In a changeable financial climate and with an ever-increasing awareness of the ecological and environmental impact of our travels, you may be considering taking a break nearer to home … Why not simply take a day out to enjoy what’s on your very doorstep? Make the most of what’s virtually in your own backyard – and help save the planet too! Here are my Top 10 Tips for planning a Staycation – awful word but great idea 😉
Rowing boats on Derwenwater
1. Make a list of all the places within a 1/5/10 mile radius that you have never been to before ie museums, beauty spots, properties open to the public, nature reserves, sports centres, theatres, art galleries, historic sites …
2. Find out as much as you can about your area – visit your library, Tourist Info Centre, websites, talk to local people, look up tours & organised trips in you area, read the local press and any other sources of information. Ask people for recommendations for their favourite places in your area.
3. Get a map of your area and plan with your family and friends where you would like to visit, when and why. Or maybe you want to go on own – making a date with yourself is a great idea! Perhaps you choose to go on a guided tour or coach trip somewhere. Whatever you do, think of yourself as a tourist not a local.
4. Book dates for your visits in your diary just the same as if you were booking a holiday abroad – and keep to them. Imagine you had to pay a cancellation fee if you didn’t go!
5. Treat yourself to a new outfit or something special for the trip, maybe a guidebook or gadget. If money is tight, go to a local charity shop and get something there – you’ll be helping recycling too!
6. Consider all transport options. If you usually use your car, see if there is a train/bus/coach that could take you. In the Lake District there’s the ‘Drive Less, See More’ option. Maybe you could walk or cycle? All options that might lessen your carbon footprint (see – this is the ‘saving the planet bit!’) It might take a bit more planning but it is all part of the adventure.
7. Before you go, decide what and where you will be eating. Maybe you want to have a special meal somewhere – book it in advance to ensure you get a table. Perhaps you want a picnic. Identify a nice spot – but remember the weather might not be good so have a back up plan! Make your picnic as delicious as possible – it’s your holiday after all!
8. Make sure your camera/video cam/phone is fully charged. You want to be able to capture those special moments so best take a spare battery/charger.
RSPB Leighton Moss Garden
9. Check the weather forecast the day before and dress appropriately. Remember ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather – just the wrong clothes!’ Some of the best days out can be in awful weather.
10. Pack all you need for the trip the day before, have a good night’s sleep and get up in time so you are not stressed or rushed before you go. Tell yourself this is a holiday and whatever happens, look up on it as an adventure …
Look upon this trip (even if it’s only for a few hours or a day) in the same way you would a fortnight’s holiday. It’s a time to get away, recharge your batteries and get some much needed inspiration. ENJOY!
Some great ideas here. I’m actually traveling this summer, but have a couple of free weeks before my travels begin. I’ll definitely use some of these great ideas. Wouldn’t want to get bored while I’m waiting to head out!
Thanks for your comment Nancie … local days out always good to stave off boredom! I love to pretend I am a tourist and see familiar things with new eyes 🙂
Zoe, I was just preparing to write a blogpost on the advantages of traveling close to home 🙂 And than I entered your blog – and found this interesting post. I’ll link it to mine – because you offered truly useful advices that go along great with my idea 🙂 Congrats for the post!
Thank you so much Lori – send me a link when it’s written and I will also link to you adn post on FB & Twitter. Happy holidays …
Thank you so much Zoë for including the link to my article and for helping me in promoting the post. I hope many people will start use this idea of traveling – and take a short break from work and stress!
Great inspirational post Zoe. On transport, I’d say that most places in the UK are best reached by train if you can. I don’t drive myself, but really, who needs the stress and monotony of motorways when you’re aiming to have a nice, relaxing day trip? It does frustrate me though that some picturesque corners of Scotland and rural England are hard to get to on rails.
Charging your phone/camera is a very wise tip too! Lost count of the number of times I’ve missed out on spectacular pics by neglecting this. Actually, what I do now is take both camera and phone with me so that I have a back up. My phone’s camera eats battery life up maddening quickly, and usually just when I need it!
Best
Jools
Good point re train travel Jools. So much better to let the train take us on our journey of discovery – and buses have a quirky charm too. Lots more to see from the top of our double deckers … However, as you say there are some places it is almost impossible to get to- in Cumbria public transport is OK but a car is really necessary to work here or find some of those hidden quirky places.
Cheers – Z
This is interesting – I’ve found that there are so many places to visit that you just don’t get around to going because it’s easy to find excuses. If you plan it as a staycation the whole event has a different feel to it. We’ve recently started a list of destinations that are going to be staycation visits – first one was last weekend and used your list Zoe. Thanks for the post
Delighted to be of help Mary! Next time you are in Cumbria come and have a QT tour or walk.
Great post Zoe.
I definitely endorse nipping into your Tourist Information Office – its amazing what fabulous new attractions have materialised since you last ‘holidayed at home’ – and reminds you of some you had forgotten about too.
I’ve noticed that new cafes & restaurants are getting smart advertising their specials on Twitter, too. So if you have a Twitter account maybe do a few #tag searches to see what may have opened since you last lunched out.
I love picnics! & am also very fond of sourcing them from local farm shops 😉 though I’m partial to lunch at a Stately Home too 😉
Many thanks for your comments and tips Elspeth. You’re so right about all the new things that open up and good idea to keep up with offers etc via Twitter and use #hashtag searches. Spring has finally arrived in northern hemisphere so no excuse not to get out and explore what’s on the doorstep!