Instead of using vacation time to travel, during a staycation, you remain at your own home but spice up your routine with fun activities—things you would have done if you were on vacation, like going out to restaurants, visiting local attractions, etc. 

But is it a viable plan? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Robert Norris (@robertdnorris)

Pros

The biggest and most obvious pro is that a staycation will save you money. On a staycation, you don’t need to pay for lodging and travel, which are usually the most expensive budget items of a vacation. 

Another pro is that you can explore local attractions you may otherwise put off for years. Maybe there’s a new museum that opened or there’s a town fair you’ve been meaning to check out. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by suban (@subanbrn)

Cons

When you’re staying in your home, it can be hard to shut off your regular routine and responsibilities. It’s much easier to get distracted with errands. At the end of the day, you don’t want to spend your vacation cleaning the garage instead of relaxing.

The post Pros and Cons of a Staycation appeared first on Traveler Master.

Changing Weather

The weather tends to be more unpredictable than ever in the fall, making it difficult to plan your trips in advance. Luckily, you don’t have to do this when it comes to staycations. They can easily be planned last minute, based on the current weather conditions in your home country.

Time Management

Unless you’re working remotely, it’s highly likely you’ve used up all your vacation days by this point in time, and longer trips are no longer an option. Luckily, you can still use your weekends to travel and explore the local area because it doesn’t take too long to reach your destination this way.

Budget-Friendly

Another thing you’ll run out of as the year approaches its end is the money. You’ll need to save some cash for the upcoming holidays, and that’s why expensive trips won’t be an option this fall. Staycations are a great idea because they usually come with a lower price tag, especially if you’re traveling with friends and family because you can share the expenses.

The post 3 Reasons Staycations Are a Perfect Option for Fall Travel appeared first on Traveler Master.

Camping

Camping will give you the change of scenery you’re craving and it’s already socially distant. You can camp in your backyard, at the campground, or even in your living room.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by marlon family (@marlonlondah)

Stay at a Local Hotel, Resort, or Bed-and-Breakfast

If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, head to a local hotel, resort, or bread-and-breakfast. You’ll get the feeling of being on a vacation without having to travel far.

Visit a National, State, or Local Park

Take advantage of national, state, or local parks you have nearby and explore the outdoors. You can hike, bike, climb, kayak, observe wildlife, and have a picnic.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tenny (@chillyourpanties)

Take a Food Tour

Go on a food tour of your city or a place nearby and try out the restaurants and hotspots you’ve always wanted to try.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tampa Bay Food Tours (@tampabayfoodtours)

Visit Tourist Attractions

Head to the spots tourists frequent like museums, science centers, landmarks, and galleries. Just because they’re close by, doesn’t mean they’re not worth a visit. Chances are you’ve forgotten about these local gems.

The post 5 Creative Staycation Ideas for When You Can’t Travel appeared first on Traveler Master.

Free Accommodation

One of the perks of traveling in your home country is that you probably have family members and friends outside of your home town. If they’re willing to host you, you can save a lot of money on accommodation fees, but camping is also an option when you’re exploring nature.

Shorter Trips

The less time you spend on the road, the less money you’re going to waste. You can embark on brief trips on the weekends, and explore nearby places. If your staycation destination is more than two or three hours away from your home town, leave it for some other times when you can take a couple of free days off.

Splitting Expenses

Traveling with a group of people is more exciting and fun, but it’s also a good way to save some extra cash. You’ll have someone to split the cost of gas, food, and logging when you’re not traveling on your own, saving a lot of money along the way.

The post Top Tips for Planning a Budget-Friendly Staycation appeared first on Traveler Master.

Cotopaxi Allta 42L Travel Bag

This colorful bag is designed for the traveler who wants style and function. The bag is the perfect carry-on, and it zips open to display multiple built-in mesh pockets. It’s a great way to keep your clothes, toiletries, and electronics stored safely during your travels.

Osprey Atmos 65

For the backpacker that needs a heavy-duty system, this is the backpack of choice. It’s designed to hold 65L, and has a built-in raincover for the days when you’re out trekking. In addition, a lot of time has been spent on ensuring that the straps are comfortable.

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

If you’re on the road for business, and not pleasure then the Nomatic 40L is perfect. It has compartments for shoes, and a foldable t-shirt pocket to make sure nothing gets wrinkled.

The post Top Travel Backpacks Of 2020 appeared first on Traveler Master.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has made it hard, if not impossible, to travel internationally or long distances, travelers have begun to enjoy their escapes closer to home than ever.

This can be described under a term that has an interesting, and often incorrect, connotation: “staycationing”.

When many people think about staycations, they think about staying in their homes and enjoying their vacation time without going anywhere. That doesn’t have to be the case, though!

Staycations can also be all about staying local with your travels and not going far away. Instead of flying across the continent to visit a major city, for example, staycationing can be about driving an hour away to a national park that you haven’t explored before or a charming small town.

The possibilities are endless!

So, why not try an alternative staycation this year or next? You don’t have to be at home, but staying close to it offers all kinds of advantages that just can’t be beaten.

The post Staycationing Doesn’t Have to Mean Staying at Home! appeared first on Traveler Master.

Budget

First, you need to set a budget for the number of days you want to spend on your staycation. If you have a travel fund saved for a fun time abroad, consider using a portion of that fund for a luxurious stay close to home. You can also put away money with each paycheck and go on a budget friendly trip within your own city. 

Location

Research different tourist destinations within your country, or state. Sometimes great boutique hotels or lodges are overlooked because they are close to home. These can be a great place to spend a weekend, learning about where you live. If you live next to the ocean, consider visiting a nearby island. 

Something New

Often the best experiences come out of trying something new. Activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, or even a day spent at the spa can be like going on a holiday. Book a nice hotel or Airbnb for the weekend and get out of your comfort zone.

The post How to Plan the Perfect Staycation appeared first on Traveler Master.

Zero Planning

One of the best things about staycations is that they’re more spontaneous than regular trips, but there should still be some planning involved. If you only have a day or two on your hands, you’ll be able to cover much more ground with a clear plan in mind.

Skipping Research

Research is an essential part of planning your vacation, and you should never skip this step. Discovering things on the go can be really fun and you should definitely do it, but make sure to do at least some research so you wouldn’t miss out on some amazing places.

No Budget in Mind

Another great thing about staycations is that they’re budget-friendly—as long as you have a budget in mind. Know exactly how much money you want to spend, and make sure to travel with people who are willing to split the cost of gas, accommodation, and food.

The post 3 Things That Can Ruin Your Staycation appeared first on Traveler Master.

We thought we’d offer some ideas for keeping local travel on a budget and really get to know your own back yard.

Cycle

Cycling is a great way to see cities, but also experience some national parks that have dedicated bike routes. Either cycle from your home to somewhere near, load your bike on a car rack, or hop on a train with a bike.

Sleep Cheap

Since you’re not paying for luggage, why not consider camping if you’re planning on natural landscapes? Buy a tent that fits your needs and practice a few times, there’s nothing better than spending the night in the privacy of the great outdoors.

Weekdays Travel

We tend to take holidays only for faraway trips and so our impression of local travel is only of what it looks like on the weekends when everyone else visits, just like you. Try booking a week off from work to travel locally and discover peace and quiet you never felt before.

The post Travel Locally Without Breaking The Bank appeared first on Traveler Master.

1. Watch the sunrise from Promontory Point and enjoy the swimming area later in the morning.
2. Photography fan? Head to the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the flagship museum of Colombia College Chicago.
3. If you’re craving green space and nature, visit the Garfield Park Conservatory and enjoy its public gardens.
4. There’s an interesting part of the University of Chicago called the Smart Museum of Art and it offers contemporary art that’s progressive and eclectic.
5. Wanna see a million dollars in cash? You can do that at the Federal Reserve Bank Money Museum! Visit it on a weekday at 1 pm for a free guided tour.
6. In the first week of September, you can attend the Chicago Jazz Festival in Millenium Park.

The post 10 Best Free Things You Can Do in Chicago appeared first on Traveler Master.

Instead of using vacation time to travel, during a staycation, you remain at your own home but spice up your routine with fun activities—things you would have done if you were on vacation, like going out to restaurants, visiting local attractions, etc. 

But is it a viable plan? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Robert Norris (@robertdnorris)

Pros

The biggest and most obvious pro is that a staycation will save you money. On a staycation, you don’t need to pay for lodging and travel, which are usually the most expensive budget items of a vacation. 

Another pro is that you can explore local attractions you may otherwise put off for years. Maybe there’s a new museum that opened or there’s a town fair you’ve been meaning to check out. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by suban (@subanbrn)

Cons

When you’re staying in your home, it can be hard to shut off your regular routine and responsibilities. It’s much easier to get distracted with errands. At the end of the day, you don’t want to spend your vacation cleaning the garage instead of relaxing.

The post Pros and Cons of a Staycation appeared first on Traveler Master.

Changing Weather

The weather tends to be more unpredictable than ever in the fall, making it difficult to plan your trips in advance. Luckily, you don’t have to do this when it comes to staycations. They can easily be planned last minute, based on the current weather conditions in your home country.

Time Management

Unless you’re working remotely, it’s highly likely you’ve used up all your vacation days by this point in time, and longer trips are no longer an option. Luckily, you can still use your weekends to travel and explore the local area because it doesn’t take too long to reach your destination this way.

Budget-Friendly

Another thing you’ll run out of as the year approaches its end is the money. You’ll need to save some cash for the upcoming holidays, and that’s why expensive trips won’t be an option this fall. Staycations are a great idea because they usually come with a lower price tag, especially if you’re traveling with friends and family because you can share the expenses.

The post 3 Reasons Staycations Are a Perfect Option for Fall Travel appeared first on Traveler Master.

Camping

Camping will give you the change of scenery you’re craving and it’s already socially distant. You can camp in your backyard, at the campground, or even in your living room.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by marlon family (@marlonlondah)

Stay at a Local Hotel, Resort, or Bed-and-Breakfast

If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, head to a local hotel, resort, or bread-and-breakfast. You’ll get the feeling of being on a vacation without having to travel far.

Visit a National, State, or Local Park

Take advantage of national, state, or local parks you have nearby and explore the outdoors. You can hike, bike, climb, kayak, observe wildlife, and have a picnic.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tenny (@chillyourpanties)

Take a Food Tour

Go on a food tour of your city or a place nearby and try out the restaurants and hotspots you’ve always wanted to try.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tampa Bay Food Tours (@tampabayfoodtours)

Visit Tourist Attractions

Head to the spots tourists frequent like museums, science centers, landmarks, and galleries. Just because they’re close by, doesn’t mean they’re not worth a visit. Chances are you’ve forgotten about these local gems.

The post 5 Creative Staycation Ideas for When You Can’t Travel appeared first on Traveler Master.

Free Accommodation

One of the perks of traveling in your home country is that you probably have family members and friends outside of your home town. If they’re willing to host you, you can save a lot of money on accommodation fees, but camping is also an option when you’re exploring nature.

Shorter Trips

The less time you spend on the road, the less money you’re going to waste. You can embark on brief trips on the weekends, and explore nearby places. If your staycation destination is more than two or three hours away from your home town, leave it for some other times when you can take a couple of free days off.

Splitting Expenses

Traveling with a group of people is more exciting and fun, but it’s also a good way to save some extra cash. You’ll have someone to split the cost of gas, food, and logging when you’re not traveling on your own, saving a lot of money along the way.

The post Top Tips for Planning a Budget-Friendly Staycation appeared first on Traveler Master.

Cotopaxi Allta 42L Travel Bag

This colorful bag is designed for the traveler who wants style and function. The bag is the perfect carry-on, and it zips open to display multiple built-in mesh pockets. It’s a great way to keep your clothes, toiletries, and electronics stored safely during your travels.

Osprey Atmos 65

For the backpacker that needs a heavy-duty system, this is the backpack of choice. It’s designed to hold 65L, and has a built-in raincover for the days when you’re out trekking. In addition, a lot of time has been spent on ensuring that the straps are comfortable.

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

If you’re on the road for business, and not pleasure then the Nomatic 40L is perfect. It has compartments for shoes, and a foldable t-shirt pocket to make sure nothing gets wrinkled.

The post Top Travel Backpacks Of 2020 appeared first on Traveler Master.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has made it hard, if not impossible, to travel internationally or long distances, travelers have begun to enjoy their escapes closer to home than ever.

This can be described under a term that has an interesting, and often incorrect, connotation: “staycationing”.

When many people think about staycations, they think about staying in their homes and enjoying their vacation time without going anywhere. That doesn’t have to be the case, though!

Staycations can also be all about staying local with your travels and not going far away. Instead of flying across the continent to visit a major city, for example, staycationing can be about driving an hour away to a national park that you haven’t explored before or a charming small town.

The possibilities are endless!

So, why not try an alternative staycation this year or next? You don’t have to be at home, but staying close to it offers all kinds of advantages that just can’t be beaten.

The post Staycationing Doesn’t Have to Mean Staying at Home! appeared first on Traveler Master.

Budget

First, you need to set a budget for the number of days you want to spend on your staycation. If you have a travel fund saved for a fun time abroad, consider using a portion of that fund for a luxurious stay close to home. You can also put away money with each paycheck and go on a budget friendly trip within your own city. 

Location

Research different tourist destinations within your country, or state. Sometimes great boutique hotels or lodges are overlooked because they are close to home. These can be a great place to spend a weekend, learning about where you live. If you live next to the ocean, consider visiting a nearby island. 

Something New

Often the best experiences come out of trying something new. Activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, or even a day spent at the spa can be like going on a holiday. Book a nice hotel or Airbnb for the weekend and get out of your comfort zone.

The post How to Plan the Perfect Staycation appeared first on Traveler Master.

Zero Planning

One of the best things about staycations is that they’re more spontaneous than regular trips, but there should still be some planning involved. If you only have a day or two on your hands, you’ll be able to cover much more ground with a clear plan in mind.

Skipping Research

Research is an essential part of planning your vacation, and you should never skip this step. Discovering things on the go can be really fun and you should definitely do it, but make sure to do at least some research so you wouldn’t miss out on some amazing places.

No Budget in Mind

Another great thing about staycations is that they’re budget-friendly—as long as you have a budget in mind. Know exactly how much money you want to spend, and make sure to travel with people who are willing to split the cost of gas, accommodation, and food.

The post 3 Things That Can Ruin Your Staycation appeared first on Traveler Master.

We thought we’d offer some ideas for keeping local travel on a budget and really get to know your own back yard.

Cycle

Cycling is a great way to see cities, but also experience some national parks that have dedicated bike routes. Either cycle from your home to somewhere near, load your bike on a car rack, or hop on a train with a bike.

Sleep Cheap

Since you’re not paying for luggage, why not consider camping if you’re planning on natural landscapes? Buy a tent that fits your needs and practice a few times, there’s nothing better than spending the night in the privacy of the great outdoors.

Weekdays Travel

We tend to take holidays only for faraway trips and so our impression of local travel is only of what it looks like on the weekends when everyone else visits, just like you. Try booking a week off from work to travel locally and discover peace and quiet you never felt before.

The post Travel Locally Without Breaking The Bank appeared first on Traveler Master.

1. Watch the sunrise from Promontory Point and enjoy the swimming area later in the morning.
2. Photography fan? Head to the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the flagship museum of Colombia College Chicago.
3. If you’re craving green space and nature, visit the Garfield Park Conservatory and enjoy its public gardens.
4. There’s an interesting part of the University of Chicago called the Smart Museum of Art and it offers contemporary art that’s progressive and eclectic.
5. Wanna see a million dollars in cash? You can do that at the Federal Reserve Bank Money Museum! Visit it on a weekday at 1 pm for a free guided tour.
6. In the first week of September, you can attend the Chicago Jazz Festival in Millenium Park.

The post 10 Best Free Things You Can Do in Chicago appeared first on Traveler Master.