Holiday on hold this year? Not sure you’ll make it away? While nothing beats a relaxing break at a 5* hotel or boutique hotel, with imagination and planning, you can have a fun-filled getaway without stepping foot on a plane - or even leaving the home.
At-Home Yoga Retreat
If dreaming of a wellness break is as close as you think you’ll get to one this year, why not take a yoga staycation? In light of recent events, many yoga retreats have taken their teachings online. Helping you rest, relax and find your inner ‘om’ from the comfort of your home, some virtual
retreats are even filmed on beautiful islands. Listen carefully and you may even hear the sound of the ocean as you do your yoga moves.
Our Wake Up and Wind Down yoga video tutorials can also help you start and end each day feeling great.
Summer Vacation Training
A week-long staycation could be a great time to learn a new skill or start a hobby. Josh Kaufman, author of The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything... Fast, believes you don’t need the 10,000 hours some say it takes to learn new skill. Just 20 hours (divided into roughly three-hour chunks that’s about a week) and a willingness to learn.
Research shows that those who engage in creative pursuits in their leisure time are often happier than those who don’t. So why not take a week out to learn the basics of tailoring, cooking, or even how to make the perfect bed? .
Home Glamping
Sleeping under a starry sky can be magical. If the campsite you want is booked, or you simply don’t want the hassle or risk or travelling during these uncertain times, why not turn your own outdoor space into a glamping hot spot with a bell tent, cosy duvet, snugly pillows, throws, fairy lights and even a drinks station. Even factoring in the tent, it’ll still be the fraction of the cost of a holiday abroad. Once the tent's set up, check out our Spotify playlist for some blissful summertime tunes.
Interrailing (minus the train)
Interrailing without a train, how can that possibly be a thing you ask? With a little – OK, a lot – of imagination and a bit of planning you can save yourself months of preparation and hours of packing by taking your interrailing or European break online.
Thanks to sites such as Google Arts & Culture you can now explore heritage sites, museums and see over 100,000 artworks all over the world. Team that with Airbnb Online Experiences and you’ve everything you need to travel and explore cultures from the comfort of your couch.
So, grab a pen, a journal and plot your trip by choosing a country for each day of the week/weekend. Friday could involve a French-inspired continental breakfast, virtual wine tasting and an online museum tour. Saturday could be a chance to take a virtual tour of Italy’s iconic sites and learn how to make pizza like a pro. By Sunday you’ll be in need of a siesta and perhaps a flamenco dance tutorial before a Tequila or two!
Looking for inspiration for a weekend away from home? Read our guide to boutique hotels and properties we know you'll love. See Between The Sheets
