Travel and Leisure Articles

White quartz ground to the consistency of the finest sugar, stretching for miles ahead of and behind you. Crystal clear emerald waters receding to sapphire as the approach the horizon and blend seamlessly into the sky. Fishers dotting the shoreline as those emerald waters reward their efforts with pompano and mackerel, while snorkelers dotting the water are treated to personal encounters with Loggerhead turtles, grouper, tropical fish, and even dolphins.

And that’s only the beginning of what awaits those lucky enough to spend time in the Destin vacation homes of Oskaloosa County on the Florida Panhandle. Those renting or buying Destin vacation homes will find themselves between the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawatchee Bay, with beaches famous for their shelling opportunities and enough golf courses to provide them a game a week for four months without playing the same hole twice.

Destin vacation homes range in style from high-rise condominiums and townhomes to private cottages and estate homes with swimming pools, to beachfront homes. Many of the Destin vacation homes have sleeping accommodations for groups of eight and over, making them ideal as shared rentals for families who like to vacation together and economize. By deciding to stay in one of the Destin vacation homes, you’ll have an alternative to paying for restaurant food at every meal. Many of the Destin vacation homes have outdoor entertainment areas complete with grills or barbecue pits.

You can find Destin vacation homes with high-speed Internet access so that you can keep up with your E0-mail or any business that you may conduct online; they have multiple TVs with VCRs or DVDs for a family night watching the latest video releases.

Those enjoying Destin vacation homes a look forward to days at the area’s award-winning beaches or chartering boats for open water fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Anyone with a taste for gracious Florida living of days gone by can spend a day at the nearby Eden Garden State park, where the home of lumber baron William Henry Wesley sits among magnificent oaks and gardens, much as it did at the turn of the twentieth century. Antique lovers will be enthralled by its collection of Louis XVI furniture in America, reportedly the second-largest in the US.

Visitors can leave their Destin vacation homes for one of the many sunset cruises, followed by an evening of laughter, fun, and seafood set to the sounds of the Emerald Coast’s best live beach music at Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar and Grill–or those who simply must indulge in the “Bon Appetit” level of cuisine can partake of the spectacular water views and food at the Flamingo Café on Destin Harbor.

Destin vacation

homes came in a wide range of styles, sizes, and prices, but the one thing they all have in common is that they will give their guests the ideal launching point for the vacation of a lifetime!

Even if I highly recommend that if you travel to New Zealand you take the majority of the trip on a campervan discovering the country on the road and getting to everywhere, it is a good idea to finalize a long trip after driving during probably 3 or 4 weeks in a nice holiday home by the lake or next to a wonderful city like Auckland. I’ll take a look then at New Zealand holiday homes possibilities.

First of all, and even if it looks like a stupid question, you should know what are you looking for. Relax by the beach? To be next to a lake in mountain cottage? To be close to an important city in order to explore it deeply and have the house as a base for operations? Up to you, but don’t start looking at different stuff if you are not clear on that point.

Once you know where you should be, you’ll find many pages with listings of homes. I have some recommendations but as I don’t want to make publicity of other people I’ll keep them for the ones who ask me. Of course you should look at many of this websites but soon you’ll realize that there are some pages that offer very complete information with good structure and other simply don’t. Having an accessible map pointing where every house is placed is very important. Remember that everybody likes to say their house is centric. But you know, “centric” sometimes means lots of things, and usually it is not what you are thinking about.

Many New Zealand Holiday Homes have a price per night. Normally this is the best option in case you are going there with your family. There are very good houses with 3-4 rooms which you can find for a very good nightly rate. Of course if you are staying for 1 week or more you’ll find discounted prices.

If discounted prices are not offered, don’t hesitate about it. Ask for them! People who offer the house to you do not have the power. You have the power, you are the buyer. If you like a house let the seller understand that you will take it only if the price goes down by a certain amount. Make sure you mention some other houses from competitors when you get in touch with the seller and the deal should be yours.

Many times you are going to have all the communication simply by e-mail and you want to make sure that the person over there is reliable. The best you can do before committing yourself is to agree with the other person to write a simple contract with the main parts of the agreement for rental. Sign it, and make the other person sign it. Once you and the seller have the document, then you can proceed with the payment in the way you have agreed. Of course there is still some risk involved but you are minimizing it with just some easy steps.

In any case, a travel planning help company that does not get commission from sellers can be a good guiding tool you can use in order to make sure you are dealing with real people who are offering a true bargain and so you avoid all the possible pain from such a rental. Also, your travel planning assistant can help you negotiate the price for your accommodation with more experience and get a better deal in New Zealand holiday homes.

For many people, going on a vacation would mean going to a second home, maybe a beachside bungalow, with a picturesque view of the mountains and a farm retreat where one can just chill out, away from all the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

The vacation homes in most parts of the world are better, bigger and provide much luxury. These homes can be either single-family homes or condominiums, and one can make a choice according to one’s budget. The many features offered with such large family vacation homes are personal escorts, maids, butlers, and personal helpers to make the stay comfortable. They are also made attractive with sliding glass doors, fireplaces, decks, cozy surroundings, beautiful gardens, old trees and even offer solar heating systems. All in all, they’re an ideal place to spend some quality time with the family and relax.

Vacation homes that are closer to an amusement park, a golf course or a waterfront are more in demand. Hillside homes are ideal summer homes for the entire family. While out with the family, it is a nice sight to see all the members of the family enjoying and spending their vacation time indulging in activities or hobbies that one would not have time for back home.

Many vacation homeowners go out of their way to organize family-related programs such as private pool parties, campfires and beach parties, or arrange for passes and tickets for their guests so that they can visit all places conveniently. They also organize recreational activities for kids and teenagers.

A home away from home with all the luxuries is an ideal place to be with family and friends.

The online marketers and Ezines, for the last couple of years , have been touting Mexico, Panama and Nicaragua as undervalued and the only “true values” in Latin America. Sure, we also have Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay…but who wants to spent two grand for a round trip and have each leg take 24-36 hours?

And are these the only “CHEAP” real estate destinations around?

I have seen advertisements for land in Panama and Nicaragua near or on the beach for $50,000 to $100,000 per lot…and sometimes a little cheaper. And these are supposed to get everyone all hot and bothered about Panama and Nicaragua? Or Mexico?

Remember, these are the same people that touted Costa Rica a few years ago. But now it is too expensive and is held up as a sample of “what could be” for appreciation for investors in the above alternatives.

Is Costa Rica dead for real estate or investment?

I live here…and I sell real estate here and I can tell you emphatically that it is not dead and that there are still a lot of fantastic buys out there. I could tell you about a home RIGHT ON THE BEACH, an hour from the San Jose airport that I bought two year ago for $20,000. Or a small home in the mountains with a gorgeous panoramic view of the entire Central Valley and San Jose…for only $25,000…

How about 30 acres with a waterfall, a river , phenomenal views of two oceans and literally hundreds of miles?…under $75,000 and only 15 minutes away from a resort which charges $400 per night and is one of the country’s best known?

You can build a home ( no, not a fancy, American style home ) but a smaller Tico home with two levels, a solid rock foundation and all utilities for around $25,000 AND you could build a comfortable one BR home of wood for less than $10,000. Our first home that we built here six years ago was well over 1500 sf and cost us less than $40,000.

Not all areas of Costa Rica are inexpensive. There are gated areas where lots start at a quarter million. And there are literally hundreds of homes in Guanacaste and the Papagayo area which have soared in value which are valued in the millions. But these are only pockets of real estate…we have literally the whole country, 98% of which has not been developed or explored by Americans or Canadians. And we are not talking jungle and the proverbial “middle of nowhere”.

Costa Rica is the blue chip of Latin America for investment or real estate… it is the longest running democracy and has a higher literacy rate than the United States…and a superb medical system.

Don’t be fooled by those who say that Costa Rica’s time has come and gone…. indeed… it is just starting.

A hotel room at Walt Disney World can be very pricey. There are many vacation homes that you can rent within a few miles of Disney World. These homes can have numerous amenities including a swimming pool.

You can get a Disney World Vacation home for much cheaper that the best hotel rooms. That gives you a lot more room for your money. As family of five the only way we feel like we have enough room is if we get two adjoining rooms. That can get expensive real fast. For less money you get more room with more amenities than you would find at a hotel.

The feeling of being at home is another benefit of home rentals. Hotel rooms can get cramped very quickly with a family of four or more. Why stress yourself like that on vacation? With the home rental every body can spread out, not to mention get a good night sleep without one family member waking everybody up. We have three children, all under the age of five. Try that in a hotel room, even a “suite”. One screaming baby can make the night miserable for everyone, not to mention the fatigue the next day when you should be enjoying Disney World.

Eating out every meal can consume a big chunk of your vacation budget. With a Disney World vacation home you can go shopping and stock up at the beginning of your vacation. We usually do this and eat breakfast at the rental. Same with lunch or we pack a lunch for the day. That leaves dinner which we usually eat out as a “treat”. You can always just have food delivered as well so you can just relax.

Having access to a washer and drier can be a BIG benefit if your family like us with numerousness small kids. Bottom line, we go through a lot of clothes. Who wants to pack enough clothes for the whole week or even a few days. Knowing you have access to a washer and drier allows you to lighten your luggage.

As far as amenities go at vacation home rentals plentiful have access to community recreational areas on the premise. Some rentals we have stayed at include POOLS. Either as part of a community pool or an actual quiet pool just for the home. Other amenities include; spas - my husband and I like those, pool tables, table tennis, sporting equipment, and more.

Usually there is a minimum stay of few nights, but would you really want to go for less, especially given the effort of transporting a larger family. More nights the better as far as price goes. Some we have stayed at drop daily price depending on how long we stay. We almost always go off-season. The prices are much cheaper, the parks or much emptier. Some Disney World vacation homes are part of time-share resorts. To entice you to come they give BIG discounts and in return you have to sit through a presentation, usually around 90 minutes. Just get it over early and ignore the hard sales pitch, you can save a lot of money.

It finally happened to me. There had been rumors of layoffs around the company for almost a year. I had 6 years seniority as a computer specialist in a department of over 30 people and thought I was safe. The company had been very successful servicing the booming real estate industry. Now, even on my street of upper middle income homes there were vacant houses, victims of the “mortgage crisis”.

I was a renter and fortunately my lease was about to expire. The company gave me a generous severance and vowed to call me back when the housing market picked up again.

Being single, and in between relationships, I was free.

My first thought was take a long overdue vacation before looking for work. I had traveled to Mexico a few times and loved it. I knew enough Spanish to get by. I logged on my favorite Mexico website to search out a cheap destination for hanging a few weeks. THERE it was, an article about house sitting that caught my eye and changed my life.

I clicked on the website mentioned in the story and learned about house sitting. I registered and within 2 weeks I connected with a house sitting job in Puerto Vallarta.

I had visited PV once on a cruise with Steve, my recently ex-boyfriend. Now, I had a chance to check it out by living there for 4 months in a vacation home owned by a retired lawyer from Dallas. He wanted someone to look after the place for the summer and watch after his friendly Dalmatian. I moved in 6 weeks ago.

The house is situated on one of the 6 golf courses in PV. Last year he left a “watchie”, slang for a local person to keep an eye on the place. That did not work out. There were numerous problems including a break-in and some major un-repaired storm damage. The electricity and phone were shut off because the “watchie” spent the money on something else. It is a luxury home with all of the amenities you always wanted but couldn’t afford.

Suddenly I had a lot of time on my hands. Having been a workaholic for many years, I was constantly looking for something to do. I made friends with Rama, the dog, and we went on many long walks together.

At first, exploring PV and the surrounding areas took up most of my time. I made a lot of new friends (mostly ex-pats) hanging out at a beach bar almost everyday. But after a few weeks I realized that I was bored with myself and couldn’t spend time alone. I began reading again, something I enjoyed when I was younger. I decided that I was going to read about the subjects that interested me in college but never had the time to get into. After a quick trip to Amazon, my books arrived at the house just 2 days later by FedEx.

I unhooked the plasma TV and vowed to leave it off. I dug into my newfound library: religion, history and quantum mechanics, my favorite subjects. Somehow they all seem to be tied together.

One humid night, a tremendous rainstorm, so famous here, came through with lot of lightening and thunder. It was a joy to watch it even though the rain had flooded the master bedroom. Actually, I enjoyed cleaning it up and repairing the broken seals around the sliding glass doors. It gave me something to do. This is one of the reasons homeowners need house sitters. Aside from scaring away would be burglars, maintenance is a key factor. You just can’t leave a house vacant for long. Things happen, especially here in PV where violent storms are common in the summertime.

My arrangement with the owner was that I would pay the utilities, gas, electricity and phone (which includes internet DSL) while he was gone. He would pay all other expense for repairs. This guaranteed him that they would be paid and working when he returned. It winds up costing me about $100 a month including running the a/c. Not a bad deal!

Of course, after a while I met a local guy and we began hanging out together. We were teaching each other our native language. What fun!

Soon, I began to think that maybe I won’t return to Colorado after this gig. I had enough money left over from my severance and I wasn’t paying rent. I realized that rent was a major expense in my life and that basically I was working just to pay the rent! By now the US economy was slipping into to the abyss and jobs were getting hard to find. There must be another way.

I had 2 more months to stay. I went back on the website and updated my profile showing that I would be available again. Francisco, my novio (boyfriend) said that he would come with me if I found another assignment and we could keep our language lessons going among other things.

At this time I am in communication with a homeowner in Puerto Escondido. Maybe she will choose me. Everyone tells me that Escondido is a cool place. I might even get back on surfboard again…

What recession?

Life is an adventure, isn’t it? Try housesitting.

They say that there’s no place like home, but a second luxury house in an exotic locale may come as close as it gets. From a serene villa in the beautiful St. Tropez, to the classic Italian villa in Tuscany, the lavish lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of is well within reach. Whether you want a condo in the hills, a cottage in the country, a cabin in the woods or a house in a premiere vacation destination, you can easily find the option that is perfect for your tastes and needs.

If you’ve ever considered buying a second home, then consider a luxury villa. With property available in cities all over the world, there’s no reason not to enjoy this outstanding opportunity. Nothing says comfort, style, romance and class like a luxury villa.

Living the Life of Luxury

Purchasing a villa is a great way to enjoy all of the finer things in life right in the comfort of your own abode. If you worry that having a second home is simply too extravagant, then think again. While once thought of as a luxury for only the rich and famous, many couples and families are now discovering how easy it is to have their own home away from home.

Just imagine owning your own villa. It will be much like living in a classical Roman fantasy, except your villa will be equipped with all the modern luxuries, which even Caesar himself could never have dreamed! From sunny beaches to snow-capped mountains, the options are virtually endless. Not only will you feel like royalty in your own villa, but you’ll feel completely self-sufficient and comfortable.

If you want the true feel of an Italian villa, there are several great options for you. The rolling hills of Chianti, Florence, Siena, Lucca, San Gimignano, Arezzo, Perugia, and Todi contain some of the most beautiful Tuscan villas. Many of the high-end villas can be found in the Chianti region, which looks over Florence.

Of course, Italy is hardly the only location to choose from. Explore stunning cities such as Madrid, Dubai, Mallorca, Crete, and Cyprus for thousands of different luxuries villas. If you’re looking for something outside of Europe and the Mediterranean, there are plenty of opportunities in exotic places such as India, Thailand, South Africa and South America. Looking for somewhere a little closer to home? Consider options in gorgeous American destinations such as Jackson Hole, Lake Tahoe and Aspen.

Enjoy the Beauty and Luxury of a Villa

Fortunately, the current market for villas is not as saturated as it is for condos, cabins and other properties. This makes the villa an even more desirable option for those looking for something different from the standard second home. If you enjoy lush surroundings and opulent details, consider turning your dream of having your own beautiful villa into a reality.

Today, villa ownership is an unquestionable sign of the life of luxury. Whether nestled in the peaceful countryside or perched on the side of a dazzling cliff, it doesn’t get much better than the villa life. You only live once, so start exploring your options today in order to experience the luxury, elegance and adventure of villa living!

I have been a visitor from Vancouver for many years. I would rent an apartment for a few weeks every year near Los Muertos beach while taking a well-deserved break from teaching. Last November while hanging out on the playa with Jeff and Cindy from Ohio, I was offered the opportunity of a lifetime.

Jeff and Cindy arrived in PV for the first time, like many, on a cruise ship, 9 years ago. They returned the next year and purchased 4 weeks in a time-share, which they used every year until they retired 2 years ago, and purchased their dream vacation house in Conchas Chinas. They stayed in their house for 6 months and returned to Canada for the summer.

When returning the following high season they found that their house was a mess. There was rain damage and all of their plants had died. Evidently their friendly neighbor did not pay as much attention to the house as promised. Some of the utility bills were unpaid as well. Needless to say this situation ruined their homecoming. It was then that they decided to find a house sitter, as they had done with their cottage by the lake in B.C in the past.

When they brought up the subject to me while sipping a margarita on the beach, I immediately imagined living in their wonderful home while working on my dissertation for my PhD. It wasn’t long before we came to an agreement as to what they expected of me (pay the bills, maintain their home as if they were there, take care of repairs, etc.) When they left PV in the spring, I moved in.

Imagine living in a wonderful house near the beach. I enjoyed the peace and luxury of their home and finished my work.

They were so please when they returned that they asked me if I could stay again this year…Hmmmmm…

There are many advantages of having a sitter rather that leaving your house empty. Whether you are planning a two week vacation, a trip for three months or a whole year sabbatical, there is always the question in the back of your mind: Who will take care of my home?

“In Mexico, - a million Americans own homes south of the border and the golf community boom is just beginning.” — ‘The New York Times’, January 25, 2008

Why house sit? Save money, live rent-free.

This article is intended to provide an overview, and will assist potential investors to better understand the various available models. Investors will then be able to make a better informed decision as to which model best suits their individual needs.

The various offerings can generally be classified into 2 distinct categories - 1) Time based & 2) Equity based ie. The right to use time (usage) only vs the right to usage as well as an ownership stake (equity.)

Time - based offerings:

Include 1) rentals, 2) timeshare, 3) points clubs and 4) destination clubs.

Equity- based offerings:

Include 5) sole-ownership, 6)co-ownership (syndication), 7) fractional ownership, 8)private residence clubs and 9) condo (hotel suite ) investments.

1) Rentals:

Includes rental of hotel suites, villas and chalets. Offers unlimited options in all parts of the world. The major advantage is flexibility in terms of geographical area, desired activities, and price to suit. The major disadvantage is the fact that after your vacation, all you are left with is a hole in your wallet and happy memories to treasure in your photo album!

2) Timeshare:

Offers investors the opportunity to buy time in fully furnished leisure resorts, usually in blocks of 1 week. The cost is usually reasonable, at an average of about $15 000, as well as annual levies. There is a choice to suit different needs, and most resorts offer affiliation to a worldwide exchange program, allowing investors to exchange into a variety of resorts all over the world.

The downside is frequent frustration at not being able to get into chosen resorts at requested times, as demand in popular resorts and destinations exceed supply. Furthermore, the resale market for timeshare is poor, with investors usually receiving about 20%-30% of their investment back!

3) Points clubs:

In this offering investors buy points into a club which owns accommodation in a variety of resorts. Each leisure break costs points, which vary according to type and size of unit, facilities, season and demand. There is an upfront cost based on how many points are purchased as well as annual levies. Some clubs also charge booking fees. Points clubs are presented as the offering with the most variety and flexibility. In practice however, there are many unhappy members, as the memberships are usually sold at a much faster rate than the clubs acquisition of stock, so many requests are not met. On resale investors are lucky to get back 10% of their original investment!

4) Destination clubs:

Offer buyers access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes on a similar basis as the points clubs, but with superior quality accommodation. The market is more affluent than than that of the timeshare and points clubs. Your investment consists of an upfront joining fee, as well as annual dues or levies. The average joining fee is about $350 000, with the average annual dues being $30 000. On exiting the club, members are usually refunded between 80% and 100% of their upfront joining fee.

As can be seen, all the above time-based options offer a wide range of choice, targeted from the lower to the upper end of the market. All however, are designed for lifestyle enjoyment, and do not offer capital growth opportunities!

5) Sole ownership:

The advantages are 100% freedom of choice with regards location, design, furnishings and fittings and budget. The disadvantages are forking out 100% of the acquisition cost, and running costs, for something that will only be personally enjoyed a few weeks per year, as well as being responsible for all maintenance and upkeep personally. A further disadvantage is that boredom often sets in after the 1st few vacations!

6) Co-ownership (Syndication):

Shared ownership with friends, family or invited investors. The advantages are in the shared initial cost and ongoing costs. The downside is that very often there is shareholder disputes over individual responsibilities, as well as over usage periods. Disagreements can often not be resolved, and causes frequent change in shareholding!

7) Fractional ownership:

Has been the fastest growing sector in the leisure and property sectors in the last 5 years. Fractional ownership offers equity in property at a fraction of the cost, with all responsibility for maintenance and admin.taken care of by the fractional company. As the average vacation home buyer only uses the home for 3-4 weeks a year, fractional ownership makes financial sense, with capital outlay, and ongoing running costs in the form of levies being shared proportionately between shareholders. Most common shareholding is 13 shareholders each having 4 weeks usage per year. Many fractional schemes offer membership to an exchange company, entitling investors to exchange their usage into other resorts worldwide. Prices range from about $60 000 to about $200 000.

Private residence clubs:

Usually operates on a similar basis as fractional, the main difference being that private residence clubs (P.R.C) are at the top end, being larger and more luxurious than most standard fractional units. They are often part of a 4* or 5* hotel, and therefore offer more facilities than your typical fractional. P.R.C’S also usually have exchangeability into other luxurious 4* or 5* resorts. The trend is to have 6-13 shareholders; each entitled to 4-8 weeks usage enjoyment per year. Investors pay an upfront purchase price, and share the ongoing costs in the form of an annual levy. As with many fractional products, many P.R.C.’s also offer membership to some exchange program, entitling owners to swap some or all of each years usage into other resorts in various locations.

Prices range from about $200 000 to about $600 000.

The current trend has favoured Fractional ownership and Private Residence Clubs, as investors seem to prefer the reduced costs, with the benefits of capital growth.

Many European and American investors have purchased in offshore exotic locations, for example Beach and Bush resorts in Africa (that are affiliated to an international exchange program), as the costs are much lower.

Conclusion:

One needs to shop around to ensure that you purchase the best option to suit your personal needs. The first step is to decide whether you would rather have a purely time-based product (cheaper), or whether you would prefer investing into an equity based product offering capital growth potential. At the end of the day, your budget should guide you. The author believes Fractional or Private Residence Club’s offer a great alternative investment as part of your portfolio diversification. Furthermore, it will be the asset in your portfolio that provides you with the most enjoyment!

Riverside House - Devon

Located in the pretty Devon village of Tuckenhay in the beautiful South Devon countryside this chocolate-box thatched house sits along side the Bow Creek River. The house is a prefect country getaway and even a short stay will have you contemplating giving up your old life in order to move to Devon. The House lays just a short walk form the picture post card village of Ashprington and either a beautiful two hour walk or a short drive to the town of Totnes. 

 

Martello Tower - Suffolk

Martello Tower is not your usual holiday home, it is in fact an ancient fort designed to stop Napoleon and his army. The building is made up of thick, squat stone walls designed to with stand French cannons. The views from the tower are stunning; especially from the living room where you can sit and watch the waves break at your feet. While the interiors have certainly improved since it was occupied by the troops it is still not the most luxurious and doesn’t even have a bath. Yet there is much more to this place than its interior design.

 

The Gothic Temple - Buckinghamshire

The circular Gothic temple was built in 1741 and is a fantastic example of English follies. The Temple lies with in the grounds of the Stowe School though from the stunning views on offer this is no ordinary school grounds. Thought the architecture is amazing the furnishings are a little on the basic side (fitting furniture into a circular room is no easy feet) yet the building itself, the beautiful grounds and the chance to use the schools swimming pool and tennis courts during the summer months more than make up for this.

 

Fisherman’s Cottages - Inverness-shire

Located on the 60,000 acre grounds of the Cawdor estate these cottages have been designed by former Vogue writer Isabella Cawdor. Built in 2002 the cottages are a cross between a Highland hunting lodge and a London boutique which surrounded by heather strewn moor land. The interiors are a mix of modern and traditional and make for a warm and comfortable environment. A hamper is waiting for you on arrival, as is a video message on the TV and if your feeling tired after your long journey then you don’t even have to worry about food, there will be a fantastic home cooked meal for you.

 

Fallowvee Cottage - Country Antrim

This well restored petite cottage is found in the beautiful Northeast coast of Northern Ireland. The cottage backs on to a quite beach and a shingle terrace makes for some great alfresco dining with great views, on a clear day you can even see Scotland. The Northeast of Northern Ireland is a quite part of the world so it is perhaps not ideal for those who like the nightlife, yet for those looking for a quite getaway from things this pretty cottage could be just the tonic.