This is a rustic cottage with old world charm. There are 2 fireplaces,. The home sits on a hill overlooking a lake. The lake can be accessed from the back yard. - Pet free - Earth friendly cleaning products - Private beach & park access - Easy access to city center & university - One hour from downtown Chicago - National Lakeshore and Dunes State Park nearby - Local breweries & award winning restaurants - Biking & hiking trails near by - Wood fire places to enjoy in cold weather only The space The cottage is in a very eclectic neighborhood and historically rich area. The cottage culture goes back over 100 years. When we remodeled this cottage we tried to capture the beauty of the area as well as our memories from living in Spain. We have a wood burning fireplace and eastern European masonry heater/pizza oven (wood provided) which can be enjoy during cold weather only. Your stay includes the private beach membership and the use of our canoe and row boats. Enjoy an evening at the fire pit down near the channel (we provide bug spray). The location is splendid. We are 10 minutes from downtown Valparaiso, 25 minutes from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park, South Shore commuter train, and about an hour from downtown Chicago. Downtown Valparaiso offers many award winning restaurants as well as breweries, a meaderie, and a winery/cidery. You´ll find many options for outdoor dining in the warmer months. There is always something going on in Central Park Plaza. The warmer months feature farmer´s market, concerts, movies in the park, and festivals. If you´re visiting in the winter, you can enjoy ice skating at Central Park. Guest access Guests have full access to the entire cottage. There is off street parking in the driveway to the right of the cottage and directly in front. Other things to note The area is quiet and beautiful. As we remodeled this house we tried to capture the beauty of the area and our memories from living in Spain. As with any old house, it has its quirks - we prefer to call it charm.