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© Neil T

Whether you love racing or not, a race day at Chantilly track is an unmissable experience that is unique in Europe on your cottage holiday. Chantilly is located 25 miles north of Paris, and goes from provincial calm to cosmopolitan buzz when the races come to town.

The lovely French holiday cottages in the town are all booked up, and trainers gather at the bistros as tourists from around Europe enjoy the local food at outdoor cafes. Chantilly is about more then racing, though. It is a town that is famous for the sublime Chantilly cream, and fine porcelain with its distinctive and intricate black bobbin lace design. It is also a town with one of the finest chateaux in France, which contains a collection of paintings and manuscripts that are only rivaled by Paris.

© jo-h

Many Finns look forward to visiting their mokki, or summer holiday cottage each year. These cottage holiday are unique in Europe, as they are generally based as far fro m civilization as possible and located beside or in the vicinity of water. A sauna is also an obligatory feature in these cottages, as is a basic outdoor toilet.

The idea of these summer vacations is to get away from the trappings of everyday life and enjoy the Finnish countryside surrounded by the solitude and peace of nature. Yet the mokki vacation tends to bring out the social side of the Finnish people as well, as they often go on these holidays in groups. The sauna in particular is the site for social gatherings which are usually enjoyed in a semi-naked state while chatting over beers and barbeque. The lack of modern appliances in these cottages gives people the chance to practice the rare art of conversation, as well.

© essygie

The Scottish people are known for their warmth and charm, and a dream trip to Europe should include a visit to the romantic holiday cottages of the Scottish countryside. Scots take immense pride in their history and culture, and they love to talk about their famous rivalry with the English. The visual splendor of Scotland's countryside is dazzling, with lush green fields, frolicking lambs, and flowers bursting with color. There are many golfing greens as well ideal for your cottage holiday, and golf fans should not miss a visit to St. Andrews, which is the spiritual home of this elite world sport.

Life in the Scottish countryside moves at a slow pace, with many locals preferring cycling to driving. If you take a walk along the North Sea, you will likely see smartly dressed men practicing their golf swings there. Loch Lomond is a romantic retreat, and the Cameron House cottage located here is sure to leave a lasting impression with it's traditional beauty.