travel

Did you go on a vacation in 2020? You probably avoided travel due to COVID-19 like countless others. That’s only one reason as to why Americans don’t spend money on trips anymore. The average vacation costs up to $2,300 when you combine gas, food, hotels and more. For some, it’s better to stay at home and have a staycation.

Take a look at how to plan a memorable luxury staycation for you and your family.

1. Create an Adequate Budget

The term “luxury” has a different definition for everyone. For some, it’s Michelin star dinners and fancy spa treatments. But you prefer to light an expensive candle and take a bubble bath. In any case, you need to set aside money for your staycation. This experience won’t cost as much as last year’s trip to Disney World. That said, it’s supposed to be a vacation — and you should have a little cash on hand.

It’s a smart idea to determine your standard trip expenses. How much would you normally set aside for a trip to the beach? Then, you can decide what budget sounds suitable for your staycation.

2. Schedule a Few Experiences

A vacation usually includes various experiences. You might explore local shops, museums and other sights. Try to replicate that for your staycation. You can eat at a new restaurant that you haven’t had time to visit. A trip to a local boutique could be fun, too. Additionally, it’s possible to schedule activities to come to your house. An expert masseuse or top-rated chef would be worth your money.

You should think about different ways to spend your staycation. These unique ideas will make your time at home more like a vacation.

3. Decorate for a Resort-Like Atmosphere

Your house probably doesn’t feel like a hotel on a normal day. But you can make adjustments to your space to create a resort-like atmosphere. This way, you’ll be able to feel like you’re actually somewhere else. Here’s how to turn your home into a retreat:

• Outfit your bed with silk sheets and pillowcases.
• Buy a pair of expensive pajamas and slippers.
• Place candles and flowers throughout your house.
• Add luxury skin care and toiletry products to your bathroom.
• Stock your fridge with yummy breakfast items.
• Hire a housekeeper to clean your home.

These small additions make a difference, as you’ll wake up in a soothing, relaxing environment. As a result, you should feel rejuvenated when your staycation ends.

4. Try to Channel “Vacation Mode”

This tip means that you should forget your regular responsibilities. You don’t do housework when you’re on vacation, right? The same idea applies to work obligations and other tasks that take up your time. You’re on vacation to rest. Therefore, you should try to set those specific duties aside until you return to normal. You may even want to forgo social media so that you can be more present.

Use These Ideas to Plan a Relaxing Staycation

A luxury staycation may be exactly what you need. Luckily, they’re easy to plan with a few tricks. Use these suggestions to make your time at home fun and restful.

At this time of year I often find myself yearning for to feel warm sun on my face; to be able to slip on my summer clothes; and to be able to relax without a care in the world.  Christmas time can be so stressful and busy, it tends to take over and dominate the whole month of December and it often makes itself felt in November or even earlier.  Add to that the fact that the weather has been getting colder, wetter and generally more miserable for a few months and is unlikely to improve in a hurry and it’s no surprise that I feel the need to escape to somewhere more exotic, or even just somewhere warm and dry.

Getting ready for a trip is important if you are to really be able to enjoy it and switch off.  Here are my tips for a successful trip:

• Plenty of research.  This is so easy to do online these days, but take reviews with a pinch of salt.  Using the computer is easy of course, but sometimes it’s nice to consult a good old fashioned guidebook instead.
• Get insured.  If you are older, you might want to consider a specialist insurer or if you have medical conditions that need to be declared, certain companies focus on this type of insurance and make it easier.
• Consider journey length and time zones.  If you can only manage a short trip away, you may not want to be flying for too long and your body will adapt quicker to the change in time zone if it isn’t too dramatically different to what you are used to.
• Buy early and pack early for your trip.  You’ll reduce your stress that way and it will help you get into the holiday mood sooner. There’s no need to go mad buying a new holiday wardrobe, but a new piece or two add some interest.

For me though the destination is all important.  Many people are looking to holiday closer to home now and I think it’s a trend that will continue in future years.  There are so many great places to visit close to home, especially with us being an island nation and having so much wonderful coastline to explore.  The countryside is a draw for many, but our cities hold so many interesting places.  London in particular has a lot to offer with historical, cultural and artistic delights by the bucketful.  If you want a smaller, more compact city consider somewhere like York or Worcester.  A market town is also a good bet as they have a wide range of facilities and there are often plenty of sights to see and explore, especially for a shorter break.

I often like to plan a trip around a culinary experience like visiting a restaurant. It’s a great way to try out regional specialities and get a flavour for the local cuisine. Many cities have a Chinese quarter or Birmingham has its own Balti Triangle to explore for Indian cuisine lovers.