Confession: I’m a travel writer by profession, but when I’m on a trip, however exciting it is, there always comes a point when I’m counting down the days to returning home. I’ve invested so much time and energy into creating a space that feeds my soul that I can think of nothing better than enjoying it without interruption. And besides, whenever I take off, I miss my dog.
I’m pretty sure other people feel this way too. I stumbled upon an article recently that responded to a study saying the biggest pleasure of a vacation is the anticipation, not the actual experience. The author suggests investing more energy into the anticipation, to maximize that pleasure, but I think she misses the point: namely that taking off somewhere new is signing up for a whole other set of stresses, such as jet lag, getting used to your hotel bed, and navigating unfamiliar streets on a whole other transit system.
Perhaps we’d enjoy ourselves a whole lot more if we did away with standard travel frustrations simply by staying home. I don’t mean give up on vacations altogether—just the bad parts.
Via hartandco.com.au
Imagine just focusing on rest and relaxation, exciting new gastronomical discoveries and enriching cultural experiences, then at the end of the day, settling down in your own nest. Sound appealing? Here’s my blueprint to the best homebody holiday ever:
Save up. With no flights or petsitter to pay for, you’ll start out ahead by staying put. But you should still set aside some funds to elevate your week at home into an extra-ordinary experience. Then create a daily budget, so that your week of relaxation isn’t spoiled by credit-card angst down the road.
Splurge on a holiday wardrobe. The simple act of putting on new and beautiful garments is invigorating—you carry yourself better, the world feels full of possibilities, you maybe even flirt more. So give yourself permission to buy that fabulous sundress or those funky shades, even if you’re staying home. And don’t forget the hotel-style fluffy white bathrobe!
Via sawdustgirl.com
Invest in turndown service. One of the best things about a hotel stay is coming home to a freshly cleaned space with a neatly made bed—maybe even a chocolate on the pillow. Book maid service for the week—one big clean up before your official staycation starts, so that everything’s sparkly from the get-go, then a daily visit for simple dusting, laundry and bed-making.
Eat out—(only in). Ordering in takeout food saves time and effort, but it’s probably not going to feel good eating fast food out of plastic containers every night for a week. Instead, for your staycation, consider booking the services of a personal chef. They’ll do the groceries and cook a custom meal with quality ingredients in your own kitchen. You can give instructions for special dietary needs and request delicious dishes from different cultural cuisines. Your personal chef will leave discreetly while you dine—but not before scrubbing the pots.
Via bodieandfou.com
Indulge in top-notch food and drink. So you keep the pantry temptation-free most of the year, but this is the time to stock up on favourite indulgences. Buy ahead your favourite kettle chips; set out washed, ripe summer fruits in a bowl; make sure you have everything you need to mix your signature cocktail. You’re on vacation!
Via lovemademedoitx.blogspot.com
Rent movies. Netflix and cable cut it for day-to-day TV viewing—and perhaps you have a series in mind to marathon-watch on your staycation. But you can recreate the pleasure of catching new movies on a flight—with the kind of leg-room that would make business-class travellers jealous—in your own living room, by renting a pile of old-school DVDs or making a virtual rental of new releases using services such as iTunes, Rogers on Demand or Cineplex.com.
Find great beach reads. Whether you do your summer reading in a backyard hammock or at your park, keep it light and fun, as you would on a far-away beach. And consider putting an out-of-office message on your outgoing messages too letting people know you’ll not be reading e-mails during your well-earned break.
Discover the local culture. How much do you know about the architecture, history and culture of your hood? Book a guided tour (or download an audiotour onto your smartphone) to discover what’s extraordinary about your ordinary surroundings. Or reserve a table at a neighbourhood restaurant in another part of town, for a night out that feels like a break from your routine and gives you a deeper appreciation for what’s close to hand. (Bonus: you can go back year-round if you love the place). Or simply plan a morning to walk without a final destination in mind, so you can make chance discoveries of peaceful parks, charming coffee shops and quirky heritage buildings.
Go on, indulge your wander-less lust!