In the economic mindset that most of us find ourselves in nowadays, it may seem that all that matters to consumers is getting the lowest price. But lowering the price of your rental may not necessarily be what your sleepy property needs to transform into a dream vacation. And if you can have the kind of property that people can dream of, then you can have the kind of property that people will rent. Readily. Those of us thinking that travelers are only interested in low price may assume that these cottage dwellers don’t mind “roughing it” if it will save them a buck. But the reality is that these economic times aren’t motivating cottage dwellers to want to “rough it” on their vacations—in contrast, they want to live it up with a little luxury, and escape from their worries. But before the money sign alarms start going off in your head, don’t panic—with cottage rentals, a little sprucin’ up goes a long way. Just a few fine tunings can have both you and your renters whistling all the way home.

TIP: Paint, paint, paint. Though it may seem like an arduous task, it’s a comparatively cheap and easy way to give your property a substantial facelift. Don’t just add a fresh coat—add colour. If you are clueless about what colours to use, ask one of your more aesthetically inclined friends for advice. You don’t need to pay for a decorator—you’d be surprised at how many friends would jump at the opportunity to stop biting their lip and give you advice if you’d only ask!

TIP: Off-season trips are more popular than ever, so if you operate cottage rentals in Ontario you will want to make sure that your cottage will be cozy. Be sure to have lots of extra blankets, as well as sheets and pillows that equal the amount of guests your property can hold. Owners of older properties have to take extra care to ensure that off-season guests won’t need to produce off-the charts heating bills, and will be comfortable during their stay.

TIP: Leave fine chocolates on pillows! People who have just reached their travel destination are in a funny state of mind, and can get very positively or negatively excited by pretty much anything they see. The first thing people do is run into the bedrooms. I used to spend summers at a seaside cottage that would do this, and it became a staple of the trip that we (especially the kids!) looked forwards to every year. For all the excitement that leaving a few chocolates on pillows will cause, it’s well worth the comparatively small investment. It’s the sort of thoughtful gesture that will have guests thinking that your property might be the place to go for repeat stays.

TIP: Leave at least basic cleaning and food staples in the kitchen. This will make guests feel much more at home from the get-go. Kitchens are often the most important room for renters when considering accommodations, and you may want to replace cabinets that are particularly unsavoury. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen (’cuz your guests probably will want to, too!)—or you can just paint and refinish the cabinets for a cheaper fix. ‘

TIP: Have a Home Guide with a local bottle of wine or basket of local grown foods waiting for your guests when they come in. This will outline fun activities to do in the area, particularities about the property, places to get (especially local-grown) food, contact information, etc. Have a quick survey at the end for renters to fill out at the end of their stay. What pleased them, what could be improved? Not only are you displaying gracious hospitality and attention that renters love, but you may learn some things about your property you didn’t know before.

TIP: Don’t forget the door on your way out. The front door is an especially important feature of your property’s appearance. It may need a fresh coat of paint, and it may even need new door knobs, which are as cheap as $5-10. Even replacing doors is a very inexpensive renovation, and can be done for as little as $20-$30.

Group trips are another trend gaining momentum this year, so make sure your guests have everything they will need to entertain and relax in group settings. Lighting dimmers are a great and cheap way to create a great deal of ambiance for a nice dinner or simply relaxing with drinks. As a final tip for those of you who really want to toss the hotel competition into the river: get as many housecoats as your dwelling can fit guests, because nothing says luxury living more cheaply and easily than housecoats! Put on your favourite one and cozy up to read more tips on how to give your cottage glitz!

Rest and relaxation is not everyone’s ideal vacation. For the adrenaline junkies out there, I propose beautiful British Columbia. This Canadian province is packed with some of the most high-energy activities this side of the border: surfing, heli-skiing, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing and more. Read on for help planning the ultimate extreme vacation.

Adventures by Water
Tofino, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is the number one destination for surfing in BC. There are a number of surfing schools in Tofino for newbies to the sport, where you can learn under some of Canada’s best-known pro surfers. There are equipment rentals for more seasoned surfers, and even the Surf Sister Surf School (say that three times fast!) dedicated to teaching girls and women to surf.

On your ocean adventure you can also book a whale-watching expedition. Check out killer whales, Pacific grey whales and humpback whales during the whale-watching season, which runs from about May through October. BC is one of North America’s top whale-watching destinations.

While we’re talking about BC’s fantastic marine life, try a diving expedition. BC boasts some of the clearest diving waters in the world. You can also swim, fish, canoe, kayak, try whitewater rafting, wakeboarding, and jet-skiing in any of Vancouver’s six tourist regions.

In addition to ocean sports, BC is home to many lakes, rivers, waterfalls and even hot springs. You might need some hot-spring action after trying your hand at any of these extreme activities.



Adventures by Air and Land
Skiing is one of British Columbia’s most celebrated activities. This mountainous province boasts well over thirty individual ski resorts and mountains. Imagine coming out the front door of one of many rustic BC cabins, popping on your skis and working the trail all the way down. Or getting dropped out of a helicopter at Revelstoke, skis strapped on and ready to destroy fresh, untouched powder.

If hurtling down the rocky mountains at incredible speeds is not for you, don’t worry. Travel half an hour out of Vancouver and you’ll hit Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, home to some of the best rock climbing in Canada. Mountain biking trails are everywhere, along with amazingly varied hiking trails.

On Victoria Island you’ll find two out of the province’s three bungee jumping locations, if you’re brave enough. BC offers you a full range of adrenaline-pumping activities such as zip lining, sky diving, hang-gliding and caving. And if you need a break, try panning for gold. Yes, panning for gold.

If you can think of something you want to try – chances are you can do it in British Columbia. For its heart-pounding and scream-producing activities alike, BC is the unofficial adventure capital of Canada!

It sometimes seems that the average resting heart rate of city dwellers is a full ten beats above what it should be. Even living in the ’burbs is getting tougher, as urban stress doesn’t respect those pesky city limits. So it makes sense why so many of us take vacations to slow down life’s pace. A week or two of fresh air, slow food, sleeping in, socializing and fun shouldn’t be a luxury, but something we should all consciously do for our physical and mental health.

Cottage vacations can be one of the best ways to get away from the city and breathe some fresh air. You can find a big cottage on a lake or a small one even an hour from the city center and reap the same benefits. Get your dose of “vitamin G” by being outside in a green space. Interaction with nature promotes healing, reduces depression, and sparks creativity. You don’t need a study to tell you that being outside will make you feel better! Going for a walk is great – but going for a walk out in the country is sublime.

Canada has more lakes than any other country, so if a cottage on a lake is what you desire, you can take your pick of provinces and find what you’re looking for. Lake Superior and Lake Ontario are great areas to stay, and Quebec’s beautiful Coulonge River offers many riverside cottages and camping areas.

A great way of boosting your health during your outdoor vacation is to eat locally. The locavore (or person interested in eating food that is locally grown) food movement is mushrooming (pun intended) in popularity across Canada. Different regions produce different crops during the spring, summer and fall seasons. August is a great month to vacation in Ontario, and you’ll never taste a peach so juicy and sweet. In PEI, organic farming is expanding with every year, and there are currently over 55 certified organic producers. There are many cottages PEI has to offer, and more produce stands organic and otherwise, than you can count.

Kelowna, in the Okanagan Valley of BC, is one of the most unbelievably fertile regions in Canada. It produces many internationally recognized wines. You can find organic wine and have local organic produce delivered straight to your BC cabins. Cottaging in BC is a great idea for a slowed-down vacation.

So when you next feel your stress level rising, make a mental note to plan your next “slow” vacation in Canada for some fresh air, fresh food, and some true rest and relaxation.

You’re planning a great summer vacation and can’t imagine it without Slobber or Juggernaut? Don’t despair; many individuals travel with their pets. More often than not, a family will be traveling with a dog rather than a cat, but the tips included in this article apply to both canines and felines.

Getting There
How will you all get there? A car trip is fine for both cats and dogs, but please make sure they are safely secured in the car. A cat should be in their carrier at all times, and you can purchase a special harness for your dog that acts as a seatbelt. Animals can become anxious in unfamiliar surroundings, so be aware that they may want to jump out of the car at any given pit stop. Keep a leash handy at all times, and be sure to stop frequently to allow your pet to drink fresh water and “go”.

If you’re planning to travel by air, please check with your airline’s pet policy, they can vary by destination. Some airlines require a pet to have up-to-date vaccinations. If you’re travelling by air or internationally, check with your veterinarian to see if there are any special requirements.

Unfortunately, Greyhound and Amtrak services do not allow pets on board. If you are traveling with ViaRail, you may be able to check your pet for an extra fee.

Pet Safety
Make sure to travel with your pet’s documentation and registration papers. Make a list of emergency veterinary services in your travel location. Be sure that his or her vaccinations are up to date. If your pet has special dietary restrictions, plan ahead and make sure to bring enough food for the entire stay. Do not keep your dog or cat in a hot car for even a short period of time. Remember – pets aren’t heat proof, and are susceptible to heat stroke. Make sure they always have fresh water to drink and a cool, shady spot to relax after a long walk or a few hours in the sun. Bring a few of your pet’s favourite toys or bedding to keep them happy and calm. And give out plenty of cuddles!

The Best Vacation Ever
When planning activities during your trip, keep in mind that some public beaches may not allow dogs during “business hours”, but they may be allowed early morning or evening. As far as where to stay, well, you’d be surprised to find how many vacation rental locations are committed to making it a great vacation for the whole family – even the four-legged members. When you’re deciding where to stay, call ahead and ask if they accept pets. There are lots of campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, and cottage rentals Ontario and otherwise, that will happily accommodate your pet.

Once you’ve planned your trip, get ready for your vacation to go from great to amazing with your best friends right there with you. Happy tails!

Traveling off-season always has its advantages and disadvantages. However, when traveling off-season to breathtaking Ontario during the winter months, the disadvantages are few and far between. In the off-season, the tourists are off and the fun is on! Let’s look at some of the common advantages and disadvantages of off-season travel, and how they apply to Muskoka:



ADVANTAGES

• Better deals: There is no doubt that off-season travel offers better deals on airfares, all-inclusive resorts, Ontario cottage rental rates, and prices of activities.
• Less crowded: This makes your vacation more intimate, safe, and gives you freedom to enjoy more of your destination than otherwise would have been possible. Not only will you be better able to bond with and learn more about your loved ones, you will have more access to locals, who will be freed up from busy travel times and better able to teach you about the place you have vacationed to. Having time to focus on taking family adventures during the day only to cozy up in a Muskoka cottage at night is a bonding experience not to be overlooked.
• In Ontario, as the snow may have hinted, the off-season is relatively long, offering you a good deal of freedom in planning the time of your trip.

Now let’s take a look at some of the commonly noted disadvantages of off-season travel and see if Muskoka can “take the heat”:

DISADVANTAGES

COMPLAINT:
The weather can be a problem when it comes to planning an off-season trip

RETORT:
Tourists happily note the easy access to the natural escape that is Muskoka, taking Highway 400 and Highway 11 straight there from the Toronto airport. Furthermore, in winter there will not be great masses of traffic joining you on the road every Friday. However, don’t let this fool you, as winter activities are very popular in Muskoka! So… far from weather being a problem in Muskoka’s “off season”, the snow very much keeps the off season very active and exciting, with many activities and festivals, offering everything from dog sledding to skiing and tobogganing.

COMPLAINT:
Winter airfare sales tend to be short lived, and some airlines have instituted peak pricing policies for December and early January.

RETORT:
In Muskoka the winter (and according “off season”) is long and plentiful, so there are many great times of the year to plan your trip. Also, Muskoka’s off season really expands into fall and spring, as most visitors come in the summer. Many seeking to get back to nature find spring and fall to be the best times to visit Muskoka and see its natural beauty in all its glory.

COMPLAINT:
Important sites may be closed for renovation.

RETORT:
In Muskoka, many of the most exciting activities you can do are on your own or with your family. Thousands of miles of trails are available to snowmobilers, and many companies are available to allow you to rent. What’s a truly Canadian experience without some snowmobiling? There are also many lively attractions open during the winter months, such as top of the line ski slopes (Hidden Valley), tubing parks (Rock Ridge), and great areas for sightseeing, exploring, and cross country skiing, such as Arrowhead Provincial Park.

If you have children, it’s important to keep in mind that they love the snow, so there is nothing off about the off season for them. As one of the top travel destinations in Canada, Muskoka’s breathtaking natural beauty makes it a magical destination all year round.