How to Have a Fantastic Staycation

The weather is warming up and summer is going to be here before you know it. maybe you have plans to travel some other time of the year, but still want to enjoy the summer months and don't have the funds to swing another trip, plan a staycation or two. Don't take a typical one though. Anyone can stay home and drive around all day and then come back and sleep in their own bed. Why not make it a real adventure and be creative with your planning?

Just because you aren't flying anywhere, doesn't mean you can't stay in a hotel or pack a suitcase. Staycations are boring, because you spend half your time in your own house (and the word is also annoying to hear and say). Chances are you haven't explored your whole city or even nearby cities. Pretend you have never visited where you live before and get excited about tourist attractions. You probably haven't been to them in 10 years, or ever, so they are new to you!

Stay in a town other than where you live. Not up to hanging around your own town? Go a town or two over and explore that one! Stay in a budget hotel or a B&B and make an itinerary with all the touristy stuff there is to do there on it. Just that change of scenery can really help you relax. And even though you could drive there and do a day trip, why not make it a real vacation by putting some money on an affordable accommodation. Claim you're from out of town, (because hey! You are!) and ask "locals" where the best places to eat and visit are. Even if you've already been there, you might learn about some really awesome cafes, shops or parks that you never knew existed.

Get a hotel or vacation rental in the middle of the action. Come on! You haven't see everything in the city you live in, have you? There are still some things in Portland that I have yet to get to...and in Oregon. And I just found out that a couple hours away from here I can see a replica of Stonehenge! (Filing that away for future day-tripping, for sure.) If you live near a big city, chances are there is a fabulous downtown that is full of fun and weird stuff to do. I also bet dollars to doughnuts (yum!) that you don't live downtown, because it is wicked expensive. This is the time to cash in some miles or hotel points for free nights or look into gettng an apartment or condo rental in the middle of it all and set out each day to discover something new and awesome about where you live.

Look online for popular (and obscure) tourist attractions. You already do this when you go on regular vacations. Do it the same way for your hometown and find crazy things you have never heard of before, do things you always say you will or just go be a cheesy tourist and do things that you tell other people are musts when they visit.

Eat at all those food carts you always say you will try, but then never do. Oh the joy of looking at the Twitter feed and seeing a new food cart has opened. You vow you will try it, and then 30 new carts have come and gone and you have yet to drive the 2 miles into town and find parking and eat maybe some of the most delicious stuff you will ever call food. Okay, maybe it will be mediocre or downright disgusting, but you'll never know unless you try it. All in one day you could try salted cod, deep fried cheeseburgers, ham and cheese crepes and Korean short ribs on a stick! (Of course, you'll have to adjust for what your town actually has.) Seriously though. Your city probably has a ton of really cool stuff. If not food carts, like Portland is famous for, then maybe you can hit up a bunch of greasy spoons or taco trucks. At least you'll get exercise walking to each one.

Bring your camera and take lots of pictures. Don't take your city for granted. Just because you see that stuff every day, doesn't mean it's not cool. You'll be sad one day when you talk to someone about things and then realize you have no photos of it or you being there.

Want more ideas for taking the perfect staycation? Check out my staycation Pinterest board on things you can do to turn your backyard into an awesome getaway and what to do and where to go away from home. We use our backyard as a movie theater and are looking to make it even more luxurious for when friends and family come indulge.

Where did you spend your last staycation and what did you do?

Do You Travel With Kids?

Every once in a while I hear stories from adults who go to fabulous places and then they mention that they left their kids at home. It may just be the way I was raised, though my BFF and husband have the same views and we all had vastly different childhoods, but I feel like going on a vacation means you go as a family. Unless you are in need of a weekend getaway to reconnect with your spouse, wherever you go, your kids go as well. Not only does it bring your family closer together, it creates lifelong (usually happy) memories and your kids might learn a thing or two about a new culture, their food and their history. I feel like parents who go away, especially to exotic places, on their own are vastly depriving their children of world knowledge and life lessons, no matter what age they are. I'm aware travel isn't cheap, but your kids should not be left out because you can't afford for your whole family to go to destinations. You should save for longer or go to less expensive cities until you can travel more far and wide. Apparently, a lot of travelers agree with me. Do you?

Do you agree that children should travel when they're younger? Do you travel with your kids?

Four Cool Places to See Views of Paris

Sometimes when you are on vacation, it can be fun to see the whole city (or a large part of it) from above. Paris is a very interesting city and it's quite large. I've talked about seeing what's underneath the city at the catacombs and the Pere Lechaise Cemeterie, but what about seeing a bunch of the city's landscape from some of it's awesome landmarks? Here are four that I think are fun:

Eiffel Tower

It's the most obvious, but you can see quite a lot of the city from the top, while also checking off a must-do on your list. Ask someone to snap a photo of you with your love and you'll have a romantic shot to look back on.

Arc de Triomphe

It's one of those landmarks that you figure you will see, but on our first trip to Paris, we only saw it from down the street. Make sure to load up on protein and wear comfortable shoes before you visit, because there are 488 steps to the top, many of which are up a winding spiral staircase. It's a long hike, but the view is definitely worth it.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Another attraction that requires a lot of walking. There are many steps to the top of the Cathedral, but once up there, you can see the Seine and much of the touristy area of Paris. You'll also get up close and personal with the gargoyles on the roof. I wasn't up for another climb, so I didn't do this on my visit to Notre Dame, but it's on my list for my next trip there.

Montparnasse Tower

An easier way to view Paris from the top is on Tour Montparnasse 56. Ride to the top floor of the tower where you can view and take photos of Paris from inside. There are interactive monitors that can help you learn more about the city's history, telescopes, a gift shop and a cafe. Head up a short flight of stairs to the roof and get 360 degree views. On our visit, it was quite cold and windy, but we still had amazing views from inside and outside.

Do you have a favorite place to view the city from?