There was a six-year period in my life when all I wanted to do was travel as widely as I could. The further and more different the place was from my home city, the better. I prioritized beaches, exotic food, a vibrant nightlife and meeting new people high on the list of what I would consider a successful vacation. I saved up for a few months and then spent it on airfare, hotels, eating out every day of the trip and a dedicated wardrobe for the getaway.
But with the pandemic came the opportunity (or necessity) to get creative with how I could get a change of scene from the four walls of my house. As we all know, entering any public establishment was prohibited in the first year. But as restrictions gradually relaxed, some of the options and freedoms returned. The months of Zoom calls and nonstop screens had given me major burnout, and I needed a break. Since I couldn’t get on any planes to any of my bucket list places from before the pandemic, I thought about what to do for fun and spontaneity instead.
Below are eight ideas for planning a fun staycation without overspending, adhering to any airport/flight times, and much less dread for your eventual return to work.
EIGHT STAYCATION IDEAS
A few days at your favourite hotel in your city.
From my travels through the internet, I’ve noticed that many well-respected hotels are offering deals for a few nights in their hotels. This strategy encourages people to slowly build confidence in the hospitality industry again, get out of their homes, and stimulate business after the pandemic.
Booking a few nights at your favourite hotel in your favourite part of town can give you a fresh and new experience without spending as much as you typically would on a destination further away. Order room service, get a massage, relax at the hotel pool, and feel brand new.
Road trips.
Road trips are incredibly spontaneous and fun. You can stop and go as you please and see whatever extra sights you didn’t plan for along the way. You can bring your pets and make it a family experience where no one gets left behind.
Ordering in every meal and making new cocktails.
One of my favourite parts of taking a trip to a new place is the food. So why not just replicate the experience at home by sampling new menus of the restaurants in your city? This way, you are shopping local and having a unique culinary experience all at once. Give yourself a few nights out of the kitchen entirely, indulge in-home delivery from your standard faves, or try the new hot spots in town.
To enhance the experience (and if you have mixologist tendencies), you can create new cocktail recipes to go with the meals. You could even try experimenting with specialty coffees and other non-alcoholic beverages as well.
Picnics.
Summer is nearly upon us! With that comes picnics at the beach, the park, your backyard, a friend’s backyard, or anywhere else you can find a patch of grass and a blanket. Picnics are inexpensive, you can bring your pets and get your required dose of fresh air. Not to mention taking along any food your heart desires with no time limit on when it has to end.
Spa days.
Nothing says self-care like time spent at the spa. Facials, manicures, pedicures, massages, weird but effective body wraps.. I’ll take it all! You can do it alone, with your partner, your mom, or a friend. Add some champagne if you so desire for some added excitement.
Supporting spa and personal grooming services would also be another way of supporting local businesses after the pandemic.
No work, just hobbies.
If you are the handy and creative type and enjoy crafts, you can use your time off to try DIY projects. No matter what your niche may be – writing, painting, music, interior design, cooking – do nothing but those for the duration of your time off from work. Working on your favourite activities creates Flow. . Flow is defined as being “in the zone,” the mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in energized focus and enjoyment.
Engaging inflow is vital to increase happiness, higher intrinsic motivation, better emotional regulation and other positive effects.
Double dates with friends.
Partnering up with your favourite couple friends for double dates is one of the most fun experiences you can have. You can have dinner nights, go to a movie, go on hikes, walk your dogs together, or take a couples’ road trip to a nearby destination. Everything you do feels like a little party for four.
Volunteering.
If you enjoy engaging with your community, you can use your staycation time to volunteer at the establishment of your choice. Dog shelters, seniors’ homes, and recreation centres are examples of where you can spend time giving back to the city that you call home. You can make a difference, meet new people, learn new skills and have fun!
Even with international travel returning, I find myself not quite ready to hop on a plane. So I might stick with the staycation option for the foreseeable future. Sometimes saving money, time, and energy feel too good.
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