There's nothing like a countryside getaway to help you unwind, and one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new locale is to explore the local cuisines. Charming cottage rentals often open the door to unique culinary experiences filled with local flavors and firmly rooted in generations of tradition. From fresh organic farm-to-table meals to coveted cooking lessons with acclaimed local chefs, a stay in a countryside cottage can be the perfect opportunity to indulge your gastronomic senses.

First of all, urban life hardly ever affords us the experience of freshly harvested produce and products. However, countryside getaways often put us right next to sources of fresh and sometimes organic produce. Many cottage rentals encourage guests to visit local farms or even have their own where you can feast your eyes on a wide array of colorful, healthy and always fresh produce. Enjoy preparing meals with ingredients like sun-ripened tomatoes, crisp apples, or farm-fresh eggs, and revel in the taste of food as it should be. Some cottage rentals go a step further and offer services for a local chef to prepare meals for you, offering an exclusive ‘farm-to-table’ dining experience.

Countryside getaways also allow you to indulge in local specialties that are unique to