One of my goals for this past year (and from now on) is to reduce my carbon footprint. Air travel is one of the most environmentally damaging ways to get around and it’s also central to my life… Fortunately, I found a great and green way to nourish my wanderlust: staycations!
While I call both Southern California and Cape Town home, you don’t have to travel across the world to have an adventure!
Experiencing your city on a whole new level will make you fall in love with it all over again. So, how do you transform a weekend at home into an unforgettable retreat?
Here is my guide on how to plan the perfect staycation!
Schedule it Out
Approach your staycation the same way you would plan a vacation. Mark those dates off your calendar. Avoid making any other commitments during this time, except for tours and fun things you’d do while traveling.
Once you’ve set the date, start searching for inspiration. Look for unique experiences and interesting activities, then get to writing up an itinerary.
Book a Hotel Room
Sometimes you just gotta get out of the house! Booking a hotel will make the whole thing feel more like a special time, and you’ll come back refreshed.
Is there someplace in the city you’ve been eyeing for a while? Whether it is a swanky hotel or a one of a kind Airbnb, treat yo’ self!
Exploring unique Airbnbs is a highlight of my trips. I keep an ever-growing list of places I’m dying to stay. Check out my rundown of the coolest Airbnbs in the US and the coolest Airbnbs in California for inspiration.
Cape Town, South Africa
Be a Tourist in Your Own City
Every single person I talk to tells me the same thing: they’ve never taken the time to explore their own backyard.
Change that! Explore those historical sites and landmarks. See your city through fresh eyes.
Get around to those places you’ve never been and search for tours. Look for something that’ll give you a deeper dive into a side of your hometown that you’ve never seen before. Think food or wine tours, guided history explorations, or even a haunted ghost walk.
Photography tours are a prime way to find gorgeous vistas and to snap those breathtaking shots that you pass by too often.
Take a New Mode of Transportation
Find a new way to get around: bike, walk, bus, or Uber.
Who cares if it’s not the fastest way? This is your time to do something different. Whatever you normally do, skip it during your staycations.
Taking a different path will give you a new perspective and open your eyes to people, places, and things that tend to be off your radar. I’ve always found that public transport is the best way to get to know the local culture. If you drive most of the time, you miss a whole other side of the city.
Try a New Restaurant
Who says you need to travel to experience foods from around the world? Your city probably has a lot of hidden gems that you’ve never gotten to experience.
Make it a point to try new foods during your staycations.
Go to that hole in the wall spot then over to the one that you always hear people raving about. Grab a drink in a different neighborhood and go for a coffee on the other side of town.
Read about foodie treats from around the world. Make a list of the ones you want to try then turn it into a scavenger hunt to find them around your city.
Allow for Relaxation Time
A staycation is the prime opportunity to steal some time for yourself. Find a local pool where you can relax with a drink (look for hotels that provide a day pass). Sleep in late. Give yourself time to lounge on the couch and read. Whatever it is that refreshes you, devote part of your staycation to it.
When I’ve got a case of travel burnout, nothing soothes my soul like treating myself to a luxe hotel room for a night and having absolutely nowhere to go.
Go Off the Grid
One of my key elements for a perfect staycation is to disconnect. Turn off your phone. Do a social media detox. Ignore your emails.
Make your very best effort to embrace the present moment. Time will suddenly start to slow down and you can relish your time to unwind.
Cross Something Off Your Bucket List
Now is the time to plan unique activities. Is there a class you’ve been wanting to take? Tap into a passion for dance, horseback riding, ceramics, or whatever has caught your eye.
Look for fun one-time activities too. See if there is something adventurous or different in your city. Try rock climbing. Find out if you’re any good at axe throwing. Go crazy with it and you’ll create memories.
TBA Takeaways
Have you done a staycation in your hometown? What tips would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!
Great tips! I forgot how fun it is to explore my own city. Thanks for sharing a helpful guide. 🙂
You don’t have to go far to have an adventure 🙂
Really nice tips! Especially now when travelling might not be possible 🙁
My staycation idea would be to make a campfire and S’Mores on your staycation to get a little bit of US Feeling to Germany. ?
Hey Anna! Oooh, I absolutely love that tip. No “camping” staycation would be complete without s’mores 😉