Living in the cottage sounds exciting and attractive especially when one has been stressed or wearied down by the demands of work and pressure of living in the city. The idea of spending a few days or a couple of weeks in a cottage seems ideal for relaxation, de-stressing and re-charging. Cottage living is usually associated with serenity, fresh air, natural environment and idyllic beauty ideal for rest.

However, for those who are used to the bustling and noisy city life, a few days of quiet rest may be a welcome diversion, but after a while it may be a vexation to the soul. They can become restless for the lack of something to preoccupy their minds and hands. So, here are helpful ways to beat boredom while staying in a cottage:

Read. Reading is one of the best ways to while away time and to relax. At the same time, it makes the mind active but not tired. Career-oriented people who are always on the go do not have time to read good books that can challenge the mind or titillate emotions. They read, all right, but usually reports, documents, financial statements and the like.

Spending a couple of days in a cottage provides sufficient time to finish a good novel by a favorite author which you have always wanted to read, or to re-read an all-time favorite book. If you’re not so keen about books, you can always turn to different kinds of magazine that are both informative and entertaining.   

Write. The cottage provides a peaceful solace, free from distractions and boisterous activities, and ideal for thinking, meditating or reminiscing. You may not be able to write a full-length novel or a story while staying in the cottage, but you can write down your random thoughts or feelings into poems or essays. Your writings need not be intended for publication, but for personal gratification. Or, like many others, you can keep a journal to record your thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Expressing oneself through writing can be cathartic and liberating.  You can unload your worries, fears and anger on the paper and feel light and easy afterwards. You can affirm your dreams and aspirations by listing them down, and later visit your list once in awhile to see if your on your way towards realizing them. To write is simply to express one self without inhibitions.

Create. Our hands are powerful tools that can create and re-create beautiful and useful things. Some people are gifted with skillful hands, able to fashion simple objects into unique and wonderful creations. With ample time in your hands, staying in the cottage can enable you to harness your hidden potential in hand crafting and the visual arts, like quilting, needle weaving, crocheting, cross stitching, painting, sculpting and many more.

Creating something with your own hands is satisfying. It may not be as good as the works of the experts, but having been able to produce something with your own hands is fulfilling. The idyllic location of the cottage will provide you the inspiration you will need, and your stay may lead you to discover other talents that can be both enjoyable and rewarding.

Cottage rentals provides a feeling of calm and tranquility, enhanced by the naturalness and freshness of the environment.  Today’s modern living, especially in the highly urbanized cities, proves to be stressful and nerve-wracking at times. One has to keep up with current trends, economic demands and social pressures.

Getting away from all these once in awhile has become more attractive and necessary to many people, to keep their sanity alive and to relax their worn-out bodies and strained nerves. Cottages in the country side, near the beach or in the mountains are perfect hide- away for those who need to unwind and be refreshed.

Finding an ideal cottage that can become one’s home for a short period is as good as finding a perfect mate. Here are some helpful ideas to make your cottage a home sweet home where you will always want to go back.

1. Make it simple and comfy. Your cottage must provide a contrast from your residence in the city. It should have an air of naturalness and simplicity; free from pretentiousness of urban lifestyle. The use of casual and ingenuous furnishings will do the trick. Sofas should be comfortable; you would want to snuggle in it all day. Throw pillows and beanie seats casually scattered on the floors will lend a relaxing ambiance to your living room. The color scheme of the interiors should be bright and sunny to provide a cheery and welcoming feeling to anyone who enters the cottage.   
2. Avoid clutter. Generally, cottages are smaller compared to a regular house. Having too many stuff can make the cottage look smaller than it is already. It is, therefore, important to create an illusion of space. This can be done by choosing bright colors on walls. The use of accessories or decorations should be reduced to the minimal. Small pieces of furniture that are functional and convertible are preferable than the large and more sophisticated ones. For example, instead of choosing a huge center table, you may opt for a coffee table which appears to be more relaxing and informal. Curtains for windows made of thin and light fabrics will allow the breeze to get through and cool the rooms, and give ample protection from the rays of the sun during hot days. An airy room gives a sense of freedom and invigoration.   
3. Create an atmosphere of familiarity. One feels safe and secure when surrounded by familiar things. If you own the cottage, you can display old framed family pictures or an array of your favorite collections on an unobtrusive shelf or console table. Favorite books can be placed on a hanging shelf or old bookshelf that you can easily reach when you crave for a good reading. Family heirloom of silverware can also be displayed to add a touch of antiquity to your place.    

Old stuff can always evoke feelings of sentimentality, and can bring back fond memories. This is not easily possible in the city where the noise and routines can drown our memories of the past. If you are just renting the cottage, you can bring with you your favorite book; your old but reliable sweater for cold nights; your security blanket, worn and torn by age; and all other stuffs that you cannot live without. These familiar things will provide a feeling of being home.

If you feel like you need a place to rest, relax, refresh, and re-invent yourself, start looking for an ideal cottage that you can call home, even for a short time.

So you are on a long cottage vacation?  There should never be a dull moment considering that you came from a long way to escape the hustles and bustles of city life.  You’ve got to make this vacation a very unforgettable one.   Make the most of your time by mapping out your activities, which may include the following:

Nature-tripping is a rewarding activity away from the city buzz and adventure packed vacations are worth the wait. Aside from the usual “kick back” mode that you’ve been looking forward too as well, I am sure you are also thinking of what other exciting activities you can do on vacation. So before you eagerly pack your bags and run out of your cottage, here are some great recreations and adventure activities that you may consider.

Hiking – I know, the cottage is the coziest place while you are on vacation, but if you enjoy long walks and hiking up the mountains, go ahead.  Setting up a tent and bonfire on the mountains is also relaxing and fulfilling. Just make sure you have your map with you, enough food, and complete gears that will be needed during the trip.

Biking – catch up on fun and exercise as well even on vacation. You can bring your bike so you can spend early mornings or late afternoons sweating out and biking around the vicinity. It is also a great way of getting to know the place and exploring the area. You might discover more interesting spots too.

Swimming, snorkeling, and Scuba diving – well if your cottage is near the lake, I’m sure you will never resist the cool waters on a hot summer day. Play with the kids and go swimming…you can also bring your snorkeling or scuba diving gears and experience the lake underwater.

Canoeing, Kayaking – If you are into kayaking, explore the waters as you freely paddle your way in the lake… You can check with your host or the local vicinity if there are kayaks or canoes that you can rent for some time. And for your safety, if you are not a professional, make sure you are under professional instruction while enjoying your kayak experience.

Waterskiing – another really exhilarating activity is water skiing. You may bring your own equipment or also rent from nearby shops. Try out the thrill of gliding of water skiing! But before jumping on your ski, make sure you have proper training and always be with someone who is knowledgeable of the surroundings and all ski-mechanics.

Photography– Another very interesting activity you can do while relaxing in cottage country is taking photos, Aside from documenting all activities you and your family enjoy, grab the moment as well to capture the beauty of nature. You have the quaint cottage near the lovely lake or the green hills, grab your camera and take wide shots of the scenery or discover the area for more intimate views. Your handy digital camera may work! Just experiment with the settings, click some great angles, and you can edit them for enhancing. If you have the DLSR camera, much better, click away and add great shots to your collection. Click as many as you want and never miss picture-perfect moments. With that, you can save fun smiles and even take pleasure on exploring the wonders of nature.
I’m sure you can’t wait for that cottage trip now! There are definitely a lot of things you will enjoy doing while on vacation. So get ready, be equipped, and have a safe trip!

Cottage rental vacations are always a treat. Where do you want to stay? How are you going to spend your cottage vacation? Where do you want your cottage to be?  Who doesn’t love being near the cool springs, or walking on the beachfront, or “cottage-ing” near the peaceful lake?

While some people wanted to spend their relaxing break near the mountainsides, some would want it near a lake… or the beach. There is always that calmness and serenity when you are nature tripping near the beach or the lakes… the water is always refreshing. There is always something unique about every lake cottage. It simply offers calmness.  It is always a tranquil escape from the big city and it is no surprise that families would want to get together on an adventure trip or fun reunions in cottages.

Summertime is an ideal occasion for family activities outdoor, and how exciting to spend it in a cottage near the lake. The kids, I am pretty sure will just spend the whole day swimming till the coldness wrinkles the skin on their finger tips and hands.  The more adventurous can go canoeing or kayaking.  Fishing is also fun… it is always a nice way to relax, think and chat with family members while waiting for that big catch.  It is so funny how a nibbling on the bait could derive excitement from the fisherman.  You can also explore different fish species while sitting still observing the schools of fishes you see through the clear waters underneath.

If you are just there to unwind, you can pull out a cozy chair, read a book, or appreciate nature’s gift by watching the colorful horizon at dawn. Photography is also fun. Capture the colors of the water and save fun family moments on photo. The scenery, like a sunrise or sunset, and nature’s colors, is always exciting and refreshing, and it always looks good on photos. Camping is also interesting by the lake.  Gather the family and start a bonfire for a nice evening under the stars.

Who would turn down a cozy cottage by the lake?  Whatever the purpose of your vacation is-–it  may be hiking, boating, fishing, sight-seeing, sketching, photography or just simply relaxing and getting away from the busyness—you will find it very enjoying and satisfying when you are near the cool waters.

You can always research on ideal cottage places near the lakes.  Communicate with your fellow cottagers to share advice and to also know what activities they want to do while on vacation. You can even dig up local knowledge on specific potential areas.

But I am sure you will always find the perfect cottage lake getaway somewhere in the outskirts. North of Toronto, Ontario offers great destinations for lake cottages. You can check out Muskoka, Halliburton, Georgian Bay, Ottawa Valley, 1000 Islands, Kawarthas and Lake Nipissing. These are perfect places to spend vacation.

There are also great beach cottages and there are so many to choose from. Some of the most popular beach holiday rentals in Canada are located in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec Province. So you can check ideal destinations there as well. A holiday under the sun and kicking up your heels on the warm sand is also summery fun! But however you want to spend your cottage getaway, make it more memorable than the last time.

Staying in a cottage rental is relaxing and refreshing. True, but maybe not when you are on kitchen duty.  Who wants to spend their vacation time preparing meal after meal for everyone?  Mommies, Aunts, or the “best cook” are always the kitchen star!

They do all the slicing, cutting, the cooking, and the serving.  Yes, mealtime is always a treat but the kitchen managers do get tired.  All of you went on that same trip to enjoy and have fun. Hey, they also deserve a good break.

One good solution to this is to share the work. Give out kitchen assignments. If you are out with the family or with a big group of friends, divide the work and assign kitchen duties to lighten the load.

Set a meal plan for a number of days you are staying in the cottage rental, you can consult everyone who is coming along and come up with a menu plan according to food preferences.

Ask the cottage owner and check if equipment like microwave, blender, coffeemaker, toasters, stoves and ovens are available in the kitchen and if it is feasible enough for you. Otherwise, you can just settle with what’s available.

After finalizing the meal plan, you may assign somebody reliable enough to do the marketing. List down all ingredients and everything else needed for cooking. Ingredients with shorter storage life may be purchased a day or two before you leave to avoid staling. Purchase everything needed ahead of time because the cottage location may be far from specialty shops and you might not find the exact items that you need.

Once the ingredients are complete, segregate, label and pack them properly to avoid spilling while traveling.  Assign someone to carry and take charge of the meats, fruits, breads and pastries, beverage, and others.  The kids can even carry with them their cookies, chips and juices. Let them participate.

Simple and easy recipes are best ways to an enjoyable cottage picnic time. You can prepare the marinade, salad dressings, or even the sweet cookie dough beforehand to save time. Prepare sandwiches, salads, fruits, the ever-famous barbecues and even sweets and chips for the kids.

Another thing to consider in food preparation is the clean-up and proper disposal of trash. Staying in a cottage requires a lot of clean-up and taking care of equipment. Observe proper sanitation and use of kitchen.  And with respect to the cottage owner, keep it clean.

You can also assign aftercare duties. Who cleans up, who washes the dishes, who prepares the next meal. Two or three groups may take turns doing these. This way you can share the work and participation in preparing food for the group.  And you won’t spend too much time on cleaning the kitchen and the dining area.  You can bring some paper plates, plastic cups and utensils for easy disposal and to save time washing kitchen tools and dishes.

So there you go. Are you ready for another cottage getaway?  Don’t ever fret thinking that you would be holed in the kitchen again.  Everyone should enjoy the cottage get-away and the yummy picnic foods that all really look forward to!

Many people who had been working and living in the city would normally opt for a more laid back, country-like break from all the hullabaloos.  Looking for a place, maybe a cottage to hide away for a couple of days is also taxing because we always want the right place to stay in. So never rush up reservations and preparations for the big trip. Give it time and try to come up with different picks just in case you need more options.

Now, the easiest way to check out good places and cottages to stay in is by checking through the internet. Know what you want and Google for specifics so as not to waste time in endless searching and browsing. Once you have decided where you want to go, checkout available cottages in that area. Now, get ready to click “search.”

Make sure you are dealing with the current price list.

Websites and blog posts may have been posted for a period of time and price changes might not have been updated. Check out the contact information so you can verify by calling up or e-mailing the owner beforehand. Ask everything you need to know about the cottage, list down all your concerns and try to type it down in an e-mail.
Talking to the owner via phone is also very helpful. Establish good rapport with the owner. If they respond quickly, and attend to your inquiries accordingly, then that must be a good sign. Be pleasant as well, and communicate clearly what you need to know about the place.

Take a closer look.

Online ads for cottage rentals may include photos of the location and the cottage rental. Try to check out what is inside the cottage by browsing photos. The webpage may also feature its amenities, different rooms and lawns, so it is great to see actual photos to get to know the place better. Also, verify if the photos are up to date.  There are also dates that show when the photos were taken and uploaded.  Some might be a bit old and disintegrating, so it’s up to you. The sceneries are important too, so try to check if the cottage is near the lake or the mountainside where you have always wanted and imagined it to be.

Know what they think of the place you are visiting.

Well, if you are searching for the best place to stay in, hear suggestions. Personal experience is the best advertisement. Checkout the web pages where cottage rental ads can be found for any comments and reviews of guests who have stayed there once or twice.  Also read some travel blogs and find out what they think of the place.  Dig for positive clues and also loop holes through comments, impressions and feedbacks. Consider and evaluate their opinions.
So there you go. The web gives you comprehensive information on different locations and viable places to spend your vacation. Be sure to maximize all information offered in order for you to decide on the best cottage to stay in. Have fun!

Going out for a cottage get away is always exciting, especially when the sky is clear and the sun is out. But would a rainy day ruin the relaxing break? Oh no, you just cannot take a rain check right away. It is never that bad to go rainy day “cottaging”; in fact, it can be really interesting and cool.
Cool, because of the rainy weather and cool, because you get to hang with family and friends inside the cottage. Who knows, it might really be exciting as well. Here are some activities you can enjoy while you keep yourselves warm inside your log cabin.

1. Classic board games. If you are out with the family or a couple of friends, you can actually bring with you some classic board games that never go out of style. Games like Monopoly, Snakes and Ladders, Backgammon, Scrabble or Boggle and even puzzles are always fun, educational and applicable for all members of the family. Classic board games are simple enough to make everyone involved. And well, it does not hurt to make the youngest player win a couple of rounds.
2. Books and Magazines. If you are the bookworm and would imagine your rainy holiday curled up in a cozy couch finishing a set of New York bestsellers, then so be it. I know you must have stacks of new dusty books itching to be read; but because of your busy schedule, you never had the chance to sit and finish them. Well, a cool rainy afternoon in a warm cottage is the best time to flip pages while drinking your hot cocoa. You can also bring back issue magazines; perhaps, those thick, wide and clear-colored pages will also keep you from being bored for a couple of hours.
3. Cooking and Baking. Hey, there is always that good cook in the group that can showcase cooking skills and delectable recipes that will leave the others drooling for more servings. On a rainy day, you can have fun in the kitchen while helping Aunt Lisa chop veggies or whip icing for the cupcakes. This sounds a lot of fun!  Just make sure all ingredients are packed. You can also check if kitchen equipment and tools are available in the cottage so you can have a great time preparing for that special meal.
4. Music and Dancing. Who doesn’t love music?  It’s raining and pouring and everyone are still up and awake? Try dancing the night away with old school tunes and even classic grooves that will perk up even the oldies.  Drown the sound of rain by cranking up some fun music and funky moves that will definitely make the trip more memorable. Just make sure it is not loud enough to disturb nearby residents.  
5. Movie Galore. You may also whine down the kids or relax before bedtime with a great flick for the whole family. Cuddle up in the living room with a wholesome movie treat for everyone to enjoy. You can also play good ole black and white films where everybody sang, that will put you in a warm, rustic cottage feel.

So it is not always a bad idea to go on vacation on a cloudy day. Enjoy the rainy days!