Dream Vacation Homes — Our Ultimate Foreign Hideaway Fantasies

Real Estate has been on the brain again of late. Somehow, almost daily, it seems to come into the office conversation. I just closed on a condo and will be moving from my edgier current neighborhood to the slightly more gentrified Lower Greenville. Editor-in-chief Christina Geyer is considering a move down the street to some new apartments in her current locale.

Senior editor Lisa Collins Shaddock is continually playing around on Zillow and other real estate websites fantasizing about finding her dream home. I guess you could say we all indulge in a bit of real estate porn from time to time. In fact, we all chose our favorite house(s) on the market for an earlier PaperCity Dallas Now Hear This office question.

With the final stretch of summer here, many of us still have vacations on the mind. Back this spring, that was a topic of a Now Hear This — where we were dreaming of escaping to for a quick weekend or longer trip away?

So, since your PaperCity Dallas team is still in a vacation mode frame of mind, I thought why not combine real estate with that idea? Hence this week’s office question: Where would you dream of owning a vacation home/hideaway (outside of the United States — let’s make this a truly indulgent fantasy)?

Christina Geyer, Dallas Editor-in-Chief

My ultimate dream is to refurbish a small house on a large piece of land in the rural countryside of southern France. This has been my goal since I was a child watching the classic Meg Ryan film French Kiss and then blossomed further when I was a student studying abroad in the south of France. 

It doesn’t need to be pretentious: I will settle for a small stone cottage surrounded by fields of lavender, sunflowers — and maybe a small vineyard. My only requirement is that it is far enough away from civilization to not see houses or cars in the distance — but still close enough to town so I can pop in to buy local cheeses, bread and other groceries. 

In this fantasy, I don’t have a television — and only use the Internet for emergencies and to loosely stay in touch with family and friends. I will read books all day long. Sometimes I’ll paint. I’ll tend to the garden — and perhaps keep chickens and a few other farm animals. It will be grand.

Lisa Collins Shaddock, Senior Editor

Pasta and wine make me happier than pretty much anything, followed closely by olive oil and cheese. Actually, the order of that list is debatable. Regardless, a picturesque villa in Italy would be the ideal second home for me — preferably one filled with elegant antiques, a gourmet kitchen, and a palatial veranda from which to enjoy the views and candlelit dinners.

Billy Fong, Culture and Style Editor

So many places I would name for a home away from home. First off, I’m not a beachy person so that takes a lot of places off the list like Mexico, Bali, or Bermuda. I do love the water, but more so in a chic, wearing blazers on a mountainside sort of way.

I truly enjoyed my time in Ireland last summer and might be inclined to have a little house on some craggy cliffs. However, if going full-on glamor I would say Lake Como. I would envision life being taken right from the pages of both US Weekly and Architectural Digest. Kinda a crazy mash-up, right?

I could see Amal and George Clooney strolling down the street when I go pick-up my morning coffee and a decadent pastry. And then, out of the corner of another eye catch a glimpse of Miley Cyrus doing the walk of shame with a big hat and sunglasses after an evening at a new girlfriend’s home (now that she has fully embraced her pansexual lifestyle).

Megan Ziots, Dallas Digital Reporter

I really want to go hide away in Ireland for a bit. I’d visit Dublin, explore some castles, and then take a trip over to Galway. I’d spend a lot of time pub hopping and strolling the cobbled streets. I’d also have to hit the Guinness Storehouse as part of my goal to try every brewery in the world. Then as a day trip from Galway, I’d stop at the Cliffs of Moher, pretend I’m in The Princess Bride and take a few pics for the ‘gram.

I’d want to go sometime when it’s cold so we could bundle up and sit by the fire in an old cottage each night. That sounds nice.

Samantha Oguin, Sales Account Director and Director of Business Development, Dallas

Owning a home outside of the U.S. sounds like it would mean a lot of time coordinating maintenance. I’m more of a hotel girl (the fewer responsibilities the better when I am vacationing). Unless I guess you have a fabulous property manager. So for this, we will pretend like I do and if I did, I’d own a penthouse in Singapore.

Crazy Rich Asians certainly makes it look like a city full of adventure. And adventure always keeps things spicy.

Linda Kenney, Account Executive

“All aboard the Carib Cannibal, off to Barbados just for the ride,” is one of my favorite lines from the Steely Dan song, “Glamor Profession.” Barbados is also the place I would most like a vacation hideaway.

The ocean shimmers in unique cerulean; the water is warm and oh-so-relaxing.  Swimming and body surfing are preparation for an afternoon nap. Then it’s on to afternoon tea, a nod to Barbados’ British heritage.

Dinner consists of Bajan food such as flying fish and later, perhaps a stroll along the beach. Sleeping by the ocean is naturally relaxing, no need for anything else for a good night’s sleep.

A tiny little beach cottage, a swimsuit, and flip flops are de rigueur and all one needs to while away the hours on this beautiful island.

Maggie Wilson, Events and Partnerships Manager

There are so many places I’d love to have a vacation hideaway. However, if I had to choose just one place I would pick the English countryside. I picture myself hiding away in a quaint British town like the ones in Jane Austen’s novels or out of the movie, The Holiday.

I would love to hole up in a little cottage and cook, catch up on reading and watch movies all day long.

If you ever have something you want our team to address, shoot us your thoughts via social media or email (@papercitydallas on Instagram; facebook.com/papercitymagdallas on Facebook; or yours truly, billy@papercitymag.com). Or, better yet send a message to the office, handwritten on the Smythson stationery of your choice — and feel free to include a bottle of Veuve. Champagne really helps get the ideas flowing.

Look for the next installment of “Now Hear This” from Billy Fong soon. Also, check out our Instagram Stories that accompany each feature with more witty insights on the topic of the week from your PaperCity Dallas team.