It would be fair to say that the term “staycation” has developed somewhat over recent years.
Once upon a time it may have been met with bemused looks, but now it’s well and truly in the dictionary and a lot of people in the country regard it as one of their favourite types of holidays.
When you consider the fact that budget airlines are still doing their upmost to entice us to the Costa del Sol, amongst other locations, the fact that the staycation has developed so much is impressive to say the least.
However, there’s no doubt that this type of holiday only works if you implement certain rules. Here, we’ll take a look at some of these, to ensure that you and the family really can take advantage of this modern holidaying experience.
Rule #1 – Have you selected the right area?
Location, location, location. It’s an absolute cliché but when it comes to the staycation it’s something that you’ve simply got to nail down to a tee.
If you get things slightly wrong abroad, at least you have the sun (and most probably sand) there to rely on. Unfortunately, even in the summer months in the UK, the weather is unlikely to come to your rescue.
It means that you have to be as shrewd as can be with your choice of location and ensure that it suits you all. Unsurprisingly, not all UK locations are going to be suitable for the family – and you might choose one where the nearest attraction is half a day away.
Of course, we’re not here to guide you on exactly what you should be looking for – that’s down to you, and is probably another guide in itself. Instead, just make sure each member of the group is satisfied; whether it’s a spa for mum, the golf course for dad, or a theme park for kids. Just make sure there’s a little tourism for everyone – as some UK locations just won’t be geared up for such visitors.
Rule #2 – Be wary of your mobile phone
Secondly, it’s time to be really wary of your mobile phone. When you venture abroad, particularly outside of Europe, it’s easy to turn it off.
However, now that you are on home soil so to speak, it’s exceptionally tempting to leave it on and be pestered by work emails and calls.
Suffice to say, it’s time to avoid such temptations. Even though you haven’t jumped on a plane, you are still on holiday and it should be treated as such.
Rule #3 – Don’t live like you’re at home
In a similar vein to the previous point, make sure that life in your staycation accommodation doesn’t mimic that of life at home.
In other words, now isn’t the time to fine-tune your schedule around EastEnders – it’s time to make the most of the area. Sure, you might not be venturing outside in the evening if you’ve opted for the colder months, but simply spending time playing board games or other quality time with your family can work well.