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La Casa Cottage Resort

Jan01

2021 Travel Planning: 4 Things You Need to Know  

Blog, Holiday, La Casa Cottage Resort, Roadtrip, Travel 0 comments

COVID-19 put a damper on travel and recreational plans around the globe. Our wanderlust has to be put on hold while the word began to heal. Near the end of 2020 summer, we saw travel restrictions begin to ease. As the pandemic ebbs and flows, we must play the role of a knowledgeable and conscious global citizen. Now, it’s a new year. What will the 2021 travel landscape look like?   

We want all you travelers to stay safe and stay healthy, so we’ve compiled some things you need to know.   

Solitary Travel is IN—Consider Touring a National Park, Camping, Hiking, or Bird Watching.  

If you are still feeling iffy about being in groups, never fear. There are ways to explore the world while allotting yourself some much needed (2-meter!) space. Camping or touring remote wilderness areas in small groups are just some of the ways that people are keeping travel plans safe. Research what National Parks are close to you to get some ideas. You might also want to try searching for the best hikes in your state or province and seeking them out!   

Keep Abreast of Travel Restrictions and Requirements—Go Above and Beyond in Following Them.   

Before you make any plans, be sure to know the ins and outs of any COVID restrictions in the area. Even if the restrictions are weaker where you’re from, it’s important to respect the community you are visiting and go above and beyond to adhere to their guidelines. Practice good travel hygiene by wearing a mask, carrying hand sanitizer, washing your hands frequently, and keeping a safe distance between your group and others. Better safe than sorry—especially when you are just a visitor in someone else’s home!   

Consider a Vacation Close to Home—Travel Within Your Country, State, or Province.   

If you don’t want to risk international travel right now, try something closer to home. Consider a weekend trip somewhere nearby, maybe a city or camping spot that you have always been meaning to try. There are plenty of places within your own “backyard” that you most likely have yet to visit. Try searching some must-see spots in your province or state and make a plan to check them out this year.   

Remember That Big Hotels May Not Be as Safe as COVID-Safe as Private Rentals.  

When filled to capacity, hotels can be quite a virus hotspot. Not to mention those big corporations tend to cut corners when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting shared spaces. That’s why we recommend private vacation rentals for any 2021 travel plans you may have. La Casa Cottages adheres to the strictest cleanliness standards—and we are available to chat at the venue anytime if you have issues. Find us on Airbnb or on the La Casa Cottage Resort website for a list of available vacation rentals.  

Conclusion   

We won’t know for sure what 2021 travel will look like. We might see travel restrictions ease and tighten as things change. Plan to be a respectful and conscious traveler this year. It’s going to take all of us working together to keep our towns and cities happy and healthy.

Picture spots kelowna
Nov20

Picture Perfect Spots for a #Winterwonderland Photo in Kelowna

Blog, Holiday, Kelowna, La Casa Cottage Resort, Travel 0 comments

Freshly fallen snow makes for a perfect photo backdrop to any Instagram or photo album contender. Kelowna boasts stunning parks and nature sites that stand out even when covered in frost. Here are some picture-perfect Kelowna photo spots for you to snap the perfect shot.

  1. Knox Mountain

This is Kelowna’s largest natural area park, meaning that you can hike around and find the absolute best scenery to get the perfect shot. Search the hashtag #KnoxMountainKelowna on Instagram to get some ideas!

  1. Mission Hill Winery

Open year-round, Mission Hill Winery offers a ton of great spaces for photo opportunities even in the wintertime. Check out the courtyard, terrace, barrel cellars, or their grand entryway of curved arches held together by a single Keystone.

  1. Waterfront Park

There are plenty of places along Waterfront to stop and take a picture with the choppy winter waves of the lake in the background. You won’t want to swim when it gets this chilly out but that doesn’t mean the sand and surf won’t work for a photo op.

  1. Chichester Wetland Park in Rutland

This gem is a local treasure that not many tourists catch on to. In the summer, it’s a flourishing wetland packed with important wildlife. In the winter, you’ll find icicle-decorated trees and frosted ponds galore.

  1. City Marina

Pose in front of rows of boats moored for the winter with zigzagging docks laced with frost. Not only is it a photogenic spot, but it really captures the beach bum vibe of the city. Walk around the area and you’ll find plenty of statues and landmarks that also make great Kelowna photo ops (yes—including the iconic Ogopogo statue!).

  1. La Casa Mirador Guest House

Our vacation properties boast cozy kitchens, dreamy reading nooks, and lakefront views. If you stay with us, you will have many photo-ready opportunities to capture the magic of your vacation in the Okanagan. The La Casa Mirador guest house has room for the whole family, so ask us about planning group trips or events.

Need help picking where you want to stay when you visit the Okanagan? Reach out to us and we can set up your whole party in our luxury guest house.

Vacation Home Pros
Sep25

Vacation Home Rentals VS Traditional Hotels: Which to Choose?

Blog, British Columbia, La Casa Cottage Resort, The Okanagan 0 comments

Thanks to services like Airbnb, travellers everywhere are rethinking vacation accommodations in a big way. Traditional hotels are fine and are certainly reliable but they have many downsides, too. Vacation home rentals offer a more personal, community-based travel experience that can really add a lot to a vacation or trip.

Let’s take a look at why traditional hotels and motels aren’t keeping up with the times.

The Cons of Staying in a Hotel

So why are modern travellers turning away from common hotel brands? There are a few reasons.

  • Hotels are the Same Around the World. A branded hotel looks pretty much the same from city to city and sometimes even country to country. That means you might be missing out on unique aspects of that culture or community!
  • Hotels are Bad for the Environment. From over-washing sheets and towels to maintaining huge amounts of empty rooms during downtimes, hotels can have quite a negative impact on the environment. In fact, they produce up to 60 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. Yikes! They tend to use a lot of power and water, much more than is needed to sustain a private vacation rental home or cottage.
  • Hotels are Crowded. Vacationing usually means you are looking for some rest and relaxation. But with a packed hotel, you never know what kind of neighbours you are going to get. With other patrons above, below, and on either side of you, you might be exposed to all sorts of racket.

Why we Recommend Vacation Homes

Taking up in a rental home instead of a traditional hotel gets you closer to the community you are visiting, gives you more peace and privacy, and often comes with personable perks that hotel chains don’t offer.

  • Supporting local businesses. Many rental properties (like ours!) are owned and maintained by residents of the province or city itself. That means your money is going right into the hands of long-standing community members, rather than CEOs somewhere oversees.
  • A personal touch. Vacation homes tend to be less stuffy and corporate-feeling, so you can feel right at home asking for recommendations of what to do or reaching out directly to a property manager if you have any concerns.
  • Budget travel. Vacation properties come in all shapes and sizes so you are sure to find something that fits your requirements and budget. You can shop around until you find something that fits your budget perfectly before committing to anything.
  • Last minute travel deals. Vacation rentals often have special deals for any open spaces available on a last-minute notice. For example, you can join our newsletter to be notified about special deals as they arise.

What do you think? Have we convinced you to give up stuffy hotels and try out a unique vacation home bursting with personality? Contact us to see what we have to offer, whether you are booking a quaint overnight stay or a big seasonal bash.

BC music
Sep11

All B.C. Artists: We have the perfect travel playlist for you

Blog, British Columbia, Kelowna, La Casa Cottage Resort 0 comments

Are you coming to stay in one of our Okanagan vacation homes? Need some music for the trip? Travel can be a bit of a drag, particularly if you are stuck in a car or airplane for a long time. We made a special playlist for you that features all B.C. artists so that you can get in the mood for your stay here!

Not only will a solid playlist make time pass (or accent any good times you are already having during your vacation) but audio is a great memory device. What does this mean? Playing these songs after your trip is over will, hopefully, remind you of how much fun you had.

(Note that not all of these songs may be suitable for children.)

Let us know what you think.

The Best B.C. Artists Playlist

  1. “You’re Too Cool” by The Zolas
  2. “The Party Rages On” by Zumpano
  3. “Misunderstanding” by The Grapes of Wrath
  4. “Funny World” by Mae More
  5. “Of Mice and Men” by John Mann
  6. “These Lines” by Shari Ulrish
  7. “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams
  8. “Oblivion” by Grimes
  9. “Haven’t Met You Yet” by Michael Bublé
  10. “Força” by Nelly Furtado
  11. “Weapon” by Matthew Good Band
  12. “Home” by Joshua Hyslop
  13. “Run Away With Me” by Carly Rae Jepsen
  14. “I Love Myself Today” by Bif Naked
  15. “Seventh Wave” by Devin Townsend
  16. “Bit By Bit” by Mother Mother
  17. “Capable” by KO

To download the whole playlist on Spotify, use: BC’s Best.

Feel free to add anything else you can think of. After all, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything” (according to Plato).

Need some help planning your trip—specifically, where to stay once you are in B.C.? We have a range of vacation homes that we cordially invite you to try out. Contact us for more details and be sure to sign up for our newsletter so that you can watch for special deals.

Travel well!

BC Wines
Aug28

The Best B.C. Wine and Why We Love Them

Blog, British Columbia, Kelowna, La Casa Cottage Resort, The Okanagan 0 comments

Be sure to check out the expansive local vineyards if you are planning to travel B.C. this summer. Not only are they stunning to behold but they produce delicious B.C. wine of every flavor and variety. Any vacation trip to B.C. would do well with some samples from the local wineries. Many visitors arrange wine tours during their stay. (Ask us if you are staying with us and in need of recommendations!)

In honour of all the great B.C. wineries and orchards, here are just a few of our favorite B.C. wines:

  1. Quail’s Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay | Okanagan Valley, BC

This tropical and balanced wine pairs well with any pork-centric meal. It won a bronze medal in the 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition, among other notable achievements. This Chardonnay is refreshing, golden, and smooth with a fruity essence.

  1. Painted Rock Estate Red Icon, Bordeaux Blend | Okanagan Valley, BC

A red Bordeaux blend usually has Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc in it. Bold and structured, this wine pairs well with beef and/or venison meals. Red Bordeaux are often compared to fruits like plum and blackcurrant because of their dark colour and rich flavour.

  1. Painted Rock Estate Syrah | Okanagan Valley, BC

Syrah is a dark-skinned red wine grape known for floral flavors in its youth and more peppery flavors as it ages. Because of this, it pairs well with BBQ (think: spareribs and grilled veggies), braised beef, and aged hard cheeses. Fun fact: It’s only called “Shiraz” if it’s from Australia.

  1. Laughing Stock Vineyards ‘Portfolio’ Red, Bordeaux Blend | Okanagan Valley, BC

Laughing Stock Vineyards is located in the beachy city of Penticton, B.C. This red pairs well with heavy, fatty, and spicier steaks and lamb. We’re sensing a theme here. Routinely wins top accolades from wine competitions and wine critics alike: a proven chart-topper.

  1. Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Riesling Icewine | Okanagan Valley, BC

An ultra-sweet icewine with tons of tropical fruit flavours, like citrus and apricot. Don’t worry, citrus-infused acidity keeps it balanced. It will pair perfectly with berry-centric desserts so be sure to stick around for an after-dinner snack.

We hope this guide will help you sample the best B.C. wine. If you in the area visiting and need a cozy vacation rental, be sure to contact us. Our staff would be happy to help you find the right fit.