How to be the perfect cottage guest -- and get invited back Leaving the busy city for the laidback country is a wonderful ritual. If you don't have a cottage of your own, you may ask friends if you can visit, or even borrow their cabin for a time. Before heading out, know what you can do to be an excellent guest and make the trip enjoyable for all. Dress appropriately Rather than have your hosts rummage through their home for extra fleece jackets or make a 30-minute -- or longer -- trip to town for a particular brand of suntan lotion, be prepared for the weather, the bugs and the area you're visiting. "It's amazing how many people forget to bring hats," says Penny Caldwell, editor of Cottage Life magazine and a cottager on Georgian Bay, about two hours north of Toronto. If you require special sunscreen or insect repellent (like kids' versions) bring it with you, and if the temperature tends to plummet at night, pack extra clothing you can layer. Sleep well Some cottagers host guest after guest, leaving bedding and bath linens in short supply; so pack your own sheets, sleeping bags, pillows and towels. "There seems to be endless laundry at this time of year," says Betty Fridell, who owns a cottage in the Laurentians, an hour north of Montreal. "So what I really appreciate is during swim season, if people bring their own beach towels." Serve it up If you're planning on staying for