The Language Experience

Vacation Rentals & Student Lodging in Northern Germany near Lake Tankum Nature Preserve
Combine a relaxing vacation & German language studies in a nature resort at a recreational lake

We offer affordable accommodation to students or people wanting a quiet, relaxing vacation close to many tourist attractions available in all seasons, suited for families and single travelers alike. Our accommodating can be considered bed & breakfast, as they will be stocked with some essential foods on arrival. You decide, at what time you want to have breakfast. Home cooked, international style healthful meals can be served at an extra charge, if you prefer a room and board situation. All rooms on the property are non smoking rooms.

Instructional classes are available on request (see Intensive German Language Training).

Also available in English or German on request: private instruction/family workshops on many topics including international cooking (vegetarian, poultry or fish – no red meat used), water color, stress relieve through kundalini yoga and meditation as well as private guided excursions, which can include the Autostadt Wolfsburg, Celle, Lüneburg. Also the fascinating fast changing cities Berlin and Leipzig (guests are responsible for travel expenses, entrance fees, meals etc. including guides).

You can also book our guide services for the local area and facilities, giving insight into German culture, advice on various topics, translator services, genealogy research in church registers etc.

A fitness center, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails,

the lake for swimming, wind surfing and boat rental (no motor boats allowed), minigolf, volley ball nets, table tennis and playgrounds are all minutes from our lodging facilities. Gifhorn, next door has a castle, international mill museum and a river with boat rental. Or take an exciting day excursions to the Harz, with thermal pools and skiing in winter, tourist attractions such as old mines, steam engines, cable car rides up the mountain etc., the Heide Park family amusement park or the many interesting cities close by with many cultural offerings (see also The Area).

The Language Experience offers 3 types of accommodation. All have private entrances and bathrooms and central heat. They also are fully furnished and equipped, including double beds, cable TV (including CNN) & video recorder, china, linens. The units will be stocked with essential foods on arrival such as coffee, teas, orange juice, milk, muesli (German breakfast cereal), fruit, yogurts, bread, butter, jam, honey, cheese, canned fish such as sardines or tuna, „hot cup“ soups. Bicycles can be rented locally. An extensive German video course „Alles Gute“, instructional tapes and books for extra study during spare times are provided. The units can be booked weekly or monthly. Day rates apply for extra days. The minimum stay is one week except for weekend intensive courses. Depending on availability, all accommodations can also be rented without instructions. Prices include utilities, resort fees, and cable TV. Private parking. Use of washer and dryer in main house. No smoking inside any of our accommodations or class rooms, please. Wired & wireless internet access available for your laptop.

The LangEx House
Ideal for colleagues, families or friends. House next to director of the Language Experience. 2 bedrooms with double beds, loggia (balcony), two bathrooms, washer & dryer, kitchen and dining area, living room with fire place, covered terrace, car port, garden. Private phone, internet personal access.
LangEx House rental: € 2,500 per month, € 650 per week, € 95 per day + 7% VAT, Move out cleaning fee € 80

The LangEx Annex 2
A small 2 room apartment with full kitchen and back yard. One double bed + one single bunk bed. Internet access.
Annex 2 rental: € 1400 per month, € 375 per week, € 55 per day 7% VAT. Move out cleaning fee € 40.

General information
Payment/reservation: Half of the course and lodging fees are due at reservation (non refundable, but transferable. If you are unable to attend you can send someone else). The rest is due on arrival. If you book more than 3 months ahead of time, please pay 20% of the total fees, and an additional 30% 3 months prior to arrival date. You can either send a personal check or pay to following account: Helga Weiss, The Language Experience account # 305 887 5000 Volksbank eG in Wolfsburg/Germany. IBAN: DE 79269910663058875000. S.W.I.F.T.- Code: GENODEF1WOB.

Bus/train:
Bus service here is infrequent. If you want to get around, there are 2 options:
Rent a car or buy an inexpensive bicycle in Gifhorn (around € 50) which will get you to and from the Gifhorn train station. You can either lock your bike there to visit cities such as Braunschweig, Hanover, Hamburg, Berlin, Celle, Lueneburg for day trips or take the bike with you on the train for an extra charge. LangEx bikes cannot be left at the train station.

Eurail pass:
After your relaxing stay you might want to consider traveling on a Eurail pass. For around $450 (you have to purchase it in your country though….) you can travel for 15 days within a month from your starting date all over Europe. For a small extra fee you can book a sleeper. Schedule your travel so you arrive fresh at your destination in the morning!

Phone/Fax/Internet:
Not all our accommodations have private phones. Most guests bring their own mobile phones. There is a phone booth within walking distance (3 min.). Our fax can be used by guests. Internet access available at LangEx.

Volkswagen AutoStadt/Wolfsburg:
This is a new attraction next door in nearby Wolfsburg. About 20 minutes by car.

Clothing:
The weather is unpredictable in Germany. Bring comfortable clothes for different weather conditions, and according to your planned activities. Lake Tankum is wonderful for swimming and jogging along the shore. In winter you can go to the thermal bath in the Harz for swimming. Our style here is very casual.