Self-care, gentle, and sustainable living.

You’d be surprised at how easy and fun it is to vacation in your neighbourhood. There are so many fun places to discover that are just around the corner! I recently went “glamping” in Elora, Ontario, which was amazing. Here are a few tips I picked up along the way on how to plan the perfect staycation.

Why staycation?

There are actually a lot of benefits to vacationing locally. Here are just a few of them.

Save money

Generally, staycationing is less expensive. Instead of spending on pricy flight tickets, you can save some cash, or choose to invest those funds into other aspects of your getaway. For example, you can splurge a little on your accommodations, or you can try activities that otherwise might not be in your price range. I chose to go “glamping” (glamorous camping) which I would definitely recommend for the nature lover who also likes their creature comforts.

See your surroundings with fresh eyes

How many of us haven’t seen the local attractions, despite living somewhere for a long time? I am definitely guilty of not taking advantage of what is available nearby. Staycationing is the perfect excuse to see your neighbourhood with new eyes. Maybe you’ll find that you live in a more special place than you originally thought!

Decrease your stress

Travelling close to home means that it’s easy to get back if anything unforeseen happens, which can be a big relief for some. It’s also usually easier to plan your trip and get to your destination, so you can have an overall more relaxed vacation. Plus, it’s more worthwhile to plan shorter trips, so you can get in some relaxation time more often 🙂

Support local

There are so many small local business, run by everyday people, who really appreciate your support! Give someone the opportunity to happy-dance as you support their dream.

Mother earth will thank you

Travelling less distance decreases carbon emissions – especially if you’re skipping air travel! Planning a staycation also gives you the chance to appreciate the beautiful nature spots you have near you, and support those who are working to conserve them.

How to plan the perfect staycation

Try something new

Planning a staycation is the perfect opportunity to cross a new activity off your bucket list. Have you always wanted to go zip-lining? Is there a show you’ve always wanted to see? Take a peek and see if there is somewhere nearby that offers your dream activity and plan around it. This is perfect for shorter trips and weekend getaways too.

Personally, I’ve been eyeing “glamping” since it first appeared on social media – and I’m so glad that I made it happen.

Let your schedule breathe

Not every minute has to be planned. It’s a good idea to leave some time in your day for unstructured relaxation, especially if you’ve booked nice accommodations. This also gives you a little wiggle room if anything needs to be rescheduled last minute.

Make sure you’re fuelled up

Foodies will agree that visiting somewhere isn’t just about seeing, but also about tasting! Whether it’s some yummy snacks you’ve packed, or a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try… make sure you give yourself the time to refuel your body, and your taste-buds.

Remember to check the weather

The only thing I would have done differently for my trip is to bring warmer clothes 😅 One hour drive north brought significantly cooler weather than I was expecting. Remember to check the forecast before you go so you can plan appropriately.

Bring good company

If you need a solo getaway, I totally understand. If you’re looking to travel with others though, staycations expand your potential travel companion pool. Since they are generally easier to plan and gentler on the wallet, there will be more people able to go with you. You can also bring those who might have trouble with further or longer trips and make great memories with them!

Have fun!

The most important part of any vacation is to have fun! Do some preparing beforehand, but don’t over-stress yourself. Remember that a deviation from the plan often brings fun adventures you never would have experienced otherwise. Our little canoe paddle was completely off-the-cuff, but ended up becoming a highlight of the trip.

Final thoughts on how to plan the perfect staycation

I had a wonderful time on my staycation. It was a wonderful weekend away, without the stress or financial strain of a longer trip overseas. Dare I say, I had an even better time than I would have at a popular destination resort? Plus, I got to experience some beautiful places and fun activities unique to where I live.

If you’d like to see what Elora was like, I made a short recap video for my Youtube channel! Watch it below 🙂

Will you try a staycation? What are some of the must-visit places where you live? Share them with our community in the comments below 🙂

I hope you have a wonderful time discovering all the amazing sights near you!

xoxo

Mariam

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