Hi everyone and Welcome back to the Travel Section of The Code of Style Magazine, and I’m delighted to share with you this post about “How to have a great Staycation”, by our Contributing Columnist, Susan Stephens.
I’m Julia (Instagram: @julia.rees_), Senior Travel and Style Editor for The Code of Style. I hope you enjoy this topical article about staycations and I’ll be back to share some more travel inspiration with you again soon!
So, read on to find out more about “How to have a great Staycation” from Sue.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a dreamer. Of going to faraway lands, and having so much fun planning an upcoming trip.
So, when situations arise where we need to keep close to home, the “staycation” is the natural choice. With stay-at-home orders still in place in many areas of the world, never has the concept of the staycation been more relevant and widely accepted. This has encouraged me to dream about my own backyard, and how I can turn it into a magical trip.
When travel is just not in the cards, a staycation is the ultimate solution.
What Exactly IS a Staycation?
You’ve no doubt heard the term, but have you actually done a staycation?
Put simply, a staycation is where you have a relaxing holiday, just as you would on any trip, only you are staying within the immediate area in which you live. There are no long road trips, or getting on a plane, train, or boat. No expensive tours. This saves you a lot of money!
You’d be surprised at all of the wonderful things you can experience, right in your own neck of the woods. Whether you live in a large or small city, suburbia or out in a rural area, it doesn’t matter. You can find the perfect vacation within a few short miles of where you live.
I’ve found that going on a staycation gives you the perfect opportunity to stay around home, but getting away from your normal routine. Make it a point to turn off that phone, put all work aside, and yes, don’t even check your email! Just switch off completely. You can do it!
Great Staycation Ideas
There are a myriad of ways you can have a fantastic staycation. Here are just a few:
Stay at home and create your palace. Without even leaving home, with just a little planning and some choice supplies, you can recreate your humble abode into the paradise you dream of. First, before your vacation even begins, clean your home from top to bottom so it sparkles like a 5-star hotel. Do the laundry. Put crisp sheets on your bed. Better yet, with all of the money you’re saving, hire someone to clean your house for you. Put scented candles all around if you are into that sort of thing. Shop for the gourmet foods you want to eat, and have choice recipes ready to go.
Want to go to Paris? Decorate your home Parisian style; go to the market and get some baguettes, French pastries and red wine. Better yet, have the appropriate food delivered, if you can. Pretend you are staying next to the Champs Elysees. Yeah, I know it sounds cheesy, but just getting into that mindset works. Trust me. Play that sexy Parisian music while you cook and have a candlelit dinner. Get some books to read that will take you there. Go wild.
The same holds true for a beach getaway or a rustic cabin experience. Decorate your home accordingly; buy a kiddie pool if you need to and lounge next to it with a fresh cocktail. Get creative.
If you like turndown service, make it a ritual to do a turndown with a chocolate on your pillow every evening. It’s like living in a posh hotel, and when you do turndown, it will remind you that you have another day of bliss tomorrow.
Stay at the nearest resort or 5-star hotel. Choose the fanciest accommodation nearest to you. Go all out and pamper yourself – bonus points if they have a spa. Get room service every night, completely unplug and relax. Take advantage of all of their amenities – that’s what you’re paying for! And since you’re not spending money on flights or car rental, you can afford to splurge on your stay.
Don’t feel guilty about staying in your room all day, if you want to. Some people feel as though they need to leave the hotel during the day for excursions or the like. Not true. Put that ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign out and completely relax! When I put on that hotel robe and hunker down with a cocktail and room service, I am in seventh heaven.
Be a tourist in your own area. Decide what you would like to do and find stellar ways of doing it in your own home town. Want a beach experience? Find the nearest body of water, grab a lawn chair, cooler and umbrella, and have at it! Research new places in your area based on your interests – you’ll be surprised what you find. If you are a foodie, go on a local food tour. Ask around; when you inquire about vacation-type experiences in your area, you are opening up a new world of discovery. You will look upon your town with a new set of eyes.
Living in Portland, Oregon, I discovered a great little town just 20 minutes north, with a charming downtown area, a marina and loads of walking trails. It was like going to a completely different environment, and I felt like I was a world away.
So when the wanderlust bug hits you and you simply must roam, I welcome you to discover the hidden treasures in your own neck of the woods. You will surely gain a new appreciation for the space in which you live.
I hope you enjoyed this article about How to have a great Staycation and I can’t wait to share some more travel inspiration with you again soon!
Julia x ( Senior Travel Editor)
Susan Stephens is a freelance travel writer who makes her home in Portland, Oregon. Her website, Explorer Sue, is dedicated to helping people the world over discover the beauty of the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.
