Ever since I was six years old, I've been a fan of the Loch Ness monster. So it was only a matter of time before I visited Scotland--accompanied by my boyfriend, Russ Leonowicz--to search out the vast, inky depths of Loch Ness and try my hand at a "Nessie" sighting. Little did I know I would fall in love with every nook and corner of Scotland along the way.

I've been to Europe many times, but this past June was my first trip to "Nessie"s" homeland. And, as I do wherever I travel, I booked a vacation rental home--two homes, actually, for a week each. I'm an excellent cook, and I look forward to cooking in other countries, trying local ingredients-that's one of the main reasons I rent homes. And I couldn't have been more pleased with my choices in Scotland.