Packing for a Cottage Getaway

Preparing for some time away at the cottage?
There are a lot of things to consider bringing above and beyond clothing and personal hygiene products.
Some essentials to pack for your time away include:

1. Paperwork

It's a good idea to bring print outs of things like directions and rental information so that if you have issues with your cell phone battery, signal, data or an app being down, you have this important information on hand.

2.  First Aid Kit

This is an essential item to pack. Don't forget key items such as your family's health cards, pain relievers, bandages, sunscreen, insect repellent, after-sun lotion, and Polysporin.
Also, make note of the nearest hospitals and health care clinics.

3. Entertainment for Kids

Though there are tons of fun activities to be enjoyed together as a family, it's a good idea to pack some items to busy the little ones while the adults are preparing meals, etc.
Some suggestions: bubbles; a special and/or new toy; a simple craft that they can do with minimal help; a sensory bin (coloured rice is a hit in our family).

4.  Food

It's helpful to make a meal plan for your time at the cottage so that you only bring up what you're actually going to eat. You don't want to waste valuable space in the car!
Remember to bring along items like oils, spices, tea/coffee and, if you're planning on baking, things you'll need like baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, etc.
Pack perishable items in a cooler with plenty of ice packs as the drive up north can be long and hot!

5.  For eating/cleaning up

While cookware, utensils and dishes are provided, make sure to bring along items such as napkins, paper towels, extra garbage bags,  and child-friendly dishes if you have little ones. It's a good idea to bring some food wrap along as well, i.e. aluminum foil, cling wrap, Ziploc bags, etc.

6. Leisure items


Rental cottages often come stocked with entertainment options, but if there are any special board games or yard games, be sure to bring them along! An easy-read book is always a good idea, too.



7.  Electronics

Remember your chargers! Whether for your phone, tablet, camera - these items aren't of much use if the battery dies.

8. Pet items

If you're bringing furry friends along you'll need to bring some essential items:
food, bowls, treats, toys, leashes, poop bags, and a tick remover.
Also, check out our last blog post about travelling safely with pets!

How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace

There's nothing quite like the coziness and warmth from a crackling fire when it's freezing cold outside.  It is certainly a vital part to an enjoyable winter getaway! However, many of us have not learned how to start a fire efficiently as gas and electric fireplaces are increasing in popularity. You put some wood in the fireplace, light a match, and sit back and just watch it burn, right? Not so much. If you don’t know what you’re doing it can be a frustrating experience instead of a relaxing one. Cold weather can make it especially difficult so there are a couple of additional things to consider when starting fires in winter.

          

First, some things to keep in mind:

• If the fireplace has a damper, open it completely before beginning
• Clean out any ashes from previous fires - leave an inch or so for insulation if it's especially cold out
• Fire feeds off of air, so leave space around logs
• Use dry, seasoned wood
• Good kindling includes sticks and logs that have been split very small 
• Good tinder includes twigs, pieces of bark, pine cones and paper (not glossy)
• If starting with a very cold fireplace, the flue may need to be primed - roll up some newspaper, light the end and hold it near the open damper for a couple of minute

     Most people start a fire by laying down tinder, followed by kindling, and then finally layering logs on top.  Though this is the most popular method, it isn’t the best (by far)!

Here are a couple of methods that burn cleaner, produce less ash and soot, ensure a better air supply, require less tending to and make the firewood last longer, all while producing more heat! Give both of them a try and see which one suits you.

THE “UPSIDE DOWN” METHOD 

1. Lay two or three large logs down parallel to each other with a good distance between them 
2. Lay about four or five smaller logs on top of the larger logs, again leaving space between them 
3. Add another layer of even smaller logs (~ 6)
4. Finally, add a layer of tinder and then a layer of kindling
5. Light the tinder and enjoy a long lasting crackling fire as the embers drop down and feed the layers below!

“LOG CABIN” METHOD

1. Lay two logs parallel to each other about six inches apart,
2. Lay two logs on top and perpendicular to the first two
3. Add another layer or two of smaller logs if room allows
4. Heap kindling and tinder in the middle and light!

When your first load of wood has turned into charcoal, add more wood and enjoy!

(Remember to never leave a fire unattended, have a fire extinguisher handy, and communicate with children about the dangers of fire)

Top 5 goals for my cottage stay 2018!

With the rain we have been having lately, all of our snow has melted and we can see the grass underneath.  I can't help but think of summer during this time.   Even though things are wet and cool outside, with little to no snow, I am thinking about what I would like to do during my cottage stay this summer.

Owning a cottage is great but going away on vacation to your own cottage can become more of a work stay than a relaxation stay.   I have set a few goals for my stay at Mallard Beach this summer hopefully forcing myself to stop work and enjoy some time with my family.

1) Quest for the ultimate Burger!   I know I have mentioned this in a previous entry.  I still feel like there might be a fantastic spot that only the locals know about.   I hope to sample a few different spots to try and find the best burger in the Parry Sound / Muskoka area.   I have a few spots on my radar.   Kate's Kart is known for their burgers.  I feel as though this will be the one to beat.   I am sooo looking forward to this very important research!   :)

If anybody has recommendations - please let me know!   I'm looking anywhere in the Muskoka or Parry Sound area!

2) Another item on my to-do list, is to check out White Squall Paddling Centre   They rent out kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards.   They also offer day trips and tours.    Sounds like it would be a lot of fun!   This would be a great escape for the family out in nature.   Hopefully I can get the whole family on board for this one!

3) I've had a few of our guests recommend the Sawdust City Brewery Tour - The Sawdust Brewery is located in Gravenhurst, Ontario.   I've never been there myself, but I look forward to giving it a try.  They have six core brands of craft beers but they also have seasonal offerings.   I'm not much of a beer drinker but I'm always willing to give new things a try!

4) Killbear Provincial Park I hear it is amazing!   There is a beautiful six kilometre trail for hiking or biking and beautiful sandy beaches.  Again I have never been there - so this will be a fun new experience for the family!

5) Eat at one of the Rocky Crest Golf Resort restaurants.  The "Windows Restaurant" and "On the Bistro" look amazing.  I have heard a lot of good things but again, I haven't had a chance to eat there myself.  I try to make a point to try new restaurants but because these two restaurants are only open during the summer months, I seem to keep missing them.   Again - please leave a comment if you have dined at either restaurant.   I look forward to hearing all about it!

Fingers crossed I get all five of these goals checked off during my 2018 summer cottage stay.   I have our family getaway week booked already for 2019 at Hammond Haven!   A year and a half away and I'm already getting excited!


Dean Curtis
Serenity Vacation Rentals

The 5 best things about a winter stay at the cottage.

Winter can be an amazing time of year to stay at the cottage!   Here are 5 of the best things about a winter stay at the cottage!

1. Reading a book by the fireplace.   There is nothing better than sitting by a warm fire while avoiding the cold outside.  Imagine holding your hot chocolate while your socked feet are held close to the wood burning fire.   You can smell the wood burning while you quietly read your favorite book.   The quiet and peacefulness that comes with winter stays at the cottage are just what the sole needs after a stressful work schedule.
2. Winter fun activities!   Try your hand at building a snowman with the kids or go tobogganing at a nearby hill.  Rent snowmobiles for the day and hit the trails with good friends.   Rent ski’s or snowshoes and try some of the local trails.  Or if the ice is thick enough, how about some lake ice hockey or ice fishing!
3. Trying new recipes.   Now is your chance to try that soup recipe or perhaps you’ve been
   
   excited to make a new stew or chili.  Winter time at the cottage is perfect for home cooking with family and friends, and your chance to try some winter favourites.
4. Watching a movie with a warm blanket.   Whether your pick is a late night horror movie, or a daytime seasonal Christmas special that brings a joyful tear to your eye, with the dark nights getting longer, it is the perfect chance to catch up on your favourite movies or tv shows after a day of winter activities with your family.
5. Connecting with friends – What better way to beat the winter blues than to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and reconnect with friends or family at the cottage.   Getting tired of the same driveway shoveling, work, and winter traffic in the city?   Get out of the city and into the country for some rest and relaxation as well as the peace and quiet that comes with winter stays at the cottage.
   

Top 5 questions to ask before renting your next cottage!!

The demand for cottages has been increasing exponentially over the last few years.   We have received phone calls from people desperate to rent who ask very few questions if any at all!  How do they know if this cottage would suit their family?  If you are thinking of renting a cottage, here are a few questions you may want to ask before sending in your deposit!

1) Is your cottage pet friendly?   One of the benefits of vacationing at a cottage is that your four legged family member may be able to join you.  Will your pets be welcome at the cottage?  What are the rules regarding size, breed, and number of pets etc?   Are other cottages close by with pets who may not get along with you pets?  Are there walking trails close by?  Or is there space on the property for your pet to run and explore?   Maybe you don't have any pets or have allergies.  This still may be a good question to ask if searching for a cottage that has never had a pet in it.

2) Where can I see reviews on your cottage?   Cottage rentals are on the rise and unfortunately with that the occurrences cottage rental fraud are rising.  Picture yourself showing up for your vacation rental just as another family pulls in saying they rented the same week.  Or perhaps you knock on the door of your beautiful cottage and the owner opens the door.   She looks confused when you say you have rented their cottage?   These are real examples of what can happen.    To avoid this be sure to book with a reputable company that has several reviews on their cottages.   Avoid booking through a Kijiji ad without a link to their website or seeing several reviews from past happy guests.   Get a referral from a family member or friend who has actually stayed at one of their properties!

3) Is there internet and cell phone reception at the cottage?   Cottages can be fairly remote and cell phone reception is not always a given.  Internet can also be difficult depending on the location.   Most cottages will have a satellite internet connection if they have one at all.   This will be a slower connection that is perfectly fine for emails and website searches etc., but don't plan on downloading movies or streaming netflix!

4) How far is the nearest town?  Many people book their cottage after seeing amazing pictures and reading reviews, without first learning how far the cottage is from the closest town.   I understand that your family is looking to "get away" from it all, but at some point you will need food, alcohol, snacks, supplies, or restaurants, etc.   This can be a quick and easy trip of 5 minutes, or a long, time wasting excursion of 45 minutes or more, depending on the location!   Be sure you know how far you will need to travel for groceries.

5) Is the cottage accessible?   This seems like a silly question to ask, but there are cottages for rent with no road access!   You are expected to park your car and hike in to the property.  Is this something you are willing to take on with luggage and young kids in tow?  Does this cottage have road or water access?  Many cottages are located on their own private island or shared with several other cottages.  Is your family ok with having to climb on a boat every time you want to go into town or need supplies?   Is the boat supplied or will you be paying for a service to move you to and from the mainland.   What about winter access?   Are the roads municipally maintained or are they covered by a private plowing service?   Will the driveway and access to the doors be shoveled before your arrival?

With just a few questions you will be able to find the perfect cottage for your family.   If contacting a rental agency let them help you with the research!   Tell them what is important to you!   Do you want shallow water entry because you have little kids?  Do you want flat land and easy access because you have elderly family members coming?   The agency will have first hand knowledge of the cottages and will be happy to help you find the perfect fit!


Dean Curtis
Serenity Vacation Rentals

5 cottage country restaurants the locals don’t want you to know about!

These are all personal favourites of our family.  They may not be widely known (and the locals want to keep it that way…), but I definitely recommend you check them out if you are staying at one of our cottages.  Fantastic little spots that will warm your heart and fill your tummy!

1. Orrville Bakery and Barista  
   
   What a great little spot!  A variety of freshly baked bread available daily.  Be warned, they go fast!   Pies, cakes, and treats available too!  They have a fantastic little barista there perfect for lunches either dining in or to take on the go.  They have fantastic home made pizza available on Friday nights as well but you have to order in advance before 5pm.  They are so busy on pizza night they have a limited number of orders they will take!  Be sure to give this place a try – you won’t regret it! 
2. Kate's Kart
   
   I know this isn't technically a restaurant, but I can't have a top 5 list without including it.  Kate's Kart is a food cart which was named one of the "Top 9 Ontario cottage country chip trucks", by Cottage Life.   The food here is incredible!  If you're in Parry Sound and you are feeling a little hungry, be sure to stop by!  Need toppings for your burger or dog?  How about a selection table over 13' long with your choices!  Impossible to walk away from here saying a topping you wanted was unavailable.  They serve a variety of food but speaking from personal experience, If you are a fan of burgers you owe it to yourself to give this place a try.   You will be making up excuses to go into town just to visit Kate's Kart!
3. Bass Lake Roadhouse 
   
   What a great little family restaurant!  Right on beautiful Bass Lake!  The food and service here are fantastic.  TV screens are usually playing some kind of sporting event but not loud to the point where you can't carry on a conversation.  This restaurant can be busy at times especially during the summer evenings, but well worth your effort to enjoy a meal with your family.   Conveniently located closer to central Muskoka, and an excellent choice when heading out for a family meal.
4. Whatta Pizza 
   
   A small family run restaurant with fantastic views of Horseshoe lake from the dining room.  Great food and great people.  There is a variety of food available but of course the signature menu item is the pizza.  Be sure to try the "Garlabons" too....   incredible!
5. Trappers Choice Restaurant
   
   A casual dining restaurant for the whole family.  Lots of space inside the restaurant or enjoy the fresh air on the patio.  There is a great selection of food to choose from as well as a children's menu and desserts.   This is another one of our favourites in the area and one we try not to miss when staying at the Serenity Vacation Rentals cottages!

S   So there is our list of restaurants you much try when staying at our cottages!  The locals already know about these places and now so do you!  Now I'm off for lunch.....all this talk about food and I'm starving!!

To do in Muskoka Ontario - Johnston's Cranberry Farm and Muskoka Lakes Winery!!

We have heard so many good things about Johnston’s Cranberry Farm and we’ve had a number of guests comment on the good times they’ve had there, so we thought it was time we checked it out for ourselves!  

We arrived on a beautiful summer day in early July of 2015.  Four of us went there for the day.  My wife Jackie, my sister and brother-in-law, and myself.    I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy it as I am not a drinker and have never been much of a fan of wine, but I was still curious about the cranberry harvesting.  After receiving feedback on how much our guests enjoyed it, I was looking forward to the day.   Our first stop was into their store and gift shop and my wife’s eyes opened wide!   Right away she was picking out fun gift items for friends and family.  We had a lot of fun just browsing the different items and the large variety of the original wines they had for sale.  

We spoke with the friendly staff and asked what was most popular for tourists when they came to the cranberry farm.  They suggested the guided tour, the wine tasting, and the cheese platter!  We were happy to sign up for all three!

We started with the wine tasting.  A wine server had a number of their wines set up and told everyone a brief summary of how it was made and the appeal that each wine had.  Again I’m not a fan of wine generally speaking but I soon became a fan of their blueberry wine!  To this day we always have a bottle of  Muskoka Lakes winery blueberry wine on hand.  It was a lot of fun trying all of the different bottles of wine!

Next we were off on the guided tour.  We learned the history of the farm and how the company has grown into what it is today.  We learned about their farming of the cranberries and how they are harvested and eventually turned into wine, jams, sauce, and many other products.  It was really interesting to see the large vats where the wine is made.

We finished the day with the cheese platter and a glass of our favorite wine from the wine tasting.  We relaxed in the sun on their patio and enjoyed the fresh air and talked and laughed. 

Over all I had a lot of fun on the day and wouldn’t hesitate to suggest that visitors to the Muskoka area take a tour of Johnston’s Cranberry Farm and Muskoka Lakes winery.  It’s just one of the many fun adventures in Muskoka, Ontario.    If you have been to Johnston’s Cranberry Farm I’d love to see your comments below on your favorite memories from the visit!  Which wine did you like best??

 

Bear Claw Tours

Looking for something fun to do while staying at one of our Muskoka Cottages?  Look no further! For an adventure that you and your family won't forget, try Bear Claw Tours!

So what is Bear Claw Tours? – Well it is a guided ATV tour through 1,000 acres of private trailed beautiful Muskoka land.   Bear Claw is located just 7 kilometres East of Parry Sound which is centrally located for all of the Serenity Vacation Rental Cottages.   We had the opportunity to take the four hour tour with Owner / Operator - Andrew Ryeland in late June of 2015 and all I can say is WOW!

I knew we were in for an adventure right from the opening emails when I asked the ridiculous question “What is your rainy day policy” and is humorous reply was “we don’t charge extra for that”!  We arrived for our private tour and Andrew greeted us and had us begin to prepare for the ride.  Andrew had us go through a large selection of helmets, gloves, rubber boots, and rain coats and pants.  We were then all geared up we were ready for our ride!

There was a large selection of ATV’s to choose from.  Because we had our two youngest with us, we chose two of the side by side ATV’s for my wife and I to take with the younger kids.  Our older son had an ATV to himself.  After a short safety and instructional talk, we were on our way.  Our family had little to no experience on ATV’s, so it was nice that the vehicles were all very easy to learn and ride.  Within a minute we were on the trails!  I was blown away by the terrain we were able to go through.  We were over rocks, tree stumps and fallen trees, streams, mud, and open fields.  Andrew was fantastic for showing us points of interest and pointing out any animal tracks we came across along the way!   There was only a couple of times during the tour where one of us got stuck but Andrew was an expert at quickly getting us back on the trail.  

During the tour we stopped for periodic breaks.  I had to laugh when Andrew offered my wife coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice, or expresso, – and then he opened his storage container on the back of his ATV and he had it all!  The kids had juice and snacks while my wife had a hot coffee!   All of the  snacks and drinks were included in the cost of the tour!  For the entire four hours we were making our way through the bush on the scenic trails, or we were on breaks listening to Andrew tell stories of his adventures, eating snacks, or looking at the beautiful Muskoka scenery and wildlife.   

My family and I had a fantastic time and we can’t wait to go back!   We do have some video footage of the adventure you can click to see.   Thanks for a fantastic time Andrew!  If you are staying at one of the Serenity Vacation Rentals cottages, you have to make a point to visit Andrew and experience the Bear claw ATV tour!   We highly recommend it!

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

While on vacation at one of the Serenity Vacation Rental Cottages, "Birch Grove", We were fortunate enough to have a visit at the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.  What an amazing place and an amazing cause!  The following is the mandate for Aspen Valley taken directly from their website...

To rescue and rehabilitate injured and orphaned native wildlife To provide quality care that avoids habituation to humans and respects each animal’s need for a safe, healthy, species-appropriate environment while in captivity To release animals into the wild in a condition that gives them the best possible chance for survival To provide a permanent home for native species unable to survive in the wild due to human interference To educate the public about issues surrounding wildlife and wildlife interactions with humans To work within the established rules and regulations set out by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Once we read this we knew we had to visit to see the good work they were doing first hand.  The sanctuary was just minutes from Birch Grove cottage and we wanted to go with our family to see the animals and the work they were doing.  Aspen Valley has open houses for the public periodically through the year but as luck would have it, there were no open houses planned the week of our vacation.  We were excited to find out that they will hold private tours for a donation of $50 or more.  

As it was such a good cause, we were excited to donate so that our family of five could come and visit.

We met with staff on a hot humid day in late June and prepared for our tour.  The necessities included bug spray and sun screen as we were walking around the holding pens and rehabilitation areas throughout the spacious 100 acre sanctuary.  We met with Rachel and Marta who would be our personal tour guides.  We walked along the habitats and they explained that most of the animals would be hiding in the shade but we did manage to see a few of the animals.   Most of the animals we saw on the tour were permanent residents as they were either too injured to survive in the wild, or they had become too domesticated.  The goal of Aspen Valley is to get the animals back into the wild whenever possible.  We were able to see porcupines, coyotes, wolves, bears, and foxes on the tour.  During the tour Marta explained that the big part of the volunteers day was spent just feeding baby animals.  Much of the wildlife brought into Aspen Valley are there because there parents had been killed or injured.

Overall we had a fantastic visit at Aspen Valley and we can't wait to go back again.  I hope you will take some time to visit there while staying in Muskoka and why not leave them a donation while you are there.   Enjoying nature is part of a summer vacation and supporting this fantastic cause will only add to the positive memories you and your family have created this summer!

7 must see tourist attractions for 2015!!

We have our family vacation coming up soon both at Birch Grove and Lee Valley. Unfortunately we won't make it to Curtis Cottage this summer but have plans to visit in the Fall and Winter. For this summer, I have made it a goal to hit some of the many tourist attractions in close proximity of the cottages so that I can give honest and first hand reviews and feedback on them for future guests. Is it worth your money? Should you go there or not? Here are the top 7 attractions I plan to visit this summer while at the Serenity Vacation Rentals cottages! - In no particular order...

1. Terry Boyle Ghost Tours
How cool does this sound?? A local expert on the supernatural takes you on a tour of towns in cottage country and points out the areas with a history of ghost sightings and the most haunted areas!! For the summer of 2015 he will be running tours in Gravenhurst every Thursday night from 7pm until approximately 8:30pm. The charge is $13 per person and be sure to bring a camera!
entwood@vianet.ca 705-382-6920 

2. Muskoka Lakes Winery and Johnston’s Cranberries 
I keep hearing amazing things about this place and it seems to be a staple of the Muskoka region. Food and wine tasting, nature and self guided trails, daily "bog to bottle" discovery tour, and kids scavenger hunt are just some of the activities that await!
www.cranberry.ca

3. Bear Claw ATV tours
The name pretty much says it! Can't wait to rent some ATV's and get out on the trails! They offer guided tours and self guided adventures! When I called to book I asked the following question which really showed what a novice I am when it comes to ATV'ing. (What happens if it rains?). I loved his response.....(We don't charge extra for the extra fun you will have during the rain) GOOD POINT! Can't wait!! 
www.bearclawtours.com

4. 30,000 Island Queen Cruise
They offer a 2 hour morning cruise or a 3 hour afternoon cruise touring the beautiful islands of Georgian Bay!
www.islandqueencruise.com

5. Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Our family is very excited to visit here! The Sanctuary's mission is to care for injured and orphaned wildlife, and once they are rehabilitated, to return them to the wild. If the animal cannot be returned to the wild, it is cared for. What a fantastic cause! Open limited hours to preserve the animals' natural habitats as much as possible, this is one of the best places to see and learn about Canadian wild-life such as bears, moose, and raccoons, as well as abandoned exotic animals. Open mid-May to mid-October. 
www.aspenvalley.ca

6. Georgian Bay Airways
Some amazing adventures available here! Sightseeing air tours, Fly and dine, fly-in fishing, and fly and hike just to name a few. for more information on these adventures check out the website below!
www.georgianbayairways.com

7. Bala
One of the many very cool tourist cottage towns! It is considered one of the hubs of cottage country. Its year-round population of several hundred is swamped by thousands of seasonal residents and day-trippers. Known as the Cranberry Capital of Ontario! When in this area you must visit Don's Bakery.


So there is my list of cottage attractions I hope to visit this summer. I will be leaving a full blog post on each one with a review and feedback for our cottage guests to read. Look for future posts here on these tourist destinations and some of the local restaurants! Hmmm......relaxing at the cottage, doing some sight seeing, and getting my fill at some great restaurants....sounds like my kind of work!!

You've been to one of these 7 attractions? I'd love to see any comments you might have on them good or bad! Leave a comment and let me know what you thought of it!!  What attractions did I miss?  Let me know so we can go and check them out!

Check out our website at www.serenity-vacationrentals.com

Rocky Horror Picture Show

RCMPI production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show!

Well Lee Valley is up and running! I am very excited about the response from out guests! We have almost completely booked the summer, most spring weekends are full, and we are now starting to inquiries about our Autumn weekends. Some of my favourite things from Lee Valley are 

1) The Bunkie - A fantastic one bedroom bunkie with kitchen, bathroom, and living room with fold out sofa bed. Amazing views of the lake and a little getaway from the rest of the family if they are getting too noisy! lol. This is a perfect spot for older kids, inlaws, or friends.

2) The Muskoka room and Sunroom - Here we have a screened in area at the back of the cottage for those evenings where you don't want the bugs, but you also don't want to miss out on the cool outside air! The sunroom on the second level is a great spot for reading, listening to music or playing a board game!

3) The land! This is our first cottage on flat land allowing you to easily walk to the water without any steps. The lake is just a few feet away from the cottage which is great for watching the kids play, swim, or just to enjoy the view! Password - Lake Manitouwaba

I'm hope you will get a chance to come and enjoy Lee Valley and I hope you enjoy the presentation of "The Rocky Horror Show"!!

Count down to Lee Valley

I'm super excited about adding our third cottage "Lee Valley" and I'm happy the new owners put their trust in Serenity Vacation Rentals to rent it out for them! There are only few things I can say at this point as the deal closes April 5th, but what I can tell you is that we will have all the information updated here on the website on that day. I'm happy to email any details to anyone who is interested in the meantime! I can highlight some of the features for you though..... A nice sandy beach, flat land close to water (no steps down stairs or walk down a steep hill to get to the water), a separate bunkie with it's own kitchen and bathroom perfect for the in-laws or older kids! 

I can't wait to get in there and take more pictures after we've had a chance to make it a true Serenity Vacations getaway! We will have one month to get it ready before the rentals begin. We will begin renting Lee Valley for May 1st and we've already had some bookings! 

We are meeting with the previous owners this week to learn about some of the operations of the cottage. i'll be sure to keep you updated on the progress!

First blog ever!

I thought it was time we started our very own blog here at Serenity Vacation Rentals! We will have some very exciting news in the next few weeks! We are in the process of adding our third vacation rental property Lee Valley. There is not a lot that we can say at this time other than check back to our website after April 5th for more information!