It looks like staying local and traveling close to home is where it’s at for the foreseeable future. Thankfully, there are ways to make a staycation an amazing vacation, no matter where you live.
Whether you’re enjoying a staycation or a nearcation (a vacation close to home) these five tips will help you make the most of your local travel. Here’s how to have a fantastic vacation without traveling far.
Don’t have time to read this now, pin this staycation post for later!
Here are five ways to make a staycation an amazing vacation
1. Enjoy breakfast in bed
I don’t know about you, but one of my absolute favourite things to do while on vacation is wrapping myself in a cozy hotel robe and savouring breakfast in bed. This is easily achievable whether you’re on vacation or not. That’s why it’s number one on my list. You can even do this from the comfort of your own home!
When at home, room service is called Uber Eats 😉 Order your breakfast or brunch straight to your door. If you’re local, check out my post on the best brunches in Vancouver delivered. Cozy up in a fluffy robe
2. Rent or do something fun
When you’re on vacation, what do you usually do? If you love adventure sports, rent yourself an ATV for a couple of hours. Prefer something without a motor and on land? Go horseback riding. If you’re more of a luxury car fan, rent one of those! Perhaps you love zip-lining through forests on vacation – perfect, do that!
Or maybe your idea of fun is meandering through an art exhibit at a museum, then go do that. Do something that you would normally only spend time and money on when you’re on vacation. Make time for that activity during your local travels.
3. Treat yo’ self
This one is personal because everyone has a different version of what a treat is. For me, it’s indulging in a spa day where I lounge at the spa for a couple of hours before getting a massage and then enjoying a hot cup of tea or a glass of bubbly afterwards. When I spend an afternoon at the spa I feel like a new woman. It’s almost as good as coming home from a relaxing vacation.
For you, it might be the same, or something completely different. After all, we tend to act differently on vacation by splurging on purchases or activities we don’t normally do. Think about what an indulgent experience would include for you, and incorporate that into your staycation. It could be something as simple as purchasing a bottle of expensive wine. Or golfing at a PGA course. Or even spending the day shopping and treating yourself to a new outfit.
4. Dine at a ‘touristy’ restaurant
Because you’re not a tourist, you likely don’t often eat at these types of restaurants when you’re close to home. Now is the perfect time to dine at the scenic, revolving restaurant that you would normally only go to with an out-of-town friend. I finally visited the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant and was wowed by the views. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to visit!
Every city has different options, you just have to look. Perhaps you can sail on a sunset dinner cruise. Alternatively, make reservations at the fancy new eatery that just opened up. Order the tasting menu, and add on the wine pairing. One way to make your staycation really feel like a vacation is to treat yourself to luxuries – or touristy activities – normally reserved for a vacation. As a result, you will feel like you’re away on vacation.
5. Stay overnight
Oftentimes when staying close to home we pick somewhere within driving distance for a day trip. If you can swing it, go a bit further and stay overnight. Make it feel like a true vacation by staying somewhere new. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it could even be camping. Think outside of the box.
With travel at an all-time low, there are lots of deals to be had, especially for locals. Now really is the best time to explore your own backyard. My friends and I recently scored a 2 bedroom suite in Whistler for the price of a 1 bedroom. In Whistler! Deals are everywhere, you just have to look. Make your staycation a real vacation by spending the night somewhere new.
Staycations may be trending right now due to a certain pandemic keeping us closer to home than we may like, but they are not a new idea. I have always been a fan of taking a staycation or two every year to maximize the number of trips I am able to take.
If you aren’t yet convinced that staycations can make for amazing vacations, check out my reasons why staycations are the new vacation. You might just decide that local travel isn’t so bad.
I hope I’ve helped you see that staying close to home and having a staycation can be an amazing vacation. If you are struggling to find things to do close to home, do a Google or Trip Advisor search. Always remember that where you live is a destination for others.
If you’re local, check out my post on the best brunches in Vancouver delivered to your door.
Pin this post for future staycation inspiration
