2020 has thrown us more than a few curveballs and if you are anything like me, this whole staying-in-one place-alone-for-long-periods-of-time thing is just not cutting it. It’s been hard on all of us! Until the day comes that we can all go about our lives again, free to roam and live in the moment, we are going to have to get creative.

One thing that I have mastered in this time is the art of a “staycation.” Now, I know what you are thinking:

You live in Rome, Chloe, get lost. 😉

Okay, yes you are right. I recognize that am among the incredibly fortunate in this time & I also happen to be living in a beautiful place that is a vacation destination for many. But let’s not forget the strict lockdown Italy went through for almost 2 and a half months — We weren’t so much as allowed to step foot outside without a documented reason while police patrolled the street. So there were times where the creativity had to kick in!

Even now, I am itching to travel around Europe like I had planned for this year but since that is not happening, let’s get into it and plan this staycation together!

Block your calendar and make a plan!

Depending on if you are going to do this staycation in your home or in an Airbnb or hotel (be cautious and triple check your safety before doing this), we are going to need a plan of action just like any other vacation!

I mean it! Block out the days that you are going on your staycation and don’t book anything except fun activities for that time.

I have done a few staycations: a couple during the extreme lockdown and a few while we have been ~free,~ for lack of better word. The first one I did was on the day that I was supposed to go to Paris with my boyfriend. It was the second or so week of lockdown and our flights and hotel were cancelled, for obvious reasons, so we pulled up a virtual tour of Paris, put on some stereotypical Parisian tunes, drank some French wine, and had ourselves a date night “in Paris.” This sounds sad now that I am typing it out but it was actually such a fun activity and it was a fun way to play pretend & get our minds off of the lockdown!

My other staycations included renting Airbnb’s nearby and enjoying the change of scenery/sites that we haven’t yet explored!

So what are you going to plan to do? Let’s walk through some ideas of what you could include on your staycation itinerary!

Let’s build your itinerary!

We tend to get lost in our typical every day lives and disregard our surroundings sometimes! Take this time to really see what your city has to offer. There are also many fun things you can do inside your own home to make it feel like a vacay. Here are just some ideas for your staycation:

1. Visit historical sites and learn more about the foundation of where you live
2. Take a turn down a street you haven’t yet explored
3. Go for a walk around your neighborhood park
4. Have a picnic
5. Explore the architecture
6. Go for a wine tasting
7. Try out a new restaurant
8. Have a cocktail/happy hour night in your own home
9. Set up a fancy date night in your home
10. Host a family board game tournament
11. Do an at-home cooking class via YouTube
12. Rent kayaks or a boat
13. Enjoy some self-care time — pull out those facemasks and run a bubble bath!
14. Do an at-home painting class via YouTube (or Bob Ross :))
15. Go to the zoo (be sure to look up the entry requirements)
16. Camp in your backyard
17. Camp at a campground
18. Have your own film festival
19. Go clothes shopping for yourself (but wear a mask please..)
20. Do a photoshoot

Unplug

The most important thing to remember is that this is a VACATION even though you are in your own home/city. That means put away the phone, stop answering emails, and enjoy the time you have with your family, significant other, roommate, or even if you are just doing this for yourself! And for God’s sake skip the news. Don’t go on Facebook or Twitter, & don’t turn on the news channel. There’s enough bad news to go around, it can wait until your vacation is over. Sad, but true! Turn it off!!!!!!!!!!

SO with all this being said, have fun and get creative!! I would love to hear about your staycation plans in the comments below. What other ideas do you have for a 2020-ified staycation? 🙂