Life & Travel
The summer is just around the corner and that means that vacation season is in full effect. Whether you've already booked your getaway to bask in the glow of summer '18 or like to do things last minute, chances are your travel dreams await you.
However, what if you don't have the funds, time, or energy to travel out of the state or out of the country? How can you still make the most of your summer vacation? Well, the answer is so simple, yet many fail to take advantage of it—it's called a staycation and it can be just as wonderful as a traditional vacation excursion.
When life takes over (careers, kids, commitments) it can cause you to take all the beauty of where you live for granted, especially if you live in a metropolis that is ever-changing. Opting for a staycation is a great way to fall in love with where you live all over again, but through the eyes of a tourist, not a resident.
If you're still not sold on why you should be planning a staycation for summer '18 instead of a traditional vacation, check out our reasons why. You'll likely start planning before you finish reading!
Save Money
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Hands down, the best reason to take a staycation is that you will save an enormous amount of money. There are no fees for plane tickets, luggage, hotels, vacation clothes, etc., so that means you'll have much more money to blow. Likewise, you could save all the money you would have spent on a traditional vacation and put it into a bank account for six months and have some fun with it at the end of the year. Saving money is never a bad thing and with the rising costs of traveling, it's also a very smart move.
Avoid Travel Stress
Regardless if you're a frequent traveler or engage sporadically, you know that the act of traveling is exhausting and comes with a lot of stress. There's long lines, delays, cranky kids, finances, bad weather, and a host of other things that can (and often do) occur while traveling—and it's even more stressful when you go abroad. You can avoid all of that by taking a staycation instead. Simply hop in your car and let your adventure lead you or take an Uber or Lyft and leave the driving to someone else.
Try New Places In Your City
Seeing your city through the eyes of a tourist is similar to seeing the world through the eyes of a child. You'll be bombarded with new experiences that you won't believe just how amazing your city is. Is there a new restaurant, theater, museum or amusement park that you haven't had the chance to check out? Well, a staycation is the perfect time to finally try all the new places on your to-do list.
Self-Care
Having a hectic schedule and always being on-the-go are the best reasons to take a vacation, but they are also reasons for a staycation as well. If you simply need to recharge yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically, a staycation is one of the best ways to practice self-care. Visit a spa, do some meditation, indulge in retail therapy, or…do absolutely nothing! What you may need as a form of self-care is totally up to you and is determined by what your soul needs to live your best life.
No Pre-Planning
Travel planning has a big payoff in the end, but it can definitely be stressful. A staycation eliminates that and instead encourages you to be spontaneous and go with the flow. The possibilities are endless to make your staycation a memorable one—all without the presence of planning. Want to sleep in 'til noon? Take a quick drive to a neighboring city? Check-in at a hotel for the night? It's all up to you because you aren't set to a schedule.
Close To Home
You hope that nothing happens back at home while you are on vacation, but sometimes it does, and you feel guilty that you weren't there. With a staycation, you're never too far from home, so in case an emergency pops up, you can take care of it quickly and get back to enjoying yourself.
Easier For Children & Pets
Traveling with children and pets are two of the hardest things to do, whether nationally or internationally. They both have so many needs to tend to, it can be a thoroughly exhausting process. A staycation lessens the stress and the best part is that if you need to head home to calm your kids or your pets down, you won't have far to go.
Have you ever done a staycation? What are some of your best tips to making the best of your local adventure?
Featured image by Getty Images
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