You walk through the front door, and you find yourself transported into a seemingly new world. The deafening sounds of jackhammers, honking horns, traffic officers' whistles, and shouting voices that try to rise above the other noises have been replaced by the melodious tune of a happy songbird. Road signs, paved roads, metallic vehicles, angular skyscrapers - all these symbols of the concrete jungle have been replaced by lush green grass; creatures that freely walk, crawl, or hop around; and trees heavy with ripe, sweet-smelling apples. Gone is the heavy, hot, and smelly city air that seems to press down on you like vise. You breathe in deeply, filling your lungs with the fresh oxygen produced by the green world around you. You feel strong, vibrant, and healthy; and why shouldn't you? Even the most hardcore urbanites around the world can appreciate a getaway to a small house in the country. Cottages in Cornwall allow you to enjoy the great outdoors without missing the conveniences of the great indoors.

Cottage Country

Today, many people are simply crazy about cottages. These structures are less rustic than tents, which are prone to collapsing and depriving you of a good night's sleep. On the other hand, cottages are also small and simple enough to make your stay more down-to-earth compared to towering hotels. It is fairly easy to find cottages in Cornwall, but where did "cottage" come from? The term originated from the Middle Ages, referring to places that housed farmers and their families. These cotters were servants who had all the rights of citizens, but were still subjects of a lord. Therefore, the first cottages were larger than tinier homes of common peasants. In fact, cottages may have referred not only to a home, but also a barn and some land.

If you visit England, chickens and cows will probably not be accompanying you, so a barn will be unnecessary. However, cottages in Cornwall can still provide you with comfy accommodations that most people during the Middle Ages would never even have imagined possible.

From the Middle Ages to the Middle East

While cottages in Cornwall are renowned the whole world over for their rustic charm, they are by no means rare. In fact, the cottages in Cornwall represent a worldwide phenomenon, as the cottage has spread throughout the world. Whether in regions such as the Americas, Europe, Africa, Australia, or the South Pacific, cottages around the world have their own local flavor.

* A traditional cottage in Finland is constructed with logs and is located alongside waterways. As of 2005, there are almost half a million cottages in Finland!

* Canadian cottages are usually situated nearby lakes or the ocean, where hiking, fishing, and sailing are often enjoyed.

* Hong Kong cottages are typically brick buildings with three floors. They often include balconies and an open roof for dining.

Mother Nature Meets the Mother of Invention

While cottages exist around the world, one should definitely experience British cottages which are believed to be the first of its kind. Cottages in Cornwall represent the best that the country has to offer. There is nothing corny about Cornwall cottages! Located in Southwest England, the peninsula of Cornwall boasts of a temperate, moist climate with rich river valleys and a southern coast ideal for subtropical plants. Surrounded by Mother Nature, yet proving that necessity is the mother of invention, these lodgings offer the best of rural and urban worlds. So, even if you stay at the cottages in Cornwall, enjoying the solitude of nature while doing laps in an outdoor heated swimming pool will not be a problem at all!