Staycations are all new-age but they’re hardly a millennial trend. Low on holiday costs of time and carbon footprint, a staycation is a win-win for everyone.
What is a Staycation?
The name contains the hint. A staycation entails remaining at or near home. What does this signify, though?
Domestic tourism includes staycations. It generally involves conducting tourist-based activities that are located not too far from home.
What precisely are these tourist-oriented activities? Well, they cover a lot of ground. You can be going to a gathering or a nearby natural area. In your neighbourhood, there might be a museum or a theme park. You could be interested in a spa or a trip in the countryside. Or perhaps you’ve made the decision to engage in virtual tourism rather than leaving the house at all.
The words “stay” and “vacation,” from which the phrase “staycation” originally came from the United States, were combined. It means vacations that you take close to or at home rather than travelling to another location, according to the Cambridge Dictionary.
However, a staycation is not a good option for young people or visitors on a tight budget (though it may be a concept a large share of these audiences decide to adopt).
Instead, a staycation is an environmentally friendly way to spend time away from home. It is synonymous with reduced pollution, cost savings, and avoiding adding to the utter pandemonium that exists in some of the most popular tourist destinations in the globe. Let’s look more closely.
Staycation: A Movement Born From The Economic Crisis And Ecological Awareness
During the US market crisis of 2008, the idea of a staycation was first introduced. It led many households to cut back on their spending, which in turn reduced the amount they could spend on vacations. A lot of people began to (re)discover their close surroundings due to a lack of funds for international travel.
At the same time, public awareness of tourism’s effects on the environment, particularly as it relates to its effects on transportation, also began to rise. The idea that some major cities (abroad) are becoming increasingly crowded with visitors has also changed; locations like Barcelona, Venice, or the Seychelles want to impose a tourist cap.
Staycations seem like a fantastic answer to the problems listed above. It is a wonderful method to enjoy happy vacations while also benefiting the environment and one’s wallet. Staying close to home actually removes the need for travel and lodging expenses.
Staycations have several advantages, including saving money by forgoing pricey plane tickets or expensive hotel reservations and preventing the release of damaging GHG emissions into the atmosphere. Various other modes of transportation, such as public transportation, bicycles, electric scooters, or even just walking, are preferred over the usage of cars, boats, and planes (or at least they are used less frequently). This makes it possible for people’s carbon footprints to grow less than they otherwise would if great distances were covered.
Staycation: A Slow And Sustainable Touristic Movement With Multiple Benefits
A staycation is a type of alternative travel that completely supports the slow travel movement. Slow travel encourages living in the present. It inspires you to take your time, explore the surrounding areas, rekindle your relationship with nature, and spend more time in the great outdoors with the ones you love.
There are no fully scheduled days, you can do what you want (proactively and without succumbing to continual temptations like Netflix), and there is no pressure to rush from one activity to another in an effort to always be busy.
Therefore, here are some advantages of a staycation, provided you stimulate your inquisitive mind and push yourself to discover new paths and new things to do:
- A staycation reduces the anxiety that comes with planning a trip.
- It enables you to engage in things that you would otherwise be unable to accomplish due to a hectic schedule throughout the year, such as visiting museums’ permanent collections and taking advantage of the nice weather to (finally) play some sports in the parks nearby.
- Staycations help the local economy as well. Vacations are a great time to explore the neighbourhood markets, visit a farm to pick your own fruit and veggies, participate in seasonal sports or art classes, or even spend the night in an intriguing hotel close by.
- Another potential benefit of a staycation is discovering or rediscovering the beauty of your city.
- Last but not least, a staycation teaches you to appreciate the moment as it is.
10 Ideas For What To Do During A Staycation: Different Plans And Activities
We’ll leave you with some helpful advice so you can maximise your staycation:
Number 1: Disable the notifications on your phone, ignore your emails and the news, and put your attention solely on you and your loved ones.
Number 2: Use your staycation to enjoy time outdoors in nature, whether it’s at a beach, lake, or reservoir close by.
Number 3: Find time during your vacay to practise any sports you haven’t been able to play, whether it’s skiing, hiking, or taking a quick bike ride.
Number 4: If it’s not too chilly outside, go camping with a tent and a sleeping bag.
Number 5: Attend a theatre, music, or comedy performance. If you run into a friend there, tell them about your staycation project and encourage them to give it a shot.
Number 6: Start your regular yoga practise at home using a mat or a carpet and some web videos.
Number 7: Make time during your vacay to study up on topics you’ve been wanting to learn about for a while but haven’t had much time for.
Number 8: It’s staycation time; you’re no longer in the job routine. Don’t bother making your own meals; instead, purchase takeout or go out to a fancy restaurant.
Number 9: The ninth tip is to unwind at home and set a distinct mood. Choose various soundtracks, use candles at night to create a more tranquil atmosphere, and utilise energising essential oils to change the scent of the air.
Number 10: Having a freshly made bed with fresh sheets and a spotless room is one of those lovely things while you are sleeping outside. It may be a good idea to hire someone to perform these household tasks for you.
Work vs. Staycation
You’ve earned your vacation days, even though you’re staying in town. Only the time you will return to work is important to your employer; neither where you are going nor how far you are travelling is. If you think they’ll try to get in touch with you with unimportant requests, don’t say you’re staying home.
Set clear boundaries about your availability and reaction time if your line of work necessitates infrequent interaction (for example, if you’re a health care practitioner).
Recall that even a staycation counts as a vacation!
How Should You Utilize Your Staycation?
Make the most of your staycation by treating it like a true vacation. Do not set an alarm, watch the news, or check your work email (unless you have something extremely fun planned). The purpose of a vacation is to unwind, get away from work, and enjoy yourself; the same should apply to a staycation!
Eat the pizza and ice cream you want, spend the entire day in comfortable clothing, and don’t rush or worry about anything. If you intend to spend the most of your staycation at home, prepare your home accordingly. Play your favourite music, make the bed with good sheets, add some flowers, and set the table with elegant flatware.
After getting to know so much about staycation, you must be excited to know about the best places for a staycation.
Here’s a list of Top 10 Best Staycation Destinations of India in 2023 –
1. Hampi, Karnataka
The city of ruins known as Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This location, in the state of Karnataka’s shaded hills and valleys, is a tourist attraction rich in history. Hampi is a backpacker’s paradise because it is surrounded by 500 historic sites, stunning temples, lively street markets, bastions, the Treasury Building, and fascinating remnants of the Vijayanagar Empire. A favourite method to view the city from the perspective of its history is to visit Hampi, an open museum with more than 100 venues to explore.
Hampi, which some sources claim was the second-largest metropolis in the world at the time around the year 1500 AD, served as the capital of the Vijayanagar empire. It lost importance throughout the next centuries, and today you may explore the ruins of numerous temples and other buildings dispersed across a vast region. Hampi is surrounded by rocks of all sizes, and with a little effort, you can climb to the top of them to enjoy a breathtaking view over the entire city and the surrounding area. The environment is just as intriguing as the ruins themselves.
2. Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal’s Kasol is a cute tiny village located on the banks of the Parvati River. Kasol, a prominent tourist destination that is quickly gaining notoriety as a major hub for trekkers, backpackers, and nature lovers, is often referred to as the “Amsterdam of India.” One of the prominent places in the nation to simply relax and take in the scenery of snow-covered mountains, pine trees, and gurgling rivers is Kasol, which is located 23 km from Bhuntar and near to the religious town of Manikaran.
The walking trails in Kasol, which lead to Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Sar Pass, and Pin Parbati Pass, are well-known. Visit the village of Malana to get a true sense of the culture in this area. Malana, a small hamlet a few kilometres from Kasol, is home to residents who maintain their own sense of seclusion. The inhabitants of Malana identify as Aryan descendants and shun contact with strangers as a result. But the settlement, which is frequently referred to as “Little Greece,” offers a lot of beautiful scenery.
3. Gokarna, Karnataka
A recently found vacation spot for beach lovers and hippies is the Hindu pilgrimage town of Gokarna in the state of Karnataka because of its beautiful terrain and gorgeous beaches. Numerous tourists from all over the world flock to Gokarna, a city on the coast of Karwar, each year in search of peace and relaxation. The beaches outside of town, such Kudle Beach and Om Beach, offer a fresh perspective on city life.
There are very few Indian tourists to be found along the palm-lined beaches, which are primarily visited by foreign tourists. Gokarna is not a typical tourist destination. Everything on the beaches moves at a slow, leisurely pace since they are designed for this kind of vacation. Gokarna is a “one of a kind” location in the nation because of its abundance of coconut and palm trees, the ocean, and clear sands.
4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
India’s spiritual capital is Varanasi, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, also referred to as Kashi (City of Life) and Benaras.It is one of Hinduism’s seven holiest cities. Along the beautiful western banks of the Ganges, the historic city of Varanasi is scattered among a network of meandering galis. While walking, be prepared to run into several sacred cows! There are temples everywhere around Varanasi, but the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most well-known and the oldest of them all. With good reason, Benaras is known as the city of Lord Shiva.
Varanasi is regarded as a lucky spot to pass away since it is thought to bring moksha, or freedom from the cycle of life and death. The 80 or so ghats that flank the Ganges form the city’s spiritually enlightening centre. The sights, sounds, and fragrances will surprise you. Take advantage of the spicy chaat and refreshing lassi. The Ganga Aarti, a ceremony of incredible grandeur, starts to take place just before twilight, however, and all the commotion and bustle on the ghats stops.
5. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is a mesmering tiny town in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, adjacent to Haridwar, and is situated along the confluence of the Ganga and Chandrabhaga Rivers in the foothills of the Himalayas. In addition to being hailed as the “Yoga Capital of the World,” Rishikesh, often spelled Hrishikesh, is well-known for its adventure sports, ancient temples, and popular coffee shops. One of the holiest places for Hindus is Rishikesh, which is also the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas.
The Beatles’ visit to the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh in the 1960s helped make this city famous all over the world. Today, the location is well-known as The Beatles Ashram, drawing tourists from around the world. The serene town has long been a centre for spirituality, but it is also well-known for activities like whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, mountain biking, and camping beside the Holy Ganges. It also acts as the starting point for a lot of Himalayan hikes.
6. Pondicherry
One of India’s seven union territories, Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry but more generally known as “Pondy,” is bordered by the southern state of Tamil Nadu. This former French colony is a romantic resort that offers the best of both cultures because it is the perfect mix of French architecture and conventional Indian sensibilities. The streets of White Town, popularly known as the French Quarter in Pondicherry, are lined with gorgeous bougainvillaea-covered colonial buildings in a mustard-yellow colour. These are dotted with cosy cafés and fashionable shops that serve delicious delicious French cuisine and beverages. A glimpse of Pondicherry’s enchanting charm may be seen by a tourist simply by strolling through these lanes.
Pondicherry has a lot to offer, including old-world French bakeries, hippie boutiques, and cobblestoned streets that are great for a leisurely stroll or a bike ride. So get yourself down to this Indian Coast fantasy town and enjoy some beer (at Union Territory pricing; say goodbye to state taxes) or just relax with a book in one of the charming cafes.
7. Varkala, Kerala
The distinctive 15-meter-high “Northern Cliff” next to the Arabian Sea makes Varkala, a seaside town in southern Kerala, stand out from other nearby communities. Among its most well-known attractions are the tomb of the saint Sree Narayana Guru from Kerala, cliffside shacks that serve exquisite seafood and play worldwide music, and the hippie scene. In Varkala, there is also the Jardana Swami Temple, popularly known as Dakshin Kashi.
With some of the most pristine beaches, hills, lakes, forts, lighthouses, natural fisheries, and springs, Varkala is a tiny piece of paradise. Additionally, there are numerous stores selling cotton harem pants, oxidised silver jewellery, and yoga mats with Hebrew-language signboards. Its ayurvedic therapies, affordable resorts, hostels, and spotless beaches make it a must-see place in Kerala.
8. Pushkar, Rajasthan
Pushkar is a tiny temple hamlet in Rajasthan that lies about 15 kilometres from Ajmer. Pushkar is a fantastic destination for a weekend getaway from Jaipur because it offers a large selection of cafes and hostels for a backpacking adventure. The Pushkar Mela, one of the biggest camel fairs in the country, takes place in Pushkar every November.
Pushkar is primarily a Hindu pilgrimage destination because it is home to the only dedicated Brahma temple in the entire world.
Take in the chants from the temples that surround the ghats while lounging at the ghats, sipping tea or meandering through the narrow pathways. Pushkar’s stores in the main street provide everything from silver oxidised jewellery to goods wrapped in various colours, making it a delight for those who enjoy street shopping.
9. Chalal
While Kasol is the most well-known of the Parvati Valley’s villages, by travelling a little further from there to the sleepy small village of Chalal, one may experience the true tranquilly of the enchanted state of Himachal Pradesh. Chalal, which is located at a height of over 5300 feet and 30 minutes’ walk from the popular tourist destination of Kasol, has kept much of its rustic, old-world mountain village charm. This charming town has earned the moniker “Isreal of Himachal Pradesh” with good reason; it is located in the stunning Parvati Valley of the Himalayas and boasts a magnificent vista of snow-capped mountains and stately pine trees.
Since Kasol has become a more well-known hamlet, Chalal has gained popularity with travellers and trekkers who come here to hike, camp out under the stars, or simply drink some hot chai while taking in the breathtaking view of the majestic Himalayas.
10. Old Manali
Three kilometres and 6589 feet above sea level from Manali, Himachal Pradesh, the tranquil neighbourhood of Old Manali is located in a valley that is heavily forested with apple orchards. Old Manali and New Manali are divisions of Manali caused by the Manalsu River. Old Manali is accessible by a riverside bridge. Since it is more aesthetically pleasing and less busy than New Manali, travellers frequent this spot more regularly.
The calm in Old Manali is arguably unparalleled. Due to its swaying eucalyptus, softly curving roads, gushing waters of the Kullu river, and breathtaking highlands, this region makes for the perfect natural escape. Discounts on delicious continental meals are available, and surrounding markets are a great place to find souvenirs. Here, the atmosphere will enchant you with its mesmerising sunrises and sunsets. The most well-known site in Old Manali is the Hidimba temple. The perfect place to admire Himachal Pradesh’s pristine natural splendour lies here, hidden away in the peaceful embrace of nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I set up my staycation?
Choosing what you want to do is the first step after opting to take a staycation! From there, you can create a budget, conduct additional research, and follow through with your strategy (if you’re not being impulsive).
2. How can a short trip seem like a vacation?
Make your staycation feel like a vacation in order to make the most of it! That calls for refraining from checking your work email, limiting your schedule, treating yourself, and going above and beyond to make your home feel like a getaway.
3. How long should a staycation last for?
You can take a staycation for as long as you desire! Take a couple days off of work or go away for a quick weekend. You might even take a weeklong staycation!
4. What should I get for a vacation at home?
You must decide what you’ll do during your vacay before you can decide what to pack! Invest in face masks, a robe, candles, and other essentials if you plan to host a spa experience at home. An outdoor projector and some snacks are required if you plan to set up a movie in the backyard. Be sure to pack all of your outdoor gear if you’re going camping! Make a list of the items you need to acquire after deciding how you want your vacay to be.
5. What else do you call a staycation?
Holistay and nearcation are two other terms for a staycation.
Bottom Line –
We sincerely hope that our list of staycation suggestions has motivated you to go on one of your own! A staycation is the ideal answer whether you need a weekend break or just want to take a day or two off to explore your city.
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