Winter’s chill can inspire warm thoughts of vacation plans ahead. Whether getaway goals involve beach views or mountain vistas, interest in renting a home away from home, rather than a hotel room, is heating up for many travelers. Pluses include the extra space and freedom to define your way to relax. Some might get up early for a run and others in the group might get up late and eat a bowl of cereal in their pajamas. Dining out is part of discovering a destination’s charms, but it’s nice to be able to cook at least some meals in a vacation home. It’s often less expensive and can be a healthier alternative because you have more control over meals prepared in your own kitchen.
Kitchen adventures
Cooking on vacation is part of the fun for food lovers. That’s what I experienced when visiting the Dordogne region of southwestern France. With the dream setting of Chateaux Le Secretary located near the Medieval village of Monflanquin as our base, we shopped open air markets for regional cheeses, honey, breads, fresh fruits and vegetables and locally produced wines. The fully equipped outdoor kitchen complete with a long wooden farmhouse table overlooking the swimming pool was the ideal spot to dine and imagine you actually lived in a French chateau.
Venturing out to explore the countryside and cobblestoned villages led us to quaint restaurants for dinner. But it was back to the chateau to lounge in the living room for late-night drinks and then up in the morning for leisurely breakfasts in the cozy kitchen reminiscent of downstairs at “Downton Abbey.” Culinary adventures included a hands-on cooking class at La Cambe. Owner and cookbook author Jane Whalley led us through lessons in French cookery including a roasted red pepper and aubergine (eggplant) terrine with local goat cheese and a dessert tart with almond paste and fresh pears.
The portfolio of places you can arrange through international travel companies such as Wyndham Vacation Rentals has all kinds of options. My week in France was split between the restful chateau and operating a houseboat up and down the River Lot. With the help of an instruction book thankfully translated into English, you learn to open and close the river locks yourself, climbing up and down ladders and throwing lines to fellow shipmates. No, it wasn’t easy or relaxing but it was a work out.
I decided I’d be best as captain of the galley and deliver hot tea and French pastries to the braver souls navigating up on deck. One thing for sure, vacation rentals can turn fantasy into reality, even if it’s just for one fabulous week.
