The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Staycation vs Vacation: What’s the Difference?
Are you dreaming of a far-off getaway, but don’t have the time or money to make it happen? Consider trading in your overseas retreat for a staycation instead! By planning a creative and exciting trip right in the backyard, you can enjoy all sorts of activities without breaking the bank.
From exploring local attractions to creating unique outings and experiences, there are plenty of fun ideas for how to spend your staycation days – so break out that beach towel, grab an icy cold beverage, and start planning now!
What's the difference between a Staycation and Vacation?
A staycation and a vacation may sound similar, but they offer very different experiences. A traditional summer vacation usually entails taking a plane to an exotic travel destination and exploring uncharted territories for days.
On the other hand, during a staycation, you spend your time exploring the sights and sounds of your own city or town, with all its distinct offerings. Just because you’re not jet-setting around the world doesn’t mean that it isn’t an enjoyable experience; in fact, many find it more fulfilling to discover hidden gems in their own backyard.
So go ahead, stay at home or close to home this summer, and explore what your own city has to offer – who knows what kind of adventure awaits?
Benefits of a Staycation over a vacation
Cost savings
Taking a staycation can be great for saving money while still providing a much-needed break from the routine. Instead of spending thousands on international travel expenses and accommodation, you can use that same amount to enjoy yourself in your own country.
Avoiding the hefty cost of flights, accommodations, travel insurance, and rental cars you’ll have more money to spend on doing actual activities. Along with discounts at local businesses to budget-friendly dining options, you’ll be surprised how much money you can save by taking a staycation over a regular vacation.
It’s not just about how you can save money though – there are plenty of other benefits from taking a staycation such as spending real quality time with your family members, trying out activities you wouldn’t normally do in your town, or ample opportunities for self-care. The best part is that saving money isn’t an afterthought – it’s one of the main reasons to take a staycation in the first place!
Time savings
A staycation is a perfect vacation for busy people! Instead of expending vacation time and vacation days to jet all over the place, save time and energy by staying close to home.
While some people may see this as a limitation, it’s actually quite liberating – forget worrying about airport lines, passports, lengthy travel time, or packing luggage – place your focus on more important things.
This means that instead of spending your time organizing flights, checking in for accommodation, and navigating public transport, you can instead use your hours more purposefully – engaging in quality activities with your loved ones that will create lifelong memories.
Comfort
People everywhere are embracing the concept of staycations – a relatively newly coined term for when you take a vacation from work and use that time to relax at home. After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy their holiday in the comfort and safety of home?
With a staycation, there’s no need to worry about cleaning a possibly dirty hotel room or waking up on an uncomfortable bed; instead, you can cuddle up in the sheets that you know and love!
With a staycation, you know exactly what you’re getting: clean sheets and all the comforts of home at no additional cost!
Flexibility
When planning a staycation, you’re given an incredible amount of flexibility when it comes to scheduling leisure activities. For example, if you wake up in the morning and feel like you could use some extra sleep instead of sightseeing, that’s perfectly fine!
Staying close gives you the freedom to make spur-of-the-moment decisions, allowing for an entirely new way to experience leisure time!
Plus, the ability to rest at any moment means you can explore new places long into the evening or plan leisurely day trips without ever having to worry about travel times or packing.
Explore local activities
You don’t need to set out on an epic journey to have a great vacation. In fact, why not discover the hidden gems in your own backyard? Staycations are becoming one of the hottest trends, as people look for local activities and experiences that may have been previously overlooked.
With the help of the internet, it’s easier than ever to find unique places and activities close to home. Here are a few staycation ideas you may want to try.
- Visit a local museum
- Go on a city tour
- Explore unique shops and stores in the area
- Check out the local markets
- Take part in a cooking class or workshop
- Enjoy local cuisine at restaurants and cafes
- Attend live music performances and theatre shows
- Go to the beach or nearby lake for swimming, kayaking, fishing, etc.
- Participate in sightseeing tours of historical buildings and landmarks
- Visit an art gallery and admire unique works of art
Relaxation
Have you ever gone on vacation, only to come back more exhausted than before? Among the many staycation benefits, one stands out from the rest – less stress! No more stress over packing, stressing out your budget, or dealing with jet lag – instead, you can enjoy being able to stay in the comfort of your own home with no stress.
Staycations give you permission to slow down and take a break from your busy schedule, as well as get creative in choosing ways to relax and enjoy yourself. Whether it’s reading a book in a hammock in the backyard, playing games with family and friends, getting cozy to watch movies, or taking an afternoon nap – stress levels will be greatly reduced while you enjoy all the benefits a staycation has to offer.
Planning Your Ideal Staycation
Now that you’ve decided to take a staycation, let’s go over how to plan your ideal vacation for yourself and your family!
1. Decide on a Budget
Deciding on a budget for your staycation can seem like an overwhelming task – you only want to spend money on experiences that will make your time worthwhile! But before you start thinking about all the possibilities and their price tags, it’s important to assess how much money you are comfortable allocating for this adventure.
Once you’ve done that, it’s useful to prioritize activities according to the most enjoyment for the least cost. Factor in things like discounts and memberships, such as student reductions or two-for-one tickets.
Then get creative – research online, find the best deals from companies looking to attract customers, or explore local areas that may have special offers running. With the right mindset and a little bit of planning, there’s no reason why your at-home vacation should break the bank!
2. Research and Plan Activities and Excursions
Are you ready to make this staycation the best one ever? Planning activities and excursions are a great way to break away from your normal routine while still staying at home.
Researching some fun experiences like museum tours, signing up for cooking classes, scavenger hunts throughout your local neighborhood and yard games can help switch up your day-to-day and make sure that each day is as memorable as can be.
Whether you’re looking for some enjoyable family time or just an escape from everyday reality. Prioritize what appeals to you most and keep track of all relevant information as you go along so that when it’s time to enjoy yourself all you have left to do is explore.
3. Make Reservations for Accommodation
Many of us are used to the idea of planning a week-long or two-week-long getaway, but staycations have their own set of challenges. For some, the challenge is convincing themselves that it’s even worth taking time off when they don’t plan on leaving town.
However, a staycation can be just as gratifying and refreshing if done right. Reserving accommodations is key to any vacation, staycation included. Don’t think of it as finding a hotel near home – look for one that provides amenities that would make your stay worthwhile: perhaps a pool to lounge by, room service to live like royalty, local sightseeing opportunities, and much more!
There’s no need to settle for less with a staycation; plan it out and you might end up enjoying yourself more than when you’re away!
4. Create an Itinerary with Flexibility in Mind
Planning your staycation doesn’t have to be stressful! The key is to create an itinerary with plenty of flexibility.
Start by brainstorming ideas for activities that you’re excited about, like watching a movie, playing board games, having a picnic in the park, or experimenting with new recipes. Think about what kind of time frame works for you and what days of the week and times are available for each activity.
Then begin piecing together a loose plan that offers enough structure to guide your staycation but also allows space for spontaneity. Make sure to leave some free days too so you can take advantage of any interesting opportunities that show up along the way.
Not only will this help prevent burnout by giving you something to look forward to – it will ensure that you don’t squander your precious days off.
5. Have Fun and Enjoy the Experience!
Staycations are the perfect way to kick back, relax and spend quality time with the family. The focus shouldn’t solely be on activities – although there can be plenty of those, especially for families with children – but rather it should be about finding an opportunity to connect, bond and just have fun together.
Getting the most out of a staycation has less to do with where you go or when you go, but more to do with reconnecting as a family and using this extra time wisely. From simply sharing meals together, to playing classic board games that get everyone involved – staycations are all about savoring those little moments so missing during the hustle-bustle of everyday life.
Conclusion
Taking a staycation this year has many benefits that traditional vacations may not have. It is easier on the pocketbook for families, giving you the flexibility to explore your hometown and try new activities with your family.
It allows you to reconnect with loved ones during the extra time spent together, creating unique experiences and shared memories that will last a lifetime. You may also stumble upon unknown parts of your town or city you never knew existed—all from the comforts of your own home. A staycation does not necessarily mean that it’s boring, it can be just as exciting as any other vacation!
So this year consider taking a break from the normal hustle and bustle of an away-from-home holiday, and try out something new – take a staycation!
Let us know in the comment section your favorite staycation ideas you have already done or plan on trying out soon! We would love to hear some of your creative suggestions.
