Last week, I took a vacation day to go explore the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Long Island. On the way, our GPS had a slight mental breakdown, and sent us down a crazy rabbit hole. We ended up driving along this narrow, one-lane/two-way street alongside a narrow canal (or possibly stream) connected to the Connetquot River. The stream was lined with gorgeous houses with perfectly manicured yards that led directly to the water. Every (relatively small) house had at least one fancy boat docked in front of the house, and it felt like we’d stumbled upon Narnia as interpreted by the Hamptons. We eventually found our way back out and to the Arboretum, but I haven’t been able to get the weird little neighborhood out of my head since.
When I was looking through my drafts trying to find something to write about today, I stumbled upon a video I’d saved of the German district known as Spreewald, and it seemed like just the thing. I knew that accidental detour was ringing a bell!
Designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1991, the district of Spreewald is known for its more than 200 small canals leading to the River Spree. Many of the homes are built on their own little islands, reachable only by boat in warmer weather and over the ice in the winter. That sounds so quaint and fun (though probably less so in weather).
You can learn more about Spreewald on the district’s official website and on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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My OBT 
July 14, 2020 at 6:03 am
It indeed looks to be a fairy tale village.
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July 14, 2020 at 6:12 pm
So cute!
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July 14, 2020 at 7:51 am
Spreewald is indeed delightful and a much cheaper option than The Hamptons!
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July 14, 2020 at 6:12 pm
Even with the airfare, I imagine!
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July 14, 2020 at 8:00 am
This looks pretty idyllic, doesn’t it? Gorgeous.
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July 14, 2020 at 6:13 pm
I’m so crazy about communities that spring up around water!
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July 14, 2020 at 8:29 am
Such peace and beauty. Thank you.
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July 15, 2020 at 2:29 pm
If must be a magical place to grow up!
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July 14, 2020 at 8:46 am
Love this idea, Would enjoy seeing a map of the area layout.
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July 15, 2020 at 2:30 pm
That’s a great idea!
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July 14, 2020 at 10:52 am
It looks fairytale perfect. The architecture of the houses makes me think of the Brothers Grimm but with all the crazy and dark parts of those stories edited out and replaced by relaxation, sunshine, and brightly coloured flowers. Have you ever seen anything about the Norfolk Broads in England? It has a similar set up with lovely houses plonked right on the waterways and boats pootling slowly up and down. I lived in East Anglia for a while 20 years ago and we used to take weekend trips to the Broads.
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July 15, 2020 at 2:33 pm
Pootling is my new favorite word. I hadn’t heard of Norfolk Broads. Will have to check it out!
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