Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, vacationing abroad has become a thing of the past for many people. With most countries around the world very strict about who can and cannot visit to keep their citizens safe, most of us who enjoy traveling have had to make do with staycations.
While a staycation might not be the same as traveling across the world and immersing yourself in a different country and culture, the fact is that they can also be a huge amount of fun and just as beneficial for your body, mind and soul. A staycation gives you the chance to learn more about different areas of your home country that you might never have seen or visited otherwise, whether you choose to stay close or travel a long distance from home.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you get the most from your staycation.
Treat it Like a Vacation
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when taking a staycation is failing to treat it just like they would any other vacation. Taking your work with you, for example, might not seem such a crazy idea when you are not going to be leaving the country, but doing that means that you won’t get a chance to rest. Just like you would when going on vacation, leave your work behind and research the area before you go to put an itinerary in place of things that you want to see and do while you are there.
Consider Your Health and Wellness
If you are the type of person who likes to get involved with health and wellness activities like going for a massage or joining a yoga class when you are on vacation, then check out options for doing this when you are on staycation too. Research the local area to find nearby services and activities that might be of interest to you and check out these online health and wellness coupons to see if you can find a good deal.
What’s even better about a staycation is that if you like to work out when you are traveling and are a member of a national gym, you might be able to continue using your gym free of charge if they have one nearby to where you are staying.
Opt for All-Inclusive
Many people opt for self-catering when they are going on a staycation, and while that might work well for some, it might not have the same impact as an all-inclusive vacation abroad would. The good news is that there are plenty of hotels, resorts and other accommodation types in the US that offer an all-inclusive experience.
You might even want to consider going somewhere that would normally be popular with overseas tourists like Florida to take advantage of the vacation options there for your staycation, and make it feel more like an overseas trip.
Buy a Souvenir
If you’re the type of person who often likes to bring home a little something to remember the trip whenever you visit another country, then don’t stop doing this just because you’re taking a staycation instead of traveling overseas this year. There’s nothing wrong with getting some souvenirs to remember your visit to a different state or even a different part of your state, and you can often come home with some awesome things. Check out local handmade crafts stalls and small businesses if you want to support the local area while you are there.
While staycations might be the best option for traveling this year, there’s no reason why they should feel like less of a break. Keep these tips in mind to make the most of your trip and help it feel like a proper vacation.