Things to Think About When Planning a Staycation
Holidays always tend to be pricey affairs, no matter how well-intentioned our plans to keep them within budget. This year, though, blown budgets are largely out of our hands; the cost-of-living crisis enters its second year, as inflation continues to press hard on the spending power of the average household. With regard to holidays, it has seen many tightening their purse and shying away from international travel. But there are other ways to enjoy a holiday, all of which are essentially on our doorstep. What if you planned a staycation instead?
Destination
Though a staycation might seem at first glance like a serious limitation, there is still an unbelievable number of potential destinations within the UK for you to choose from. Indeed, just as limiting the colours on your palette can make for a more inspired painting, limiting yourself to places within the UK could make for a much more exciting holiday than you might expect!
The UK contains multitudes, from the quiet rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the thrumming nightlives of Manchester, Leeds, London and Bristol. What is your flavour for this staycation? Would you like a city break in a new corner of England or a contemplative getaway in the Scottish Highlands? An afternoon or two of research towards your ideal staycation could reveal some surprising possibilities.
Holidaygoers
Of course, when picking your destination, it is also important to consider who else is coming along with you. After all, a weekend touring the Bermondsey Beer Mile might not be the most engaging getaway for your partner and three children… Whether you’re travelling with friends, family, work colleagues or even by yourself, it is worth taking a moment to think if your destination has enough for everyone.
Transport
Now, we come to the logistical side of your staycation planning. Transport options are vital to consider ahead of booking accommodation and events, especially with regard to budget – which we’ll come to shortly. Generally speaking, a solid option for transport is to book advance train tickets to your chosen destination.
However, if you’re road-tripping, travelling rural or simply hoping to avoid potential delays, you might be better served driving. Hiring a car and sorting some temporary car insurance for the weekend can be a trifle in comparison to booking prohibitively expensive rail tickets for the family, and being beholden to a patchy timetable as a result.
Budget
Of course, everything we’ve discussed so far – to say nothing of the activities you’ll get up to on your holiday – will cost money. Knowing your budget is vital to the success of your staycation, especially given the reason you may be opting for one in the first place. Setting a ballpark budget is a great start, but you should ensure you have emergency funds available in case something does go wrong.
This is a collaborative post.
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