Staying home to be a tourist in your hometown will save you money and sanity.
Anybody who has tried to cram some relaxation into the typical vacation knows it's tough to take it easy and travel. With gasoline topping $4 per gallon, airfares going sky-high and everything from hotels to meals costing more, many are opting to spend their vacations close to home. It's called a staycation, and it's becoming a popular alternative to pricey travel.
"With a little creativity and planning we can duplicate that feeling of relaxation without ever leaving our hometown," says Lisa Oppenheimer, a Boston-based travel writer. Here’s how to make your staycation a success:
1. Grab a guidebook.
Buy or borrow a guidebook for the city where you live, and follow a one-, two- or three-day itinerary. If you research your city the same way you would a place outside your hometown, Oppenheimer says, not only will you find things that you haven't done before, but you'll also discover things you didn't know existed. Another invaluable source, she says, is your local convention and visitors bureau. In addition to providing information on local attractions, current events and museum exhibits, the CVB typically offers money-saving coupons.
2. Get a room.
You don't have to get off an airplane to stay at a hotel. Head downtown for glamour or in the opposite direction for value, but either way, room service is little more than a phone call away. "My kids can bring me breakfast in bed," Oppenheimer says. "But it's just not the same as being able to pick up the phone and have someone deliver it." If kids are in the picture, select a hotel with a pool. "You'll be a hero," she says.
3. Splurge at a spa.
A full-service pampering at a day spa is certain to leave you breezy, buoyant and in bliss. Oppenheimer recommends springing for a full-day package of services, but even a pedicure and a champagne lunch can do wonders. Partners should consider signing up for a couple's massage and a healthful spa dinner.
4. Sample the local winery.
Napa Valley doesn't hold a monopoly on wineries. Seek out a couple of nearby wineries for tours and tastings. "It is so rare to go looking for this type of activity at home," Oppenheimer says. "That makes it an ideal stay-at-home vacation activity." Don't forget to buy a bottle or two. No grapes nearby? Plan a tour and a tasting at a local microbrewery.
5. Take a guided city tour.
Walking tours, trolley tours and river tours provide home vacationers with a novel point of view on their hometown. Tour guides offer their twist on the area's sights, history and trivia. "I took a trolley tour of Boston, my hometown," Oppenheimer says. "It was one of the kitschiest things I've ever done. But it was so much fun that I'd do it again." Remember to bring a camera.
6. Leave the cooking to the pros.
"Cooking while on vacation at home is such a bad idea," Oppenheimer says. "But you also don't want to eat every meal away from home." Instead, consider hiring a personal chef to prepare a staycation's worth of meals in advance. Better yet, hire that chef to prepare a candle-lit dinner for two at home.
7. Change your environment.
Travel immerses you in a land of unexplored and unexpected vistas. Mimic that feeling by dining in a restaurant you've never been to in a part of town you rarely frequent. While traveling abroad, eating exotic foods is all part of the experience. At home, consider trying that Ethiopian or Moroccan restaurant you've been wanting to try.
8. Take public transportation.
Away from home, we leave the driving to the conductors, cabbies and captains. Doing so not only makes traveling more relaxed, but it also frees you up to see the scenery. Ride the subway or bus to your destination, and let someone else watch the traffic.
9. Outsource the chores.
On vacation, you never have to vacuum the carpet, fold the laundry, mow the lawn or shovel the walk. Don't do them on your staycation. Book a maid, send the clothes out to the dry cleaner and pay a neighbor kid to tend to the lawn.
10. Unplug and unwind.
Stow the cell phone, laptop and Blackberry. Just because you're in the same area code as your cubicle doesn't mean you should try to work at home. Put a hold on the mail, and stop the newspaper, too. Nothing zaps a staycation like a utility bill or depressing headlines.
11. Do nothing.
It's harder than you think. Stare into space. Take a nap on the floor with your dog. "Keep it simple," Oppenheimer says. "If it's not fun, don't do it. This is your vacation, after all."
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