Save money, take a staycation!
In a quest to save money and ... er ... the environment, many of us will be taking a staycation this year.
What's a staycation, you ask? It's when you take a vacation from work, but you don't leave the city.
Here are Canadian Living's Family Life editor Kathryn Dorrell's tips for taking a vacation in your home:
Can't afford to head down south? Don’t despair. One of the hottest trends in travel is the "staycation," or vacationing at home. Here are a few fun ways to feel like you're basking in the sun - or almost - without leaving your livingroom or hometown.
• Hold a luau in your home. Decorate the house, dig out the plastic flamingos and serve fruit punch and tropical cocktails.
• Take a day-trip to your nearest indoor waterpark.
• Spin some sunshine tunes, such as The Beach Boys' Surfin' USA, while you and the kids make a meal of tasty tacos.
• Break out the beach towels for the whole family to lie on while you watch rented flicks such as Gidget (the no. 1 beach movie of all time), Beach Blanket Bingo (starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello) or sometime a bit more recent like Aquamarine that is great for kids.
My dream staycations generally include:
• Sleeping in
• Staying out late
• Seeing movies
• Catching up on reading
• Having a pint at the local pub with some friends
• Rediscovering High Park through hiking, snowshoeing or running
• Having a beer in the early afternoon
• Exploring all the nooks and crannies of Toronto
• Cooking and baking things that take time
• Catching up on girlie gossip with my friends
• Hold impromptu dance parties with my boyfriend and dog in my apartment
What does your dream staycation include? Please share your answers!!
Tags: staycation, vacation
January 13th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Your dream "staycation" sounds fabulous and includes many of my favourite things. I have recently been going to interesting bars and restaurants in Toronto neighbourhoods that I have never been to, or haven't visited for years and was wondering why I don't do this more often. Toronto has so many great nooks and crannies that you can have a great "staycation" every week and never get bored.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I too love impromptu dance parties. I also like playing board games, like Trivial Pursuit, and winning a pie also includes a shot of tequila. Olé! Delicious takeout and movies in bed are also big parts of my staycation.
January 14th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Thanks for sharing! I also love board games. I can't believe I forgot to add them to my list. My two recent faves are Scrabble and Settlers of Catan. Good to know that staycations are just as fun for other people!
January 17th, 2009 at 1:18 am
Many of us don't even know what our own city offers. There are museums, attractions, and events designed for tourists but why not go see them yourself.
But my favorite "staycation" is to lay in bed extra long, with coffee and breakfast & watch "Captain Ron" to dream about an adventure in warm weather.
January 19th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Wow! So many ideas and so little time. In Edmonton, the Festival Capital, you can find a festival or an event taking place just about everyday of the year. The majority of them are free and great fun. Right now, in January, the Ice on Whyte festival has begun and lasts until January 25th. Newest, cool game "Apples to Apples"
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:29 pm
While I do like to travel abroad, I have discovered the mini- retirements. Breaking up my bigger vacations with little ones that are local. The biggest thing for me to feel like I am on vacation is to TAKE PICTURES. So I will tote the camera on our trips to the farmers market, making snow caves in the back yard with candles inside or going skating or hiking... pictures say " I am on vacation".
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I've recently been advised that I get three weeks vacation a year now! Exciting!! But my first thought was "what am I going to do with myself with all this time and little money?"
My good friend suggested the staycation and I immediately started thinking of all the places in Toronto and GTA that I have always wanted to visit and never had the time - of course using public transit to commute to and from. I am glad to see this is an exceptable alternative to a getaway-type vacation.
I would like to mention though, on the green side of things, plastic flamingos, luau decorations aren't really that enviro friendly. Also, waterparks are a huge waste of water, although I will give them credit, they are getting better than in past.
Other green ideas for a staycation could be to invite friends and family to a plant a tree party, planting herbs and vegetables party, no-bake baking challenge...etc.
Thanks for the opportunity to post!
January 24th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
me & the kids take mini vacations all the time:
day @ the beach
zoo then lunch
visiting towns outside of city
going to the forks(wpg)then lunch outdoors
picnic @ the park
We always go to any kids events @ the parks around the city or other summer & winter events.
Thanks for staycation!
D
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I wish I can do everything in your dream, it's really hard. Since 5 years I did not take any vacation.