The coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly flipped our lives upside down. Although things are looking slightly more promising with the advent of the vaccine, the rapid spread of the virus has forced many individuals to cancel their upcoming travel plans.
Those who are infatuated with traveling have most likely spent the past year tied down to one place. However, in life, we have to learn to look on the brighter side of things. This pandemic has also taught us to be appreciative of the things we previously took for granted, such as flying, hugging, and socializing freely.
In terms of travel, the pandemic has also given us the opportunity to become a tourist in our own backyard. Rather than spending hundreds or thousands of dollars traveling from one country to the next, the pandemic has provided us with a change in perspective and the ability to explore our own surroundings. Now is the perfect time to revel in a ‘staycation’ and reinvest in our local economies. Here is how you can organize the perfect vacation at home.
1. Explore Your Hometown
When you live somewhere for an extended period of time, you don’t really bother checking out what the town or city has to offer. Think of yourself as a real tourist and check out all of the museums and activities you would have wanted to check out if you were only visiting. There are countless guides on travel websites like TripAdvisor that can give you a good idea of what your local area has to offer. 
You could also choose to book a stay at a local hotel. This will really give you a chance to enjoy the luxuries of a hotel facility without having to worry too much about exploring the city. Book yourself in for a day at the sap or make a reservation at an acclaimed restaurant. Don’t forget to buy a local souvenir and take plenty of photos to remember any memories you made during your staycation!
2. Spruce Up Your Outdoor Area
A great way to get rid of the travel bug is by transforming your back garden into a holiday destination. If you have good weather, you could turn the space into a resort-themed paradise. Get a tropical look with some palm trees, tropical flowers, and even a hammock. Lighting is very important too as this helps set the mood and will make the space usable even at night. Outdoor rope lights are waterproof and versatile for outdoor settings. 
If you don’t feel safe going out to bars, why not build one in your own garden? If you live in a colder climate, you could convert your garden shed into a cozy tavern. Think of an old English or Irish style pub to accommodate your guests and family members during the winter months. Learn some new cocktail recipes and get a great playlist going to get you into that holiday mood.
3. Disconnect!
The most important aspect of any vacation, or ‘staycation’, is that you truly use the time to relax and unwind. If you are going to have a holiday, you may as well do it right. Ask work for some days off and disconnect any work-related e-mails from your phone. This also means no cleaning the house or doing chores during your staycation, you wouldn’t be cleaning your rental from top to bottom whilst away.
If it’s an issue, why not set some money aside for a cleaner so you can really take the time to enjoy your at-home vacation. This way you can better use this time to do the things you really love. You can sit outside to read your favorite book, cook some new recipes you have always wanted to try, or simply lay in bed all day watching movies. If you have tried all of our staycation suggestions but you still have the travel bug, you could try out some virtual reality traveling. This immersive experience allows you to travel the world from the comfort of your own home.
Whatever way you choose to approach this ‘staycation’, make sure that you take the time to focus on your wellbeing and that you enjoy yourself. With a staycation, you won’t be frantically rushing to the airport for your flight and you can minimize any potential travel expenses. The coronavirus crisis has caused us to re-think many aspects of our life. Although traveling is a priority for many individuals, in the current climate it may be more hassle than it’s worth.
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