We all want to go on a holiday every now and then. Sometimes, you are bored at work or on the bus back home and you see travel photos of your family and friends and you too want to take a break and go somewhere. But even though throwing caution to the wind and hoping on a plane sounds tempting, you can’t really do that.

There’s a lot that planning a holiday entails, from booking tickets and hotel rooms to managing your finances and readying an itinerary. And sometimes, all you have is a weekend and you can’t really take a long trip to your dream destination either. In those instances, a staycation is what you need. It’s the perfect getaway that you need, and one that costs less money and time than a regular vacation. Here we give you a lowdown of how you can plan one.

What is a staycation?
A staycation is how you can get a vacation-like experience without venturing too far from home. Whether you stay in your own city or visit a nearby one, the goal of a staycation is the same as a vacation: To take a break from your day-to-day life.

First up, figure out what you want to do 
The key to a great staycation is first figuring out what you want to do, whether it’s a spa getaway or a hiking adventure. You need to know if you want to stay at home and go somewhere accessible and get back or if you want to venture a little further and go to a nearby destination for a day or two. For those in Kathmandu, Gokarna, Godavari, Dhulikhel and Nagarkot can be some ideal places for a staycation. But if you want to stay at home then that’s perfectly okay too. Decide what you want to do and take it from there.

Budget for it
Just as you would and should create a vacation budget, decide how much you can spend on your staycation. But remember you have already saved a great deal by not purchasing airline tickets and not choosing to spend 10 nights at a hotel, so splurge a bit too. The idea here is that, in the end, you want to spend much less than if you had gone out of the country or even town for that matter, but you don’t have to make it feel like you are on a tight budget. That will take the fun out of your staycation and make it any other day at home.

Be a tourist in your own city
When was the last time you took a tour in your own city? Pick a map and check out some places you want to go to. All too often, we stick to the main streets when sightseeing, but this is your chance to discover side streets, shops, and restaurants you might otherwise walk right past. Also, visit the museum or the Durbar Squares and try to see your city in a new light. And try switching up your ordinary mode of transportation by walking or biking instead of driving or taking the public transport in your city.

Pamper yourself
Make your staycation fun by surprising your partner with everything from an in-home massage to food from a new restaurant he/she has been wanting to try out. The perfect staycation involves pampering yourself. So take a little time to relax, do a manicure or pedicure and put on a face mask. This will refresh and reenergize you. Also, if you are staying at home then consider ordering food throughout the duration of your staycation. Place a stack of your favorite take-out menus next to the phone, and follow your gut, literally. With great food delivery services like Bhoj and Foodmandu, you can eat anything from pizzas to biryani whenever you want to. 

Indulge in the outdoors
Don’t stay cooped up indoors throughout the duration of your staycation. That’s the worst thing you can do. Try to enjoy the outdoors. Jazz up your patio area or balcony with some string lights and candles and put on some music. Relax with some beer (when it’s sunny) and unwind with some wine (in the evening). You can even download and watch a movie you have been meaning to or simply watch the world go by. The idea is to enjoy the fresh air and be in harmony. 

Go on a reading binge
An armchair journey can be a trip too when taken in the company of a good writer. First, create an ideal setting: Pick your most comfortable chair and make sure that you will have all the light you need. Then furnish it with the necessary props so that you won’t have to keep getting up for things. For instance, keep a throw for when it gets chilly, a tall glass of your beverage of choice, a dictionary, and a notebook and a pen to jot down phrases that you like. Tackle a classic you never got around to reading in college or, if you think that defeats the purpose of a staycation, pick up a recent bestseller. We hear Jeffery Archer has a new book out and that Michelle Obama’s autobiography is a nice and uplifting read. 
 

 
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