Did you know you can enjoy a “staycation” even while traveling or living abroad?
A staycation is a holiday that you spend at home or nearby. It can mean going for a day out, such as a hike or a walk around your city, or you can stay overnight in the same town.
Although I’ve been renting a property for six months this year in Manchester, I decided to find an exciting place to spend the weekend in a new corner of the city.
Rather than staying in a hotel, I rented a houseboat that I found on Instagram.
Called the Wandrin Star, the boat is docked in a place called Castlefield Bowl, an amphitheater-style music venue in the heart of Manchester. There weren’t any concerts while I was there, however, so it was a quiet and relaxing time.
The boat’s interior is themed in a Cuban motif, complete with colorful artwork, cozy furniture, and a tiki-style cocktail bar. It functioned exactly like a house, complete with a full kitchen and a gas stove. The only difference was the entrance, which was a hatch rather than a door, and a water pump in the shower to drain the water.
From the boat, I could walk to an array of amenities, stores, coffee shops, and local sights. It’s just a block from the Science and Industry Museum, which is housed in one of the world’s first train stations.
Staying the night on the Wandrin Star was a unique way to spend the weekend.
Whether you’re currently living in your hometown or abroad, consider taking a staycation. It’s an excellent way for you to discover more about where you are on a deeper level. You can uncover new markets, cafés, and sights in the area, discovering neighborhoods and attractions that you previously overlooked.
A local staycation also presents an opportunity to better familiarize yourself with local transportation, meet people on a different side of town, or gain a new perspective on somewhere you’ve lived for a long time.
To get started, plan a day out in your town. Choose an activity that you’ve never done before, make a reservation at a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try, or identify a place you’ve been wanting to visit, such as a park, library, theater, or gallery. If you want to turn your staycation into a weekend, rent a room at a locally-run hotel in an area you have yet to explore or search for unique properties on Airbnb.
By pretending to be a tourist in your hometown or current home base, you could be delighted by what you find!
Editor’s Note: For 20 years, Kristin Wilson has lived, worked, and traveled abroad in 60 countries. She’s used her unique expertise and on-the-ground insights to help thousands settle into a new, better life overseas.
Now she’s joined our IL team to provide personalized guidance that will help you find your own just-right place on the planet and get there with ease and confidence.