For most Canadians, an isolated cottage in the woods along side a quiet, mirrored lake, fulfills our need for a good vacation. Overseas, our vacations most often start in hotels located in the center of cities and towns where we eagerly seek out our hotel rooms after a busy day of sightseeing and shopping. Now imagine having the comforts of a luxurious hotel as well as the golden silence of the wooded cottage. We found such a place, nestled in Haute Garonne, in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France. And to make it even more amazing, that comfort and purity was shared with 17 other friends. Our haven was Residence La Guiraude, located near the tiny village of Beauteville, about halfway between Toulouse and the medieval town of Carcassone, Don't get me wrong, there is no room service in La Guiraude (www.guiraude.com) unless your spouse or friend is prepared to wait on you. There are, however, two fully equipped, modern kitchens located in each of the two houses which make up the residence. There is also a beautiful swimming pool bathrooms in each of the rooms, a vast and spacious great room, game room, a simply gorgeous patio upon which to dine and sip your dinner wine. And again, 19 of us lived in utter comfort during the time we spent there. The morning sunrises were glorious, the sunsets hypnotizing. I hadn't seen the Milky Way in decades, yet at The...For most Canadians, an isolated cottage in the woods along side a quiet, mirrored lake, fulfills our need for a good vacation. Overseas, our vacations most often start in hotels located in the center of cities and towns where we eagerly seek out our hotel rooms after a busy day of sightseeing and shopping. Now imagine having the comforts of a luxurious hotel as well as the golden silence of the wooded cottage. We found such a place, nestled in Haute Garonne, in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France. And to make it even more amazing, that comfort and purity was shared with 17 other friends. Our haven was Residence La Guiraude, located near the tiny village of Beauteville, about halfway between Toulouse and the medieval town of Carcassone, Don't get me wrong, there is no room service in La Guiraude (www.guiraude.com) unless your spouse or friend is prepared to wait on you. There are, however, two fully equipped, modern kitchens located in each of the two houses which make up the residence. There is also a beautiful swimming pool bathrooms in each of the rooms, a vast and spacious great room, game room, a simply gorgeous patio upon which to dine and sip your dinner wine. And again, 19 of us lived in utter comfort during the time we spent there. The morning sunrises were glorious, the sunsets hypnotizing. I hadn't seen the Milky Way in decades, yet at The Guiraude, I stared for hours at the incredible density of stars in the night heavens for hours. This was truly a sanctuary for heart and mind.More