Tip No.14 – Staycations

Tips and tricks for making environmentally friendly swaps today!

Let’s try and sum up summer 2023 so far: Central Europe = Very hot, UK = Very wet, Climate = Very unhappy.

So the traditional image of going abroad for summer holidays might not be so attractive now, when major destinations are under sweltering heat or on fire. This is where our good friend the staycation comes in. Now, I know what you’re thinking…….. AH CAMPING! NO! Fear not (although of course camping is an excellent option should you so wish 🏕️), because staycations mean getting to explore places in your own region of the world with less of the travel stress and less of the travel emissions.

Generally, we take holidays to have some well-earned time off, spend time with the people we love and make memories. And these can be done anywhere, not only by some foreign pool. And getting to explore somewhere completely new can be lots of fun too! Here are some tips for making your staycation a sustainable one…

• Get on Trainline (or other rail websites/apps), and find direct/accessible locations from your nearest train stop. Are there any city breaks you can get to in only a few hours or even less than? Maybe a smaller countryside location is more for you? Instead of getting frustrated by the lack of public transport to a location you’ve already booked, try finding a location you can get to in reasonable time and with minimal complications first and plan your stay from there. Rather stay more local or plan a day trip? See where your local bus routes could get you. Regional day passes are great if you want to see different stops and hop on different buses without getting a ticket each time or planning every stop. Maybe you can get to the beach, a park or a new town and make some new summer memories. And no car parking worry! 🥳
• You know that ‘whole new holiday wardrobe’? You’ve already got it! All of your summer clothes are still there, even if you haven’t used them since last year. Have a bit of a declutter, rediscover some favourites, and if anything is missing, a charity shopping day would be the perfect way to plug any garment gaps.
• Contrary to what the adverts tell us, holidays don’t have to be the height of luxury for us to have a good time. A cottage in the country, a tent in a field or a city apartment can play host to amazing memories, without being huge developments. Just getting out in nature, having time to cook and play, these are what make a holiday.
• Support small and local – wherever you end up, try and support small, local businesses in your holiday location. Independent shops and cafes usually offer local products, which are both fun to try and support the local people who make them.
• Respect – It should go without saying, but unfortunately its not always the case. Leave your holiday destination taking only memories, and respect the environment, people and nature who call it home.

Got that pre-holiday excitement yet? Whether its a bus road trip on a sunny day (open top if you feel like it 🚌), a train ride city break or an out-in-nature location, happy sustainable staycation! There’s so much to be enjoyed all around us. Pass up on the airports and heatwaves, and spend more time doing what you love 😎