It was a warm summer’s day in Orlando, Florida (well…when is it not warm in Orlando?!) My husband and I were at home and bored out of our minds. It was our Friday and we both had the next 2 days off. We were going through the usual options of what we could do…happy hour, Target, Disney World (I know, such awful choices.)
But instead of throwing on my heels and heading to happy hour, we decided to pack a bag.
And book a hotel room.
And have our first staycation!
In the car and off we drove the hour’s drive to Tampa. We got there just in time for happy hour : )
I remember our drive there. We were carefree, windows down, blasting music (probably Taylor Swift) and just ready to enjoy our evening. We checked in, dropped our bags off in our room and headed straight for the club lounge for happy hour (see my post 10 Things Worth Splurging On In Life to see why this is, in my opinion, one of life’s best splurges.)
We sat on the top floor of the hotel with a glass of champagne in hand and watched the sunset. It was exhilarating. We were only an hour away from home but it felt as if we were in a different world completely. All cares, worries and concerns were out the window.
That was when I realized that this was my new favorite thing to do. : )
Going on vacation is such a vital part of our lives. It takes us out of reality, gives us a change of scene and allows us to truly relax (that is unless you vacation in Disney World, lol.)
But lets face it. Vacations aren’t cheap!
They can require a lot of planning, time off from work and expenses. This is where the art of a staycation comes to the rescue in its most fabulous form.
The great thing about a staycation is that it doesn’t have to be lengthy and usually, it doesn’t even have to be planned. Hotels are always having deals and if their occupancy is low, prices will be dropped. Look online to find some of the best deals of hotels nearby or within an hour or so drive. Don’t worry too much about “class of room” when booking. You can always speak to the front desk and see if there are any upgrades available or little add ons to make your staycation extra special.
I think that one of the main reasons we go on vacation (or to the movies or even just out to dinner) is to escape. We love the idea of escaping reality and going against the normal day to day grind. It gives us something to look forward to and focus on when the work days are seeming a bit longer than usual! Staycations are particularly rewarding due to the fact that you could be just 20 minutes away from your home yet feel as if you are a world away. They are a great way to recharge, reconnect and bring a bit of magic back into everyday life!
One thing that I quickly noticed when I moved to Australia was the travel culture. In America, we are usually given such a short amount of vacation time off from work. It can be difficult to plan vacations and getaways due to the fact that we don’t have the time! This is another reason why staycations can be so valuable and not terribly time consuming.
My travel game was seriously intensified when I started my job with Disney Cruise Line. It was intensified even more when I met my husband who literally lives to travel! One thing (amongst many) that he has taught me over the years is to always have things ready to pack in the blink of an eye in case of an adventure! He always has a toiletry bag packed and ready to go in case he needs to toss it in a suitcase and be out the door in 5 minutes (which we literally did last weekend.) It’s such a fun way to live! You never know what each day may bring.
Packing for a staycation should be simple and consise. Avoid the temptation to overpack and don’t bring what you do not need. Always pack a bathing suit and a face mask. One of my favorite things to bring is a new product that I haven’t really used yet. There’s something oddly exhilarating about only having a few options for makeup and skincare. You all know that exciting feeling of cracking open a brand new face mask or foundation. Don’t have anything new? Not to worry! Shop your collection and bring something that you haven’t used in a very long time. You may just fall back in love!
I hope that this gives you a bit of travel insight and a strong taste for adventure! Travel doesn’t have to be lengthy, expensive or even planned. So, grab one of your favorite people, your favorite book and go have an adventure!
“You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong” -Sue Fitzmaurice
Love and light, Carrie xo
