Tips For Going On A Staycation In 2021

It looks as if this year is going to change direction any time soon and with the pandemic still going strong, it’s important to relax. As much as we’d like to travel and see the world right now, it’s probably best to do your next vacation as a staycation. The last thing we want is to prolong this pandemic any longer and a staycation can be a great way of exploring your local area or some place within your country that you might not have visited before. Here are some helpful tips for going on a staycation in 2021 and always make sure you follow government advice as things are constantly changing.

Set Yourself A Budget

Firstly, it’s always good to set yourself a budget because even a staycation can cost you a certain amount of money. It’s important that whenever you book a trip or holiday, you’re setting yourself a budget that’s not going to overwhelm you or cause you any financial strain. It’s good to look at the amount you have available and what you’re considering doing for this staycation. You might choose to stay at home but spend the money out, and about or perhaps you’ll want to book yourself into a hotel or Airbnb so that you can have a bit of luxury and a change from the normal scenery.

Consider how many of you are going on this trip and try to set a daily spend cap so that you’re not going overboard. It can be good if you’re staying in an Airbnb, to prepare and cook your own meals. It’s also likely going to keep down the costs too, so make sure you’ve factored in this when planning your staycation. A budget is going to help you keep control of the spending but will also stop you from feeling the money-guilt that often people feel when it comes to spending money. At least if you’ve predetermined what you’re going to spend, it’s going to help you enjoy the holiday more.

Book Time Off From Work

The next thing that you want to do is book time off work. Even if you’re planning a staycation where you’re staying at your actual property, you still want to feel like you’re on holiday. And for most people, when you’re on holiday, it means you’re not working. Think about how long you want to have your staycation whether that’s just a few days or an entire week. It’s good to book it off in advance, especially as many companies will want all hands on deck as often as possible to help get the business back on its feet.

Make sure you’ve informed your boss and that way you can rest assured that you’re not going to be hassled during your staycation. If anything, just switch your phone off. 

Be Aware Of Any Restrictions

With the pandemic still raging on, it’s important to book wisely when it comes to doing a staycation of any kind. Be aware of the ever-changing situation that is happening when it comes to the pandemic and try to book somewhere that’s going to be unlikely to change. That’s certainly been hard to do for many, so it might be worth exploring something closer to home if it’s deemed more suitable. 

These restrictions are something you should also factor in when it comes to booking accommodation and activities in advance. It’s important that you should be able to receive your money back if the booking cannot be fulfilled. It’s worth checking the small print because some of the businesses out there aren’t matching up with the same attitude, and it’s often the customer that ends up being left out of pocket. Don’t let your hard-earned money go to waste and if possible, you should have the ability to cancel accommodation either the night before or up until the day of your arrival.

Another crucial thing you must look into before travelling for your staycation is flight restrictions. You will note that some individual countries still have restrictions on flights that can arrive and depart from their major airports.

You do not want to spend your hard-earned money on booking a flight only for it to get delayed or cancelled without any refunds. Therefore, you must be at par with the latest travel restrictions with effects to the ongoing pandemic. If you currently reside in the UK, you should research the latest news on flights from the UK to China. Another travelling restriction to look out for include mandatory quarantine, which can be up to 14 days. Most countries, if not all, still want all travellers to adhere to this rule of self-isolation once they enter the country. It would be a waste of time and money to go for a staycation to a country where you must isolate yourself first before exploring. Therefore, pick a country or place without such restrictions.

Look Into Holiday Cottages

Holiday cottages are the perfect way to enjoy a staycation because they’re often a home away from home. There are plenty of holiday properties to rent in the Wye Valley, if you’re looking in this area, and they also offer picturesque views that you might not get in your own home. Sometimes, with a staycation, it’s important to have home comforts and with holiday cottages, they do provide that home comfort that you perhaps want when it comes to a staycation. 

There are lots of beautiful holiday cottages up and down the country, so you certainly won’t be short of places to look.

Plan Some Fun Activities

As part of your staycation, there’s likely to be some things that you won’t be able to do that you may have been able to do in another country. If you live in a less warmer climate, sitting on the beach and getting a tan, might not be possible. With that being said, there are still lots of different activities that are worth taking on whilst on this trip. Take a look at the area you’re staying in and explore all the hot-spots for tourists to visit. Find local landmarks and companies that might be offering unique experiences that you wouldn’t have necessarily got back in your own home location.

The type of activities you do will depend on what type of person you are. If you’re after thrill-seeking experiences, then there’s likely going to be plenty of outdoor or indoor sports and activities to enjoy. For those who like creative things, you’ll probably find plenty of local workshops and activities to get your hands on. Do some digging and see what you can find.

Do Something That All The Group Will Enjoy

Doing something that you enjoy is definitely important because it helps make the staycation a more memorable one. When you’re doing a staycation as a group, try to remember that you’ve got different people who may or may not like the things you find enjoyable. With that being said, try to find a healthy balance of things that can be done with all the family or that represent an equal part of each person. Doing all the activities and suggestions that you make can seem a little selfish and may not provide the best experience for everyone else. Be welcoming of other people’s ideas and suggestions.

It might be that some go off and do one thing and then some go off and do another thing. Yes, it’s nice to stay together, but then it’s also nice to be apart at certain points to do something different. It’s not always necessary to do everything together.

Switch Off Digitally

Switching off digitally is important because any holiday or staycation should be about relaxing and giving yourself a break. Being online and in the digital world, whether part of your work exists in it or your personal life is on there, can be exhausting. It’s good sometimes to just take a digital detox every now and then to help reset the batteries. It’s also good to have some away time from your screen and to do something a little bit different for a change, like read a book or do a jigsaw puzzle. These are just suggestions but there’s plenty of things indoors and outdoors that you can do that doesn’t involve a computer screen, television or phone.

Going on a staycation is likely to still be the case when it comes to 2021 and that’s not a bad thing. You can still make memories and still have plenty of fun within your own area or another part of your country.