There is an undeniable element of excitement in just the simple thought of taking a vacation. Vacations have been around for a long, long time. Vacations started out as small celebrations of holidays, or breaks from the usual work of the day. One definition of vacation explains it to be a scheduled period of time spent away from work or responsibility.
Today we have summer vacations, vacation time from work, mini vacations, family vacations, and every other vacation that can be thought up. Any reason can be a good reason for a much needed, or much desired break from routine. There are even many books devoted to training one’s mind to take mental vacations. Though these may not be as fun as hitting the open road, they are known to be very beneficial and restful for the mind.
A new kind of vacation that seems to be attracting a lot of interest lately is the less expensive, closer to home, and for a shorter period of time version of the mini vacation. Many times this getaway is fifty miles or less from home base, and can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand. Still very reasonably priced compared to cross country or international travel. And as an added bonus you don’t need to get any funky shots or pass ports.
There are really no downsides to this type of holiday, and so many upsides. All it takes is a look in your local newspaper to find undiscovered places of interest and fun. But they go unnoticed because of busy schedules and the hectic rat race. Places like Disneyland and the zoo can be transformed into a whole new vacation experience with some creativity. Disneyland, for example, offers guests the opportunity to enter the park one hour before it opens, to it’s hotel guests. They also have various activities for the children most hours, and daycare services.
Maybe you do not live near any major theme parks or tourist destinations, or, have no interest in them, you still have hundreds of ways to get your grove on. There are spas almost every way you look. Luxury hotels are a dime a dozen, of course, they offer heated pools, room service, and maid service. Sometimes they will offer extra incentives for guests staying more than two nights. Just not having to make beds and do laundry can be a sort of vacation.
So what if you are like Dorothy, and there’s no place like home? You can still check out of the game for a while and still have your vacation. Plan it like you would any other vacation. Go to the grocery store and buy all your favorite foods (and paper plates, cups, etc.). Choose you entertainment and have enough of it. For some people that would be sleeping, and that’s okay too. Tell people you are on vacation so you will unavailable for call, texts, and e-mails. Remember, it is a vacation, so you will need to shop for new clothes, even if they are all under clothes. Be relaxed, be lazy, or even crazy, but never forget; what happens on vacation, stays on vacation.