Many of us have a strong case of wanderlust and want nothing more than to jet-set around the country or the world. However, that’s not always possible due to money, family obligations, time, or our careers. But don’t fret — there’s a perfectly adequate solution — the staycation. If you don’t know exactly how to plan a staycation, we are here to help. Here are eight staycation ideas for your next un-getaway.
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1. Travel Abroad With International Cuisines
For those of us who have traveled internationally, what is one of the best ways to get to know the city or country we’re visiting? It’s trying the local cuisine! And when we can’t travel, we can use our taste buds to transport us somewhere else. Eating international cuisine at home can really give us a taste (pun intended) of traveling to another country. Sure, we can find a new restaurant in our own city that serves international cuisine, but wouldn’t it be more fun to cook at home?
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Oftentimes our travels will inspire us to recreate what we dined on abroad. If you feel inspired by past travels or want to let your taste buds take you on an adventure overseas in general, you can cook at home. Let’s travel abroad with international cuisine!
Cooking Essentials VadimZakirov/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Before you decide on what to cook, perhaps purchasing a good cookbook on international cuisine could be helpful. Barnes & Noble offers plenty of options for every type of cuisine. Thana Prasongsin/Moment via Getty Images Can’t decide what cookbook to get? Perhaps the cookbook International Cuisine from The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes may be a good choice. Not only are there more than 400 recipes, but it gives an overview of countries, cultures, and specific ingredients used. You can also try one of the many cooking classes offered online on Skillshare. Shop Now If you decide on a dish that features beef, chicken, pork, or sausage, Porter Road offers hand-cut meats from a few select farms they work closely with. You can expect fresh, quality meats from this company. Porter Road/Facebook Order a curated box of some of the finest meat you can use in a recipe on the Porter Road website. Shop Now Also, make sure you check recipes ahead of time for spices and see what you have on hand. If you’re missing something, Sur la Table offers a slew of spices you can order along with measuring spoons, spice graters, and storage containers. Helaine Weide/Moment via Getty Images Shop Now Aside from the ingredients, it’s essential to have good cookware, knives, cutting boards, and utensils. If you’re in the market to upgrade some of your cooking essentials, check out the sleek and stylish cookware and kitchen tools from Our Place. Our Place/Facebook Choose from a variety of pots, pans, ovenware, knives, shears, and more to help you cook some delectable international dishes for your stay-at-home vacation. Shop Now Products Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/DigitalVision via Getty Images Whether it’s tagine from Morocco, pasta from Italy, shakshuka from Tunisia, hummus from the Middle East, empanadas from Argentina, or sushi from Japan, we can actually make plenty of international dishes at home. And, yes, it can be challenging but also quite fun, especially if you invite your friends and family to help. Lingxiao Xie/Moment via Getty Images Pictured here is a terra cotta tagine pot, and you can order your own from Sur la Table to make Morocco’s most famous dish. Shop Now How fun would it be to try your hand at making pasta? Maybe invite some friends over and learn how to make fettuccini, spaghetti, or ravioli together! Nico De Pasquale Photography/Moment via Getty Images A good pasta machine, of course, would make the process a whole lot easier, and you can find several options on the Sur la Table website. Shop Now One of the best products to have on hand these days (aside from an Air Fryer or Instant Pot, of course) is a Blendjet. BlendJet/Facebook You can use a Blendjet for smoothies, soups, sauces, and so much more. Having one of these in the kitchen can make certain dishes or prep work for an international dish a breeze! Shop Now
2. Go Camping In Your Living Room
If you’re stuck on how to plan a family staycation, especially if you have young children at home, one fun idea is to go camping in your living room. With the right tools and products, it will be just as good as if you took a family vacation somewhere with your loved ones.
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Can’t decide what cookbook to get? Perhaps the cookbook International Cuisine from The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes may be a good choice. Not only are there more than 400 recipes, but it gives an overview of countries, cultures, and specific ingredients used. You can also try one of the many cooking classes offered online on Skillshare. Shop Now
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Porter Road/Facebook
Order a curated box of some of the finest meat you can use in a recipe on the Porter Road website. Shop Now
Helaine Weide/Moment via Getty Images
Our Place/Facebook
Choose from a variety of pots, pans, ovenware, knives, shears, and more to help you cook some delectable international dishes for your stay-at-home vacation. Shop Now
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/DigitalVision via Getty Images
Lingxiao Xie/Moment via Getty Images
Pictured here is a terra cotta tagine pot, and you can order your own from Sur la Table to make Morocco’s most famous dish. Shop Now
Nico De Pasquale Photography/Moment via Getty Images
A good pasta machine, of course, would make the process a whole lot easier, and you can find several options on the Sur la Table website. Shop Now
BlendJet/Facebook
You can use a Blendjet for smoothies, soups, sauces, and so much more. Having one of these in the kitchen can make certain dishes or prep work for an international dish a breeze! Shop Now
Westend61/Westend61 via Getty Images Kids are often excited about sleeping in a tent. But if children are on the younger side, they may feel more comfortable sleeping in a tent in the living room as opposed to outside in the backyard. Also, you can pitch a tent in the living room any time of year, no matter the weather! REI REI offers a wide array of tents as well as sleeping bags to consider getting for your makeshift living room campground. And don't forget the cozy blankets! Shop Now You and the kids can get ultra creative as you try to bring a sense of the outdoors inside. There are forest wall decals you can put up, for example. RichVintage/E+ via Getty Images Or how about a light that can project stars up on the ceiling to emulate the night sky? You can also get a tabletop s'mores maker to pretend you have a campfire to make your own s'mores. The possibilities are endless! Shop Now
3. Turn Your Backyard Into An Oasis
If you have a backyard, there are endless possibilities to turn it into an oasis you may never want to leave. Backyards can be a sanctuary, a way to spend time outdoors breathing in the fresh air, playing, and even relaxing. Here are a few ideas for backyard staycations.
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REI
REI offers a wide array of tents as well as sleeping bags to consider getting for your makeshift living room campground. And don’t forget the cozy blankets! Shop Now
RichVintage/E+ via Getty Images
Or how about a light that can project stars up on the ceiling to emulate the night sky? You can also get a tabletop s’mores maker to pretend you have a campfire to make your own s’mores. The possibilities are endless! Shop Now
Peter Cade/Stone via Getty Images If you're thinking about how to plan a relaxing staycation, prepping your outdoor space is essential. One of the best ways to spruce up your backyard or patio is with a set of nice patio furniture or lounge chairs. John Keeble/Moment via Getty Images Wayfair has tons of options for outdoor furniture for any space you're working with. So, make your outdoor area comfortable to you can kick back, relax, and maybe read a few books. Shop Now If you're lucky enough to have a pool, you may need a few fun pool floats to make things exciting. You can even find some floating pool games to have some fun with the family on your un-getaway! Thomas Barwick/Stone via Getty Images Shop Now Another great addition to your backyard staycation is a hot tub. Don't have one? Don't worry! Did you know that you can get an inflatable hot tub? pixinoo/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Inflatable hot tubs are becoming a popular and more affordable option than getting one installed in your backyard. You can check out the many options on Wayfair. Shop Now Grilling in your own backyard will also add to the ambiance of your backyard-centric staycation. Whether it's meat or veggies you want to cook, a quality grill is essential. Michael H/DigitalVision via Getty Images And don't forget the grilling utensils and cookware, melamine dishware, and outdoor drinkware to enjoy your meal outside. Shop Now And perhaps no backyard is complete without a fire pit. How amazing would it be to invite family and friends over to enjoy drinks, s'mores, outdoor activities, and conversations by the fire? Deborah Kolb/Image Source via Getty Images Shop Now
4. Turn Your Bathroom Into A Spa Retreat
Whether you have a bathtub, a shower, or both your bathroom can be turned into a wonderful spa-like retreat. Maybe freshening up your towels, getting a new bathrobe, or buying some new body products is in order to make your staycation even more relaxing. It’s also essential for self-care.
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Wayfair has tons of options for outdoor furniture for any space you’re working with. So, make your outdoor area comfortable to you can kick back, relax, and maybe read a few books. Shop Now
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pixinoo/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Inflatable hot tubs are becoming a popular and more affordable option than getting one installed in your backyard. You can check out the many options on Wayfair. Shop Now
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And don’t forget the grilling utensils and cookware, melamine dishware, and outdoor drinkware to enjoy your meal outside. Shop Now
Deborah Kolb/Image Source via Getty Images
Oscar Wong/Moment via Getty Images Showers and baths can be so incredibly relaxing. And part of what makes it relaxing is the bath products you choose. photoguns/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images From shower gels and body washes to soap, from shampoo and conditioner to face masks, you'll have your choice of items to enhance your relaxation. L'Occitane offers some incredible, high-quality bath products you may want to try. Shop Now A nice soft set of towels and a cozy bathrobe are also wonderful items to have on hand for your spa retreat. Sergey Mironov/Moment via Getty Images Shop Now
5. Give Your Bedroom The Hotel Treatment
Why stay at an Airbnb, a local hotel, or a bed and breakfast when you can stay put in your own home? You can recreate the look and feel of a hotel with just a few changes. Here’s another idea on how to plan a relaxing staycation.
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From shower gels and body washes to soap, from shampoo and conditioner to face masks, you’ll have your choice of items to enhance your relaxation. L’Occitane offers some incredible, high-quality bath products you may want to try. Shop Now
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CreativaStudio/E+ via Getty Images One of the most important ways to give your bedroom the hotel treatment is a comfortable mattress. How amazing would it be to sleep on something so comfortable and get plenty of rest that you'll feel as though you're on a vacation in a hotel room? Purple/Facebook Take a look at Purple mattresses that adapt to your body to give you the most restful sleep imaginable. Shop Now Once you get your new mattress, you can adorn it with soft, luxurious sheets from a company like Brooklinen. Choose from percale, luxe sateen, washed linen, heathered cashmere, or brushed flannel to make your bed one you may never want to get out of. Brooklinen/Facebook Shop Now You'll also want to choose decor that will add some personality and enhance the look of your bedroom. You can really make it your own, a place you will want to spend as much time as possible relaxing. Society6/Facebook Check out all the decor options on Society6. You'll find stylish decorative pillows, curtains, artwork, rugs, tapestries, and a whole lot more on the website. Shop Now
6. Enjoy A Wellness Retreat
Whether you find a local wellness retreat or practice yoga and/or meditation at home, self-care is an important part of a staycation. We all must take some time to care for our minds and bodies.
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Purple/Facebook
Take a look at Purple mattresses that adapt to your body to give you the most restful sleep imaginable. Shop Now
Brooklinen/Facebook
Society6/Facebook
Check out all the decor options on Society6. You’ll find stylish decorative pillows, curtains, artwork, rugs, tapestries, and a whole lot more on the website. Shop Now
Kmatta/Moment via Getty Images Practicing wellness and self-care often comes from within. Yoga and meditation go hand-in-hand, and while it can be difficult to start out, there are ways to learn how to do both. warodom changyencham/Moment via Getty Images A website like Skillshare offers numerous yoga and meditation classes that can help. This website makes it so easy to follow along and helps you calm your mind and take care of your body. Shop Now
7. Settle In For An International Movie Marathon
Watching an international movie can truly transport you to another country. Between the sets and the locations, along with the accents of the actors, you’ll be dreaming of traveling the entire time you’re watching. So, why not grab your loved ones, order some takeout, and relax as you watch a few international flicks?
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A website like Skillshare offers numerous yoga and meditation classes that can help. This website makes it so easy to follow along and helps you calm your mind and take care of your body. Shop Now
thethomsn/Moment via Getty Images Shop Now Thinking of a trip to Paris? How about Italy, Australia, South Korea, or anywhere else in the world? James O'Neil/The Image Bank via Getty Images Like food, movies have a way of transporting us to a foreign land -- no plane ticket required! So, if you're looking for more things to do on a staycation, how about a foreign movie night marathon? Any streaming service, like Hulu, will have a wide selection of international films as well as TV shows to choose from. So, what country are you in the mood to visit tonight? Shop Now And you know what pairs well with an international movie marathon? How about some food to enhance the experience? Choose cuisine that matches the country of a film you plan on watching. You'll be mentally whisked away to that location in no time. Oscar Wong/Moment via Getty Images A website like Goldbelly offers cuisines from restaurants and bakeries around the country and ships nationwide! Shop Now
8. Try Something New
Whether you’re staycationing by yourself or with your loved ones, it’s always a good idea to try something new. How about learning a language? How about a new skill? What about some DIY projects around the house? Trying something new is another idea for a stay-at-home vacation.
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James O’Neil/The Image Bank via Getty Images
Like food, movies have a way of transporting us to a foreign land – no plane ticket required! So, if you’re looking for more things to do on a staycation, how about a foreign movie night marathon? Any streaming service, like Hulu, will have a wide selection of international films as well as TV shows to choose from. So, what country are you in the mood to visit tonight? Shop Now
A website like Goldbelly offers cuisines from restaurants and bakeries around the country and ships nationwide! Shop Now
Kathrin Ziegler/DigitalVision via Getty Images Want to learn gardening or how to build furniture? What about painting a wall, putting in a new backsplash in the kitchen, or organizing your home? And then there's jewelry-making, art, pottery, and more that you can learn. A staycation is the perfect time to try something new. Halfpoint Images/Moment via Getty Images If you're in the market to learn a new skill, Skillshare offers classes and tutorials in just about anything you can think of for everyday life. And if you have kids, they can learn too! Shop Now
Who needs a vacation when you can have a staycation instead? With the right about of planning, activities, decor, and ambiance, you can transport yourself somewhere else while staying in the comfort of your own home. Kathrin Ziegler/DigitalVision via Getty Images So, are you ready to plan your next un-getaway? Share your perfect staycation ideas in the comments!
If you need a change of scenery, how about a day trip in your area or a road trip around your state? Perhaps a trip to a local museum or one of the many national parks in our country? There’s so much to do and add to your bucket list, not just around the United States but even in your own town!
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If you’re in the market to learn a new skill, Skillshare offers classes and tutorials in just about anything you can think of for everyday life. And if you have kids, they can learn too! Shop Now
So, are you ready to plan your next un-getaway? Share your perfect staycation ideas in the comments!
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