How to Vacation at Home

A vacation is a period of time devoted to pleasure, rest or relaxation. The best vacation may be the 'staycation', a stay at home vacation. Put away your passport, travel brochures and heavy luggage. Explore these ideas for a stay at home vacation. Use them as inspiration for your own staycation planning.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Stay Put

1. Plan your vacation for leisure. Write down hobbies or activities you enjoy. Whether you enjoy walking the dog at dawn, crafting pottery or taking a quilting class, write it down. This list is the want-to, not the need-to interests in your life.

2. 
   Living History

   Be a tourist in your hometown. Check out the local attractions. It may be historic or recreational, but every town has a claim to fame. If you have children who have a "What I Did On Vacation" assignment, encourage them to participate. This is homework for them, so choose one educational and one recreational task. Help them gather brochures or other memory joggers for summer's end.

3. 
   Day Spa

   Indulge in body pampering. Select a spa and sign up for head to toe rejuvenation. Reserve time at a mineral springs for soak and massage. Get a new haircut and professional manicure. Set up a home shower or bath with luxurious body cleansers, pumice bars and clean fluffy towels. With background music and refreshing teas or sparkling water, your home can be a great day spa.

4. 
   Salad Platter

   Eat well. Search out a fine restaurant, regional diner or ethnic café off your usual path. Invite a friend. Explore the menu. Try a house specialty. Order take-out from a unique restaurant. Check markets for ready salads and prepared entrees. Visit a farmer's market and ask for easy tips using local produce. Chill a bowl of snack fruits and vegetables.

5. Dress for relaxation. Add a comfortable outfit to your wardrobe. Buy new underwear. Get walking shoes. Find a jacket for all seasons. Pick quality sunglasses for outdoor activities and eye protection. Get a plush terry robe for serious lounging.

6. 
   Local Fishing Hole

   Get away from it all. Check into a local resort. Enjoy the amenities. Send postcards to your friends. Sleep late. Take an overnight camping trip or park your motor home at a regional state park. Hike the trails and watch the wildlife. Turn off the computer and cell phone for a gadget break.

7. 

   Cruise the library. Ride the train. Read books. Dawdle over morning coffee. Doze in a hammock. Nap. Play miniature golf. Stroll through the local cemetery and read headstones. Visit a festival. Ride a horse. Rent a luxury car for a day trip. Take your vacation budget and invest it in a home entertainment center, body-friendly bed or professional landscaping for year-round mini-vacations. Whatever you choose, do it for fun, rest and relaxation. Happy vacationing!