20 Ultimate Staycation ideas: Tips and Tricks

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(Ultimate Staycation ideas: How to Plan A Staycation is a guest post written by Nicole from Roam with Nicole)

With the world on lockdown and few and far borders open in the world. A staycation may be the only type of trip that most travellers get this year. I have come up with 20 Ultimate Staycation ideas that you can use along with some tips and tricks with planning everything.

Due to the world pandemic, this has become one of my main goals of the year (and from now on) to try and experience my country and city. This also is a totally environmentally friendly way to do my little part for the world due to air travel being one of the top environmental damaging ways to get around the globe. Therefore, “Staycations” are my personal footprint in trying to save the planet, just a little bit.

Experiencing your own country can be a whole adventure in its own. Seeing it in a whole new level will make you fall in love with your hometown all over again. So, the only question you need to ask is how do I turn my weekend into the ultimate retreat??

PIN IT FOR LATER!

RELATED POST: Short breaks in Britain you should consider after quarantine

Ultimate Staycation Ideas: Overview

• What is a staycation?
• Do your research – What staycation activities do you want to try?
• Plan it out
• Get your jobs done
• Book a hotel
• See your country through fresh eyes
• Search for events on Facebook
• Go off the grid
• Must do!
• Read A Blog Post About Your Town
• Get excited

Make the most of your time off with these creative staycation ideasInfographic by Quill

Here Is my ultimate guide to the ultimate staycation:

What is a Staycation?

“A holiday spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.”

Google

So why not check out my ultimate staycation ideas? See how you can take a trip in your own country!

Do your research

Make sure you do your research to find the best hotels/ air bnbs/ bed and breakfast/ guest houses that fit in with your budget.

Find out what you are interesting in doing and then use google to see where you can do those things. If you love the outside then see what activities you could be doing. If you love a good hike then research good hiking trials in your country.

Ultimate Staycation ideas: What activities do you want to try?

1. Rope Climbing

I know for a fact I have not taken advantage of the fun outside activities in my hometown so this would be an exciting thing for you to look into.

2. Hiking

If you are in the UK, the Lake District and the peak District have some lovely trails you can take.

3. Relaxation Time

When you go on vacation you would always schedule relaxation time so do this on your Staycation. Life is hectic and always on the go, therefore, when you get the opportunity to relax then steal some time for yourself. Sleep in late, allow yourself that time on the couch and read. Whatever it is that you want to spend time on for yourself, do it.

When I feel burnt out my favourite thing to do is have a well-deserved pamper night – self-care is everything. Nothing soothes my soul like treating myself to a night away from home in a hotel room and doing nothing but watch Disney movies and drink Gin. So how about a hotel in the city?

4. Water sports

Take a trip to a seaside town and try some new sports that you haven’t had the chance to do before.

5. Try some new recipes

Try some new recipes on your staycation, save your money by not eating out and having something different. Build on your cooking skills so you have something to take home with you!

6. Try a New Restaurant

Who says you must travel to try new food? Your city most likely has a variety of hidden gems that you may never even have known about.

Make it a priority to try new food places and try traditional dishes you would never have on a normal time in your city. It’s a STAYCATION after all.

Head over to the other side of the city and try that coffee shop your neighbours talk about. Or head over to that new family restaurant that’s just opened in the “strange” part of town. You never know until you try it once.  It may become your favourite spot.

7. Games night

Honst agames night where everyone can pick there favourite board game. This is a great day activity if the weather isnt the best outside.

Or wait until the evening after dinner when it gets dark to get the bored games out after a bust day of activities.

8. Have a BBQ

If you have some outdoor space then invest in a throw away BB. Pick up everybody’s favourite foods at the shop and create a banquet of food.

9. Have a family movie night

Movies nights are a great way to chill out and relax after a busy day. There are so many family favourites that i am sure you will find one that everyone loves.

10. Cook a meal as a family

it may get a little chaotics but cooking together as a family can be super fun. give evryone a little job to get on with and then bring it all togeher at the end.

It will taste amazing and everyone will have had an input.

11. Have a picnic

If the weather is decent enough to get outside then make the most of it! Pack some food and take a blanket and go and sit outdoors. Take a football or a Frisbee with you and have a play.

12. Plan a spa day

If you are looking for a more relaxing holiday then find the nearest spa and plan a relaxing day of doing nothing.

13. Draw what you see

Play a game form outdoors or indoors where everyone has to get a pencil and some paper and do a detailed drawing of an object near them. See if anyone can guess what you have drawn.

14. Visit the beach

If you are lucky enough to be near the beach then go for a walk and see if you can brave the water.

15. Go to the park

A stroll around the park can always be fun.

16. Find a zoo

I can not remember the last time I went to the zoo! If you have a zoo near you then see if you can get some tickets and check it out. Go and feed some of the animals.

17. See if there are any fun fairs around

Fairgrounds can be great fun.

18. Build a camp fire

If you have the outdoor space and you are allowed to do so. Build a camp fire. Everyone can sit around. You could even grab some marshmallows and some sticks and try and toast them.

19. Go to a sporting event

Watch some football or rugby if you can find any games going on in the area.

20. Go and watch a play

Find a theatre near you and see if they have any showings going on. You may be able to bag a couple of left over tickets for something you could really enjoy.

Plan it out

Treat your staycation the way you would anything else. Mark those days in the Calendar, don’t make any other commitments. Once you’ve set the date start researching some inspiration and activities to do, then start writing up an itinerary.

A great thing to do is create a table of everything you found in your research so you can compare each hotel/ room you have found based on location, price and things you want to do in that place. Then you can more easily pick out a winner.

Get your jobs done

Make sure you get all of your jobs done before you leave. There is nothing worse than leaving everything to the last minute. Or even not getting all of your jobs done and just thinking about then the whole time you are on staycation.

Make sure you are leaving for vacation with a clear mind.

Book a Hotel

Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best thing for you! Book that hotel or that cottage somewhere and make the whole thing feel more special for you. You’ll come back feeling refreshed and enlightened.

Booking.com and Hotel Trivago and great places to start. Also, give Airbnb a go, there are some excellent places on there for super cheap prices so it is worth a look/

Is there someplace in the city that you’ve been wanting to try for a while? Whether it’s that 5* hotel, or that log cabin at the river. TREAT yo’self.

Check out my Travel Apps for how to book the perfect accommodation.

See your Country through fresh eyes

Be a tourist in your own country. Most people will tell you the same thing. They never have the time to explore their own back garden. Why though? That’s my question. Explore those historical sites and landmarks. See your city and learn about it.

Head to those places that you’ve never been to and search out for tours. Look out for something that will give you the hidden knowledge of your own hometown. Think food gin tours even a haunted ghost walk. I’m sure most towns have it.

Search For events on Facebook!

You never really know what’s out there. Sometimes you can feel that your hometown is “boring” or really that you’ve “done it all”. However, that’s far for the truth. Try searching for events on Facebook. There’ll be a huge variety of events going on that you never thought about; comedy nights, gin tasting and even gallery openings. When you visit a new city you google and research so much to find every hidden secret to the city – to make the best itinerary ever, make the most of the visit. Why not do this in your hometown.? With Facebook being such an open market for anyone you can specifically narrow it down to your interests; from designer sales to pop up bars. I remember looking at it once and found a Scott dog festival… Yes, you can be surrounded all day by scot dogs. Really what would we have done without Facebook?

Go off the Grid

When your abroad you wouldn’t be on the phone to your friend or constantly on social media. Usually because of Wi-Fi or phone signal, then why do this on a Staycation??

Do a social media detox or ignore your emails. Just let it all go and act like you were in another country and get away from it all. Embrace the moment.

Staycations are you vacations away from home so treat it like a holiday. Do what you would do.

Ultimate Staycation ideas: MUST DO!

When you go away, you make a list of activities you want to do while travelling to make your bucket list that little bit smaller. Or in some cases bigger. Do the same for your staycation. Make a BUCKET LIST! Make a list of adventures that your country has to offer and mark them off whether that Is looking for the loch ness monster or the drive around the Scotland Route 66 (which are both on my list).

Look for fun activities. See if there is some adventures or something that you wouldn’t think you would do. Try hiking up Ben Lomond or find out if you are good at dancing at a Ceilidh. Go crazy and you will create amazing memories.

Read A Blog Post About Your Town

I might be preaching to the choir here, but have you even read a blog post of your hometown?  One thing bloggers do is share their highlights. All tourists not just bloggers see a new city with rose-tinted glasses and share the most beautiful parts of your city; different opportunities, best places for food and the endless endeavour to find some hidden gems before anyone else. Remember a travel bloggers job is to persuade you to visit somewhere – they are making you want to visit that chosen destination. They are the perfect place to start for some inspiration to your hometown.

Thank you for reading my Ultimate Staycation Ideas post! Have you done a staycation??? What are your tips, or do you have any more to add to the list?? Comment and let me know!

Get excited!

Build up the excitment and count down the days until you are able to take a break from everything.

This will make it so much more fun when you actually get there. Now you have booked the place you are staying and the activities you are doing all you have to do now is wait for the day to arrive.

Happy Exploring xox

RELATED POST: 10 hidden gems in Nottingham – don’t miss out!

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