2020 was the year in which staycation took on a whole new meaning. Lockdown after lockdown, everyone started to get used to staying home – or as used to it as is possible. Now with the world opening back up, people are rushing to book trips to make up for lost time. But with the constant (and often confusing) changes to travel guidelines and regulations, the likelihood of a trip being cancelled is high. Here is how to make the most of your time when your vaycay becomes a staycay.
Learn a new skill
The start of the pandemic saw a boom in adult colouring books, indoor gardening and sourdough bread baking. It’s been over a year now and it hasn’t always been easy to maintain momentum and keep learning new skills or improving those we picked up in the first few weeks of the “new normal”. A cancelled holiday is the perfect opportunity to regain some of that enthusiasm and motivation. Learning a new skill can also be a great way to reach out and connect with people, either by sharing your creations (one person can only eat so much sourdough, after all!) or by joining a community on social media.
Consider a creative skill that could also be helpful in your degree, or as a side hustle. Video editing is a fun skill with many applications, and it doesn’t require you to purchase a ton of materials. There are many great resources online for learning a new language – another very useful skill. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t feel like work, cooking and baking are essential life skills that can improve your everyday quality of life.
Plan a local trip
Countries around the world are opening their borders only to close them again and the list of who can go where seems to change as soon as it has been decided. If the big European tour is going to have to wait until next year, consider a trip closer to home. Road trips are a great way to bond with friends or family and to get to know your home country a bit better. However, if you’re still able to travel closer to home, staying entertained in the car if you’re not the one driving can be difficult. Mobile games can help get you through the boring stretches, while online casinos like Mr Green combine the fun of mobile games with the potential to win money for the next trip.
A local road trip can be planned in a variety of ways. A linear trip – down the coast or across the province – has the benefit of being fairly straightforward to plan. Visiting stereotypical or bizarre tourist attractions sounds a bit silly but can actually be lots of fun and an excuse to see some places you might normally be a bit embarrassed to express an interest in visiting – such as the Enchanted Forest in British Colombia, Ontario’s Big Nickel or Mac the Moose in Saskatchewan.
When planning a road trip, one important thing to consider is how much structure everyone involved wants. There’s nothing more stressful for someone who has a detailed plan of sightseeing stops and daily milage than to be trapped in a car with a free spirit who would rather just go where the road takes them.
Throw your own mini-festival
With everything canceled last year, it often feels like it will be impossible to catch up on all the events that we’ve missed. While it may not be as fun as the real thing, throwing your own mini-festival can be a great way to make up for lost time and enjoy some of your favorite things with the people in your bubble. And on the plus side, you won’t have to worry about bad weather or finding your campsite, or have to endure long lines for smelly porta-potties!
The most important elements of a music festival are a curated playlist, decent speakers, and great vibes. Pick all the music yourself or let each friend have their own DJ set and get ready to dance your hearts out. Enjoy craft beer? Organise a beer festival with a selection of beers from local breweries! This has the added benefit of supporting local businesses. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even make your own program, with tasting notes. Food more your thing? Pick a country or region of the world and have a food festival. Each of your guests can bring a dish, and with appropriate decorations and a theme, it’s a step up from a regular potluck.
