travel

Is there really anything better than going to the beach? Well, we’ve got one thing: going to the beach on a winter holiday. There are plenty of people out there who hate the cold, seek the sun and are desperate to head out on a break to find that sunshine – and rightly so. There’s nothing quite like being on the beach when the weather is beautiful, and there are some places in the world that you can find all year around. 

The thing is, when the season is an off season, you need to think about whether you can get all of the activities that you want to do during your break. There might be a surf school open, but you might not be able to snorkel or go scuba diving. Either way, it’s not a reason to avoid going to the beach in the winter. What else can you do at the beach? Let’s take a look at five fun things that you can do while you’re there.

1. Play games. The beach isn’t just for water sports, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun. Cornhole is one of the beach favorites that people play and when you pair that with an epic game of frisbee, you get the chance to run around like a wild thing! The beach is a great place to enjoy sports with friends and family, and it is the place where you can make exciting memories.
2. Water play. Whether you want to relax on the water by paddleboarding, or you want to attend that local surf school and you rent a board and wetsuit, you should consider how you can have fun on the water during the off season. You could even learn to body surf, which is a fun way to spend time in the water.
3. Collect sea glass. Not every beach day has to involve sitting or swimming. You could walk up and down the beach collecting seashells and sea glass, and these can be collected to make the coolest necklaces and crafty bracelets. There are so many options out there, and if you find the right amount of sea glass, you’ll have an entire ornament in no time at all.
4. Have a picnic. You might want to stick to the sand dunes for this one, especially if you go to the beach on a windy day. There’s sandwiches and then there are sand-filled rolls, and we want to avoid the latter. You could bring along a lot of things like chips and dips as well as fresh fruits to enjoy while you’re at the beach. You’ll save money on beachside restaurants and cafes when you do this, and you can find a ton of recipes online that will cater to your beachside picnic.
5. Go and see a bonfire. Is there anything better than a bonfire party at the beach? Toasting marshmallows and making s’mores is just  a fun part of ending the beach day out.

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.