrounded by nature

The first floor of this maisonette apartment in a historic two-family house features an almost square living room, a kitchen-diner, and a bathroom. The bedrooms are located on the floor above. The house is just a few steps from the shore of Lake Beetzsee, in a settlement that is part of the 800-year-old village of Päwesin.

Päwesin is a village with about 600 residents in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district, right on the border with the Havelland region, surrounded by lakes, fields, and forests. It is also close to Brandenburg an der Havel, Potsdam, and Berlin. The surrounding area therefore invites you to enjoy both a peaceful stay in the seclusion of the sparsely populated lake landscape and excursions to the cultural attractions of the nearby cities. Lake Beetz is also an excellent spot for a varied beach vacation.

The house, which is over a hundred years old, underwent a complete renovation in 2014. In one half of the house, the floor-to-ceiling window in the kitchen-diner offers a view of fruit trees and the overgrown driveway leading to the neighborhood. On the terrace in the small, secluded garden, you can sit under a parasol and enjoy some privacy. Aside from guests staying in neighboring vacation apartments and a few local residents, you’ll be surrounded only by birds of all sizes—including many white storks—as well as wildlife and rodents. The entrance to the smaller half of the house, which is also rented out to vacationers, is on the other side of the house. Parents especially appreciate being able to keep an eye on their children from the terrace as they play on the climbing tower in the vacation home community. A high chair and a travel crib are available for younger children. Sitting on the sofa in the living room, you have a view of the large kitchen window in the distance on one side and two small windows facing the lake on the other. When you step up to the windows, you can see the lake off to the side, with trees, shrubs, and grass along the shore.

The decor is a very unique combination of beautiful, antique one-of-a-kind pieces and modern furniture. The kitchen is fully equipped with high-quality appliances and utensils. Information on the history of the town and local attractions is available. Internet access is provided via Wi-Fi.

In addition to the kitchen-diner, which opens into the living room, the first floor also features a spacious bathroom with a shower. The washing machine is also located there. A wooden spiral staircase leads to the upper floor, where, in addition to the two bedrooms, there is another restroom. In the large bedroom with a double bed, exposed wooden beams and a sloped ceiling (with plenty of headroom) create a rustic atmosphere. The bed is equipped with two single mattresses. In the smaller bedroom, there are two beds placed one behind the other under a sloped ceiling in a narrow, elongated room. Children, in particular, feel very comfortable here. An additional restroom on the upper floor saves you a trip downstairs to the bathroom at night.

There are many natural swimming spots and sandy beaches that aren’t overcrowded, yet some offer surfboard, paddleboard, and sailboat rentals or a café. The property’s own rowboat is a favorite not only among anglers but also among families and, in fact, all guests who’d like to explore the lakeside landscape from the water. Since Lake Beetz is part of a longer chain of lakes, the rowing possibilities are almost endless. Feel free to use the personal flotation devices for adults and children.

The small town center of Päwesin, with its little Baroque church, is a short walk or a 5-minute drive away. The bakery of the “Backwahn” Buddhist monastery—which has been located there since 2003—with its small café, right next to the church, has become one of the village’s major attractions. Many visitors swear by the cakes, but the bakery is also worth the trip for morning rolls.

Brandenburg an der Havel is a 20-minute drive away. There, you can visit several museums, churches, and a monastery (a historic landmark) that was renovated in the 2000s—all of which tell a great deal about the city’s history. The swimming pool—with indoor and outdoor areas, a water park, and a sauna—is a great place to go, and not just when the weather is bad. There’s a wide selection of restaurants and cafés, as well as small shops and supermarkets.

In recent years, numerous bike paths have also been built in the Havelland region, inviting you to take long rides on well-paved trails through beautiful natural scenery. If you don’t have your own bikes, you can rent mountain