Once in awhile, everyone needs a vacation. But what do you do when you just can’t travel? Sometimes, packing a bag and hopping on a plane – or loading up the car and road-tripping to a new destination – isn’t an option.
I’ll tell you what you do: you plan a staycation. By embracing your favorite aspects of going on vacation and bringing them home, it’s possible to relax and recharge without spending a ton of time, money, or energy traveling somewhere totally new. And while it isn’t a replacement for a real vacation, it’s a great way to break up your routine and have a little fun.
Not sure how to plan the perfect staycation and make it feel more like a vacation? I’ve got you covered. Here are my tips to help you plan a staycation that would rival any vacation:
SET A BUDGET
Knowing how much you are willing to spend – and how much you want to save – is the first step to planning a perfect staycation. Staycations can be cheap if you plan them right, but all it takes is a few splurges and your bank account won’t know the difference between a staycation and a real vacation. Identifying your budget upfront and planning within that will help you make the most of your staycation, and may even enable you to travel like a baller.
MAKE YOUR HOME FEEL LIKE A HOTEL ROOM
Who doesn’t love a good hotel room, especially if you can find a great deal? Elevate your space and make your home feel like it’s someplace special with these tricks:
- Hire a housekeeping service to give your home a total top-to-bottom scrub, giving you that new-hotel-room clean feeling.
- Add a few affordable amenities. Put some fresh flowers in a vase in the living room. Stock your fridge kitchen with your favorite snacks and ingredients for your most-loved meals. Crave the novelty of flipping through all the channels on the hotel TV? Snag a subscription to a new streaming service and see what you can find to entertain yourself!
- Wear that bathrobe! One of the hallmarks of a swanky hotel? A plush bathrobe. Bring this little luxury home by buying one for yourself and lounging around in style.
BREAK YOUR ROUTINE WITH SOME DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES
Even though you’re staying at home, you don’t want it to feel that way.
Depending on what you want to get out of your staycation, your plans might look very different. If you’re craving a few days to relax and recharge, you might schedule a spa treatment at a new spot, book a yoga class, and block time out in your day to read, write, or pursue your favorite creative hobby. Foodies can try new restaurants, sign up for cooking classes, or spend an evening trying tapas at different local bars. If you’re an adventure-minded staycationer, see what activities are available within an hour or so of home – whatever distance you’re comfortable driving. You might be surprised to see how much fun you can have without traveling too far! You may also even be able to knock a few travel bucket list items off that list.
Planning the perfect staycation doesn’t have to be hard! You might be surprised by how much your staycation feels like a real vacation with little care and effort.
