Cottages for family holidays

If you’re looking for a great holiday idea, then look no further, renting cottages for family holidays either at home or abroad is the answer for every family, single person or group. They are affordable and usually in wonderful locations with scenic views and plenty of activities on your doorstep. There are also many wonderful houses, condos and apartments for rent in towns and cities all over the world if a cottage is not the ideal for you.

Priorities

Before you rent a cottage it is wise to try and prioritise your requirements. I have actually rented a cottage on an uninhabited island in Ireland which may not be what everyone wants, but it was a wonderful and peaceful week and we saw every type of wildlife imaginable birds, seals and otters. 

More active

If you want a roaring night life and great clubs then a cottage in the country or a small village is definitely the wrong option. But also if you want peace and quiet with just the twitter of the birds it is important to find out if your cottage is located across the road from a local public house or restaurant that doesn’t close until the early hours of the morning. 

Decide what you want and then select your rental accordingly. A cottage in the country should have excellent walking potential, perhaps the ocean and a sandy beach for both kids and adults. It may have sporting activities locally like kite surfing, horse riding, kayaking and small boats for hire. Try and find all the information before you travel and check on prices so that you are not caught unawares.

Booking

Many cottages are arranged in groups in an area or village so that parties of people can go on holiday together yet have their own individual space, which is a much easier holiday prospect for many people. If you are travelling as a party, do make sure that you book altogether so that you will get the cottages you need at a good price. If you book individually the price may often be higher and you may not get enough available cottages for your needs. It is vital to ensure that all your party are happy with the type of area they are staying in, so give the contact paper information to everyone and discuss the options before booking.

Facilities

Each cottage usually comes equipped with everything that you should need to make your holiday a glorious affair. There should be a modern kitchen and a full complement of kitchen appliances in your cottage, from a cheese grater to a fridge freezer, pots and pans, plates, dishes and cutlery. The house should have an excellent hot water system and heating for those chilly days. It should also be supplied with TV though not always cable (do check prior to your visit if it is vital to your sanity). Sometimes the owner will have left a supply of books and games for rainy days, but it is always worth bringing your own too. All bed linen and towels should be supplied by the rental owner and the linen should be changed if you are staying for any length of time. A washing machine and tumble dryer are not always included in your cottage, but there should be access to one in either a communal laundry room or in the village nearby.

Cottages abroad

If you are renting a cottage abroad, find out about the area you are going to before your journey begins. Buy a good guide to that country and check out the local attractions, historical buildings, churches, cathedrals, wineries, islands, boat trips or whatever and make sure you have adequate financial resources for every eventuality. Decide if you need to hire a car and what it will cost, where will you collect it and deliver it at the end of the holiday and what documents you need to bring with you. Most common mistakes are made by not doing enough investigation before you go.

Insurance

It is always important to have good insurance that covers you for losses, injuries, hospital treatment, flight delays and lost luggage. So for a really great holiday at home or abroad renting cottages is a wonderful idea.