You should run away from the city! Well, at least for the weekend. I guarantee you will not regret it. For me, the weekend bungalow getaway was the best holiday decision I took this year.
We have been planning a nature holiday for some time now. But could not decide where to go or what to do. I personally had enough with the hotel holidays we had lately, and was looking for something more exciting and refreshing.
And here comes the opportunity!
A friend of mine has a bungalow house up on the hills, and it is only a few hours away from the city we live in. He and his wife invited us a few times in the past, but we never had the chance before. Now that the summer is almost over, we decided to give it a shot.
I did not know what to expect first. There was no doubt that this was going to be a different holiday. It is extremely tempting to be away from the crowd and the corrupt city life yet with all the convenience of a regular house. I call it safe and luxurious camping that is way better than glamping.
What to cook on a bungalow vacation?
I suggest you aim for easy recipes. It is not a good idea to spend too much time preparing food. Instead, you would be better off enjoying the marvelous outdoors. But we all get so hungry, especially when we burn extra calories walking outdoors. So, somebody has to cook, right?

Dessert
A quick guide would be to focus on the local food. The rule is to take advantage of the fruits and vegetables in your backyard. Never miss the opportunity to bake a pie with the fresh fruits available around your camping place. There was an apple garden right next to our bungalow. We picked them up from the trees and started to consume them right away. The next day, it was time to bake a delicious apple pie with them.
Breakfast
Since we all love Mediterranean food so much, we prepared a fast breakfast with lots of cheese and olives. Jams and marmalades were next, along with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. I brought several of the homemade bread that I prepared with a sourdough starter. They were half-baked. We baked them in the wood-fired barbecue in the backyard, and they all turned out extremely tasty. It was as if we bought them from an imaginary Artisan bakery in the backyard.
Lunch and Dinner
First thing first: everyone enjoys a tasty barbecue. Whenever people gather around in a camping area, setting up a fire is the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind. We ended up cooking more than we could eat at dinner. However, that’s a great way to make sandwiches for lunch the very next day.
Here is what we grilled for dinner; all-spiced up lemon chicken breasts and grilled vinaigrette tomatoes as sides.

Snacks
I think everyone knows that it is almost mandatory to roast marshmallows whenever there is a campfire. All you need is a few skewers and a few packs of quality marshmallows. Stick them up on the skewers and let them melt on the fire.
How to prepare for a bungalow weekend getaway?
Whether it is a camping, glamping, cabin, or a bungalow trip—you need to prepare yourself wisely when going off the grid. It is rule number one and the only way to have a carefree vacation. In our case, we still had to bring in the vital survival stuff even though we would stay in a bungalow house. In the end, it is just us, trees, birds, and the wolves—strangely, I do love how they howl. Thank God that there were no bears around their location. I suggest you always prepare for the worst scenario to be safe and happy. Just pay attention to the following list and your holiday should be all fun.
Proper Clothing
Check the weather before you leave and pack accordingly. Remember, even if it is summertime, the weather can be devastating on top of a mountain during the nighttime. Always take spares if you are like me. I tend to destroy my clothes around campfires without any particular reason. Make sure you protect yourself both from the sun and rain. Also, choose your shoes wisely.
Map
Learn the area and get a map even before you start packing. I am talking about the old-style, paper version, not google maps. There is no guarantee that you will have electricity 24/7. Besides, your cellular phone might not help even if you bring a power bank or other charger. Wait till Elon Musk puts his Starlink satellites all around the globe, which is not that long. Until then, you might have trouble finding your way when there is no internet or electricity.
First Aid Kit
Bring in your First Aid Kit and any medications (prescriptions) you take regularly. I never leave out my Advil since I cannot stand against any kind of headaches. Additionally, I suggest you also pack sunscreen and bug spray.
Last but not least, don’t forget the snacks and the marshmallow for the campfire.
Benefits of bungalow runaway weekend
The second I stepped out of the car; I just fell in love with the hilly landscape. It is like you put on wings and flew away to dreamland. I did not know that I would turn into such a bungalow fan. Having a cabin in the woods might be one of the best gifts you can ever give to yourself.

Spacious
Who does not love wide open spaces? You can sit and watch the landscape for hours if you like. Take advantage of the scenery to bond with nature.
Healthy
Fresh air, fresh water, and in our case; fresh apples!
Relaxing
It is easy to forget about all your troubles and concentrate on the moment. Just use all your meditational powers and let your soul enjoy the moment.
Freedom
It is usually you and nature, a perfect match. Do whatever you feel is right and be easy on yourself. Don’t let anyone or anything else intrude except your clothes.
Family Connection
We are all too busy with our everyday lives and hardly have time for long talks. Trust me; in a place like this, you will have plenty of time to chat with each other. It is also a great environment to catch up with old friends.
What if I don’t have a bungalow?
If you do not own a bungalow and are planning to rent one for the weekend, then you are in luck. There are literally countless options almost in every city around the globe. Most come with fully equipped kitchens and are very cozy. Plus, you can have all the convenience of your own home at your disposal, from Wi-Fi to washer and dryers. Some even include a sauna. I suggest you pick one in a rural area with lots of green in the surroundings. the Even better you get complete serenity.
What to do when you are on a cabin holiday?
There is so much to do when you are in a cabin or bungalow away from the city. However, you must concentrate on the ones that benefit your health most. Consider some of the activities below and try to select the ones that you love the most.
Take long walks and breathe the fresh air
Take every chance to walk and make sure you stay away from any vehicle (including yours). Give your lungs a break and let them relax and rejuvenate.
Meditate as often as you can
If you like meditation then you are in luck. There is no better place than a mountain top for that matter. Keep in mind that you are really close to heavens! It is time for enlightenment. Sit on the ground or choose a rock and get comfortable before you stretch every inch of your body.
Count the stars during night
All campers know that the more you get away from the city lights more stars you will see. Get your loved ones around and count their stars along with your favorite drink. And if your favorite is similar to mine, then you might have to recount them a few times.
Roast marshmallows
Set those marshmallows on fire! Start your campfire and put the marshmallows on skewer sticks. Wood, charcoal, or gas fire is fine. I use both bamboo and metal skewers, whichever I can put my hands on.
Lessons I have learned when traveling with my family:
- Plan and pack wisely for everyone’s safety.
- Enjoy outdoors to the fullest.
- Bring headphones if you have kids.
- Bring books and choose them properly.
- Don’t talk too much.
Why should you prefer a mountaintop bungalow?
It will probably offer you the freshest air you can ever breathe. Plus, most mountaintop bungalows usually have fresh water close by that runs from the hills. The scenery is magical. I believe it is a great opportunity to regenerate yourself.
What are the characteristics of a bungalow?
Bungalows are mainly built to accommodate small families. They are practical solutions that provide you basic features. Even better, nowadays they come with open kitchens, freezers, washers, and dryers, etc. Consider it as a small version of a typical cottage-type home. Generally, most bungalows have open-floor plans, a loft bedroom, extra-large windows, and a sloped roof. In other words, they look so cute!
In Conclusion
Spending the weekend in a cabin or bungalow away from the city can be one of the most joyful and healthiest vacations you have had in a while. I believe it can help to clear your mind like no other place. We all deserve to take a break, and a bungalow weekend getaway is probably the best choice for that reason. I certainly will do it again soon!