QUAR-OUTING: THE NEW STAYCATION
Written by Feba Maryann
The outbreak of a pandemic does not eliminate your need for a relaxing vacation. It’s an essential to immerse your troubled thoughts in a luscious cocktail or smoothie as you bask underneath the scorching sun. But alas, the invasion of COVID has left us devoid of our much-needed vacations. Sadly, we must put our hot summer bodies on the waiting list whilst we engage in social distancing measures as we feel our hot breath underneath the precisely stitched surgical masks. Fortunately, or unfortunately it also means prolonged stretches of family time – which can be a YAY or maybe a NAY, both are ok!
It is most natural to taunt your family members over the loss of privacy and space that you earlier luxuriously possessed. Work from home, online classes, and the stationing of all kinds of interaction in the form of a digital realm within the four walls of your home is quite harrowing. But safety and health are of prime importance during these difficult times. Health includes both physical and mental health. It is immensely pivotal that one takes utmost care of their mental well-being.
This necessitates the need for a well-deserved staycation with your family. There is a wide range of alternatives available to quench our thirst for travel:
Take A Road Trip: This is one of the most convenient outlets if you’re looking for a change. However, it requires precise planning of the roads you’d be hitting beforehand as travel restrictions are still prevalent in many parts of the country. Renting an RV would be the most comfortable and safe option. It not only pampers you with ample space but also ensures the availability of everything you need under the one roof. There is a wide range of major cities and towns in the vicinity of your homes that’d be worth a visit.
Book An Airbnb: If travel restrictions in your state have been lifted it gives you the perfect opportunity to book an Airbnb. It may reside next to a beach adorned by different shades of green or a lake glistening in all of its glory. Search for places as such to ascertain the safety and well-being of your family. Airbnb is adhering to all the safety protocols to ensure top-notch treatment and satisfaction of their customers, they have also entailed provisions for long monthly stays. You don’t have to go big or go home many people are choosing to stay in areas closest to their homes too.
Go Camping: This alternative is perfect for those families who thrive in outdoor settings. While the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 is relatively lower in the open air, even then it’s essential that one takes all the necessary precautions and follow the social distancing measures. In hindsight, many of the camping sites are now closed. However, there are plenty of remote and isolated campgrounds for the adventurous families out there. Download the WikiCamps app to hunt for sites that meet all your requirements. Note, remember that you might still to make the booking for accommodation.
A Classic Local Staycation: Enjoy a comfortable and relaxing stay at the nearest hotel or resort that provides you with all the luxuries of a vacation without moving a finger. It soothes you with all the extravagant amenities whilst you leave all your worries behind. As the travel industry has been one of the worst hit by the pandemic there is a lot of discounts available along with the myriad of booking options and cancellation policies. The resorts and hotels are flexible and have implemented all the required safety precautions. Be sure to thoroughly scrutinise the hotel’s refund and cleaning policies to ensure maximum security and welfare.
Hiking: If you and your family are enthusiastic travellers who don’t shy away from going the extra mile to achieve the best experience, this alternative is for you. Be sure to strictly abide by the social distance practice at all times. The appropriate distance from one another being 1.5 meters. There are plenty of remote trails (30+ hiking and walking tracks) open which also have the facilities for an overnight camp. Ensure you pack all the necessities and maintain good hygiene during the experience. It’s deemed a magical getaway that can be enjoyed by you and your family.
It is hard to find the bright side during these testing times. However, one must find rays of hope to keep moving forward. Mental welfare is the key to striding forward. Staycations and other forms of getaways prove efficient in finding stability. If the above staycation ideas aren’t apt for you and your family, you can always stick to simpler and easier alternatives such as transforming your backyard into a campsite. Anything that stimulates change aids you in finding inner peace and wellbeing. Wishing a happy staycation to you and your family!