Staycation for cheap holidays

Avoid expensive air fare holidays abroad or costly cruise trips and instead experience cheap holidays by taking your vacation at home. Vacations of this type have been coined as ‘staycations’ whereby you stay at home but still enjoy your vacation. There is no need to miss your holiday or vacation even if money is in short supply because staycations are the cheap alternative. Staycations are perfect for those of us who want something different and would enjoy an experience that is affordable and fun whilst being just a bus, car or short train journey away. Your vacation plans will be concerned with your local area and amenities and the cost element will be substantially less than a more conventional break. Plan one day at a time but make sure you have an activity planned for each day. Some suggestions follow below and the best way to organise trips and activities is on a daily basis. Schedules can be changed to suit inclement weather conditions as needed.

Day 1      Beach: if you live within commutable distance then a beach visit is a must for all the family. Bring a packed lunch or picnic and have plenty of fun activities and take time to relax.

Day 2      Farm: Visit a farm for a daytrip and learn all about how the animals live. Some farms will even allow you to milk cows and collect eggs.

Day 3      Get active: You will find many wonderful walks through forests and parklands where you can meander at your own pace. Cycle with the children and experience the joys of fresh country air. Again this suits picnicking activity.

Day 4     Heritage: Locate local heritage sites to visit and increase your learning as you discover facts about your locality. You may find a place of historical interest in a big city or just as easily as a small town.

Day 5     Wildlife: Visit a wildlife sanctuary or bird sanctuary when you can see animals and birds in their natural habitat.

Day 6     Movies or Theatre: A movie day trip for all the family might be a popular choice. This could be linked with another activity,

Day 7     Underground: Perhaps an old mine or cave is mentioned on a tourist activity leaflet. Guided tours are often arranged and trained guides will be able to make the experience more interesting by describing the difference between stalactites and stalacmites. You will also learn of geology and animal life associated with the underground passage.

Day 8      Water: A day trip to a river or canal, if within reasonable travelling distance, will be adventuresome. Canoes, kayaks and small boats can be hired cheaply and a great deal of fun can be had by becoming captain of your own boat (and crew) for the day. Ensure that all safety equipment is provided.

Some of these activities can be combined and a morning and evening session can be arranged. Engage all the family beforehand in the planning stages for the family holiday, preferably some weeks before the vacation period so as to increase the excitement levels, which helps to generate the positive ‘looking forward’ attitude. Anticipation plays an important role in the lead up to staycations. Check out your local newspapers and tourist information centres for local attractions. These suggestions are for your consideration and you probably have more that you could add to the list. Whatever you decide, the option is there for cheap holidays that can be taken and the staycation idea offers a multitude of choice.