Your Guide To The Ultimate Staycation

Not going out? We’ve got your summer covered with our guide to planning the ultimate staycation. Whether your dream holiday involves trekking up a mountain or indulging in new cuisines, we’ve got tips on how to get the essence of the experience at home. Not being able to travel doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some well-deserved downtime this summer. All you need is a can-do attitude, a little forethought and some out-of-the-box ideas. So, grab a cuppa, pull up a chair and let’s make a plan for your 2020 holiday. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Tour Your Town

Many of us enjoy a stroll along the cobbled streets of interesting cities during our holidays, exploring the unique sights and sounds of another culture. Well, by embracing a staycation you can do the same thing without leaving your hometown. Even in small towns, there’s likely to be streets or suburbs you’ve not explored, so grab a travel cup of your favourite brew (for that Euro city vibe) and go for a walk in an unfamiliar area of your town. 

Visit A Day Spa 

Ok, it might not be the same level of luxury as you’d get from a spa on holiday, but there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a spa during your staycation. With the right supplies, you can feel just as pampered as you would in a Turkish hammam, and all without leaving the house. Get your face masks, mani-pedi supplies and body scrub and indulge in some relaxing TLC from the comfort of home.

5* Hotel Treatment

The best part of any holiday is returning to your hotel at the end of the day, falling into crisp white sheets and dialling room service. Am I right? With a little forethought, you can get this same experience at home, albeit with slightly more legwork!Prepare for your staycation by laundering your best linens and making your bedroom a relaxing haven. A scented candle can completely lift a room, so choose one that you love the sound of and transform your space. 

Neom Organics London Scent To Calm &RelaxComplete Bliss Scented Candle (3 Wicks) 420g

When it comes to room service, it isn’t quite as easy. However, by making sure you have some easy food options in your fridge, you’ll at least not have to worry about making a meal from scratch.

Get Your Body Moving

If you’re one of those rare breeds who enjoy taking part in group aerobics and cardio sessions during your annual vacay, you’re in luck. With the global lockdown, people are increasingly going online to share their skills and talents, allowing you to join in from your living room. We all know that Joe Wicks is offering his daily workouts, but there are tons of other options too. Whether you’ve always wanted to try street dance or want your Zumba fix from home, it’s all available online. Just remember, if you’re a bit out of practice, those muscles might not thank you for the workout the next day. Make sure you have relief at the ready.

DIY Yoga Retreat

In a similar vein to our last suggestion, a staycation is an ideal opportunity to attend your own mini yoga retreat. Banish family members into the garden for an hour or two, prepare yourself a large jug of cucumber water and get settled in for some yoga lessons courtesy of Youtube. Go a step further by creating a relaxing space in your home with a scented diffuser. A contemporary alternative to incense, we love the L’Occitane Harmony Reed Diffuser.

L'Occitane HomeSource D'harmony Reed Diffuser 100ml 

Get Some Fresh Air

We’re all spending a lot of time indoors, so during your staycation make a conscious effort to get outside and fill your lungs with fresh air. Whatever the weather, pop on your walking shoes and make the most of your natural surroundings. A brisk walk through a local park, a stroll along the coast or a trek up your nearest fell, it all counts. Not only is fresh air great for the body, but it helps to reset your mind and lower your stress levels too - just don’t forget your sun protection!

Sleep Under The Stars

With so many of us missing out on our annual festivals this summer, why not recreate the camping experience at home? We’ve already covered how to throw your own festival at home here, but simply spending a night camping in the garden is another great way to embrace the staycation.Grab your camping gear, pitch a tent and snuggle down to listen to the weird and wonderful sounds of nature. Do take note, with the longer sunlight hours of summer, getting a solid night sleep in a tent is no easy feat. We recommend equipping yourself with the Dream To Sleep pack from thisworks, which includes a sleep mask and pillow spray to help you drift off.

Get Cooking!

Pasta making in Tuscany, curry classes in Thailand - the world is a pretty delicious place! While we aren’t able to experience culinary delights on foreign shores, it couldn’t be easier to bring those delicacies to you!Dust off those recipe books and create a menu for the week based around an area of the world. Kids love getting involved in the kitchen, so get them involved too. You’ll be covering math, science, home economics, geography and social sciences all in one task!Support your local Asian grocers by going straight to the source. You’ll be amazed at the wide range of ingredients. A few, in particular, are fantastic for your body, so try to include:

• Turmeric - Popular in Indian cooking, this yellow spice has been shown to reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.
• Cinnamon - As well as being delicious, cinnamon has more antioxidant value than half a cup of blueberries!
• Garlic - We all know garlic is good for our immunity, but did you know it's also great for your hair? It boosts collagen production which stimulates hair growth.
• Peppers - Chilli, paprika, cayenne, and jalapeño are not only great for your metabolism, but they’re also high in vitamins A and C.

The world might be changing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your creature comforts. What does your staycation have in store for you?